Ninoy Aquino: Why Manila airport was named after him

Manila: Ninoy Aquino's death shocked the nation.

It was August 21, 1983, 42 years ago today, when he was assassinated at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport, NAIA) upon returning from exile in the US.

He was shot in the head while being escorted by soldiers.

The event sparked massive outrage against the dictatorship of Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

Marcos Sr pointed to a fall guy. Officially, the military blamed Rolando Galman, a supposed communist gunman.

Many Filipinos, who believed it was a cover-up, was overcome by fear. Investors fled, jobs disappeared. The nation was reeling from ballooning external debt.

Millions attended Ninoy's funeral procession. It turned into a huge anti-Marcos demonstration.

What followed was a string of events that eventually led to the toppling of Marcos Sr and his family in 1986.

His son, Marcos Jr., was elected president in 2022, serving a single six-year term, which ends in 2028.

Timeline of Ninoy Aquino

Here's a timeline of Ninoy's life:

1932 – Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. is born on November 27 in Concepcion, Tarlac, to a political family.

1950s – As a young journalist, he covers the Korean War at age 17 and later earns recognition for his reporting. He soon enters politics, serving as mayor of Concepcion, vice governor, and then governor of Tarlac.

1967 – At 34, Aquino becomes the youngest senator of the Philippines. His fiery speeches and exposés on government corruption and military abuses earn him admiration—and enemies.

1972 – President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declares Martial Law. Aquino, seen as a major critic and threat, is arrested and imprisoned for seven years. During this time, he endures isolation but continues writing and reflecting on democracy.

1978 – While still jailed, Aquino runs for a seat in the Interim Batasang Pambansa under the Lakas ng Bayan (Laban) party. Despite massive public support, his slate loses amid allegations of fraud.

1980 – After suffering a heart attack in prison, Aquino is allowed to go to the United States for medical treatment. He lives in exile with his family but remains an outspoken critic of the Marcos regime.

1983 – Despite warnings of danger, Aquino decides to return home, believing his presence could unite the opposition. On August 21, 1983, he is assassinated at the Manila International Airport shortly after landing. His death shocks the nation and sparks widespread protests.

1986 – Aquino’s act, seen by many as martyrdom, fuels the People Power Revolution. Millions gather at EDSA, leading to the downfall of Marcos Sr. His widow, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, becomes president, ushering in the 1987 Constitution, and restoring democracy.

1987 – The name of the Manila International Airport was officially changed to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), through RA 6639 (his wife, then President Cory Aquino, did not approve it, until it lapsed into law). 

From despair, to change

Marcos Sr's watch as president, from 1965, fanned renewed hope for the Philippines.

He launched massive electrification and infrastructure projects, built schools, highways and bridges.

Marcos Sr was a legend (he was the prime suspect in the killing of his father's political nemesis, defended himself in court and topped the Bar exams of his batch). He was loved and feared at the same time.

Yet his regime was also known for kickbacks and excesses. Under the 1935 Constitution, Marcos Sr's 2nd four-year term (from 1969) should have ended in 1973.

He declared Martial Law (military rule) in September 1972, citing the threat of communist rebellion. He then changed the Constitution (some called it the Mickey Mouse charter) in which a specific provision prevented Aquino from running for president due to the latter's young age.

Aware of the Red threat, especially from neighbouring countries, and amid US losses suffered during the Vietnam War, Washington bolstered the Marcos regime.

In 1976, Marcos Sr started building a nuclear power plant in Bataan as a showpiece for the Asian country's advancement.

The deal with Westinghouse was ridden with alleged kickbacks, corruption and cost-overruns.

In 1984, the power plant was completed, but was never energised.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant project did not produce a single watt of electricity, but the Filipino taxpayers were made to pay $2.3 billion to mainly US creditors. Poor filipinos were fried in their own lard.

Wasted youth, energy

Marcos Sr's watch turned from dream to nightmare, a nation deeply divided. Ninoy was one of the vocal voices who stood up to Marcos Sr, his university frat brod.

The energy of the country's youth went to waste as the Philippines' neighbouring countries played catch-up. Millions were forced to flee, fight, or find work overseas.

The dominant narrative of that era: the twin problems of communist rebellion and Moro separatism. The main solution: use the military against their own brethren.

Besides Ninoy, among the people who rebelled against Marcos Sr’s rule were legislators, intellectuals, medical doctors (including young oncologist Dr Juan Escandor), and professionals.

The resentment against Marcos Sr hit hard: Victor Corpus, an army officer who once taught at the Philippine Military Academy, joined the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after raiding its armoury.

Others in the military started factions within: the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), formed by junior military officers, organised blocs of the military who later turned against Marcos Sr.

It hit rock bottom when Fidel Ramos, Marcos Sr's cousin and his No. 2 military general then, alongside lawyer Juan Ponce Enrile, also an Ilocano and a former defence minister, joined the anti-Marcos camp.

Ramos eventually became president, and Enrile elected Senate president (now also the legal adviser of President Marcos Jr.)

They say in this country, the wheel always turns. And truth be told, Ninoy — who at times flirted with the communists — was hardly a saint.

So who killed Ninoy?

Later, investigations and court rulings found that soldiers from the Aviation Security Command were responsible.

The mastermind was never definitively proven. To this day, the main culprit remains a mystery.

Presently, a body mark of Aquino's assassination is on display at the departures area of Terminal 1, while the spot at Gate 11 (formerly Gate 8) where he was killed has a memorial plaque.

Ninoy is well remembered as a martyr for freedom, immortalised in his own words: “The Filipino is worth dying for.”