MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who led the arbitration case against China on the West Philippine Sea, has passed away, government confirmed on Tuesday. He was 83.

Del Rosario was on his way to San Francisco when he died, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

In its tribute, the DFA described Del Rosario as "an advocate of protecting and advancing national security and promoting the rights and welfare of Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad."

"I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario. He was a consummate diplomat and an inspiring leader who led the DFA with integrity and unwavering commitment to public service," incumbent Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a separate tweet.

"You will be missed, Mr. Secretary," he added.

Del Rosario served as the country's top diplomat from 2011 to 2016, under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III. He had also served as the Philippine Ambassador to the United States from 2001 to 2006 under the Arroyo administration.

During his stint as DFA chief, he led the Philippines' legal battle before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands over territorial disputes with China on the West Philippine Sea. The United Nations-backed court ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016.

Relations with Beijing soured during his tenure, which was marked by a fierce standoff in 2012 in Scarborough Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks 240 kilometers west of Luzon.

Think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, where del Rosario served as chairperson, described him as a "champion of democratic values and rules-based international order."

"He has fought for an independent foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of the country and of the Filipino people. He believed that diplomacy is a great equalizer in international affairs and that each state had an equal voice in the global community regardless of their political, economic, or military capabilities," the think tank said in a statement.

The Makati Business Club (MBC) called Del Rosario "an exemplary Filipino."

"He was the strongest advocate for Filipinos and our sovereignty, helping win the historic ruling on the West Philippine Sea and continuing to defend our territory in retirement. He was instrumental in forging a multi-sectoral bulwark in defense of our territory," the MBC said in a statement.

"We join others in the business community, civil society, and the nation in thanking him for living and serving with great dedication and dignity," it added.

Tributes to del Rosario poured in from the country's lawmakers.

Sen. Francis Escudero said that he had worked with del Rosario during the Aquino administration, and described the latter as "a man of firm integrity and patriotism."

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, who had also worked with del Rosario in the Aquino cabinet, said the former diplomat "was instrumental in winning our case over territorial disputes with China."

Sen. Grace Poe called del Rosario a "diplomat par excellence."

"We will always hold Secretary ADR in high esteem for his firm diplomacy and dignified demeanor in fighting for the interest of our countrymen," she said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, for his part, said he will remember del Rosario for "his consistent stand in protecting our national territory."

The Aquino cabinet, in another statement, said it was grateful and "privileged to have him as a cabinet colleague who always challenged us to be tireless in the fulfillment of duty, unyielding in the defense of the national interest, gentlemanly in all aspects of private and public conduct, and unflinching in seeking to bring aid and assistance to our fellow citizens in danger areas."

"He was much older than most of us but acted younger than most in his zest for life and tirelessness in his official duties. At this time of loss our thoughts and prayers are with his loving wife Gretchen and all his family. The West Philippine Sea always being Filipino is his legacy; one we are committed to uphold with the same patriotic spirit Albert demonstrated in his years as SFA," it added.

Del Rosario's fellow diplomats from the United States, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Czech Republic, Poland, and the European Union also paid tribute to him in separate social media posts.

Born in Manila in 1939, del Rosario graduated with a degree in economics from New York University and later became a fierce critic of China.

He continued his criticism of China after leaving office by holding public forums organized by his think tank and writing opinion columns in local newspapers.

In March 2019, del Rosario filed a complaint against Chinese officials at the International Criminal Court, alleging "crimes against humanity" over the supposed environmental fallout of Beijing's activities in the South China Sea.

The complaint was eventually dismissed because China is not a state party to the Rome Statute that established the court.

Months after filing the ICC case, he was denied entry to Hong Kong in what critics called retaliation for his criticism of Beijing.

Del Rosario was also known as a critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte's foreign policy. Duterte in 2021 accused him of treason and even questioned his nationality.

• Duterte denies China helped in 2016 elections; threatens to sue ex top diplomat

In 2022, Del Rosario thanked then-President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his stance in the West Philippine Sea and supporting the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The former diplomat was also a recipient of several accolades. Last November, the Japanese government awarded him with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, one of Japan's highest civilian honors.

• Japan confers awards on ex-DFA chief Del Rosario, 2 Duterte-era officials

No other details on his death were provided yet, as well as possible funeral arrangements.

—with a report from Agence France-Presse

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