Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Anadolu photo)
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo expressed shock by the apparent shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was delivering a speech in Nara on July 8.
In a tweet Friday, the Filipino top diplomat prayed for Abe's swift recovery.
"It is with great shock and dismay that I learned of the shooting of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo on July (8), 2022 in Nara. I extend my deep sympathy and pray for his early recovery," he said.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, meanwhile, thanked Manalo for his sympathies and promised that the Japanese government will "take all possible measures to deal with the situation".
"Such a despicable act, for whatever reason, is unacceptable, and we condemn it unreservedly," he said.
"We continue to pray for the recovery of former PM Abe," he added.
Japan-based public broadcaster NHK said Abe collapsed on the street in the western city of Nara while making a speech in support of a Liberal Democratic Party candidate's election campaign.
The former prime minister appears to have been shot from behind with a shotgun.
Citing the fire department, NHK said Abe is showing no vital signs and is in cardiopulmonary arrest. A man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. (PNA)
