The United Nations (UN) has extolled former President Benigno Aquino III for his contribution and services to the Philippines as it joins the nation in mourning the latter’s death on Thursday.
In a statement,
UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, in a statement, said: “On behalf of the United Nations, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Aquino’s family and friends. We join the Filipino people in honoring his contribution and services to the country.”
The UN Philippines also attached a photo of Aquino when he spoke before the 65th UN General Assembly in 2010, where PNpy said the Philippines would not stay entirely dependent on “the largess of the developed world,” but would be active in its own development through its efforts in the Group of 77 and initiatives to enhance South-South cooperation and collective economic interests.
During his term, Aquino pursued within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, his country’s territorial rights under the UNCLOS which it won. The 2016 Arbitral Court ruling has now become part of the international law to settle issues of historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea.
Tributes also poured in from members of the diplomatic community in the Philippines whose key envoys expressed their heartfelt sympathies to the Filipinos and the bereaved Aquino family.