I QUIET vividly recall that very hot Sunday mid-afternoon 27 long years ago or 1983 when then Senator Benigno Aquino was assassinated, his blood-drenched white long-sleeved polo lying on the tarmac at the Manila International Airport, now changed with his name in commemoration of that historic event. That time, I was riding a tricycle on my way back to St. Joseph Regional Theological Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City from my regular pastoral work at Jordan, Guimaras island roughly thirty minutes ride on motorboat.
All is told as the nation was gripped with fear and trembling, Ninoy’s untimely death caught both Seminary Fathers and seminarians by surprise and was very good excuse nonetheless for dragging the issue to refectory during mealtime, library and dormitories. It was the topic that definitely just refused to die. And rightly so because of the inability of the government in solving the crime of the century. We did see the effort but it was more palliative.
Recall how then Pres. Marcos with his entire family and some apostles of Martial Law like Juan Ponce Enrile, Gen. Fabian Ver, then loyal supporter Gen. Eddie Ramos on his side speaking to all Filipinos through television washing his hands on Ninoy’s death to appease the angry Filipinos and possibly to avert rebellion that already caught fire under his dictatorial regime. Then there came Agrava Commission he ordered to go into the bottom of the case. Ironically, nothing happened despite volume of documents and scores of witnesses. As such, the incident remains just the same as an enigma to Filipinos growing restless wanting swift resolution of the case.
Like all other concerned tax-paying Filipinos, I felt bad over the governments’ inability and inaptitude of pinning down the culprits specially the mastermind. Thinking aloud for instance gauging from the graphic account of Ninoy’s Japanese brother-in-law who was with him boarding that Cathay Pacific flight from Taiwan to Manila whose piece was published in Free Press later, why can’t the real assassin get caught. The answer of course is obvious, Ninoy’s death was a conspiracy. And alas, Col. Erwin Ver then implicated Danding Cojuanco’s name linking to double murder case. What a great relief to millions of Filipinos whose collective consciousness have been deprived of true story surrounding the mystery of Ninoy’s death. I just hope that the bad news would become good news when Senate is complete solving the Abbu Sayyaf and Lacson’s inquiry hotly debated at that time. Ninoy’s unsolved case is still within twenty years prescription period why not, DOJ Sec. Hernani Perez confided.
Incidentally, the breakthrough would have been arrived at had Martinez, one of the suspects about to spill out the beans. But his offered confession before the court didn’t materialized, dragging anew the mystery to higher level for reasons he only knew. (I have that story titled “Ninoy” written separately. Email if you want the copy). The government should pursue the case at all cost if only to return the compliment to Ninoy without whose death, democracy would have not been achieved. Not only that, we ordinary Filipinos could also rest secured in our sleep that evil does not thrive after all in the Republic.
Who is Ninoy Aquino? Unfortunately save for speeches, few writings and a book Testament From a Prison Cell he wrote while imprisoned in Fort Bonifacio, I found no other materials about him to draw possible portrait of the man of the time. But adding his exploits while he was in politics as the youngest governor ever, fiery Senator and his being Korean War correspondent included, successful surrender of Supreme Luis Taruc back to governments’ fold under Ramon Magsaysay presidency and his colorful marriage to Corazon C. Aquino already provided enough materials who Ninoy Aquino really was.
Dynamic, articulate, brave, religious and charismatic – these to me are the qualities that make him an idol to the masses and stands out. No doubt, he was a presidential timber during his time. Manuel Festin Martinez’ actually a kababayan in Romblon , writes that possibility on his book “The Grand Collision” unfortunately a work nipped in the bud by his assassination at Tarmac closing that possible encounter, paving the way to People Power which other countries adapted in their political struggle of independence.
As we celebrate this month his 27th death anniversary, I hope we won’t forget whispering to God to continually bless Ninoy making his soul whiter than snow for giving us his life he freely offers in liberating our country from tyranny. As he rightly puts it: in war there are no victors only victims We just tested its veracity in already two Edsa not compromising peace. And we were amply rewarded as we booted out Erap. Let’s keep that legacy alive never allowing any pretenders subdue it let alone, overruled by division and apathy.