Why it's Easy to Believe that President Marcos Ordered Ninoy Aquino Killed

My blog post on Tibo Mijares 3 years ago breathe some new life today when I stumbled upon Jose Camano's article on the subject. The article affirmed what I already know about former President Marcos' involvement in the assassination of Ninoy Aquino (exactly 29 years ago) and Mijares' disappearance. The piece, shed new light on some gruesome details of Mijares' abduction and the death of his teen age son - which I've been very curious about. I got permission to post the entire article on this website.  May it serve as a reminder that Filipinos should never forget what the Marcos' have done and continue to resist the evils in our society - we have no higher calling than to expose it by every legitimate ways.

Filipino Christian Blogger Remembers Chuck Colson

The view above my work computer

(Article originally posted on BreakPoint) It was an honor and a blessing to work alongside my boss and mentor Chuck Colson. I was personally drawn to Chuck because of his personal connections to my personal hero, Ninoy Aquino (I think they also look alike).

According to Chuck, they were close friends when Ninoy was exiled in Boston. They met on an airplane and started a close friendship. Chuck said Ninoy considered him his spiritual mentor. In fact, Chuck was the first person Ninoy called when he decided to go back to the Philippines. One of Ninoy's final phone calls before boarding the plane back to the Philippines was with Chuck. Filipinos were never the same again when Ninoy returned.

Rebirth of Ninoy Aquino

Today, August 21st is Ninoy Aquino's death anniversary. It was 27 years ago when the news of Ninoy's assassination at the Manila International Airport shocked many Filipinos and sparked a united revolt that will eventually put his widowed wife Corazon Aquino to be the next president of the Philippines ending the 20-year regime of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

President Noynoy Aquino Delivers His First State of the Nation Address

Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin? says President Noynoy Aquino in his first State of the Nation Address.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy, "Son, the ball is now in your hands"

Thought I'll post the letter of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino to his only son Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr., from prison (Thank you Ramil Dizon for the link). To date, Noynoy is the leading candidate to become the 15th President of the Philippines. I've expressed many times in this blog my admiration to Ninoy and his worldview that sparked his bravery so I cant resist doing it again here. His letter to Noynoy was written 37 years ago but it still resonates today. My prayer is that with Noynoy's leadership, Filipinos around the world will be united to build a stronger democracy and instill self-sacricife in the Philippines. Ninoy's "impossible dream" was possible after all.

Corazon Aquino, Destined to be Loved and Remembered by Her People

By Conrad Tolosa

Corazon Aquino was destined to be loved and remembered by her people. She was an instrument of intervention made by a compassionate and merciful God. I also believe that Cory will be the first to say that it is really her husband, Ninoy, who deserves to be remembered by a people so loved and believed to be worth dying for by a great man who could have accomplished much and made a meaningful difference in the lives of millions.

When sold to the Midianites, Joseph’s brothers meant it for evil; but we learn later on that God meant it for good. When Ninoy was assassinated upon his return from exile, the masterminds of this atrocious and scornful crime meant it for evil, but God - who continues to work in mysterious ways – meant it for good. The success of the consequential People Power revolution remains to be the Filipino People’s one moment in time. Those needing encouragement in keeping the faith in common people’s struggle against tyranny and for self-determination and democracy, that it can succeed, can look back to this glorious event of a peaceful and courageous quick response to the call of national duty. A blood bath was avoided because there were enough who were willing to die for the good of their country.

When the need arises again (which I think is just a matter of time) when someone is asked to be the sacrificial lamb for the sake of our people’s well-being, I believe that many will follow in the footsteps of Corazon Aquino.

Ninoy and Cory Aquino will grace our history books for always.

Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino Dies

One of my personal heroes passed away, former Philippine President Corazon “Cory” Aquino lost her battle from colon cancer today. Cory Aquino was the widow of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and will be remembered as an icon of democracy when she led a popular peaceful revolt in 1986 that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos who ruled the Philippines for 20 years. My boss Chuck Colson who was a personal friend of the Aquinos while they were living in exile in Boston described Cory in his book God & Government, “Cory Aquino, in her calm, firm, common-sense manner – just the opposite of a glib, polished professional politician – seemed to embody democracy. She was a housewife pressed into politics by the need of her nation.”

