The Philippines’ ambassador to China, Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana, died at the age of 74, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said April 19.
The DFA said in a statement that the Philippine embassy in Beijing is coordinating with the Chinese authorities for the immediate repatriation of his remains.
“It is with the inconsolable grief of the Secretary and the profoundest sadness that the Department of Foreign Affairs announces the demise of the Philippine Ambassador to China, His Excellency Jose Santiago ‘Chito’ Sta. Romana,” it stated.
The DFA made no mention of the cause of his death in its statement, but the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry said that Sta. Romana died “due to an illness.”
…