“I have decided to challenge death. I do not believe I’m sinning against my creator because in the end, I am not really my own executioner. By my example, I hope I can inspire two others. Like the dominoes, one has to fall to create the chain reaction.”
– Ninoy
Twenty-nine years ago, one stubborn man did the unexpected. Amid all warnings by a dictator’s wife that he would surely be killed if he returned home, Ninoy Aquino still did.
All these years, the Avsecom van that was used to ferry Ninoy from the tarmac of the country’s international airport had been kept from public view. And all but forgotten. Two years ago, it was found rotting inside Nichols Air Base. I hope, as promised, it has now been restored.
If our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal had a holding cell before his death by firing squad, Ninoy had the Avsecom van into which he was thrust inside like an animal and where he bled to death.
For posterity, I have decided to post photos of the Avsecom (Aviation Security Command) van which inexplicably took longer than expected to reach a hospital that fateful Sunday of August 21, 1983 when Ninoy was shot. The photos were lent to my by Pastor “Boy” Saycon.
Kung pwede po sanang mag suggest para po mas lalu tayong maunawaan ng common mamamayang Pilipino eh tagalugin na po natin lahat ng mga sinasabi nyo rito, Kung yung atin nga pong Pangulo ay
pilit na nyang tinatagalog ang kanyang sona sa bayan, sana naman po ay ganun din ang ating magigiting
na mga journalista ng bayan, para naman po mas lalung maraming Plipino hindi maabot ang mga pinag-uusapan dito ang makaunawa sa totoong isyu ng bayan.
Nakakalungkot man isipin pero ang realidad ng ating bayan ay mas marami ang mahihirap na hirap intindihin ang sitwasyon ng ating politika, kaya nga pumasok si Manny Pacquiao sa politics para mas maunawaan nya ang totoong sitwasyon ng bayan, at napipilitan syang mag balik eskwela para mas lalu nya itong maunawaan sistema ng bayan at kung paano po siya makakatulong dito.
Ginang Ressa, napakagaganda lahat ng mga issues na nababanggit mo rito sa iyong mga articles na nagbibigay linaw sa maraming isyung politikal tungkol sa bansa, pero sana naman po ay sa mensaheng mauunawaan ng mas nakakarami nating mga mamamayan. kung ang FB po ay may translation if written in other languages, sana din po merong translation sa tagalog ang inyong mga articles written in English. Kasi napakagandang maunawaan ng ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino ang inyong mga mensahe dito at para po pagdating ng Eleksyon ay hindi sila nahuhuli sa balita tungkol sa mga isyu ng ating lipunan, lalung lalu na ang mga isyu tungkol sa mga Politikong hindi karapat dapat iboto, or manungkulan sa ating bayan.
salamat po, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at pagpalain tayo ng Poong Maykapal
irene
Kung tutulunga mo ko –
[email protected],
I’m not really a translator but I want to help bring your message to more of our kababayans. i hope the following translation of the above article will suffice:
“Napagdesisyunan ko na hamunin ang kamatayan. Hindi ako naniniwalang ito ay isang pagkakasala laban sa aking Tagapaglikha sapagkat sa katapusan, ako ay hindi ang siyang aking mamamaslang. Sa pamamagitan ng ehemplo, umaasa akong aking mabibigyang inspirasyon kahit man lamang dalawa pa. Katulad ng mga domino, kailangang bumagsak ang isa upang lumikha ng sunod sunod na paggalaw”. – Ninoy
Dalawampung taon na ang nakararaan, isang taong may katigasan ng ulo ang kumilos ng taliwas sa inaasahan. Sa kabila ng mga pagbababala ng asawa ng diktadur na siya’y siguradong mamamatay kapag umuwi sa bansa, umuwi pa rin si Ninoy Aquino. Sa pagdaraan ng mga taon, ang AVSECOM van na ginamit sa paglilipat kay Ninoy mula sa tarmac ng ating International Airport ay itinago sa pananaw ng sambayanan. Halos nakalimutan na. Noong taong 2010, natagpuan itong nabubulok na sa loob ng Nichols Air Base. Sana, katulad ng naipangako noon, ito ay naibalik na sa mahusay na kalagayan.
Kung ang ating pambansang bayaning si Doktor Jose Rizal ay may isang selda bago siya binaril ng mga sundalo, si Ninoy ay may isang Avsecom van kung saan siya ay initsa tulad ng isang hayop at kung saan tuluyang tumulo ang kanyang dugo hanggang sa siya’y mamatay.
Bilang pag-alaala, napagdesisyunan ko na ilagay ang mga retrato ng Avsecom (Aviation Security Command) van na sa hindi maintindihang kadahilanan ay pagkatagak-tagal ng biniyahe upang makarating sa ospital noong nakatadhanang araw na iyon ng Linggo, August 21, 1983 nang si Ninoy ay binaril. Ang mga retrato ay ipinahiram sa akin ni Pastor “Boy” Saycon.
Sure, go ahead.
thanks.
Just post your translation here with your complete name so others can see and appreciate, too.
Ang pamamaril Kay ninoy sa tarmac, ay nakatatak na sa atin lahat noong agosto 21 1983, hindi pa alam kung sino ang nakapatay sa dating senador, at bakit gusto ng gobyerno na gusto siya ng maupo sa pwesto at noong matapos ang lahat si ninoy ay is a hang itinuturing bayani sa bayan at dito siya sinakay sa nabubulok na avsecom van ngayon.
ambisyon talaga ni Ninoy maging Presidente… magaling lang mag salita, kaya maraming nahihikayat.
Try to present your insinuations better next time.
Nakakalito e.
ano ang nakakalito?
Duda siya na isa kang Marcos loyalist aka member ng Tribu Magnanakaw, Ilocos Chapter. Hindi siya sigurado kaya nalilito!
Like it was a secret that he has presidential ambitions duh saang planeta ka ba galing? At ano ngayon if he was an excellent public speaker? Si Marcos magaling rin yun magsalita, pero tignan mo anu ang iniwan niya sa Pinas. Try to come up with a better argument next time, or I prefer “troll harder next time around.”
To those who want to know more about the assassination of Senator Ninoy Aquino, a very good resource material is the Decision of the Special Division of the Sandiganbayan in People of the Philippines versus B/Gen. Luther A. Custodio, et. al, in Criminal Case No. 10010 and 10011. The full text of the decision can be read here: http://pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Sandiganbayan_ruling_on_Ninoy_assassination.pdf
Needless to say, the decision contains interesting factual information that was admitted into evidence, and is a good reading material especially for our younger generation who may not have fully grasped yet the historical significance of that tragic event.
thank you very much for this.
wow… i therfore conclude ninoy was near on DEATH situation already, he has a TRIPLE HEART BY-PASS OPERATION already, medical technology that days is not that advance… a person who undergo that kind of surgery will ONLY LIVE 5YRS. maximum!!! in other words, he will DIE SOON, even if he wasn’t killed at the airport.. GRABE ang panloloko mu ninoy sa mga tao, GUSTO MUNG MAGING HERO KA AT HINDI MAGING PRESIDENTE!!! GRABE KA!!!!
It is very easy to believe, because of evidence, that Marcos ordered Ninoy killed!
http://jcc34.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/why-is-it-easy-to-believe-that-marcos-ordered-ninoy-killed/
Thanks for the reminder.
“Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana
Legally, this conspiracy killing of Sen. Ninoy Aquino, etc. is closed. Impossible to open to investigate the conspirators, et. al. (am I correct?) by lapsed or prescription of the crime(s). It is “deader” than a pretending “dead” Possum!
Tama, the past or history may be repeated acc to George Santayana.
But “an event” as such can be stopped from prescribing, etc., when the “prescriptive periods of crimes & penalties” are repealed in the Rev. Penal Code by making the law effective without any time limit to investigate, charge and prosecute and convict, etc.
Ninoy died instantly from the bullet that blew away part of his head and face.
While he did not actually die in the van, the vehicle is a symbol of the shameless conspiracy that tried to cover up an assassination.
Senator Ninoy Aquino might have become unconscious but there was no evidence that he died instantly after being shot on that fateful day on August 21, 1983. So there is still the unanswered question of whether he might have survived the assassination had he received proper medical attention much earlier at Villamor Air Base Hospital which is located much closer than Army General Hospital. (This is reminiscent of the survival of Senator Sergio Osmena after the Plaza Miranda bombing massacre. It will be remembered that Osmena was declared clinically dead on arrival at FEU hospital but still survived the grenade attack against all odds. )
In fact the testimonies of both General Luther Custodio and Capt. Felipe Valerio did not indicate that Ninoy Aquino was already dead but, on the contrary, possibly still alive while being transported to Army General Hospital.
ATTY. JIMENEZ QUESTIONING GENERAL CUSTODIO:
Q. – The question now is, did you give any specific order at any time thereafter to have Sen. Aquino brought to any particular hospital?
A. – I did, Sir.
Q. – To which hospital did you order that he be brought?
A. – To Fort Bonifacio General Hospital.
Q. – In answer to a question by Atty. Gonzales, it would appear that you did not avail of paramedical assistance at that time. Could you explain why you did not avail of such service when you were informed that the Senator had apparently been wounded?
A. – The squadron commander of the Special Operation Squadron had maybe decided to bring him to a hospital instead of an emergency or first aid to be performed.
DEAN NARVASA QUESTIONING:
Q. – You had no way of knowing what sort of injury Sen. Aquino had suffered?
A. – No, Sir.
Q. – Beyond knowing that he had been shot?
A. – Yes, Sir.
Q. – For all you know, it might have been critical, did you think about that – that his wound might have been critical?
A. – That instance, I don’t…
Q. – It did not occur to you that the wound might be critical and therefore needed medical attention as quickly as possible?
A. – What occurred to me, Sir, was to bring him immediately to the hospital.
Additionally, Capt. Felipe Valerio testified that as his van was moving away with the wounded Senator on board, he had told Gen. Custodio by radio “that the Senator was wounded”, and it was then that Custodio instructed him “to bring the senator to the Army General Hospital.”
And here is a quote from the decision of the Sandiganbayan in reference to Gen. Olivas:
x x x “He learned that B/Gen. Luther Custodio had left the scene of
the incident immediately after the wounded Sen. Aquino was
transported from the airport by means of a SWAT van. He started his
investigation in the case by interviewing personalities he met there,
such as Generals Lopez and Piccio. It was the latter who informed him
that SEN. AQUINO DIED ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOSPITAL.” x x x
The capitalization in the last sentence is mine and the quote was sourced from page 117 of the decision.
The testimonies of those military officers are expected to be consistent with maintaining the non-existence of any conspiracy to assassinate Ninoy.
Of course they could not claim Ninoy was already dead in the van, whether or not that was indeed the case. If they did say Ninoy was dead, that would imply they checked his vitals and –as stated in Atty. Jimenez’ questioning, there would even be more suspicions to the fact that they did not seek paramedic assistance or first aid for the wounded senator.
Besides, as I said in my first post, whether Ninoy was still alive in the van is immaterial. There was a conspiracy to assassinate him, and the conspirators had the power, resources and personnel to execute their plan to completion.
