Former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The country's top diplomat Teodoro Locsin Jr. paid tribute to former foreign affairs chief Perfecto Yasay Jr. who passed away on Friday morning. Yasay was 73.
"'Jun Yasay has donned the garment of immortality,' text said. More important it makes him finally impervious to pain," Locsin said on his official Twitter account.
He recalled that Yasay recommended him for his previous post as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
"He hurt no one and helped everyone he could. He did what many fighting tyranny had to: shield themselves with US law," Locsin said.
"Thank you, America, for shielding him while he fought for Filipino liberty. May his detractors burn in hell."
In 2017, the Commission on Appointments rejected Yasay's appointment as foreign affairs secretary following issues surrounding his citizenship.
President Rodrigo Duterte, back then, noted that Yasay went to the United States to seek asylum and escape Martial Law.
Yasay passed away at 7:26 a.m. due to pneumonia caused by the recurrence of his cancer, his wife, Cecile, confirmed on Friday. (PNA)
