Bam Aquino: Remember Ninoy Aquino’s deep love for the country

Senator Bam Aquino and late Ninoy Aquino / compiled photo from Google

Manila, Philippines - Opposition senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV on Tuesday called on the Filipino people to remember the late Senator Ninoy Aquino’s love for the country.

This message from the younger Aquino came as Ninoy’s birthday on Tuesday was remembered. The late senator would have turned 86 years old.

'Deep love'

“Ngayon pong birthday ni Ninoy, huwag nating kakalimutan na ang kanyang pagkamatay ay hindi lang dahil nabaril siya,” Aquino said in a statement, as he recalled Ninoy’

The senator also recalled Ninoy’s deep love for the country that he chose to go back home than stay safe in the US.

“Iyan po ay dahil sa napakalalim niyang pagmamahal sa ating bayan na mas ginusto niyang umuwi kahit na baka makulong at mapanganib ang kanyang buhay kaysa sa manatili sa Amerika na mapayapa naman at ligtas,” Aquino said

A staunched critic of former president Ferdinand Marcos, Ninoy was among those jailed during martial law.

Ninoy was arrested in 1972 along with others who were associated with the Communists armed insurgency and was imprisoned for seven years.

He then founded his own party, Lakas ng Bayan, and ran in the 1978 Philippine parliamentary election, but all of the candidates under his party, including Ninoy, lost in the polls.

Ninoy's assassination

In 1980, Ninoy was permitted by former president Marcos to travel to the United States for medical treatment following a heart attack.

He was then assassinated at the Manila International Airport (later renamed as Ninoy Aquino International Airport) upon his return to the Philippines in 1983.*

The younger Aquino branded his uncle’s story as a story of “change,” noting that Ninoy faced many challenges in his life.

“Handa niyang harapin ang anumang pagbatikos, pagkakulong, at panganib basta makasama niya tayo dito sa ating bayan,” he said. 

“Kaya ang kuwento ni Tito Ninoy ay isang kuwento ng pagbabago.” Aquino added

He also asked the people to spread the story of his uncle as the youth nowadays only remember Ninoy’s face on the P500 bill and as Kris Aquino’s father.

“Sana po, ang kabataan natin ay marinig iyan. Kasi kapag tinatanong ko po sila kung sino si Ninoy Aquino, ang sagot po ay nila ay “Yung nasa P500 po!” o kaya naman “Ang tatay po ni Kris!” Bam said.

“Kaya sana, tayo na nandito ngayon, yung mga senior na buhay na buhay noong 80s, ay ibahagi ang kanyang kuwento,” he added.

Bam also added that leaders must follow Ninoy, who did not fear imprisonment because of his love for his country.

“Palagay ko, marami sa mga lider ngayon ay takot na takot at hindi makapagsalita. Nakita natin na si Ninoy Aquino ay hindi natakot na makulong at mapanganib ang buhay dahil napakalalim ng kanyang pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa bayan,”  the senator said

Source: Inquirer, Wikipedia