If Ninoy survived the trip to a hospital, who knows if he would have fallen victim to a poison injected to his bloodstream, a pillow that suffocated him, yet another gunshot–the perpetrators were unstoppable in broad daylight on an international tarmac, what would hinder these guys to do their thing in a hospital room which of course would be declared off-limits to everyone else but themselves and their cohorts?
The van though, is still a moving symbol of the brazen conspiracy, whether or not Ninoy actually died there.
just to be fair, write something about Mendiola Massacre and Ninoy as Communist/Financier of CPP-NPA
Your sentence is loaded. Give me evidence first that he was a communist.
Bernabe Buscayno aka Kumander Dante and Joma Sison said so…
… this person must be the last “disciple” of the McArthy era and AWARE, Inc. in the 50’s & 60s in US of A !
branding, accusing people as Reds or “looking for Commies”…!
Bakit nandito na siya?
Can anybody especially the lawyers answer my question, aside from the provision found in the Constitution regarding presidential succession, do we not have any law that specifically pertains to a smooth transfer of succession if the 4 highest elected officials of the land are incapacitated? Who succeeds if the Speaker of the House is ruled out?
If the speaker of the house is also incapacitated, the senator or representative elected in the joint session of congress shall act as president until such time his successor is elected, or if any of the first 3 highest officials recover from physical incapacity, as the case may be. (RA 181, approved 21 June 1947)
Hmmm interesting thanks for the reply, anyhow I would just ask you an opinion, any CPM’ers can also express their opinion, are you in favor of expanding the presidential succession law like what the US have for contingency, where after the 4 highest elected officials appointed cabinet members are next in line?
Just for this discussion I agree with @Rafael Vidal. “…Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve “AS PRESIDENT” in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation “OF THE ACTING PRESIDENT.” (caps. mine) My opn is anything on this not specifically covered by any Const.’l provision, it will be CONGRESS who will resolve it, by law.
Expanding to follow what the US Const. on their Amendment XXV (1967) on the incapacity of the President, etc., majority of the principal officers of the Exec. depts or such other body (by law) a written declaration by such officers is submitted to the President pro tempore of the Senate & Spkr of the House, where the Vice Pres. immediately assume the powers & duties of the office as Acting President. Bla Bla Bla. For any dispute it will be Congress (again) that decide the issue bla bla bla. This refers to the “inability” to discharge the powers & duties. Death or resignation of the President, the Vice Pres. shall become President (SEC. 1, Amdt. XXV)
We have the same solution as to vacancy of the office of the Vice Pres. Anyone serving as “acting Pres.” whther the Spkr, our Const. provides for election until a Pres. or Vice Pres. is elected. In the US Const. I find none on this situation on Amdt XXV but SEC. 1 Amdt XXII (1951) their country will always “elect” to the office as Pres. the person bla bla bla.
In short, whatever we miss or don’t know, Congress by law will resolve the unknowns. Thanks for the encouragement here.
Well I hope that Congress act sooner because we don’t know if ever such contingencies will arise. It is better if the succession is spelled out much smoother so that we won’t have any issues once it happen. I mean what if the Joint session of Congress will have difficulty in choosing who will become the caretaker of the government? Better for our country to be prepared than sorry.
Since history is emphatic on the possible involvement of the marcoses, may I suggest that the Avsecom Van be refurbished and placed in a museum of sort as a reminder to all that the treacherous daylight killing of Ninoy in full view of hundreds of journalists, foreign and local, happened during the martial law period.
The killing is suggestive of the confidence and impunity of the perpetrators who obviously consider themselves above the law and form part of one of the darkest hours in modern Philippine History.
from another thread of Raissa’s pieces, so other CPMers may read . . .
LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SAY THIS TO CPMers:
Robredo is no head nor plan to be a snake head of a political dynasty of crooks.
So also was Ninoy before his murder. LET JESSE’S WIDOW lead the
LP Senatorial Slate in the coming election. I don‘t have an iota of doubt
on her capability to carry on the heavy torch her husband carried selflessly WHILE ALIVE.
LET THE ROBREDO NAME BE THE BATTLE CRY IN THE NEXT SENATORIAL
ELECTION. LET THE ROBREDO NAME CAUSED THE
SHAMEFUL DOWNFALL OF ALL TRAPO SENATORIAL CANDIDATES
IN NEXT YEAR’S ELECTION.
LET CPMers inflamed the hearts of others as they RALLY TO
THE CRY:
MRS JESSE ROBREDO FOR SENATOR.
Let THE EVIL AMONG US TRY TO STOP THIS FORM OF EXORCISM
OF CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY.
NO SIR! NO MA’AM! I AM NOT THROWING ACCUSATIONS AND INSINUATIONS.
I am not comparing Ninoy with Jesse. Not how they live and how they die. I am FOCUSED more in the circumstances of their times; of how the force of their BEINGS can produce a chain reaction that can lead to a significant change in people’s lives, and in their society. Their impact to the future may NOT be perfect but nevertheless beneficial.
It is the trapo political dynasty of Cebu province that has a hand on this events. The governor announced in her sopa address that she was “politically harashed” by P-noy administration. True or false, This is in line with the corruption charges against her in Ombodsman’s Morales office. Gov. Gwen Garcia has ambition to become a senator in 2013. Her ONE CEBU PARTY (which is actually a ONE CEBU FAMILY OF THE GARCIA PARTY) CONTROLS MAJORITY OF provincial mayors (42 in numbers) which dominate the local scene (mayor husband change places with wives).
Kaya ang dapat natin gawin kung meron bago na kakandidato na di kasapi sa partido ng mga trapo, sila ang ating iboto. para patunayan sa kanila na di mahalaga ang pera (pambayad sa boto), kilala (padrino, artista o utang na loob) at sobrang talino (gamitin sa masamang paraan).
The van was left to turn itself into nothingness so it could remain silent to the truth that took place inside it.
If it could only talk, maybe it will tell of how the van was used to run too slow to let the blood out of Ninoy to die and maybe it can also say of the truth that no one inside wanted him to survive.
We can only hope however, may his words “That Filipnos are worth dying for” still instilled in many among us.
The avsecom van was an instrument in the tarmac daylight assassination of Ninoy in full view of many people. It’s a testament of the cruelty of martial law and the seeming impunity of the perpetrators who consider themselves as above the law. Many of them are still occupying high elective positions and enjoying the fruits of the infamous marcos era.
The Van should be refurbished and shown to people in a museum of sort as reminder to our youth of one of the darkest hours of our modern history.
as for my humble opinion, dont refurbish, just removeall decayed parts and garbages inside. let it be as is so that those who are involved and inside that van will be HAUNTED by the sight of the van. i am pretty sure those people remembers every detail that happens inside the van. this will knock thieir consciousness everytime they see that van . or maybe those inside the van at that time are already out of the country as their prize in that gruesome event.
Re the Marcoses, I find disturbing recently the decision of the Singapore court conveying millions presumably ill- gotten to Lucio Tan’s PNB. As Imelda would say: Some are smarter than others. I suspect some people in the agencies tasked with recovering these monies like PCGG or Philcomsat are sabotaging our people by filing cases with loop holes. In short, selling out. Small wonder the Martial Law Victims Compensation Bill in the House is taking so long to get passed.
We remember Ninoy Aquino. We grieve for Jesse M. Robredo.
Two good men putting the Philippines on the right track.
Did you hear the news on TV about the Staff and Personnel of DILG pleading with the President to appoint one
na KASINGTINO ni Robredo. THIS IS A POSITION OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE. Do you have MATINO people in
mind?
How about someone like Grace Padaca?
sa action o inaction ng CA lalo na kung di nila katulad (corrupt) ay baka abutin ng sobra pa sa 2 taon bago nila ma-approve ang appointment nya.
I’m glad PNoy didn’t appoint Robredo’s second-in-command as OIC of DILG.
Was just talking last night about how terrible it would be for Bong Bong Marcos to run (and win) in the next presidential elections. Not only because of him and his political agenda in particular, but because of how that would signify the death of our country’s collective memory, and our failure to educate ourselves for the future.
It would mean that we have not learned from our mistakes. It would mean that in the over 20 years since the EDSA revolution, more than educating our future, we have been spoiling our children. It would make plain our failure to face our own demons, long and hard enough to gather significant conclusions from our really, really disastrous mistakes.
We have the political, collective memory of goldfish (or children) as of the moment. I openly hope that in the next four years we are able to change some of that, with the more active involvement of the Filipino diaspora—–the geographical, ideological and otherwise displaced Filipino diaspora—- in homeland politics. As online journalism is beginning to revive my faith in the Filipino press, I really do hope a similar positive shift in government and its players is in the making. Fingers crossed…
The Marcos political dynasty is resurrected through Bongbong. They have to make alliance with other political dynasties in the country to gain control…. the Gwen Garcia dynasty of Cebu Province, the Sarah Duterte Dynasty of Davao, the Villafuerte Dynasty of Bicol, the Dee Dynasty of Northern Luzon….. etc. etc. etc. etc.
We remember Ninoy and grieve for Jesse M. Robredo. Two good men putting the Philippines on the right track.
Did you hear on TV the news that the staff and personnel of the DILG are pleading with the President to appoint
one na KASINGTINO ni Jesse Robredo. Any suggestions?
@Lorena…”kasingtino” ni Sec. Robredo might not work with the CA…”kaparehas ng tino ng CA” baka pa ma-approve ang appointment!
Let us be hopeful and SUGGEST. Ang mga CPMers na pinangungunahan ni Raissa
baka di lang kayang ituro ang baluktot, chance na nating mailantad naman ang mga pangalan ng mga karapatdapat. Parang yung sa CJ headhunt. Pero ako nalulungkot kasi si Robredo and presidentiable ko
ang natatadaan ko ay nasa dentista ako noong dumating si Ninoy sa Phil.airport ,pinsan ko iyong dentist kaya pina una ko muna iyong ibang pasyente kasi gusto kong mapanood ang pag dating ni Ninoy pero ng matapos na iyong mga pasyente ay pinaupo na ako ng dentist sa dentist chair at iniwan niya ako kasi umiyak iyong anak niya kaya na panood ko iyong pag lapag ng airplane ni Ninoy at pag lapit ng dalawang uniform man sa kanya at pag tayo niya pag lalakad niya papunta sa pintuan biglang may pumutok sabay black out ang tv, next scene ay na kadapa na si Ninoy sa tarmac,ng i re-play iyong pag dating ni Ninoy wala iyong scene na nag lalakad siya papunta sa pintuan.dahil officer ako ng labor union naki pag libing ako sa kanya,sa aking paniniwala sa kanyang pagkamatay ay lumakas ang mga labor union.hinahangaan ko si Ninoy dahil ang galing niyang mag salita.sana di masayang ang sakripisyo niya sa bayan.
Even in T.V. the beast also edited the footage?
Ninoy Aquino’s assasination and the Plaza Miranda grenade bombing – two of the darkest days in Philippine political history that every Filipino should know and not forget.
Let us keep these two events alive in the minds of every Filipino.
Never shall we allow these evil acts to happen again – ever!
ninoy was dead, fm was dead, cory was dead,imelda still alive daughter of satan,and now pnoy cotinuing the legacy of his parents..but woe to us if bongbong will win in the future f he will run for president to continue his father’s legacy…filipino history so sad.there still lot of monsters in the government!
@lady…bongbong will not make it through…just work hard to make it so!
