Negrenses will mark this afternoon the 29 th anniversary of the assassination of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on his return to the Philippines from a three-year exile in the United States, saying the “Filipino is worth dying for".

Ninoy was shot dead Aug. 21, 1983 at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport, which has since been renamed after him. His death triggered the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, that led to the end of the Marcos dictatorship.

Let us honor Ninoy Aquino with a simple ceremony at his statue near the old Bacolod Airport 5 p.m. to 7p.m. today, Nana Yulo, N4NM convenor, said yesterday.

Mosignor Guillermo Gaston will give the invocation, after which there will be the singing of National Anthem, offering of a wreath, lighting of candles and a short message from a guest, which will end with the singing of Bayan Ko, she said.

The public is invited to attend this ceremony to honor the man who gave his life for his country and paid the price for restoration of democracy in our beloved Philippines, Yulo said.

When warned against returning to the Philippines, Aquino said "if it's my fate to die by an assassin's bullet, so be it. But I cannot be petrified by inaction, or fear of assassination, and therefore stay in the side..."

On his return to the Philippines, he used the name Marcial Bonifacio on his travel papers, a euphemism for being a martial law victim jailed at Fort Bonifacio.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said Ninoy died for his country, and it is high time Filipinos today stop quarrelling and unite to move the country forward for the better, as Aquino had envisioned.*CPG

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