According to [Focus Taiwan CNA], Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday mourned the death of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 61.
In a statement, the MOFA said it has instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila to convey the condolences of Taiwan’s government and its people to the Philippine government and the family of Aquino.
MOFA praised Aquino for improving the economy of his country through various reforms during the time he was president from 2010 to 2016.
Read more: PH government announces 7,217 new coronavirus cases on June 3
According to [Focus Taiwan CNA], it added that although there were ups and downs in the Taiwan-Philippine relationship during Aquino's term, both sides still were able to promote friendship through signing agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and law enforcement cooperation in fisheries issues.
MOFA said it hoped that the cooperation in the fields of economy, investments, science and technology, culture and tourism between both sides can continue to be enhanced based on the spirit of mutuality and shared values.
Read more: Google Maps: a powerful tool to help avoid crowds in public places
According to media reports in the Philippines, Aquino died in a hospital in Quezon City on Thursday morning due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.
During Aquino's time in office, relations between Taiwan and the Philippines were briefly affected by Manila's deportations of 14 Taiwanese cyber fraud suspects to China in February 2011, and the Philippine Coast Guard personnel's shooting dead of a Taiwanese fisherman in waters between Taiwan and the Philippines in May 2013.