HELP.
Can someone pls translate this to English for me –
“RIP Sec Jesse Robredo. Pinaheling mo sa gabos na an sarong tawo pwedeng magserbi nin tultol na mayong kolor pulitika. Dios an mabalos saimo.”
I am using it for an article I’m doing right now for SCMP.
thanks.
Raissa, this translates to : RIP Sec Jesse Robredo. Pinakita mo sa lahat na ang isang tao ay pwedeng maglingkod ng tama o matuwid na walang bahid pulitika. Pagpalain ka sana ng Maykapal.
Thanks. That was from Cong. Dato Arroyo.
hi cong, dato,
nakakarelate po pala kayo sa tama at matuwid na pamumuno. sana po may lumabas na isa sa inyo(mula sa pamilya ni gma)na magbabalik sa bansa ng mga nawala o di nito nakamit sa mahaba ninyong paghawak ng ating bansa. nawa po ay mabasa ninyo ito at mula sa iyo ay makamtan ng bansa ang lubos na pagsusubli ng kanilang(gma) maraming pagkukulang at panggugulang…
Thanks Congressman! God bless you!
Dios ang magbalos saimo is God will return you the favor.
@celso,
Translate it in english that is the request of Raissa not in tagalog.
Hmmm . . . this statement from Dato Arroyo could have come from a Tupperware Party spiel. Dato’s seat in Bicol was the subject of a lot of suspicion. All of a sudden, political personalities are getting in step with the JMR march, and I think the trend of using any photo taken with JMR will rear it’s ugly head come campaign period.
“Rest in peace, Sec. Jesse Robredo.”
“You have shown to all that a person can properly serve without tinge of politics.”
“God will reward you.”
Literally…
“God will thank you.”
Mabalos…
Prelude to the Fall!
I have died, I told you. This is a second life I can give up.
Besides, if they shoot me, they’ll make me a hero.
-Ninoy Aquino, on the eve of his return
to the Philippines
Source; Cory–profile of a president by Isabelo T. Crisostomo
Youtube has lots of uploaded documentaries of Ninoy’s last months in the US before embarking on his last trip to the Phils.
View ‘NINOY AQUINO’s memorable interview on The 700 Club with Pat Robertson’.
www youtube com/watch?v=irwPY_YqRMY
I found this very inspirational, very confronting…
(you can find other better quality videos than this at youtube)
Aug 21, a day of mixed feelings.
Ninoy Aquino’s death anniversary,
And Jesse Robredo’s untimely death confirmed.
Both lives taken well ahead of their time.
May this day soothe sadness with Gratitude.
For they have done their families proud of their achievements.
And their countrymen grateful for their sacrifice and service.
Can we celebrate their life?
How their short lives made a positive impact on each and everyone of us?
And most especially, to our beloved country?
We will remember them, always with Gratitude.
Couldn’t have said any better…
Gratitude to both of them…
RIP Sec. Jesse…
August 21, 1983 sparked the revolution in people’s hearts and minds against a dictatorship.
Let August 21, 2012 spark a revolution in people’s hearts and minds against corrupt, dirty, selfish and inefficient governance.
Here are some facts that came out of the Fact Finding Board (also known as the Agrava Commission)pertaining to Team Alpha and its AVSECOM SWAT van:
The first five shots heard during the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983, lasted only 5.8 seconds: a single shot, followed 3.7 seconds later by three shots, followed 2.1 seconds later by the fifth shot.
AN ALBUM OF 43 FOLIOS FROM 13 JOURNALISTS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FIRST FIVE SHOTS:
The AVSECOM van was parked beside China Airlines’ CAL C1-811. The van was assigned to Team Alpha under the command of Capt. Valerio; the team consisted of nine SWAT soldiers and its driver Sgt. Catimbuhan.
There were no persons in the tarmac within several meters around the AVSECOM van other than Ninoy Aquino and Rolando Galman lying on the ground.
Some 17.2 seconds after the first five shots were heard soldiers of the Team Alpha emerged from the AVSECOM van and riddled Galman’s body, as he laid face up, with a flurry of 20 shots. The soldiers emerging from the van were Sgt. De Guzman (fired 7 shots), Sgt. Aguino (1 shot), Sgt. Mateo (10 shots) and AIC Estelo (2 shots). (p 134).
After shooting Galman, all but three soldiers of the Team Alpha returned to the van. After an interval of time two soldiers, first Sgt. Mateo and then Sgt. Artates, jumped back into the tarmac, dragged and then and loaded Aquino’s body into the van. The NHK timer fixed this time at 1 minute and 20.11 seconds from the time Aquino stood up from his seat to accompany his escorts, and the TBS timer fixed this time at 41.3 seconds after the first shot was heard. (p 157)
Soon after, the remaining members of the Alpha team on the ground climbed into the van that quickly sped away. (p 135, 153)
General Luther Custodio testified that he ordered his men in the van, via radio, to bring Aquino to Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio although he knew that Villamor Air Base hospital is located much closer. The assistance, as first responder, of the MIA Medical Clinic, located right in front Gate 8 was not sought. (p 215)
Cpl. Rogelio Jabon, an aide at the AFP General Hospital testified that he brought Aquino from the van on a stretcher to the second floor of the hospital; only four soldiers were in the van at that time.
Major Santos of the Army General Hospital pronounced Aquino dead on arrival (DOA) on or about 1400 HRS.
CAL Flight C1-811 landed at MIA at 1:03 P.M. and made a full stop at Bay 8 at 1:08 P.M. Eighty-two (82) seconds after he was escorted out of the aircraft, Aquino was shot at the tarmac. At 2:00 PM, or nearly 2 hours later, he was pronounced DOA at Army Hospital in Fort Bonifacio.
Long after the Fact Finding Board concluded its investigation into the assassination of Ninoy Aquino many lingering questions remain unanswered:
Why was Ninoy Aquino brought to the Army Hospital instead of the nearby Villamor Airbase Hospital?
Why were first responders not summoned from the MIA Medical Clinic?
Why did it take so long for the AVSECOM van to reach the hospital, and the subsequent declaration that Aquino was DOA?
What were happening inside the van while it was on its way to the hospital?
Why were only four soldiers seen in the van at the hospital? Where were the other members of Team Alpha at that time?
Would Ninoy Aquino have survived the assassination had he received proper medical attention at a much earlier time?
Disclosure: Most of the information included in this piece was sourced from the Reports of the Fact Finding Board (also known as the Agrava Commission.)
Dear Yvonne, do you have a link where this came from?
I’d like to append this to the piece.
Raissa,
I put the above information together from different sections of the reports of the Fact-Finding Board (also known as the Agrava Commission.) The reports are included in the 412-page book “Reports of the Fact-Finding Board on the Assasination of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr” published in 1984 by Mr. & Mrs. Publishing Company and distributed by Bookmark Inc. The book was edited by Eugenia Apostol and Lita Torralba-Logarta with the introduction written by Letty Jimenes-Magsanoc. Page 89, and thereafter, of the book contains the supporting documents, photos, and information gathered from the investigation and are considered public domain.
I received the book as a gift from my father a long time ago and, after reading it several times, it made a big impact on my view of our system of government.
I just learned that the book was digitized by Google on March 28, 2007 from an original copy from the University of Michigan.
Let me add what I know about Ninoy’s assasination and its investigation by the Agrava Commission. I’ve seen a video clip of a military man fetching Ninoy to come down the stairs of the plane then a certain person, I believe his name was Casta, coming out of the plane’s cockpit with a clutch bag. As soon as Ninoy disappeared through the stairway, a voice presumed to be Waray was heard: “Posila! posila!”. During the Agrava hearing, somebody from the prosecution interpreted “Posila!, posila!” as the Spanish word “Fusila, fusila” (“Fire! fire!”, from the verb “fusilar”, to fire). An Atty of the defense rebutted the interpretation. Actually, he said, what was said was “Eto na po sila.” I feel the urge to read again the findings of the Agrava Commission whose release was I think preceded by singing, led by the Head of the Commission, “Happy birthday” to Imelda.
It is unfortunate that the Agrava Commission stopped the timeline of its investigation up to the time only when the body of Ninoy Aquino was loaded into the AVSECOM van headed to the Army Hospital.
Nothing was mentioned (I did not read it, if there was any) on how long it takes the van to reach the hospital, which route it took, was the siren on, was the hospital’s” trauma unit” notified when the van was on its way, did Ninoy receive any care (medical or otherwise) while being transported in the van, , where and how was he received at the hospital, etc., etc.??
Time was of the essence and it was very important to find out if there was any attempt to impede or delay Ninoy’s transport to the hospital to receive medical treatment.
Many can remember that in the aftermath of the Plaza Miranda grenade bombing, Senator Osmena was severely wounded and was brought to FEU hospital “clinically dead”. But because of the prompt and professional medical attention he received at the hospital, his doctors were able to revive him and he survived the attack in what many described as “miraculous”.
Ninoy lost it all, but gained everything in the end. And his family basks in the heroism of his name.
Marcos sought it all, gained it all, but lost everything in the end. And his family struggles with the stench of his name.
Supreme irony, no?
P.S. Raissa, may I recommend the brewing Ateneo 192 professors manifesto vs CBCP row next topic. :)
I will look into it.
Thanks, Andrew.
With bated breath, I await with glee the ensuing enlightened discourse. Thanks, Raissa. Thanks, Andrew.
Supreme irony and supreme morality.
Ninoy was an imitation of Christ. (John 3:16)
baycas says below #5.1:
August 21, 2012 at 11:20 am
Thanks, baycas.
I do answer the question in the affirmative, but I raise the question partly in despair, partly in disgust and wholly in the hope that Filipinos will stay awake. You will understand the despair. We are a nation of recidivists. Three examples:
1. After Ninoy’s sacrifice, we voted in Erap, Gloria and Bongbong.
2. After Enrile’s fine performance in the impeachment trial, here he is back on the wrong side of history.
3. After contributing enormously in the impeachment trial, the ongoing RH Bill, and Senator Sotto’s plagiarism, some CPMers became conspiracy theorists at the slightest provocation.
It’s as though the lessons are never learned. For some, both their hearts and minds are in the wrong place. For others, their hearts may be in the right place, but their minds are not always so. And there are minds with no heart. It is heartening that most CPMers have hearts and minds in the right place.
“2. After Enrile’s fine performance in the impeachment trial, here he is back on the wrong side of history.”
i have watched enrile since i learned of his martial rule architecture. what he did during TJ’s ouster is a survival instinct of a learned and smart monster…
I agree with Vander…
ISNT IT IRONIC? AUGUST 21 THOUGHTS:
Marcos sought all (money, power, etc) and got all – but lost his soul and his name for eternity. And his family continues to struggle with removing the stench of his name.
Ninoy lost it all and gave it all up, but gained everything. And his family continues to bask in the heroism of his name.
NINOY AQUINO is a great HERO after Rizal and the others! FM the opposite!
@ leona,
Ninoy Aquino death turn Him to be our modern day Hero while F.M. made Him the opposite, Tapos hihingi pa silang mga marcosses na ilibing ito sa libingan nang mga bayani, Ang kapal naman nang MUKHA nila….
