Palace urges Filipinos to remember Ninoy Aquino

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Saturday called on Filipinos to remember the martyrdom of former senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., and asked that young people  who may not have been born when he was killed in 1983 follow the example that he has set.

President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, issued the statement on the eve of the 28th anniversary of Aquino’s homecoming and assassination at the airport that now bears his name.

“May the Filipino people never forget him and the many others  who fought for the restoration of our democracy,” Lacierda said in a text message.

“(May) future generations continue to hold dear the example Ninoy Aquino set for us through his life, his struggles and his sacrifice,” he added.

Aquino, the father of President Aquino, came home from three years of exile in the US on Aug. 21, 1983 despite warnings that he would be killed upon his return.

Aquino’s assassination was blamed on Marcos, a political opponent who jailed Aquino when he proclaimed martial law in September 1972.

Millions of Filipinos turned out for the daylong procession that carried Aquino from the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City to his final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque.

His death is widely credited for rousing the public discontent with the excesses of the Marcos regime that culminated in the People Power Revolution in 1986 that propelled his widow, the late former President Corazon Aquino, to power.

In an interview over state-run radio dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Aquino will grace the opening of the Ninoy, My Hero Exhibit at the SM Megamall on Sunday afternoon.

Last year’s observance of his father’s death anniversary was President Aquino’s first as Chief Executive. He and his sisters attended Mass at the Aquino couple’s tombs in Parañaque.

Valte announced no similar activity on Saturday.