Indeed she was. Abiding to a higher power, and guided by her Catholic faith, she peacefully resisted and spoke against the immoralities of an oppressive government. She was doing more than overthrowing a corrupt ruler but also restoring and fulfilling a peaceful and democratic system that ruled the Philippines since it was founded. With minimum resistance she fought a good fight and brought justice and freedom back to the Philippines because her faith was unshakable and in maximum submission to Christ.

Thanks Cory! You will never be forgotten.

Remembering EDSA Revolution 1986

Where were you during the EDSA Revolution? I was in grade 5 or 9 years old at that time and I remember being glued to the TV watching all the events live with Angelo Castro and June Keithly as anchors. But what impacted me most of the event was my dad's reaction. Dad was quick to gather the whole family and lead all of us to pray for peace and for the country. To this day, I will never forget seeing my dad sob in prayer for his beloved Philippines. Thank you, Tatay for the positive influence!

In commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, I would like to once again pay tribute to the man who sparked a series of uprising against the former President Marcos that lead to the EDSA Revolution of 1986, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.

The video clips here (part 1) and here (part 2) are excepts from the 1997 documentary Batas Militar, which I think is the best Filipino documentary ever produced (I'm so glad I have a copy of it). The clips show how who Ninoy is and how his death sparked the revolution against the Marcos regime.

I also want to post an excerpt from a speech Prison Fellowship founder and my "boss" Chuck Colson made in 1991 at Harvard University entitled The Problems with Ethics where he mentioned his encounter and relationship with Ninoy and his impact to the Filipino people.

...I remember getting on a plane and coming up to Boston to see our first grandson when he was born, back in 1981. A man got up in the aisle of the plane and was all excited to see me. He said, “Chuck Colson!” He was blocking the people coming behind me, so I finally got him into his seat. He was talking so fast that I couldn’t understand him. To make a long story short, he introduced himself as Benigno Aquino.

Aquino told me that when he was in jail for seven years and seven months, as a political prisoner of Marcos, he had read my book "Born Again". He was in a prison cell and had gotten down on his knees and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. He said after that his entire experience in prison changed. Well, Nino and I became pretty good friends. We did some television programs together, and we visited frequently.

He called me up one day and said, “I’m going back to the Philippines.” I said, “Ninoy, do you think that’s wise?” He said, “I have to. I’m going back because my conscience will not let me do otherwise.” He was safe here in America, he had a fellowship at Harvard, he could lecture anywhere he wanted. He and his wife had everything they could possibly want.

But he knew he had to go back to the Philippines. “My conscience will not let me do otherwise.” He said, “If I go to jail, it’ll be okay, I’ll be president of Prison Fellowship in the Philippines.” He said, “If there are free elections, I’ll be elected president. I know I can beat Marcos. And if I’m killed, I know I’ll be with Jesus Christ.” He went back in total freedom. And he was shot and killed as he got off the airplane.

But an extraordinary thing happened-what’s known as people power. People went out into the streets. The tanks stopped. People went up and put flowers down the muzzles of guns: A tyrant was overthrown. A free government was reasserted because people believed in a power above themselves...

(image from Library Thinkquest)

Ninoy Aquino Assasination: An Unsolved Crime

Thought I'll share this editorial I read about the Presidential clemency GMA gave to the remaining soldiers convicted of assasinating Ninoy Aquino and Rolando Galman. Please share your thoughts on this issue. Is this fair? Has justice been served? How can Filipino pursue reconciliation with Ninoy's murders?

Pardon is granted to a convict who has admitted his crime, shown remorse and appears to be fully rehabilitated and ready to become a responsible citizen. In the case of the soldiers convicted of assassinating Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and then finishing off Rolando Galman, all continue to maintain their innocence and pointing to Galman as Aquino’s assassin — the same story given to the nation by the Marcos dictatorship. In the absence of an admission of guilt, there is also no remorse.

The slain senator’s heirs, led by former President Corazon Aquino, believe two crimes were committed on Sept. 21, 1983: the murders of two men, and the cover-up that followed. Both crimes remain unsolved, with the mastermind of the first felony still unidentified, and the second one a continuing offense, according to the family.