Nakalimutan na nilang mga Marcosses na pinatalsik nga sila noon tapos dahil medyo tapos na ang galit/nakalimutan nang TaongBayan ay Babalik pa…at nagmamayabang pa at kampi pa sa convicted thief justice nato corona…Nakakahiya na mga ito….
Sana maganda na at maayos na ang hustisya natin at bigyan hustisya ang mga biktima katulad nang nangyari sa kapatid ko pinatay noon 2009 dahil gusto kunin ang property nila sa cotabato.Hanggang ngayon wala pa rin nangyari diba masakit sa amin yan lalo hindi kami nagkita ng 22 yrs.nagkita kami patay na siya.Ang sabi nang hipag ko guilty yon nagpatay pero hindi pa nahuli. Hanggang ngayon umaasa kami bigyan ng hustisya.
The idea that I suggested to Raissa is a good one. – A MUSEUM IN THE Rizal Park close to the statue of Jose Rizal. Photos of my recent visit to the museum here in Netherlands can be found in FACEBOOK. –
http://www.facebook.com/aabel.natividad#!/aabel.natividad
Domino tile has Two ends to create a chain but only one tile to initiate chain reaction on both ends.
Chain, started by Ninoy, is endless connection by Two people everytime. EDSA I was that chain reaction.
Ferdinand Marcos was not the only person responsible for cutting short Aquino legacy, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was equally guilty.
GMA pardoned the killers of Ninoy, instead of letting them rot in jail. Their sentences were commuted by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and signed by ex Justice Sec Raul Gonzales in March 2009.
Hinckley, the shooter of Reagan, applied for parole many times and another one is coming. Never granted for his assasination attempt.
Just this simple hateful act or ENVY of GMA/Mike Arroyo on the Aquino family, they deserve every punishment nature accords their family.
Cause of jealousy/hate:
Despite Diosdado Macapagal was president, despite Gloria Arroyo was current president, the family could not admit to themselves the lack of RESPECT AND ADMIRATION by the Filipino people on them compared to that extended to the Aquino family.
Remember the words of that Comelec commissioner in Maguindanao about cheating in 2007. Order was to give zero vote to Noynoy Aquino. He was singled out by GMA when he was not vocal then against the Arroyos, unlike Lacson.
super like!
The memory is still painful but thank you, Raissa, for bringing up this very particular element of Ninoy’s assassination. That infamous Philippine Air Force Aviation Security Command blue van!
Painful memories do have a cathartic effect upon events personally and jointly experienced. It does renew our collective commitment that “never again” must our country experience another such agony. This day is an occasion to renew our vow……the “vigilance of memory” because “eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty.”
Because the Philippines was under total and severe media censorship in those dark Marcosian days, the trauma that I went through watching on TV that van’s mute participation in our nation’s history, may not have been seen in the Philippines, at that time.
Somehow, TV film clips of this bloody occurence made it to the viewing world outside of the Philippines.
It is still so vivid in my mind and on many nights I awake to the vision of Avsecom personnel hurriedly picking up the bloody limp body of Ninoy from the tarmac and simply tossing it with such heave face down on the floor of this dark blue van from its opened backside. That blue van had moments earlier reared towards where the fallen body of Ninoy lay in a pool of his blood. Ninoy’s body was hurled to the floor of that van like the carcass of one side of slaughtered beef!
Just days before, I had spoken to Ninoy by phone. (I was in Honolulu while he was still in Boston) I wished him godspeed and we exchanged good-byes and wishes for better times.
On the occasion of Ninoy’s death anniversary…….let me share these thoughts with y’all, my esteemed CPMers:
” Graceful propriety and humane sensibilities would otherwise have demanded that anger and rage be absented from occasions such as this, but I find it an emotional and practical impossibility to extol the greatness of a much loved and admired friend, without providing the bitter circumstances, against which, his selfless act of bodily sacrifice became genuine heroism.” (That is why memories of Marcosian Martial Law must never be erased!)
“Ninoy’s willing sacrifice, exemplified by his decision to return home, despite the foreknowledge of the perils awaiting him, cannot but leave, a legacy of courage.”
“Such a noble act of extraordinary courage
I pray from human sight be covered not
For in God’s own measure, Ninoy was our ‘fleeting wisp of glory……
That for one brief shining moment…..simply cannot be forgot.’
Because he dared to dream of Camelot.
==========================================
Many are saying we even FORGOT ALREADY EDSA 1.
The VAN is there! A REMINDER!
How human memory flies! Ninoy’s Museum can be the best place to connect HIS LIFE STORY & DEATH with that VAN!
Filipinos start learning to preserve things worth it. We are not the Talibans in Afganistan who did destroy even good object their people created, etc.!
It is good Raissa came out with this photos of that VAN! Thanks so many things for her on it.
PRESERVE THE AVSECOM VAN then!
This van should be displayed in a museum that reminds Filipinos of the despicable martial law years. The younger generation needs reminders as they are not aware anymore. It was part of the spark that burst into the flames of the EDSA revolt! If other countries preserves vehicles used by infamous people, what more of one of that was part of a people’s unshackling from tyranny.
Calling the people of this administration..let’s preserve & if possible refurbish this van & display it. With the dilapidated state, as photographed, it’s in, move before it’s too late!
yes, that van is invaluable, very iconic. vintage as it is. we have to push for its proper preservation, to say the least, to keep a rustic reminder to our youth so that our future electorate is educated and guided and never again allow another dictator trample over our vulnerable democracy
i personally congratulated Raissa for coming up this idea of preservation of “the Death Van”. If I were you Raissa organise a team to visit the Van (ask permission from Authorities) on NINOY AQUINO DAY. Make photo shots of your visits publisized awareness in the media why you and your group (later your Committee) wanted Filipino philanthropists to donate for the establishment of “Ninoy Aquino Museum” and then form a legitimate “FOUNDATION”. Your committee for sure can solicit financial assistance from Filipinos abroad as well as the Aquino-Cojuanco family. Choose an ideal location site of your museum be it in Rizal Park (often visited by most Filipinos) or infront the Ninoy Aquino Airport.
http://www.facebook.com/aabel.natividad#!/aabel.natividad
Sa aking palagay ay mas matindi ang dating kung tatawagin natin na “People Power Museum” instead of Ninoy Aquino Museum. Ang museum ay magiging tungkol kay Ninoy at sa lahat ng mamamayan na nagsumikap upang magtagumpay ang People Power.
this was not kept from the public… back when i was grade 4 or 5, we went to an exhibit of Ninoy’s memorabilia, including his blood soaked vest and the all-white clothes and shoes. lets see if i can still find a pic of that van…
Pls. do.
funny… i tried posting 3x but it won’t show up… here’s a direct link
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5871/img2012082000619.jpg
Pls examine URL again. It’s blocked.
let’s try flickr…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xykotik/7829191426/
having trouble pasting the code :/
I would like to post this as an update. Did you take this yourself?
Who are the children posing in front. Where did this photo come from?
thanks
that’s me on the left, with my siblings :D i’m not sure about the date, but it could be sometime between 1984-1985… but i’m sure its before the Edsa Revolution.
“By my example, I hope I can inspire TWO OTHERS . Like the dominoes, one has to fall to create the chain reaction.”
Who are these two Ninoy was talking about?
You and me.
Oh, okay. Thanks Raissa. Now I know, but I think Filipinos then were awakened by what they did with Ninoy so it’s kind of prophetic in a sense.
Wow, that’s beautiful!
This “death van” is a reminder of the bloody legacy of the Nazi-like Marcos military and the fact that it is being neglected and exposed to the elements is a continuing testament that the AFP doesn’t want to change this death-dealing image. Military death squads still roam the land. No dent on human rights abuses by the military. Even Pnoy, the martyr’s son, threads lightly…
Preserving that Van as it is now in its condition is WORTH IT! Something not to forget. Once it is gone, that is one item lost forever. So, better have it now than wanting to have it but it is not there anymore!
I wanna buy this van. Can anyone connect me to AVSECOM on my offer?
@bengo,
if you are serious about it, i can find a way to work that out for you.
Whatever for?
We do not know his motive. Once sold to him, he might burn the van to erase bad memories of the Marcoses. They are still alive and breathing you know. Hisotical Commission should acquire that van or if not a FOUNDATION be set up. Raissa will take charge of this project.
The Van, acc to reports, emits human sounds every now and then! I guess it is the spirit of one who was there. PAF or the Gov’t thru PNoy, should move to “give” it to someone or some interested group(s) and not to “see” that thing just go into dusts! Bengo here wants it! Preserve it when you get it. Don’t make any changes – a word of advice!
The greatest irony of life with this historical story are two deaths of two strong willed men. One chose to be righteous while the other one was wicked. One is already buried with dignity and honor and revered worldwide if not by all men but by all global Pinoys having the same dreams of freedom and love of the country, while the other is still unburied and continued to be hated and became the symbol of greed and highest corruption in PH history. After death, who is the winner? It’s the one who can stand proudly before the Creator without battling an eye and say I offered my life so others would be saved. I was still there in the country when this happened and I already realized that Ninoy the father was a special man.Maybe and I am still hesitant to say that the PH is worth dying for. I hope after P’noy steps down, the legacy of the righteous men lives on.
These are the first two lines in a Leo F. Buscaglia quote.
For love of country, Ninoy wasted no time and proved that…
But is the Filipino worth living for?
After Ninoy died, people were awaken from deep slumber.
To this day, those people either continued to live or transitioned their descendants…
Knowing fully well that the Filipino is really worth living for.
Ninoy’s chain reaction worked, works, and will work…
One chose to fall to stand up against dictatorship
Now, many continued to stand up and be True Filipinos…
Lest they’ll once again experience democracy to fall.
@Springwoodman…ARE YOU?
Of course you believe YES! Otherwise you won’t be able to write anything here!
Good one.
Springwoodman is a living example.
This is already part of our history. Preserve it for future generations. Please.
Never had a good looked at this van. Now I see it here these photos.
How many Avsecom soldiers rode at the back? In front? while Ninoy was inside at the back?
Who was driving it and what did he say or ask…”Where to?”…to whom? …an answer “Anywhere, drive around but not to a hospital!”…
How long did the Van “keep driving around?”…after maybe 30 minutes passed by…”Is he still alive?” one asked or the driver…there must still be some blood signs on the floor if the Van has not been touched all these years.
Where did the Van finally stopped? What did the Avsecom soldiers do with Ninoy’s body? Unloaded it where? To the police? To whom? What time was that made? What were the statements, oral or written, by those Avsecom soldiers, names, etc. and any copies of the statements?
So many questions from these 7 photos of the Avsecom Van. Interesting I like to get my hands on. August 21, 1983 the day the dictatorship began to end and freedom started to its way back to its place…the hearts of the Pilipinos!
Thank you Raissa. May God bless our country and people. There is no real place like here, our home.
Raissa: Ironically, it took a very gruesome murder to wake us up!
We were a country of cowards then.
@The EQualizer Post @raissa
This should be retrofitted and displayed for all the Filipinos to see, especially the younger generation who seem to have forgotten the dark period of Marcos’ dictatorship.
ninoy always reminds me of the great dictator and thief. ferdinang e. marcos….
Are we not reliving fm’s memories by voting his son into a national office? Shame on us!!!
Some even say he is a viable presidential candidate in 2022. More shame on us!!!
Just these thoughts make my hair stand on ends.
