The Philippines yesterday commemorated the assassination of former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, whose death 22 years ago galvanized the opposition against his archrival, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Former president Corazon Aquino led a Catholic Mass for her late husband, which was attended by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, top legislators, government officials and political and community personalities.
A foundation named after Ninoy Aquino also gave out recognition awards to non-government organizations that honor the late senator's martyrdom through their work.
PHOTO: EPA
Ninoy Aquino was killed upon arrival in Manila after years of exile in the US on Aug. 21, 1983. He was gunned down as he disembarked from a commercial flight, despite being escorted by dozens of soldiers.
Sixteen soldiers were convicted for the assassination, but the mastermind has never been unmasked. However, many Filipinos believe that Marcos and his men were behind the killing.
Arroyo, who suffered a falling out with former president Aquino amid a political crisis triggered by vote-rigging allegations against her, extolled the late senator as "a martyr for national unity."
"More than to advance the struggle for freedom, Ninoy came home to bring all Filipinos together behind one nation and one destiny," she said in a statement. "He had a vision that galvanized ordinary people to do great things at a time when they lived in fear and want."
Three years after Ninoy Aquino's assassination, millions of Filipinos joined a "people power" revolution that ousted Marcos in February 1986. The dictator and his family fled in exile to Hawaii.
During Sunday's Mass, Arroyo was surrounded by former allies who have withdrawn support for her and asked her to resign due to allegations she connived with an election official to fix the results of the May 2004 presidential vote.
Aside from former president Aquino, the other estranged allies in the crowd were Senate President Franklin Drilon and former social welfare and development secretary Corazon Soliman.
Arroyo, who kissed and shook hands with her former allies, urged Filipinos to emulate Ninoy Aquino and pursue his vision for the Philippines "that cast down dictatorship and plunder, and elevated democracy and social justice to a high pedestal."
"Today, we yearn for the same spiritual and moral upliftment, the same strength and courage he brought home to the land," she said. "We must never forget his profound sacrifice. Let us revere his memory and live by his ideals."
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