Palace extends condolences over Vietnam president's death

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Sunday condoled with Vietnam over the death of its President Tran Dai Quang and recalled the hospitality he extended to President Rodrigo Duterte during the Philippine leader's visits to Hanoi. 

"The Palace offers its deepest condolences to the government and people of Vietnam on the demise of President Tran Dai Quang," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte recalls with fondness the warmth and the hospitality extended by President Quang during his first official visit to Vietnam in 2016 and Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Summit in 2017," he added. 

Roque said the Duterte administration's prayers and thoughts are with Quang's family and the Vietnamese people.

Quang died last Friday after a serious illness, according to Vietnamese media. He was 61 years old. 

Quang was public security minister before being named the president in April 2016.

Watchdog Human Rights Watch has said Quang would be remembered for a "multi-year crackdown on human rights and putting more political prisoners behind bars in Vietnam than any time in recent memory.”

Fellow Southeast Asian leaders, however, have lauded him for supporting Vietnam's development and boosting its ties with its allies in the region.