Comelec statistics showed that there are more voters who know nothing about FM nor have the idea of what evil he had done to the country as over the voters who knew him or read about him.
we are partly to blame for not passing the history of our past to younger generations. in no time, a possibility of having lost all the gruesome detail of his dark legacy and a clear manifestation is the election to various offices of the dictator’s wife and heirs. so sad…
Yes. True. We have to reverse that.
What an idea Raissa! In todays world people living in a dictatorship in most countries of the Middle East bitterly fought their freedom offering their very lives and were successfully in overthroiwng their evil rulers. Tunesia, Egypt, Libya and now Syria. Here in Europe we have many museums that had become popular attractions and vivid reminder of the past historical events. I have been a “museum addict” and last week I visited the “oertijde Poort Museum” in Boxtel (the Netherlands) and would like to share my photos for Filipinos to see! SPEARHEAD THIS CAMPAIGN RAISSA!
Hi Vander,
Kaya nga noong about kay Corona, iyong anak na BOng2 favor kay Corona, kasi ayaw niya ng tuwid na daan. Gusto niya daan na baluktot. Nagttaka nga ako bakit pa binubutuhan ng mga filipino.
Kahit dito sa Europe kilala si Marcos Philippines corrupt,+ Imelda many shoes.
Matagal ka yata walang sa Pilipinas! Ang mga karamihang ng botante ay tangi at ignorante dito!
Work a lot to eduate these voters of ours to know who they are voting for!
If you are outside of Pilipinas, come home! And you will stop askingf questions like that.
Interest yourself in the polling places during election times and you will be SURPRISED!
The IGNORANTS VOTE FOR THE IGNORANTS!
Many voters & citizens didn’t know much. But our SC justices then knew more than enough of FM’s actions. The majority “validated” his actions. That’s the first. Then next in line were the political leaders, many also kept quiet and submitted. Third, the local leaders. From there, what could the ordinary citizens do? Courage was lost for some. Some continued to start the fight here and abroad. Can such scenario be done again? For good or bad? Freedom has a bloodied prize. It always has. Life is a complex adventure and follows no rules ultimately. May we celebrate this moment, today to remember how Ninoy did it and to honor those who love freedom always! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!
Manila taxi driver, old enough to know, told me FM was so good because he controlled food prices.
Taxi driver had his guage on his taxi meter going up on the whole thing! Freedom is not on taxi meter!
“old enough to know” — highly questionable.
Wisdom does not come with age.
It depends on how you take in the events that happened in your life.
patulong naman po sa assignment
Ang pamamaril Kay ninoy sa tarmac, ay nakatatak na sa atin lahat noong agosto 21 1983, hindi pa alam kung sino ang nakapatay sa dating senador, at bakit gusto ng gobyerno na gusto siya ng maupo sa pwesto at noong matapos ang lahat si ninoy ay is a hang itinuturing bayani sa bayan at dito siya sinakay sa nabubulok na avsecom van ngayon.
ambisyon talaga ni Ninoy maging Presidente… magaling lang mag salita, kaya maraming nahihikayat.
Try to present your insinuations better next time.
Nakakalito e.
ano ang nakakalito?
Duda siya na isa kang Marcos loyalist aka member ng Tribu Magnanakaw, Ilocos Chapter. Hindi siya sigurado kaya nalilito!
Like it was a secret that he has presidential ambitions duh saang planeta ka ba galing? At ano ngayon if he was an excellent public speaker? Si Marcos magaling rin yun magsalita, pero tignan mo anu ang iniwan niya sa Pinas. Try to come up with a better argument next time, or I prefer “troll harder next time around.”
To those who want to know more about the assassination of Senator Ninoy Aquino, a very good resource material is the Decision of the Special Division of the Sandiganbayan in People of the Philippines versus B/Gen. Luther A. Custodio, et. al, in Criminal Case No. 10010 and 10011. The full text of the decision can be read here: http://pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Sandiganbayan_ruling_on_Ninoy_assassination.pdf
Needless to say, the decision contains interesting factual information that was admitted into evidence, and is a good reading material especially for our younger generation who may not have fully grasped yet the historical significance of that tragic event.
thank you very much for this.
wow… i therfore conclude ninoy was near on DEATH situation already, he has a TRIPLE HEART BY-PASS OPERATION already, medical technology that days is not that advance… a person who undergo that kind of surgery will ONLY LIVE 5YRS. maximum!!! in other words, he will DIE SOON, even if he wasn’t killed at the airport.. GRABE ang panloloko mu ninoy sa mga tao, GUSTO MUNG MAGING HERO KA AT HINDI MAGING PRESIDENTE!!! GRABE KA!!!!
It is very easy to believe, because of evidence, that Marcos ordered Ninoy killed!
http://jcc34.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/why-is-it-easy-to-believe-that-marcos-ordered-ninoy-killed/
Thanks for the reminder.
“Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana
Legally, this conspiracy killing of Sen. Ninoy Aquino, etc. is closed. Impossible to open to investigate the conspirators, et. al. (am I correct?) by lapsed or prescription of the crime(s). It is “deader” than a pretending “dead” Possum!
Tama, the past or history may be repeated acc to George Santayana.
But “an event” as such can be stopped from prescribing, etc., when the “prescriptive periods of crimes & penalties” are repealed in the Rev. Penal Code by making the law effective without any time limit to investigate, charge and prosecute and convict, etc.
Ninoy died instantly from the bullet that blew away part of his head and face.
While he did not actually die in the van, the vehicle is a symbol of the shameless conspiracy that tried to cover up an assassination.
Senator Ninoy Aquino might have become unconscious but there was no evidence that he died instantly after being shot on that fateful day on August 21, 1983. So there is still the unanswered question of whether he might have survived the assassination had he received proper medical attention much earlier at Villamor Air Base Hospital which is located much closer than Army General Hospital. (This is reminiscent of the survival of Senator Sergio Osmena after the Plaza Miranda bombing massacre. It will be remembered that Osmena was declared clinically dead on arrival at FEU hospital but still survived the grenade attack against all odds. )
In fact the testimonies of both General Luther Custodio and Capt. Felipe Valerio did not indicate that Ninoy Aquino was already dead but, on the contrary, possibly still alive while being transported to Army General Hospital.
ATTY. JIMENEZ QUESTIONING GENERAL CUSTODIO:
Q. – The question now is, did you give any specific order at any time thereafter to have Sen. Aquino brought to any particular hospital?
A. – I did, Sir.
Q. – To which hospital did you order that he be brought?
A. – To Fort Bonifacio General Hospital.
Q. – In answer to a question by Atty. Gonzales, it would appear that you did not avail of paramedical assistance at that time. Could you explain why you did not avail of such service when you were informed that the Senator had apparently been wounded?
A. – The squadron commander of the Special Operation Squadron had maybe decided to bring him to a hospital instead of an emergency or first aid to be performed.
DEAN NARVASA QUESTIONING:
Q. – You had no way of knowing what sort of injury Sen. Aquino had suffered?
A. – No, Sir.
Q. – Beyond knowing that he had been shot?
A. – Yes, Sir.
Q. – For all you know, it might have been critical, did you think about that – that his wound might have been critical?
A. – That instance, I don’t…
Q. – It did not occur to you that the wound might be critical and therefore needed medical attention as quickly as possible?
A. – What occurred to me, Sir, was to bring him immediately to the hospital.
Additionally, Capt. Felipe Valerio testified that as his van was moving away with the wounded Senator on board, he had told Gen. Custodio by radio “that the Senator was wounded”, and it was then that Custodio instructed him “to bring the senator to the Army General Hospital.”
And here is a quote from the decision of the Sandiganbayan in reference to Gen. Olivas:
x x x “He learned that B/Gen. Luther Custodio had left the scene of
the incident immediately after the wounded Sen. Aquino was
transported from the airport by means of a SWAT van. He started his
investigation in the case by interviewing personalities he met there,
such as Generals Lopez and Piccio. It was the latter who informed him
that SEN. AQUINO DIED ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOSPITAL.” x x x
The capitalization in the last sentence is mine and the quote was sourced from page 117 of the decision.
The testimonies of those military officers are expected to be consistent with maintaining the non-existence of any conspiracy to assassinate Ninoy.
Of course they could not claim Ninoy was already dead in the van, whether or not that was indeed the case. If they did say Ninoy was dead, that would imply they checked his vitals and –as stated in Atty. Jimenez’ questioning, there would even be more suspicions to the fact that they did not seek paramedic assistance or first aid for the wounded senator.
Besides, as I said in my first post, whether Ninoy was still alive in the van is immaterial. There was a conspiracy to assassinate him, and the conspirators had the power, resources and personnel to execute their plan to completion.
If Ninoy survived the trip to a hospital, who knows if he would have fallen victim to a poison injected to his bloodstream, a pillow that suffocated him, yet another gunshot–the perpetrators were unstoppable in broad daylight on an international tarmac, what would hinder these guys to do their thing in a hospital room which of course would be declared off-limits to everyone else but themselves and their cohorts?
The van though, is still a moving symbol of the brazen conspiracy, whether or not Ninoy actually died there.
just to be fair, write something about Mendiola Massacre and Ninoy as Communist/Financier of CPP-NPA
Your sentence is loaded. Give me evidence first that he was a communist.
Bernabe Buscayno aka Kumander Dante and Joma Sison said so…
… this person must be the last “disciple” of the McArthy era and AWARE, Inc. in the 50’s & 60s in US of A !
branding, accusing people as Reds or “looking for Commies”…!
Bakit nandito na siya?
Can anybody especially the lawyers answer my question, aside from the provision found in the Constitution regarding presidential succession, do we not have any law that specifically pertains to a smooth transfer of succession if the 4 highest elected officials of the land are incapacitated? Who succeeds if the Speaker of the House is ruled out?
If the speaker of the house is also incapacitated, the senator or representative elected in the joint session of congress shall act as president until such time his successor is elected, or if any of the first 3 highest officials recover from physical incapacity, as the case may be. (RA 181, approved 21 June 1947)
Hmmm interesting thanks for the reply, anyhow I would just ask you an opinion, any CPM’ers can also express their opinion, are you in favor of expanding the presidential succession law like what the US have for contingency, where after the 4 highest elected officials appointed cabinet members are next in line?
Just for this discussion I agree with @Rafael Vidal. “…Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve “AS PRESIDENT” in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation “OF THE ACTING PRESIDENT.” (caps. mine) My opn is anything on this not specifically covered by any Const.’l provision, it will be CONGRESS who will resolve it, by law.
Expanding to follow what the US Const. on their Amendment XXV (1967) on the incapacity of the President, etc., majority of the principal officers of the Exec. depts or such other body (by law) a written declaration by such officers is submitted to the President pro tempore of the Senate & Spkr of the House, where the Vice Pres. immediately assume the powers & duties of the office as Acting President. Bla Bla Bla. For any dispute it will be Congress (again) that decide the issue bla bla bla. This refers to the “inability” to discharge the powers & duties. Death or resignation of the President, the Vice Pres. shall become President (SEC. 1, Amdt. XXV)
We have the same solution as to vacancy of the office of the Vice Pres. Anyone serving as “acting Pres.” whther the Spkr, our Const. provides for election until a Pres. or Vice Pres. is elected. In the US Const. I find none on this situation on Amdt XXV but SEC. 1 Amdt XXII (1951) their country will always “elect” to the office as Pres. the person bla bla bla.
