Philippines: Ex-President Benigno Aquino dies age 61

KOMPAS.com - Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino died in a hospital in Manila on Thursday of renal failure as a result of diabetes, his family said.

Aquino was in office from 2010 to 2016. He was the only son of two of the Philippines' most revered democratic figures.

"It is with profound grief that on behalf of our family, I am confirming that our brother, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III died peacefully in his sleep," the family said in a statement read by one of his four surviving sisters, Pinky Aquino Abellada.

"His death certificate pronounced his death at 6:30 a.m. due to renal disease secondary to diabetes."

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The presidential palace offered condolences to Aquino's family.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who ran under the then Aquino-led ruling party in 2016, said the news of the ex-president's death was "heart-breaking".

"He tried to do what was right, even when it was not popular," she said.

"He worked quietly and tirelessly for the good of everyone. He will be missed."

Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin took to Twitter to express his grief.