Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. joined world leaders in mourning the death and remembering the legacy of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
“The Filipino people condole with the Russian people for the loss of a great leader, and we pray he rests in peace,” Marcos said in a statement on Wednesday.
The 91-year-old Gorbachev died on Tuesday following a long illness, CNN reported, citing Russian news agencies.
Known as the last leader of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev was credited for introducing key political and economic reforms to the USSR, and helping end the Cold War.
READ MORE: World leaders mourn death of last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
“That the world is much safer now and there is greater freedom for millions of people in the former communist countries in Eastern Europe is in part because of Mr. Gorbachev’s political and economic reforms,” Marcos said.
