Philippine government concerned of Japan PM Abe's health
Updated: Aug 29, 2020
Philippines saddened by Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s resignation
MANILA – Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar expressed concern over Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation due to health reasons.
In a statement released Friday evening, Secretary Andanar said both President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Abe are close friends. He said during Prime Minister Abe’s leadership, both countries saw a deepening of relations between the two countries founded on the promotion of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
He added Japan’s support to the Philippines under Prime Minister Abe has strengthened the Duterte government’s programs on poverty alleviation, peace and security, infrastructure, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Japan has never wavered in providing aid to our country despite the fact that it has also weathered challenges such as a devastating earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear accident in 2011,” he explained.
Expressing his optimism that relations with Japan will continue to flourish and deepen even after Prime Minister Abe’s resignation.
“We would like to extend our prayers and support to Prime Minister Abe and his family for his speedy, recovery,” Secretary Andanar concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)