In short, whatever we miss or don’t know, Congress by law will resolve the unknowns. Thanks for the encouragement here.
Well I hope that Congress act sooner because we don’t know if ever such contingencies will arise. It is better if the succession is spelled out much smoother so that we won’t have any issues once it happen. I mean what if the Joint session of Congress will have difficulty in choosing who will become the caretaker of the government? Better for our country to be prepared than sorry.
Since history is emphatic on the possible involvement of the marcoses, may I suggest that the Avsecom Van be refurbished and placed in a museum of sort as a reminder to all that the treacherous daylight killing of Ninoy in full view of hundreds of journalists, foreign and local, happened during the martial law period.
The killing is suggestive of the confidence and impunity of the perpetrators who obviously consider themselves above the law and form part of one of the darkest hours in modern Philippine History.
from another thread of Raissa’s pieces, so other CPMers may read . . .
LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SAY THIS TO CPMers:
Robredo is no head nor plan to be a snake head of a political dynasty of crooks.
So also was Ninoy before his murder. LET JESSE’S WIDOW lead the
LP Senatorial Slate in the coming election. I don‘t have an iota of doubt
on her capability to carry on the heavy torch her husband carried selflessly WHILE ALIVE.
LET THE ROBREDO NAME BE THE BATTLE CRY IN THE NEXT SENATORIAL
ELECTION. LET THE ROBREDO NAME CAUSED THE
SHAMEFUL DOWNFALL OF ALL TRAPO SENATORIAL CANDIDATES
IN NEXT YEAR’S ELECTION.
LET CPMers inflamed the hearts of others as they RALLY TO
THE CRY:
MRS JESSE ROBREDO FOR SENATOR.
Let THE EVIL AMONG US TRY TO STOP THIS FORM OF EXORCISM
OF CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY.
NO SIR! NO MA’AM! I AM NOT THROWING ACCUSATIONS AND INSINUATIONS.
I am not comparing Ninoy with Jesse. Not how they live and how they die. I am FOCUSED more in the circumstances of their times; of how the force of their BEINGS can produce a chain reaction that can lead to a significant change in people’s lives, and in their society. Their impact to the future may NOT be perfect but nevertheless beneficial.
It is the trapo political dynasty of Cebu province that has a hand on this events. The governor announced in her sopa address that she was “politically harashed” by P-noy administration. True or false, This is in line with the corruption charges against her in Ombodsman’s Morales office. Gov. Gwen Garcia has ambition to become a senator in 2013. Her ONE CEBU PARTY (which is actually a ONE CEBU FAMILY OF THE GARCIA PARTY) CONTROLS MAJORITY OF provincial mayors (42 in numbers) which dominate the local scene (mayor husband change places with wives).
Kaya ang dapat natin gawin kung meron bago na kakandidato na di kasapi sa partido ng mga trapo, sila ang ating iboto. para patunayan sa kanila na di mahalaga ang pera (pambayad sa boto), kilala (padrino, artista o utang na loob) at sobrang talino (gamitin sa masamang paraan).
The van was left to turn itself into nothingness so it could remain silent to the truth that took place inside it.
If it could only talk, maybe it will tell of how the van was used to run too slow to let the blood out of Ninoy to die and maybe it can also say of the truth that no one inside wanted him to survive.
We can only hope however, may his words “That Filipnos are worth dying for” still instilled in many among us.
The avsecom van was an instrument in the tarmac daylight assassination of Ninoy in full view of many people. It’s a testament of the cruelty of martial law and the seeming impunity of the perpetrators who consider themselves as above the law. Many of them are still occupying high elective positions and enjoying the fruits of the infamous marcos era.
The Van should be refurbished and shown to people in a museum of sort as reminder to our youth of one of the darkest hours of our modern history.
as for my humble opinion, dont refurbish, just removeall decayed parts and garbages inside. let it be as is so that those who are involved and inside that van will be HAUNTED by the sight of the van. i am pretty sure those people remembers every detail that happens inside the van. this will knock thieir consciousness everytime they see that van . or maybe those inside the van at that time are already out of the country as their prize in that gruesome event.
Re the Marcoses, I find disturbing recently the decision of the Singapore court conveying millions presumably ill- gotten to Lucio Tan’s PNB. As Imelda would say: Some are smarter than others. I suspect some people in the agencies tasked with recovering these monies like PCGG or Philcomsat are sabotaging our people by filing cases with loop holes. In short, selling out. Small wonder the Martial Law Victims Compensation Bill in the House is taking so long to get passed.
We remember Ninoy Aquino. We grieve for Jesse M. Robredo.
Two good men putting the Philippines on the right track.
Did you hear the news on TV about the Staff and Personnel of DILG pleading with the President to appoint one
na KASINGTINO ni Robredo. THIS IS A POSITION OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE. Do you have MATINO people in
mind?
How about someone like Grace Padaca?
sa action o inaction ng CA lalo na kung di nila katulad (corrupt) ay baka abutin ng sobra pa sa 2 taon bago nila ma-approve ang appointment nya.
I’m glad PNoy didn’t appoint Robredo’s second-in-command as OIC of DILG.
Was just talking last night about how terrible it would be for Bong Bong Marcos to run (and win) in the next presidential elections. Not only because of him and his political agenda in particular, but because of how that would signify the death of our country’s collective memory, and our failure to educate ourselves for the future.
It would mean that we have not learned from our mistakes. It would mean that in the over 20 years since the EDSA revolution, more than educating our future, we have been spoiling our children. It would make plain our failure to face our own demons, long and hard enough to gather significant conclusions from our really, really disastrous mistakes.
We have the political, collective memory of goldfish (or children) as of the moment. I openly hope that in the next four years we are able to change some of that, with the more active involvement of the Filipino diaspora—–the geographical, ideological and otherwise displaced Filipino diaspora—- in homeland politics. As online journalism is beginning to revive my faith in the Filipino press, I really do hope a similar positive shift in government and its players is in the making. Fingers crossed…
The Marcos political dynasty is resurrected through Bongbong. They have to make alliance with other political dynasties in the country to gain control…. the Gwen Garcia dynasty of Cebu Province, the Sarah Duterte Dynasty of Davao, the Villafuerte Dynasty of Bicol, the Dee Dynasty of Northern Luzon….. etc. etc. etc. etc.
We remember Ninoy and grieve for Jesse M. Robredo. Two good men putting the Philippines on the right track.
Did you hear on TV the news that the staff and personnel of the DILG are pleading with the President to appoint
one na KASINGTINO ni Jesse Robredo. Any suggestions?
@Lorena…”kasingtino” ni Sec. Robredo might not work with the CA…”kaparehas ng tino ng CA” baka pa ma-approve ang appointment!
Let us be hopeful and SUGGEST. Ang mga CPMers na pinangungunahan ni Raissa
baka di lang kayang ituro ang baluktot, chance na nating mailantad naman ang mga pangalan ng mga karapatdapat. Parang yung sa CJ headhunt. Pero ako nalulungkot kasi si Robredo and presidentiable ko
ang natatadaan ko ay nasa dentista ako noong dumating si Ninoy sa Phil.airport ,pinsan ko iyong dentist kaya pina una ko muna iyong ibang pasyente kasi gusto kong mapanood ang pag dating ni Ninoy pero ng matapos na iyong mga pasyente ay pinaupo na ako ng dentist sa dentist chair at iniwan niya ako kasi umiyak iyong anak niya kaya na panood ko iyong pag lapag ng airplane ni Ninoy at pag lapit ng dalawang uniform man sa kanya at pag tayo niya pag lalakad niya papunta sa pintuan biglang may pumutok sabay black out ang tv, next scene ay na kadapa na si Ninoy sa tarmac,ng i re-play iyong pag dating ni Ninoy wala iyong scene na nag lalakad siya papunta sa pintuan.dahil officer ako ng labor union naki pag libing ako sa kanya,sa aking paniniwala sa kanyang pagkamatay ay lumakas ang mga labor union.hinahangaan ko si Ninoy dahil ang galing niyang mag salita.sana di masayang ang sakripisyo niya sa bayan.
Even in T.V. the beast also edited the footage?
Ninoy Aquino’s assasination and the Plaza Miranda grenade bombing – two of the darkest days in Philippine political history that every Filipino should know and not forget.
Let us keep these two events alive in the minds of every Filipino.
Never shall we allow these evil acts to happen again – ever!
ninoy was dead, fm was dead, cory was dead,imelda still alive daughter of satan,and now pnoy cotinuing the legacy of his parents..but woe to us if bongbong will win in the future f he will run for president to continue his father’s legacy…filipino history so sad.there still lot of monsters in the government!
@lady…bongbong will not make it through…just work hard to make it so!
HELP.
Can someone pls translate this to English for me –
“RIP Sec Jesse Robredo. Pinaheling mo sa gabos na an sarong tawo pwedeng magserbi nin tultol na mayong kolor pulitika. Dios an mabalos saimo.”
I am using it for an article I’m doing right now for SCMP.
thanks.
Raissa, this translates to : RIP Sec Jesse Robredo. Pinakita mo sa lahat na ang isang tao ay pwedeng maglingkod ng tama o matuwid na walang bahid pulitika. Pagpalain ka sana ng Maykapal.
Thanks. That was from Cong. Dato Arroyo.
hi cong, dato,
nakakarelate po pala kayo sa tama at matuwid na pamumuno. sana po may lumabas na isa sa inyo(mula sa pamilya ni gma)na magbabalik sa bansa ng mga nawala o di nito nakamit sa mahaba ninyong paghawak ng ating bansa. nawa po ay mabasa ninyo ito at mula sa iyo ay makamtan ng bansa ang lubos na pagsusubli ng kanilang(gma) maraming pagkukulang at panggugulang…
Thanks Congressman! God bless you!
Dios ang magbalos saimo is God will return you the favor.
@celso,
Translate it in english that is the request of Raissa not in tagalog.
Hmmm . . . this statement from Dato Arroyo could have come from a Tupperware Party spiel. Dato’s seat in Bicol was the subject of a lot of suspicion. All of a sudden, political personalities are getting in step with the JMR march, and I think the trend of using any photo taken with JMR will rear it’s ugly head come campaign period.
“Rest in peace, Sec. Jesse Robredo.”
“You have shown to all that a person can properly serve without tinge of politics.”
“God will reward you.”
Literally…
“God will thank you.”
Mabalos…
Prelude to the Fall!
I have died, I told you. This is a second life I can give up.
Besides, if they shoot me, they’ll make me a hero.
-Ninoy Aquino, on the eve of his return
to the Philippines
Source; Cory–profile of a president by Isabelo T. Crisostomo
Youtube has lots of uploaded documentaries of Ninoy’s last months in the US before embarking on his last trip to the Phils.
View ‘NINOY AQUINO’s memorable interview on The 700 Club with Pat Robertson’.
www youtube com/watch?v=irwPY_YqRMY
I found this very inspirational, very confronting…
(you can find other better quality videos than this at youtube)
Aug 21, a day of mixed feelings.
Ninoy Aquino’s death anniversary,
And Jesse Robredo’s untimely death confirmed.
Both lives taken well ahead of their time.
