(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte joined the entire Filipino nation in celebrating Ninoy Aquino Day on Tuesday, August 21, urging Filipinos to “reflect” on the sacrifice made Benigno Aquino Jr., “more than three decades ago.”
Duterte said that Aquino “died while fighting to restore peace and democracy in the Philippines.”
“His profound love of country has inspired a revolution that altered the course of our nation’s history and gave birth to the freedoms we enjoy today,” he said in a statement issued on the occasion of Ninoy Aquino Day.
“Let us take this opportunity to reflect on his sacrifice as we honor the courage and patriotism that Ninoy demonstrated during his struggle,” he said.
Duterte said that Aquino’s “dedication to his cause serve as a guidepost for our current leaders in government as they advance the welfare of our people, especially the oppressed and marginalized.”
“In this time of real and lasting change, we need more citizens like him so we can steer our country towards the direction where a brighter and better future awaits us all,” he said.
“This can only be achieved if we work together to institute meaningful reforms that will put an end to the many social ills that have obstructed our path towards becoming a mature and stable democracy.”
“I wish you a happy and meaningful occasion,” his statement read.
Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in 1983 upon returning from his self-imposed exile; his death prompted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to run for president challenging the late President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap elections.
She eventually became the 11th president of the Philippines after the Edsa Revolution which toppled the Marcos regime.
The Manila International Airport has been renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Ninoy Aquino’s honor, and the anniversary of his death is a national holiday.