The views of Ninoy Aquino’s heirs are worth noting as two more of the convicts in the twin murders regained their freedom. Last week Felizardo Taran Jr. and Rolando de Guzman walked out of the New Bilibid Prisons after President Arroyo commuted their sentence. Their release followed that of M/Sgt. Pablo Martinez in November 2007. The releases have raised the hopes for freedom of the 10 more soldiers serving double life terms for the Aquino-Galman murders.

Taran and De Guzman are reportedly ailing and were freed for humanitarian reasons. Ninoy Aquino’s son and namesake, who is now a senator, countered that if the release was on humanitarian grounds, then a convict serving time for stealing a coconut should have been freed first. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III pointed out that none of those convicted of assassinating his father and Galman has admitted guilt, shown remorse or apologized for their crime.

The absence of those factors in a presidential decision to free convicts is not new. President Arroyo also pardoned her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, as soon as he was convicted of plunder, ensuring that he would never set foot in a prison cell, even if to this day he maintains his innocence.

Unless otherwise stipulated in the sentence, convicts are entitled to presidential clemency and credits for good behavior while in prison. They can be freed any time after they have served their minimum sentence. But the sentiments of the heirs of Ninoy Aquino about this crime cannot be ignored. As far as they are concerned, justice in this case has not been served.

(Source: The Philippines Star, February 11, 2009)

"If I'm killed I know I will be with Jesus" - Ninoy Aquino

Thanks to my friend Brian of The Emerge Network , he posted a video clip of Ninoy Aquino's interview on The 700 Club in 1981. On the clip, Ninoy had a profound message on his Christian faith, finding God and human suffering. The clip shows why I consider him as a personal hero and why I admire and consider him as the greatest Filipino who ever lived. Hope Ninoy's life will influence your views and patriotism for the Filipinos as he did for mine.

I want to share a blog post I made for The Point in 2007 for Ninoy's 24th death anniversary for all of us to to ponder on.

Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, recipient of BreakPoint’s first Wilberforce Award in 1988 and my personal hero, was a well known exiled leader of the Philippines against dictator Ferdinand Marcos. What is not well known, especially to his countrymen, is his conversion to Jesus Christ. Inspired by Chuck Colson’s Born Again, Aquino was in his prison cell when he surrendered his life to Christ. But his conversion took away none of his heartfelt concern for his nation. Aquino vowed he would one day return to the Philippines, stating that “If I’m killed, I know I’ll be with Jesus Christ..."

Aquino’s decision to return despite the risk of death made him both martyr and hero. But it was his faith in Christ that strengthened his courage to return and made his conscience not let him do otherwise. As Chuck Colson says in his new book, God & Government, “One can never quite calculate how one conversion like Benigno Aquino’s in a lowly prison cell may set a motion a train of events to shake a nation.” His return and his death sparked the well-known People Power revolution in 1986 that toppled Marcos and inspired democratic change not only in the Philippines but also around the world.

As the late Jaime Cardinal Sin of the Philippines said, “it is hard for our doubting hearts to believe that spiritual power -- which is peaceful, prayerful, humane, forgiving, willing to suffer on the side of the poor and oppressed -- can change society. We know the gospel affects the lives of individuals, but can it make an impact on institutions and governments, where the heartless realities of power pierce like a knife?” The answer to this question is, yes, it is possible. Because in the end, aligning our will to Christ compels us to surrender the worst times and the most difficult political situations into the hands of the sovereign God.

(image @ Facebook/Ninoy Aquino)

Cory is Sorry - What's up with that?

Dear Mrs. Aquino, I cant get over your apology. What's up with that? - Jason

I really like Cory Aquino and I consider Ninoy Aquino a personal hero but I can't contain my confusion on her public apology to former President Joseph Estrada for her involvement in the 2001 EDSA II rally that ousted Estrada from the presidency. Was she suggesting an Estrada administration is better than Arroyo? Why did Cory called for Estrada's resignation 7 years ago in the first place? Is the apology a stamp of approval on Estrada's past actions? I know she means well for publicly admiting her mistakes but I do hope its not a call to let Estrada get off the hook easily IF there are still some unresolved corruption charges on him. One thing that did come out from this is the positive show of humility and walang personalan attitude from Cory. Filipinos need to see such display of Christian values from influencial figures like her.

(image @ newsflash.org)