MANILA, Philippines — A ceremony commemorating the 43rd death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was held Friday at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City.
According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr. led a flower offering at Aquino’s monument at 8 a.m.
The NHCP, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) organized the commemoration.
Representatives from the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Project Gunita, ATOM – August Twenty-One Movement, Chino Roces Foundation, NAMSERV, and Earthsaver also attended, the NHCP said.
Senator Bam Aquino also sent a wreath, which was placed beside the monument earlier, according to the commission.
Aquino was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983, shortly after arriving at what was then Manila International Airport following three years in exile.
The NHCP described Aquino as a prominent political figure and critic of then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. He was among the first opposition figures arrested after the declaration of Martial Law in September 1972.
His death sparked mass protests and drew a large turnout at his funeral. The event is widely recognized as a significant development in the opposition movement that preceded the 1986 People Power Revolution, the commission said.
Republic Act No. 9256 declares Aug. 21 as Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday.
