Monument honoring ex-Philippine President Quirino unveiled in Tokyo

Portrait of Pres Elpidio Quirino (L), and his memorial in Hibiya Park, Tokyo

TOKYO, June 18 (PNA/Kyodo) -- A ceremony was held Saturday in Tokyo's Hibiya Park to unveil a memorial to the late Philippine President Elpidio Quirino to honor his contribution to bilateral relations.

Quirino, who served from 1948 to 1953, granted amnesty to the 105 Japanese war criminals detained in the country in his last year in office, despite having lost his wife and three children at the hands of Japanese troops during World War II.

The amnesty provided momentum for the two countries to normalize relations in 1956.

The ceremony, held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization, was attended by officials including Philippine Ambassador Manuel Lopez and former Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura. (PNA/Kyodo)