May this day soothe sadness with Gratitude.
For they have done their families proud of their achievements.
And their countrymen grateful for their sacrifice and service.
Can we celebrate their life?
How their short lives made a positive impact on each and everyone of us?
And most especially, to our beloved country?
We will remember them, always with Gratitude.
Couldn’t have said any better…
Gratitude to both of them…
RIP Sec. Jesse…
August 21, 1983 sparked the revolution in people’s hearts and minds against a dictatorship.
Let August 21, 2012 spark a revolution in people’s hearts and minds against corrupt, dirty, selfish and inefficient governance.
Here are some facts that came out of the Fact Finding Board (also known as the Agrava Commission)pertaining to Team Alpha and its AVSECOM SWAT van:
The first five shots heard during the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983, lasted only 5.8 seconds: a single shot, followed 3.7 seconds later by three shots, followed 2.1 seconds later by the fifth shot.
AN ALBUM OF 43 FOLIOS FROM 13 JOURNALISTS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FIRST FIVE SHOTS:
The AVSECOM van was parked beside China Airlines’ CAL C1-811. The van was assigned to Team Alpha under the command of Capt. Valerio; the team consisted of nine SWAT soldiers and its driver Sgt. Catimbuhan.
There were no persons in the tarmac within several meters around the AVSECOM van other than Ninoy Aquino and Rolando Galman lying on the ground.
Some 17.2 seconds after the first five shots were heard soldiers of the Team Alpha emerged from the AVSECOM van and riddled Galman’s body, as he laid face up, with a flurry of 20 shots. The soldiers emerging from the van were Sgt. De Guzman (fired 7 shots), Sgt. Aguino (1 shot), Sgt. Mateo (10 shots) and AIC Estelo (2 shots). (p 134).
After shooting Galman, all but three soldiers of the Team Alpha returned to the van. After an interval of time two soldiers, first Sgt. Mateo and then Sgt. Artates, jumped back into the tarmac, dragged and then and loaded Aquino’s body into the van. The NHK timer fixed this time at 1 minute and 20.11 seconds from the time Aquino stood up from his seat to accompany his escorts, and the TBS timer fixed this time at 41.3 seconds after the first shot was heard. (p 157)
Soon after, the remaining members of the Alpha team on the ground climbed into the van that quickly sped away. (p 135, 153)
General Luther Custodio testified that he ordered his men in the van, via radio, to bring Aquino to Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio although he knew that Villamor Air Base hospital is located much closer. The assistance, as first responder, of the MIA Medical Clinic, located right in front Gate 8 was not sought. (p 215)
Cpl. Rogelio Jabon, an aide at the AFP General Hospital testified that he brought Aquino from the van on a stretcher to the second floor of the hospital; only four soldiers were in the van at that time.
Major Santos of the Army General Hospital pronounced Aquino dead on arrival (DOA) on or about 1400 HRS.
CAL Flight C1-811 landed at MIA at 1:03 P.M. and made a full stop at Bay 8 at 1:08 P.M. Eighty-two (82) seconds after he was escorted out of the aircraft, Aquino was shot at the tarmac. At 2:00 PM, or nearly 2 hours later, he was pronounced DOA at Army Hospital in Fort Bonifacio.
Long after the Fact Finding Board concluded its investigation into the assassination of Ninoy Aquino many lingering questions remain unanswered:
Why was Ninoy Aquino brought to the Army Hospital instead of the nearby Villamor Airbase Hospital?
Why were first responders not summoned from the MIA Medical Clinic?
Why did it take so long for the AVSECOM van to reach the hospital, and the subsequent declaration that Aquino was DOA?
What were happening inside the van while it was on its way to the hospital?
Why were only four soldiers seen in the van at the hospital? Where were the other members of Team Alpha at that time?
Would Ninoy Aquino have survived the assassination had he received proper medical attention at a much earlier time?
Disclosure: Most of the information included in this piece was sourced from the Reports of the Fact Finding Board (also known as the Agrava Commission.)
Dear Yvonne, do you have a link where this came from?
I’d like to append this to the piece.
Raissa,
I put the above information together from different sections of the reports of the Fact-Finding Board (also known as the Agrava Commission.) The reports are included in the 412-page book “Reports of the Fact-Finding Board on the Assasination of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr” published in 1984 by Mr. & Mrs. Publishing Company and distributed by Bookmark Inc. The book was edited by Eugenia Apostol and Lita Torralba-Logarta with the introduction written by Letty Jimenes-Magsanoc. Page 89, and thereafter, of the book contains the supporting documents, photos, and information gathered from the investigation and are considered public domain.
I received the book as a gift from my father a long time ago and, after reading it several times, it made a big impact on my view of our system of government.
I just learned that the book was digitized by Google on March 28, 2007 from an original copy from the University of Michigan.
Let me add what I know about Ninoy’s assasination and its investigation by the Agrava Commission. I’ve seen a video clip of a military man fetching Ninoy to come down the stairs of the plane then a certain person, I believe his name was Casta, coming out of the plane’s cockpit with a clutch bag. As soon as Ninoy disappeared through the stairway, a voice presumed to be Waray was heard: “Posila! posila!”. During the Agrava hearing, somebody from the prosecution interpreted “Posila!, posila!” as the Spanish word “Fusila, fusila” (“Fire! fire!”, from the verb “fusilar”, to fire). An Atty of the defense rebutted the interpretation. Actually, he said, what was said was “Eto na po sila.” I feel the urge to read again the findings of the Agrava Commission whose release was I think preceded by singing, led by the Head of the Commission, “Happy birthday” to Imelda.
It is unfortunate that the Agrava Commission stopped the timeline of its investigation up to the time only when the body of Ninoy Aquino was loaded into the AVSECOM van headed to the Army Hospital.
Nothing was mentioned (I did not read it, if there was any) on how long it takes the van to reach the hospital, which route it took, was the siren on, was the hospital’s” trauma unit” notified when the van was on its way, did Ninoy receive any care (medical or otherwise) while being transported in the van, , where and how was he received at the hospital, etc., etc.??
Time was of the essence and it was very important to find out if there was any attempt to impede or delay Ninoy’s transport to the hospital to receive medical treatment.
Many can remember that in the aftermath of the Plaza Miranda grenade bombing, Senator Osmena was severely wounded and was brought to FEU hospital “clinically dead”. But because of the prompt and professional medical attention he received at the hospital, his doctors were able to revive him and he survived the attack in what many described as “miraculous”.
Ninoy lost it all, but gained everything in the end. And his family basks in the heroism of his name.
Marcos sought it all, gained it all, but lost everything in the end. And his family struggles with the stench of his name.
Supreme irony, no?
P.S. Raissa, may I recommend the brewing Ateneo 192 professors manifesto vs CBCP row next topic. :)
I will look into it.
Thanks, Andrew.
With bated breath, I await with glee the ensuing enlightened discourse. Thanks, Raissa. Thanks, Andrew.
Supreme irony and supreme morality.
Ninoy was an imitation of Christ. (John 3:16)
baycas says below #5.1:
August 21, 2012 at 11:20 am
Thanks, baycas.
I do answer the question in the affirmative, but I raise the question partly in despair, partly in disgust and wholly in the hope that Filipinos will stay awake. You will understand the despair. We are a nation of recidivists. Three examples:
1. After Ninoy’s sacrifice, we voted in Erap, Gloria and Bongbong.
2. After Enrile’s fine performance in the impeachment trial, here he is back on the wrong side of history.
3. After contributing enormously in the impeachment trial, the ongoing RH Bill, and Senator Sotto’s plagiarism, some CPMers became conspiracy theorists at the slightest provocation.
It’s as though the lessons are never learned. For some, both their hearts and minds are in the wrong place. For others, their hearts may be in the right place, but their minds are not always so. And there are minds with no heart. It is heartening that most CPMers have hearts and minds in the right place.
“2. After Enrile’s fine performance in the impeachment trial, here he is back on the wrong side of history.”
i have watched enrile since i learned of his martial rule architecture. what he did during TJ’s ouster is a survival instinct of a learned and smart monster…
I agree with Vander…
ISNT IT IRONIC? AUGUST 21 THOUGHTS:
Marcos sought all (money, power, etc) and got all – but lost his soul and his name for eternity. And his family continues to struggle with removing the stench of his name.
Ninoy lost it all and gave it all up, but gained everything. And his family continues to bask in the heroism of his name.
NINOY AQUINO is a great HERO after Rizal and the others! FM the opposite!
@ leona,
Ninoy Aquino death turn Him to be our modern day Hero while F.M. made Him the opposite, Tapos hihingi pa silang mga marcosses na ilibing ito sa libingan nang mga bayani, Ang kapal naman nang MUKHA nila….
Nakalimutan na nilang mga Marcosses na pinatalsik nga sila noon tapos dahil medyo tapos na ang galit/nakalimutan nang TaongBayan ay Babalik pa…at nagmamayabang pa at kampi pa sa convicted thief justice nato corona…Nakakahiya na mga ito….
Sana maganda na at maayos na ang hustisya natin at bigyan hustisya ang mga biktima katulad nang nangyari sa kapatid ko pinatay noon 2009 dahil gusto kunin ang property nila sa cotabato.Hanggang ngayon wala pa rin nangyari diba masakit sa amin yan lalo hindi kami nagkita ng 22 yrs.nagkita kami patay na siya.Ang sabi nang hipag ko guilty yon nagpatay pero hindi pa nahuli. Hanggang ngayon umaasa kami bigyan ng hustisya.
The idea that I suggested to Raissa is a good one. – A MUSEUM IN THE Rizal Park close to the statue of Jose Rizal. Photos of my recent visit to the museum here in Netherlands can be found in FACEBOOK. –
http://www.facebook.com/aabel.natividad#!/aabel.natividad
Domino tile has Two ends to create a chain but only one tile to initiate chain reaction on both ends.
Chain, started by Ninoy, is endless connection by Two people everytime. EDSA I was that chain reaction.
Ferdinand Marcos was not the only person responsible for cutting short Aquino legacy, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was equally guilty.
GMA pardoned the killers of Ninoy, instead of letting them rot in jail. Their sentences were commuted by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and signed by ex Justice Sec Raul Gonzales in March 2009.
Hinckley, the shooter of Reagan, applied for parole many times and another one is coming. Never granted for his assasination attempt.
Just this simple hateful act or ENVY of GMA/Mike Arroyo on the Aquino family, they deserve every punishment nature accords their family.
Cause of jealousy/hate:
Despite Diosdado Macapagal was president, despite Gloria Arroyo was current president, the family could not admit to themselves the lack of RESPECT AND ADMIRATION by the Filipino people on them compared to that extended to the Aquino family.
Remember the words of that Comelec commissioner in Maguindanao about cheating in 2007. Order was to give zero vote to Noynoy Aquino. He was singled out by GMA when he was not vocal then against the Arroyos, unlike Lacson.
super like!
The memory is still painful but thank you, Raissa, for bringing up this very particular element of Ninoy’s assassination. That infamous Philippine Air Force Aviation Security Command blue van!
Painful memories do have a cathartic effect upon events personally and jointly experienced. It does renew our collective commitment that “never again” must our country experience another such agony. This day is an occasion to renew our vow……the “vigilance of memory” because “eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty.”
