Wreath-laying starts Ninoy 27th death anniversary rites
Wreath-laying ceremonies in Manila and in Quezon City early Saturday morning kicked off activities marking the 27th death anniversary of former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr. led the wreath-laying at the People Power Monument along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), radio dzBBâs Allan Gatus reported. Gazmin served as presidential security chief of Ninoy's late widow, former President Corazon Aquino. Supporters of Aquinoâs son and incumbent President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, most wearing yellow, attended the ceremony at the monument along EDSA. They also took a vow to take a more active role in nation-building. Organizers of the event included the Yellow Ribbon Movement (YRM), Spirit of EDSA Foundation and the EDSA People Power Commission. YRM described Saturdayâs event as the 27th anniversary of âNinoy Aquinoâs martyrdom for democracy." Meanwhile, in Manila, dzBBâs Teresa Tavares reported President Aquino's sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz asked Filipinos to remember her fatherâs martyrdom, which she said was part of Godâs plan. But Aquino-Cruz also appealed to soldiers who were convicted â but later pardoned â to at least make public what they saw on the day her father was assassinated. Ninoy was shot dead at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983. The airport has since been named after him. The assassination triggered a series of protests against the Marcos regime, culminating in a bloodless uprising that ousted the strongman and installed Aquinoâs widow Corazon as president in 1986. Mrs. Aquinoâs death in August 1, 2009 prompted now-President Noynoy Aquino to run in the 2010 presidential elections. âMove onâ On the eve of his fatherâs 27th death anniversary, President Aquino was advised to âfeel forgiveness" for those behind the assassination. Fr. Fernando Carpio of Quiapo Church in Manila said the pardon should be personal as well as judicial, if only to achieve true healing. âPersonal forgiveness is needed if healing and reconciliation is to to be achieved," he said in an article posted Friday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. Of the 16 soldiers who were sentenced to life imprisonment for Ninoyâs murder, three died in prison and the rest have since been pardoned and released. The president has said he still feels resentment over the incident and there has been speculation that his office may call a reinvestigation. On the other hand, Sen. Ferdinand âBongbong" Marcos Jr., son of the late strongman, who some believe to have masterminded Ninoy's assassination, similarly called for âclosure." âItâs important that we find closure so we can move on and not have to relive the past," he said. He added the Marcos family also deems it âextremely important" to find out exactly what happened. âWe have never wavered in our belief that there were forces other than those already named," he said. Earlier, President Aquinoâs sisters said the incident is a closed book. âFor me, you cannot hold these ill feelings for long because in the end itâs you who will suffer," said one of them, Aurora Abellada. â LBG, GMANews.TV