It is the story circulating among Social Manila’s elegant dinner tables that in one lucid moment during her final days of illness at the ICU Intensive Care Unit of the Makati Medical Center, the dying Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino finally spoke about the masterminds and the assassins of her husband, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., on that fateful day of 21 August 1983.
The story of Cory in the ICU cannot be verified at present.
However, the truth about the Aquino assassination, if and when it is finally made public, is eagerly awaited by millions and millions of Filipinos around the world.
*******************************************************************
With the recent passing of former President Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino, and as the 26th anniversary of that fateful day of 21 August 1983 fast approaches, One important question still looms in the minds of millions and millions of Filipinos just like you and I, here in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world…
WHO HAD NINOY AQUINO KILLED???
OK, OK, OK, President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos said that Rolando “Lando” Galman, whoever he was, did it. Poor Rolando Galman. They just fattened him for the kill, like “lechon.” They didn’t even have the decency to fix him up for his final “one moment in time” press kit — no makeup artist, no hairdresser, no tailor, no society photographer. Well, at least he had his fifteen minutes of fame, or notoriety, whichever. I believe that Rolando Galman killed Ninoy Aquino as much as Yosemite Sam killed Daffy Duck in the “Merrie Melodies” cartoons.
But I do believe that President Ferdinand Marcos was far too intelligent, much too brilliant, and way too prescient to have ordered Ninoy Aquino’s assassination. One must never forget that he was the ultimate master of the Filipino psyche. Unless he was having a “stupid moment” and saying “What was I thinking?” which all humans have at some points of their lives anyway.
On the other hand, there is the persistent story that upon finally being informed of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino at the MIA Manila International Airport that afternoon, the already very ill President Ferdinand Marcos hurled an object, usually said to be a vase, towards his First Lady, Imelda Marcos. At that time, it was said that he was not at the Malacanang palace; he was supposed to have been confined at the new Kidney center of the Philippines in Quezon City. Nurses outside the room swore that they heard a breakable object crash to the floor and invectives hurled by the very ill President at both Madame Marcos and General Ver.
There are people, mostly anti-Marcos, who claim that if that story was true, then President Marcos, First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, and General Fabian Ver were just “play-acting”…
Another persistent story, certified true by close Marcos and Romualdez family members, was that upon being informed of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino at the MIA Manila International Airport, the already very ill and very weak President Marcos sat up on his hospital bed, as if from an electric shock, and declared: “Oh no! This is the end! This is the end of all of us!!!”
One of my mentors, the deliciously, wickedly, incorruptibly corrupt Eminence Gris, never fails to remind me that everything boils down to MONEY. “Pera lang yan.” he insists. If one has a question about anything, specially in politics and government, not only in the Philippines but everywhere else in the world, The answer is money. Why did the USA wage war in Iraq? Money. Why did the USA have a financial meltdown? Money. Why does the USA do business with China? Money. Why did Communist China turn capitalist? Money. Why did Ferdinand Marcos remain as President of the Philippines for 21 years? Money. Why did the USA abandon Ferdinand Marcos and support Corazon Aquino during the EDSA Revolution? Money. Why do we have a never-ending Communist insurgency? Money. Why do we have a never-ending Islamic insurgency in Mindanao? Money. Why do all those candidates — Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Gilbert Teodoro, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Jamby Madrigal, Bayani Fernando, Jejomar Binay, et. al. — want to become the President of the Philippines in 2010? Money.
Why was Ninoy Aquino killed??? Because of money.
In the study of this 26 year-old mystery case, the crucial question is: Who had the most to lose in terms of money — if Ninoy Aquino returned to the Philippines — before 21 August 1983???
President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos?
First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos?
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Fabian C. Ver?
Vice Chief of Staff General Fidel V. Ramos?
Defense Minister Juan Ponce-Enrile?
Multimillionaire businessman Benjamin “Kokoy” Trinidad Romualdez, Imelda Marcos’ younger brother?
Multimillionaire businessman Eduardo “Danding” Murphy Cojuangco Jr.?
The CIA Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America?
The CPP Communist Party of the Philippines / The NPA New People’s Army / Jose Maria Sison?
Years ago, a top official of the Marcos administration, privy to the highest and innermost circles, and yes, almost a “crony,” told me, without revealing anything: “You will have to wait until we are all dead, hijo. Several are still alive and active in national politics and big business. It was very complicated… It was not one, not two, not even three people involved, but several. An entire cast of characters as exciting as a suspense thriller movie. James Bond 007 had nothing to compare! You will be surprised by who was actually involved as well as by who was actually not involved. It was initially planned in a sports facility. The intelligence operatives knew about it. Even I knew it was going to happen. I contemplated sending my family abroad. But what could I do except wait for the moment of damnation… of all of us???”
Moment of damnation indeed.
And the moment of redemption for the Filipino people and their nation.
Post Script: By February of 1985, one year before the EDSA Revolution, the Marcos administration was already faced with tremendous difficulties — including the worsening SLE systemic Lupus erythematosus of President Ferdinand Marcos — to the point that the First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos had quietly requested her family members: “Pray. Please pray and pray hard. For it is all about to end.”
remembrance of things awry 
ftvugiyuojnkm said,
September 18, 2009 at 5:43 am
@spendaholic. All of the generals of yore have blood on their hands. That is why they’re there for. The question is who ordered for them to do the act.
And the person is around. Very much around.
spendaholic said,
September 7, 2009 at 5:15 am
Thank you for that…So who do you think was the real Master of the Game?
