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In this Wednesday Feb. 7, 2001 file photo, Ariel Sharon, then Israel’s Prime Minister-elect, looks up as he touches Judaism holiest site, the Western Wall, in Jerusalem. The son of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says his father has died on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. The 85-year-old Sharon had been in a coma since a debilitating stroke eight years ago. His son Gilad Sharon said: “He has gone. He went when he decided to go.” AP

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday expressed sympathies on the death of former Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

“The Philippines joins the government and people of Israel in mourning the passage of their former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said in a text message to media.

Sharon died on Saturday at the age of 85 at a hospital near Tel Aviv. He was in a coma since suffering a massive stroke in 2006.

“He was a bold and vigorous leader in war and in peace. May his important contributions in the quest for peace be long remembered,” Hernandez said.

The former prime minister was a controversial leader, both loved and hated by people.

His “ruthless methods” as a political and military leader earned him the moniker “The Bulldozer.”

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