Because the Philippines was under total and severe media censorship in those dark Marcosian days, the trauma that I went through watching on TV that van’s mute participation in our nation’s history, may not have been seen in the Philippines, at that time.
Somehow, TV film clips of this bloody occurence made it to the viewing world outside of the Philippines.
It is still so vivid in my mind and on many nights I awake to the vision of Avsecom personnel hurriedly picking up the bloody limp body of Ninoy from the tarmac and simply tossing it with such heave face down on the floor of this dark blue van from its opened backside. That blue van had moments earlier reared towards where the fallen body of Ninoy lay in a pool of his blood. Ninoy’s body was hurled to the floor of that van like the carcass of one side of slaughtered beef!
Just days before, I had spoken to Ninoy by phone. (I was in Honolulu while he was still in Boston) I wished him godspeed and we exchanged good-byes and wishes for better times.
On the occasion of Ninoy’s death anniversary…….let me share these thoughts with y’all, my esteemed CPMers:
” Graceful propriety and humane sensibilities would otherwise have demanded that anger and rage be absented from occasions such as this, but I find it an emotional and practical impossibility to extol the greatness of a much loved and admired friend, without providing the bitter circumstances, against which, his selfless act of bodily sacrifice became genuine heroism.” (That is why memories of Marcosian Martial Law must never be erased!)
“Ninoy’s willing sacrifice, exemplified by his decision to return home, despite the foreknowledge of the perils awaiting him, cannot but leave, a legacy of courage.”
“Such a noble act of extraordinary courage
I pray from human sight be covered not
For in God’s own measure, Ninoy was our ‘fleeting wisp of glory……
That for one brief shining moment…..simply cannot be forgot.’
Because he dared to dream of Camelot.
==========================================
Many are saying we even FORGOT ALREADY EDSA 1.
The VAN is there! A REMINDER!
How human memory flies! Ninoy’s Museum can be the best place to connect HIS LIFE STORY & DEATH with that VAN!
Filipinos start learning to preserve things worth it. We are not the Talibans in Afganistan who did destroy even good object their people created, etc.!
It is good Raissa came out with this photos of that VAN! Thanks so many things for her on it.
PRESERVE THE AVSECOM VAN then!
This van should be displayed in a museum that reminds Filipinos of the despicable martial law years. The younger generation needs reminders as they are not aware anymore. It was part of the spark that burst into the flames of the EDSA revolt! If other countries preserves vehicles used by infamous people, what more of one of that was part of a people’s unshackling from tyranny.
Calling the people of this administration..let’s preserve & if possible refurbish this van & display it. With the dilapidated state, as photographed, it’s in, move before it’s too late!
yes, that van is invaluable, very iconic. vintage as it is. we have to push for its proper preservation, to say the least, to keep a rustic reminder to our youth so that our future electorate is educated and guided and never again allow another dictator trample over our vulnerable democracy
i personally congratulated Raissa for coming up this idea of preservation of “the Death Van”. If I were you Raissa organise a team to visit the Van (ask permission from Authorities) on NINOY AQUINO DAY. Make photo shots of your visits publisized awareness in the media why you and your group (later your Committee) wanted Filipino philanthropists to donate for the establishment of “Ninoy Aquino Museum” and then form a legitimate “FOUNDATION”. Your committee for sure can solicit financial assistance from Filipinos abroad as well as the Aquino-Cojuanco family. Choose an ideal location site of your museum be it in Rizal Park (often visited by most Filipinos) or infront the Ninoy Aquino Airport.
http://www.facebook.com/aabel.natividad#!/aabel.natividad
Sa aking palagay ay mas matindi ang dating kung tatawagin natin na “People Power Museum” instead of Ninoy Aquino Museum. Ang museum ay magiging tungkol kay Ninoy at sa lahat ng mamamayan na nagsumikap upang magtagumpay ang People Power.
this was not kept from the public… back when i was grade 4 or 5, we went to an exhibit of Ninoy’s memorabilia, including his blood soaked vest and the all-white clothes and shoes. lets see if i can still find a pic of that van…
Pls. do.
funny… i tried posting 3x but it won’t show up… here’s a direct link
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5871/img2012082000619.jpg
Pls examine URL again. It’s blocked.
let’s try flickr…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xykotik/7829191426/
having trouble pasting the code :/
I would like to post this as an update. Did you take this yourself?
Who are the children posing in front. Where did this photo come from?
thanks
that’s me on the left, with my siblings :D i’m not sure about the date, but it could be sometime between 1984-1985… but i’m sure its before the Edsa Revolution.
“By my example, I hope I can inspire TWO OTHERS . Like the dominoes, one has to fall to create the chain reaction.”
Who are these two Ninoy was talking about?
You and me.
Oh, okay. Thanks Raissa. Now I know, but I think Filipinos then were awakened by what they did with Ninoy so it’s kind of prophetic in a sense.
Wow, that’s beautiful!
This “death van” is a reminder of the bloody legacy of the Nazi-like Marcos military and the fact that it is being neglected and exposed to the elements is a continuing testament that the AFP doesn’t want to change this death-dealing image. Military death squads still roam the land. No dent on human rights abuses by the military. Even Pnoy, the martyr’s son, threads lightly…
Preserving that Van as it is now in its condition is WORTH IT! Something not to forget. Once it is gone, that is one item lost forever. So, better have it now than wanting to have it but it is not there anymore!
I wanna buy this van. Can anyone connect me to AVSECOM on my offer?
@bengo,
if you are serious about it, i can find a way to work that out for you.
Whatever for?
We do not know his motive. Once sold to him, he might burn the van to erase bad memories of the Marcoses. They are still alive and breathing you know. Hisotical Commission should acquire that van or if not a FOUNDATION be set up. Raissa will take charge of this project.
The Van, acc to reports, emits human sounds every now and then! I guess it is the spirit of one who was there. PAF or the Gov’t thru PNoy, should move to “give” it to someone or some interested group(s) and not to “see” that thing just go into dusts! Bengo here wants it! Preserve it when you get it. Don’t make any changes – a word of advice!
The greatest irony of life with this historical story are two deaths of two strong willed men. One chose to be righteous while the other one was wicked. One is already buried with dignity and honor and revered worldwide if not by all men but by all global Pinoys having the same dreams of freedom and love of the country, while the other is still unburied and continued to be hated and became the symbol of greed and highest corruption in PH history. After death, who is the winner? It’s the one who can stand proudly before the Creator without battling an eye and say I offered my life so others would be saved. I was still there in the country when this happened and I already realized that Ninoy the father was a special man.Maybe and I am still hesitant to say that the PH is worth dying for. I hope after P’noy steps down, the legacy of the righteous men lives on.
These are the first two lines in a Leo F. Buscaglia quote.
For love of country, Ninoy wasted no time and proved that…
But is the Filipino worth living for?
After Ninoy died, people were awaken from deep slumber.
To this day, those people either continued to live or transitioned their descendants…
Knowing fully well that the Filipino is really worth living for.
Ninoy’s chain reaction worked, works, and will work…
One chose to fall to stand up against dictatorship
Now, many continued to stand up and be True Filipinos…
Lest they’ll once again experience democracy to fall.
@Springwoodman…ARE YOU?
Of course you believe YES! Otherwise you won’t be able to write anything here!
Good one.
Springwoodman is a living example.
This is already part of our history. Preserve it for future generations. Please.
Never had a good looked at this van. Now I see it here these photos.
How many Avsecom soldiers rode at the back? In front? while Ninoy was inside at the back?
Who was driving it and what did he say or ask…”Where to?”…to whom? …an answer “Anywhere, drive around but not to a hospital!”…
How long did the Van “keep driving around?”…after maybe 30 minutes passed by…”Is he still alive?” one asked or the driver…there must still be some blood signs on the floor if the Van has not been touched all these years.
Where did the Van finally stopped? What did the Avsecom soldiers do with Ninoy’s body? Unloaded it where? To the police? To whom? What time was that made? What were the statements, oral or written, by those Avsecom soldiers, names, etc. and any copies of the statements?
So many questions from these 7 photos of the Avsecom Van. Interesting I like to get my hands on. August 21, 1983 the day the dictatorship began to end and freedom started to its way back to its place…the hearts of the Pilipinos!
Thank you Raissa. May God bless our country and people. There is no real place like here, our home.
Raissa: Ironically, it took a very gruesome murder to wake us up!
We were a country of cowards then.
@The EQualizer Post @raissa
This should be retrofitted and displayed for all the Filipinos to see, especially the younger generation who seem to have forgotten the dark period of Marcos’ dictatorship.
ninoy always reminds me of the great dictator and thief. ferdinang e. marcos….
Are we not reliving fm’s memories by voting his son into a national office? Shame on us!!!
Some even say he is a viable presidential candidate in 2022. More shame on us!!!
Just these thoughts make my hair stand on ends.
Comelec statistics showed that there are more voters who know nothing about FM nor have the idea of what evil he had done to the country as over the voters who knew him or read about him.
we are partly to blame for not passing the history of our past to younger generations. in no time, a possibility of having lost all the gruesome detail of his dark legacy and a clear manifestation is the election to various offices of the dictator’s wife and heirs. so sad…
Yes. True. We have to reverse that.
What an idea Raissa! In todays world people living in a dictatorship in most countries of the Middle East bitterly fought their freedom offering their very lives and were successfully in overthroiwng their evil rulers. Tunesia, Egypt, Libya and now Syria. Here in Europe we have many museums that had become popular attractions and vivid reminder of the past historical events. I have been a “museum addict” and last week I visited the “oertijde Poort Museum” in Boxtel (the Netherlands) and would like to share my photos for Filipinos to see! SPEARHEAD THIS CAMPAIGN RAISSA!
Hi Vander,
Kaya nga noong about kay Corona, iyong anak na BOng2 favor kay Corona, kasi ayaw niya ng tuwid na daan. Gusto niya daan na baluktot. Nagttaka nga ako bakit pa binubutuhan ng mga filipino.
Kahit dito sa Europe kilala si Marcos Philippines corrupt,+ Imelda many shoes.
Matagal ka yata walang sa Pilipinas! Ang mga karamihang ng botante ay tangi at ignorante dito!
Work a lot to eduate these voters of ours to know who they are voting for!
If you are outside of Pilipinas, come home! And you will stop askingf questions like that.
Interest yourself in the polling places during election times and you will be SURPRISED!
The IGNORANTS VOTE FOR THE IGNORANTS!
Many voters & citizens didn’t know much. But our SC justices then knew more than enough of FM’s actions. The majority “validated” his actions. That’s the first. Then next in line were the political leaders, many also kept quiet and submitted. Third, the local leaders. From there, what could the ordinary citizens do? Courage was lost for some. Some continued to start the fight here and abroad. Can such scenario be done again? For good or bad? Freedom has a bloodied prize. It always has. Life is a complex adventure and follows no rules ultimately. May we celebrate this moment, today to remember how Ninoy did it and to honor those who love freedom always! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!
Manila taxi driver, old enough to know, told me FM was so good because he controlled food prices.
Taxi driver had his guage on his taxi meter going up on the whole thing! Freedom is not on taxi meter!
“old enough to know” — highly questionable.
Wisdom does not come with age.
It depends on how you take in the events that happened in your life.
patulong naman po sa assignment