By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Forty-three years after the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said the struggle he carried for a freer and more just Philippines remains unfinished.
Pangilinan, who was a fraternity brother of Ninoy, said the forces that confronted the late opposition leader decades ago continue to confront Filipinos today.
“[A]ng labang hinarap ni Ninoy noon ay laganap pa rin ngayon: mga ganid sa kapangyarihan at pang-aabuso sa karapatang pantao,” Pangilinan said Friday as the country marked Ninoy Aquino Day.
The senator said Ninoy’s sacrifice went beyond the fight to end dictatorship. He also envisioned a Philippines where Filipinos could live free from hunger, poverty, oppression by powerful foreign interests and the effects of widespread disinformation.
For Pangilinan, remembering Ninoy must translate into action.
“Kaya naman ngayong araw, hindi sapat ang pag-alala lamang. Kailangang kumilos…Papanagutin ang mga mapang-abuso. At higit sa lahat, ilagay natin ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino higit sa anumang personal o pulitikal na interes,” he said.
Pangilinan said the continuing struggle itself should serve as the country’s most meaningful tribute to Ninoy.
“Hindi pa tapos ang laban, pero patuloy tayong lalaban,” he said.
Bam Aquino, Ninoy’s nephew, meanwhile urged Filipinos not to lose faith in one another despite the frustrations confronting the country.
“Sa panahong madaling mapagod, magalit, o mawalan ng pag-asa sa kalagayan ng ating bansa, sana maalala natin ang pananalig ni Tito Ninoy,” Bam said in a Facebook post.
He recalled his uncle’s steadfast belief in Filipinos despite the hardships and persecution he endured.
“Kung sa gitna ng lahat ng pinagdaanan niya ay hindi siya sumuko sa Pilipino, hindi rin natin dapat sukuan ang isa’t isa,” he said.
Bam acknowledged that the country still faces problems that require Filipinos to stand up and act.
“Habang may mga Pilipinong handang tumindig para sa tama at kumilos para sa kapwa at bayan, may dahilan tayong maniwalang kaya pa nating bumuo ng mas maayos na Pilipinas,” he said.
“Yes, we are worth the struggle. Yes, the Filipino is worth dying for and worth fighting for. Tuloy ang laban!” Bam added.
Ninoy was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983, at the Manila International Airport, which was later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
He had returned to the Philippines after nearly three years of exile in the United States.
His assassination triggered widespread public outrage and galvanized opposition to the administration of then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Three years later, the growing resistance culminated in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, which ended Marcos Sr.’s rule.
Four decades after his death, Ninoy’s name remains tied to the country’s continuing debate over democracy, accountability and the responsibility of Filipinos to defend the freedoms for which he gave his life.
ia/xf
