Bam Aquino: Remember Ninoy Aquino’s love of country

Senator Bam Aquino on Tuesday called on Filipinos to remember the late Senator Ninoy Aquino’s love of country as the late senator’s birthday was remembered on Tuesday. The late Senator Aquino would have turned 86 years old.

“Ngayon pong birthday ni Ninoy, huwag nating kakalimutan na ang kanyang pagkamatay ay hindi lang dahil nabaril siya,” Aquino said in a statement.

“Iyan po ay dahil sa napakalalim niyang pagmamahal sa ating bayan na mas ginusto niyang umuwi kahit na baka makulong at mapanganib ang kanyang buhay kaysa sa manatili sa Amerika na mapayapa naman at ligtas,” he added.

Ninoy, a staunch critic of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was among those jailed during martial law.

He was imprisoned for seven years and suffered a heart attack before he was allowed to leave for the United States for medical treatment.

He was then, assassinated at the Manila International Airport (later renamed as Ninoy Aquino International Airport) when he returned to the Philippines in 1983.

With this, Aquino branded his uncle’s story as a story of “change,” noting that Ninoy faced many challenges in his life.

“Handa niyang harapin ang anumang pagbatikos, pagkakulong, at panganib basta makasama niya tayo dito sa ating bayan,” he said.  “Kaya ang kuwento ni Tito Ninoy ay isang kuwento ng pagbabago.”

Bam also asked to spread the story of Ninoy as the youth only remember his uncle as the face on the P500 bill and as the father of actress Kris Aquino.

“Sana po, ang kabataan natin ay marinig iyan. Kasi kapag tinatanong ko po sila kung sino si Ninoy Aquino, ang sagot po ay nila ay “Yung nasa P500 po!” o kaya naman “Ang tatay po ni Kris!” he said.

“Kaya sana, tayo na nandito ngayon, yung mga senior na buhay na buhay noong 80s, ay ibahagi ang kanyang kuwento,” he added.

Bam added that leaders must follow his uncle, who did not fear imprisonment during the Marcos regime because of his love of country.

“Palagay ko, marami sa mga lider ngayon ay takot na takot at hindi makapagsalita. Nakita natin na si Ninoy Aquino ay hindi natakot na makulong at mapanganib ang buhay dahil napakalalim ng kanyang pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa bayan,” Aquino said.  /muf