MANILA, Philippines — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his condolences to the victims of the powerful earthquake that struck Mindanao recently.
During his visit to Malacañang on Tuesday, Steinmeier said he and his countrymen were saddened by the images of the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that affected many areas of Southern Philippines.
He extended his sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and to those whose livelihoods were affected by the disaster.
“Many Germans, including me, were deeply saddened by the images of this severe earthquake in the south of your country,” Steinmeier said following his meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Our thoughts are with all those who lost relatives or their livelihoods in this natural disaster,” he added.
The German leader also noted that, like Germany, the Philippines shares a commitment to finding ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, which remains a priority for his government.
Steinmeier, who is in Manila for a three-day state visit, assured that the partnership and friendship between the Philippines and Germany, as well as between their peoples, will continue and grow even stronger in the years ahead.
