Jose Santiago “Chito” station, the ambassador to China in the Philippines. Romana died at the age of 74, the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on April 19.
DFA states: statement The Philippine embassy in Beijing is coordinating with Chinese authorities for the immediate deportation of his body.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the end of the Philippine ambassador, Jose Santiago Chitosta, thanks to the sadness and deep sorrow of the secretary. Romana “.
The DFA did not mention the cause of his death in that statement, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Sta. Romana died “due to illness”.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said, “I am deeply saddened that I lost my best friend and sincerely condolence to my loved ones.” Said Reporter. “We will work with his family and the Philippine Embassy in China to properly handle follow-up issues and provide as much convenience as possible.”
According to a DFA statement, Sta. Romana was appointed as the Philippine Ambassador in December 2016, “recognized for her deep knowledge of Chinese history and people.”
“Under his outstanding tenure, the relationship between the Philippines and China prospered despite the differences. Indeed, they matured, further blossomed and deeply strengthened. We are the most challenging. Respect his important legacy of selfless service to Filipinos in a traditional foreign post. “
According to the Station Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), Romana was a veteran journalist who spent more than 30 years in China. Website, He was listed as one of the PRRM trustees. He first traveled to China in 1971 as the head of the Filipino Youth Delegation.
Before joining the Philippine government, Sta. Romana worked as a Beijing correspondent for ABC News. According to PRRM, he featured China as a network reporter and producer from 1989 to 2010, covering major articles such as the Tiananmen Square Incident in 1989 and the US-China crisis in 1999 and 2001.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer featuring the Epoch Times Asia Pacific News.