The marker honoring the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. has been relocated to the improved arrivals curbside of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
“In this airport, Ninoy Aquino witnessed that ‘The Filipino is worth dying for.’ The place where he lay in the tarmac is marked with this inscriptions,” the marker read.
“On this spot, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was assassinated on 21 August 1983. It is eternally enshrined: for wherever a martyr has shed his blood for truth, kustice, peace, and freedom, there is sacred ground. The sun cannot bleach, the wind cannot blow, the rain cannot wash that sanctity away. From ground like this springs that which forever makes the Filipino great,” it read.
The marker now sits directly in front of the repositioned “Ninoy Aquino International Airport” name on the terminal facade.
A Reddit user said the marker was previously located at the departure ramp, where it often went unnoticed.
“Uhm medyo matagal na ‘yan sa NAIA. Dito s’ya located before, sa may departure ramp and di s’ya pansinin,” the Reddit user said.
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Members of Ninoy’s family, including his eldest daughter, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, and grandchildren, visited the airport on Thursday, August 20, to see the marker at its new location, according to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC).
NNIC President and CEO Ramon Ang welcomed the family and accompanied them to the site, which NAIA said “brings together the airport name and the marker honoring the man whose legacy has been part of the gateway’s identity.”
The visit came as the country commemorated the 43rd anniversary of Ninoy’s death today, August 21.
The following day, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), NNIC and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) held a solemn flower offering at Terminal 1, led by NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr.
Sen. Bam Aquino also sent a wreath, which was placed beside the monument.
In a Facebook post marking the 43rd anniversary, Bam reflected on his uncle’s faith in the Filipino people and his belief that the country is worth loving, serving and fighting for.
“Yes, we are worth the struggle. Yes, the Filipino is worth dying for and worth fighting for. Tuloy ang laban!” he wrote.
Ninoy, a prominent opposition figure during the administration of then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was arrested following the declaration of Martial Law in 1972.
After years in detention and later exile, Ninoy returned to the Philippines in 1983 and was killed upon arrival at the then-Manila International Airport on August 21.
His assassination became a major turning point in the opposition movement that eventually led to the 1986 People Power Revolution. Republic Act No. 9256 later declared August 21 as Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday.
