Lanuza, Jan Stephen Miguel

BS Criminology
Philippine History
Professor Antham

The Assassination of Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr.: A Reaction

Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino was, like his life-long rival Ferdinand Marcos, a consummate
politician, Philippine-style. If martial law had not been declared in September 1972,
Aquino would probably have defeated Marcos or a hand-picked successor in the
upcoming presidential election. Instead, he was one of the first to be jailed when
martial law was imposed. Aquino's years in jail--physical hardship, the fear of
imminent death at the hands of his jailers, and the opportunity to read and
meditate--seemed to have transformed the fast-talking political operator into a
deeper and more committed leader of the democratic opposition. Allowed to go to
the United States for medical treatment in 1980, Benigno Aquino, accompanied by
his wife, became a major leader of the opposition in exile. In 1983 Aquino was fully
aware of the dangers of returning to the Philippines. Imelda Marcos had pointedly
advised him that his return would be risky; claiming that communist or even some of
Marcos's allies would try to kill him. The deterioration of the economic and political
situation and Marcos's own worsening health, however, persuaded Aquino that the
only way his country could be spared civil war was either by persuading the
president to relinquish power voluntarily or by building a responsible, united
opposition. On his way back to Manila, he wore a bullet proof vest to protect his
body but about his head, he said there was nothing he can do. As he was escorted
down the plight of stairs, Aquino was shot in the head and killed at Manila
International Airport by soldiers of the Aviation Security Command on August 21,
1983. He was declared dead at the age of 50. By his death, he just proved that he
was willing to sacrifice his life for the Filipino nation. His statement "Filipinos are
worth dying for", tells us that it is worth to die for the freedom of the Filipino nation.
His death brought many Filipinos to fight for freedom and to fight against Marcos'
rule. It maybe the end of his life but it also serves as our stepping-stone for facing the
new chapter of our history living with new life, freedom and democracy. But the real
questions are, do we really have freedom? Did we really attain democracy? If so, why
is our country topping the list when it comes to extra-judicial killings, murders of
journalist and activists? Is this the democracy Mr. Aquino fought for us? Do we,
Filipinos, worth dying for? These are the questions that float on the subconscious
minds of the people and yet until now, no one can give an answer.