Manila: The assassination of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr — the arch enemy of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr — motivated a generation of Filipinos to shape history.
Today, 40 years later, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seized the opportunity to cite Aquino’s example of “relentlessness and resolve”.
In a statement carried by the Philippine Information Agency on X (formerly Twitter), the chief executive struck a conciliatory tone, extolling the virtues of patriotism, empathy, dialogue, breaking barriers and using a phrase — "indomitable spirit" — Aquino Jr is known for.
Non-working holiday
August 21 is a designated non-working holiday in the Asian country, commemorating what the Philippines Supreme Court Justice Claudio Teehankee in 1986 described as a "cold-blooded murder" of Aquino Jr at the Manila international airport, the main aviation gateway that now bears his name (Ninoy Aquino International Airport).
Ninoy, a former senator from Tarlac province in central Luzon, was born on November 27, 1932. He worked as a journalist and covered the Korean War before joining politics, later being elected as the country’s youngest Mayor, and in no time becoming its most popular Senator.
Ninoy was a chief critic of Marcos Sr. — though they belonged to the same university fraternity — and was also labelled a communist backer. Citing the Red takeover threat, Marcos Sr ruled the country for 21 years until he was ousted in a civilian-backed military coup. Marcos was then replaced by Ninoy's wife, Cory.
The shift brought about the replacement of the 1973 Constitution crafted under Marcos Sr by the 1987 Charter, under which Marcos Jr was elected, and which now caps presidential terms to a single, six-year limit.
Death by firing squad
During Aquino's trial for rebellion, a military tribunal sentenced him to “death by firing squad — for common offences alleged to have been committed long before the declaration of martial law and whose jurisdiction over him as a civilian entitled to trial by judicial process by civil courts,” according to Philippine Supreme Court records.
On August 21, 1983, “he (Aquino) was cold-bloodedly killed while under escort by soldiers. His brain was smashed by a bullet fired pointblank [in an] airport ringed by close to 2,000 soldiers. [This was] scripted and stage-managed from Malacañang (palace),” Supreme Court records show.
Global condemnation
Aquino Jr's assassination triggered global condemnation and inspired the 1980s generation of Filipinos, with a huge chunk of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) — including those from Marcos’s own Ilocano tribe — to stand up against Marcos Sr's 21-year rule.
That, in brief, is the background of what the Philippine remembers on Monday, August 21.
Conciliatory tone
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., also known as BBM, now sits in Malacañang following his election in 2022. He stated on Monday that he joins the nation and marking "Ninoy Aquino Day”.
Transcending barriers, looking to the future
He urged Filipinos to “transcend political barriers” in order to “proceed towards a future that resonates with our hopes and dreams.”
It states: "I stand united with all Filipinos worldwide in commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day. By standing for his beliefs and fighting for battle he deemed right, he became an example of relentlessness and resolve for many Filipinos.”
Love of country, unity of purpose
In a message that resonates with Generation Z, steeped in social media ethos, Marcos Jr equated love of country as a "compelling force" — one that promotes “collaboration", celebrates “diversity", and creates "a society that is teeming with vitality and inspiration.”
“In our resolute quest for a more united and prosperous Philippines, let us transcend political barriers that hamper us from securing the comprehensive welfare and advancement of our beloved people. Let us imbue ourselves with clarity of mind and unity in purpose so we can proceed to the future that resonates with our hopes and dreams."
Empathy, compassion, dialogue
“When our love for the nation becomes the compass that guides our words and actions, we foster an environment for empathy, compassion, and dialogue prevail, leading us to a more enlightened and harmonious society...
“Let us allow this compelling force to promote collaboration, celebrate diversity and create a society that teeming with vitality and inspiration.”
“Together, let us develop a Philippines grounded in reason and fortitude, where the boundaries of our personal biases fade and the welfare of all become our priority. As we take measured yet realistic strides towards progress, let us allow our indomitable spirit to drive us to uplift every Filipino and build an inclusive and a more progressive Philippines. I wish everyone a meaningful and peaceful remembrance.”
Royal families
The Marcoses and Aquinos are the two of the Philippines’s most enduring political families. Two Marcoses have become president, including the current one, BBM. Two Aquinos — Cory, Ninoy’s widow, and their only son, “Noynoy” — have also led the country during some of most tumultuous periods in the country’s history.
In many ways, the Aquinos and the Marcoses are both undeclared Philippine royalties. Imee, Marcos Jr’s elder sister, was elected in May 2022 Senator and his son, Sandro, currently serves as a congressman in the House of Representatives.
Who killed Ninoy?
"Beyond Conspiracy”, a documentary, analysed all accessible evidence to offer the most credible account of those behind the murder of Aquino Jr.
It was produced under the auspices of the Worldwide Foundation for People Power in 2008. Its ultimate finding: The crime's accountability rested not on a solitary mastermind, but on multiple individuals collaborating in collusion.
