August 21 is an important date to remember not only for Liberals but for all Filipinos as well. Worth commemorating are the two significant events in our nation's history --- the Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971 and the Assasination of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in 1983.
The Plaza Miranda Bombing of the Liberal Party political rally in Manila was believed to be a ploy of the Marcos Regime to maim the political opposition. The act was immediately blamed to former President Ferdinand Marcos but several years after the Marcos rule, a new twist emerged, new accounts of witnesses have attributed the bombing to Jose Ma. Sison, the self-exiled leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The bombing led to the killing of nine persons and scores injured including the candidates of the Liberal Party. The results of the election gave the Liberal Party candidates a near sweep in the senate slots, winning 6 out of 8 and the victory of the local candidates in Manila. However, the event was among the bases of Marcos in declaring Martial Law in September 21, 1971.
The assassination of Liberal Party stalwart, Senator Ninoy Aquino shocked the world. Upon his return from the United States for a medical treatment and political exile, he was felled by an assassin's bullet at the Manila International Airport, minutes after he was fetched by security escorts of the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) who led him to a separate exit of the plane. Despite using the name Marcial Bonifacio (Marcial for martial law and Bonifacio for Fort Bonifacio, the place where Ninoy was incarcerated, military authorities were able to trace what plane took him to Manila. The killing was also attributed to the Marcos regime which led to the outpouring of support to the advoacay of Ninoy --- FREEDOM for the Filipinos. Three years after the assassination, a snap election was held amidst the countless protest rallies, condemnations and pressures including those coming from the international communities. The questionable results of the election in which Marcos deafeated Corazon Aquino, widow of Ninoy eventually led to a People Power Revolution (EDSA 1) which catapulted Mrs. Aquino into the Presidency and the restoration of Democracy. For a brief shining moment, the Philippines was looked up to by the world as a symbol of freedom.
This events prove how liberals stand for their conviction in the name of freedom and for love of country.
4 comments:
Why was then Sen. Benigno Aquino not present during Liberal Party’s 1971 proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda? Is he a part of CPP-NPA conspiracy to sow terror in order to discredit President Marcos? Ninoy Aquino’s bailiwick Tarlac province was then CPP- NPA-infested. There are more questions than answers behind the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing. Ninoy also worked with US intelligence agency-CIA and participated in the ouster of Indonesian President Sukarno.
The victims of the Plaza Miranda bombing never attributed the act to Ninoy.I don't think he is a part of the conspiracy. The statement that he was working with the CIA seems to be contradictory with the insinuation that he has links with the CPP-NPA. Anyway the objective of the article is to show the significance of August 21 in so far as the Liberal party and the nation are concerned.
Ninoy was tagged as a double agent. The CIA needs a sacrificial lamb that led to assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Public anger poured in the streets against corrupt and abusive US-supported Marcos regime. The rest is history. President Marcos was then out of control particularly his stand on US bases in the Philippines. He wants more aid or rent in Clark USAFB and Subic Naval Base. The spooks want him neutralized to protect American interests.
Aug.21,2012-Secretary Jesse Robredo's body was recovered in the sea of Masbate.
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