Abe's Davao City visit made him closer to Mindanaoans

 

Aside from the Japanese people, world leaders, and political supporters, many Filipinos from Mindanao are mourning the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe captured the hearts of many Filipinos when he decided to visit the house of former President Rodrigo Duterte in Dona Luisa Subdivision, Bangkal, Davao City, on January 13, 2017.

The Japanese official spent 45 minutes in Duterte’s house, 10 minutes of which in the President’s room.

The two leaders also ate local rice cakes—biko, suman, and kutsinta—and had mongo soup, the president’s favorite dish.

They also had a heart of banana salad and fresh fruits like mango, rambutan, and pomelo and were served Earl Grey black tea, coffee, and buko juice, according to a menu from Malacanang.

Many Mindanaoans love Abe's humble and genuine nature, and he sets aside his tight schedule to visit Davao City and mingle with its people and officials.

In a statement, Citizen Duterte expressed deep sorrow over the assassination of his dear friend.

"It is with deep regret and profound sadness that I learned of the untimely demise of my dear friend, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe," Duterte said.

"During my presidency, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was not just the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines after my election but was also the only foreign leader to visit my home in Davao City. For this, I will always hold him close to my heart and cherish the moments we have shared  It is my hope that, as we remember his legacy, we will continue to learn and draw from his dedication to duty and remarkable leadership moving forward," Duterte added.

Former Davao de Oro governor Tyron Uy also expressed sadness at the death of Abe since he was one of the Davao region leaders who welcomed Abe on his Davao City visit.

"We learned the sad news that Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and died today. We send our condolences to his family and to the people of Japan," Uy said.

Uy said the visit of Abe means a lot not only to Mindanao but the Philippines in general because it further strengthens the ties between the Philippines and Japan.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)