Duterte mourns death of Indonesian envoy to PH

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday condoled with the people of Indonesia following the death of Indonesian Ambassador Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang.

“The Philippines lost a true friend and a champion of Philippines-Indonesia bilateral relations with the sudden passing of His Excellency Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to the Philippines,” Duterte said in a statement released by Malacañang.

Sarundajang, 76, died of illness on Feb. 13 in Jakarta, Indonesia, according to news reports.

He was also Indonesia’s ambassador to Marshall Islands and Palau since Feb. 2018.

Duterte said Sarundajang would be remembered and honored for the ambassador’s “deep commitment and dedication to further deepen and broaden the special ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.”

“The President conveys deepest sympathies to Ibu Deetje Adeline Laoh Tambuwun, the entire family, and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in this time of great sadness and grief,” the Palace said. “The President considers Ambassador Sarundajang as a true friend and a brother to all.”

Malacañang noted that Sarundajang’s tenure in the Philippines was marked by “further strengthening of the overall bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.”

It said Sarundajang had helped strengthen the Philippines’ ties with Indonesia through improved connectivity, sustained people-to-people exchanges, as well as greater cooperation for peace, security and stability, and prosperity in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines – East Asean Growth Area and the larger region.

Duterte said Sarundajang, being a former local chief executive, was “a leader of significance who worked tirelessly in serving his constituencies in Bitung, North Maluku, Maluku, and North Sulawesi for which he gained respect in Indonesia.”

Sarundajang also served as governor of North Sulawesi from 2005 to 2015.

He was also a former governor of North Maluku in 2002 and Maluku from 2002 to 2003.