A FORMER lawmaker and one of the few surviving opposition leaders during martial law has reminded Filipinos to not forget the sacrifice of martyred senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, who was assassinated as he returned from exile 43 years ago.
‘Ang brutal na pagpatay kay Ninoy ang siyang gumalit at gumising sa ating mga Pilipino na nagmamahal sa ating bayan [The brutal murder of Ninoy outraged and awakened Filipinos who love their country],’ former House Deputy Majority Leader Lito Atienza said in a statement.
The former three-term mayor of Manila and Environment secretary was one of a handful of opposition lawmakers who were elected to the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1984.
Because of Ninoy’s sacrifice, Filipinos ‘found in themselves the strength to take a stand and defend the truth, democracy and our freedoms against the abuses of those who led us during martial law,’ he added in his statement, mostly in Filipino.
‘Nawa’y huwag nating makalimutan ang kalahagahan at mga aral ng kabayanihan at sakripisyo ni Ninoy para sa ating bayan [May we not forget the significance of the lessons and sacrifice Ninoy made for our country],’ he concluded.
Ninoy’s murder at the airport tarmac that now bears his name fanned the flames of an already expanding national movement for democratic restoration, sparking protests culminating in the 1986 Edsa peaceful revolt.