Palace calls on youth to revisit life of Ninoy Aquino

THE TRIAL Aug. 27, 1973, Fort Bonifacio. Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. challenged the jurisdiction and independence of the military commission of Marcos-appointed generals and colonels. He refused to participate in the trial. On Nov. 25, 1977, the military tribunal sentenced him to die by musketry. ED SANTIAGO

MANILA, Philippines — For his martyrdom and contributions to democracy, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. deserves to be remembered not only by those who witnessed his courage during the dark days of martial law but also by the youth who are now enjoying the freedom he fought for, Malacañang has said.

“Thirty-one years ago, Ninoy Aquino came home to prove that the Filipino is worth dying for,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Thursday.

He said it was for this reason that the former senator was remembered as one of the “martyrs who stood for our national freedom and integrity.”

August 21, which marks the death anniversary of Aquino, is a national holiday in the Philippines.

Lacierda also called on the people, especially those who witnessed Aquino’s assassination, to remind others how his sacrifice had triggered and “sustained People Power efforts to bring back democracy through peaceful means.”

“Let us pledge to transmit his thoughts and the reasons he took his fateful stand to the generations who were not yet around in 1983, but who continue to enjoy the freedom of choice, thought, and expression that he fought and died for, and which characterizes our country today,” Lacierda said.

President Benigno Aquino III will visit his father’s grave and hear mass at the Manila Memorial Park on Thursday morning.

Aquino and the rest of his family are also expected to visit the grave of their grandfather Pepe Cojuangco.

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