Ninoy Aquino: The Politician
Ninoy Aquino (blogspot.com)
During Marcos's reign, he had one major political rival - Senator Ninoy Aquino. Aquino was a member of the Liberal Party who was a member of the Senate. When he ran for the Senate position in 1967, he gave a speech that criticized Marcos's way of ruling.
This was the start of a major rivalry between two politicians. The bombing at Plaza Miranda is one example of the rivalry:
This was the start of a major rivalry between two politicians. The bombing at Plaza Miranda is one example of the rivalry:
Aquino, by now a senator and a presidential aspirant, arrived late and avoided the tragedy. Newspapers speculated that the grenades were intended for him alone. Marcos publicly ordered an investigation, but after the excitement died down, the clamor for justice gradually subsided. The perpetrators were never identified or arrested."
- Charles C McDougald, "The Marcos File" pg. 120 - 121
Aquino was arrested on the day of the declaration of martial law. Eleven months later, on August 1973, he was charged with murder, subversion, and the illegal holdings of firearms. Aquino considered this trial to be "not only anomalous, immoral, unjust, and unjustified - but an unconscionable mockery of justice, an obscene farce!"(Marcos File, pg. 262) .
Aquino was later sentenced to death on November 25, 1977, but the public was enraged about this. Marcos decided not to sentence Aquino. In 1980, Marcos allowed Aquino to go to the US for a heart operation after suffering a heart attack.
Aquino was later sentenced to death on November 25, 1977, but the public was enraged about this. Marcos decided not to sentence Aquino. In 1980, Marcos allowed Aquino to go to the US for a heart operation after suffering a heart attack.
Ninoy Aquino: The Martyr
Ninoy Aquino assassinated on August 21, 1983 at Manila Airport (getrealphilippines.com)
On August 21, 1983, Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at Manila Airport as he stepped off the China Airlines plane. After the plane landed, Aquino was escorted out of the plane and was shot as he walked down the stairs.
Marcos didn't want the general public in the Philippines to know about the assassination. This quote from Charles McDougald explains how the whole situation was treated and the consequence:
Marcos didn't want the general public in the Philippines to know about the assassination. This quote from Charles McDougald explains how the whole situation was treated and the consequence:
"Aquino's death was treated the way most events were that might tarnish his image. The whole affair was ordered to be treated as a non-event. That was a mistake, a fatal chink in the Marcos armor. A man had just been martyred - given his life in the service of this country... The insult raged inside the Filipino like the fires of Prometheus and became the catalyst for the first outright active rebellion of Marcos' rule."
- Charles McDougald, "The Marcos File", pg. 267