I heard some rumors that Gen. Ab*dia…was at the Tarmac when Ninoy was shot….So Probably there is a military mystery behind all of this
larry leviste said,
September 4, 2009 at 4:15 am
*** does have a murderous son.
dtfuygikjnlm said,
September 4, 2009 at 3:57 am
@Spendaholic. You give the Illegitimate Brother of Armida too much credit. He could have, and indeed he tried to wrest power from Popular Cojuangco whom he deems as to powerful. His distrust in the Cojuangco as a whole is the same feeling Aging Snake has for that family. It was two factions then and now: The Illegitimate Brother of Armida, Aging Snake and Horse versus Ilocano Hacendero, Illegitimate Military Cousin and the majority of the Rolex 12, and the military.
The die was cast. Snake thought he could stomp on his magic but he overestimated himself. The Ilocano Hacendero and the Ileigitimate Military Cousin was put to blame by the public for all eternity. Both sides were hungry for the power Sick Snake would leave behind. Both tried to outdo each other. In the end, the Popular Cojuangco squierreled the Throne from them all by rising upon the outpouring of support from the masses, a phenomenon too far away and unimaginable from either competing faction.
You should ask yourself how the Rat calls the Illegitimate Brother of Armida! “Tito.” And his wife? “Tita.” You should ask yourself who was the major sponsor to the wedding of Alfi* An*do’s ex-girlfriend to her American Husband? The Aging Snake. Who was there during the asaltos in Forbes and Dasmarinas with common friends on Cambridge Circle when Republic Cement Empress was still alive? The Aging Snake.
The Aging Snake and the one whom you think could have benefitted from it all remain the best of friends.
It was and is not Him.
dtfuygikjnlm said,
September 4, 2009 at 3:43 am
@Garganta Inflamada. Not a problem. I know of your utter disgust to the descendants of Judge Chua and the descendants of Papa Orestes but do keep in mind that the twilight years are just setting in. The numerous heirs of Papa Orestes are still breathing. All of us will die. It is just when and how.
@Spendaholic. All those who are invited to the Malacanang Gardens during New Year’s Eve would know that from the early 1980s onward the mastermind you claim to know all was Minister of Defense in nothing more but name. His descent came at the rise of the Sugar Baron Fraternity Brother, the Ilocano Hacendero and the Horse. After a squabble of logging concessions your Defense Minister lost in place of the Illegitimate Military Cousin and some Forbes Park residents. In fact, by 1983-1984 all orders from the Sick Snake went straight to the Illegitimate Military Cousin, sidelining the Defense Minister. At the funeral of Antonio Luna’s grandson, the logistics was arranged without the slightest contribution from Defense Minister. Illegitimate Military Cousin spearheaded a quiet and strict protocol during the funeral, officiated of course by the deceased’s widow who, in Toto Gonzalez’s words, is identified as the Dowager Empress.
spendaholic said,
September 3, 2009 at 5:46 am
this is quite a wild notion…but i have suspicions that the Minister of Defense during that time might be the master mind. Coz he is the one who can claim to power if the regime is over thrown. Maybe that was JP*’s plan all along…Coz he had the connections in the military, and he can easily topple a weak government.
Garganta Inflamada said,
September 1, 2009 at 1:00 pm
@ dtfuygikjnlm:
I realized after I posted #36 that Baby Brod-K is still very much alive. I don’t why I thought that he had passed on. (That’s the technical failing of this blog…you can’t go back and correct something even after you have realized you were in error.) Was it another brother? Or maybe it was wishful thinking?
I just keep thinking those R’s have passed on. Oh well…c’est la vie, c’est la morte.
zippo said,
September 1, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Irames,
You could give me a shot of the green fairy anytime (slotted spoon, cubed sugar, and all). Cheers!
dtfuygikjnlm said,
September 1, 2009 at 4:33 am
@ Zippo. That is why you know Zippo. Because you know the last thing a Cojuangco has not done on another Cojuangco is to kill a kin. (The next closest thing is land dispute which is why the Cojuangco-Murphys led by Dona Nene and Isabel Suntay did not see eye to eye to the Popular Cojuangco. The latter gave all that land away. Even some of the Lourdes branch would agree.
@ Garganta Inflamada. If it was not so difficult how come only lately has Horse’s name flung up? Is it because Tessie Oreta mentioned it in an interview? Is it because he finally left his home in Boston (minutes away from the Aquino-Cojuangco home) for Tacloban? Or is it because Horse’s children have infinitely allied themselves well? I think your response in #7 and #2 leaves much in doubt. Thank you for your guess nonetheless.
@ Garganta Inflamada. Also, Horse is not yet dearly departed. Especially when his son’s pockets are bursting in so much corporate profit that he has failed to hide it like the Madrigals and Cojuangco-Ongsiakos. In fact, he is very much alive that he has been named one of the Forbes Richest in Manila – on par with Dowager Empress, the cousin-in-law of Popular Cojuangco.
Irames said,
August 31, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Zippo,
I was just going to zip up my interest on playing the guessing game but since you jumped in with juicy, trackable facts, I may have to direct my mind to inquire some more 😉 Thanks, I owe you a shot of absinthe, served the proper way of course.
Garganta Inflamada said,
August 31, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Hmmmmm…as they say…
If dtfuygikjnlm’s version of events is indeed true, then I was right. See my post #7 above, item #2. I don’t think it was really all that difficult to find out who authored the whole shebang.
And this late Horse (with the salt-&-pepper hair) was also cavorting around, as horses are wont to do, with the younger daughter of that rich Cubao landlord when she was ensconced in Manhattan. (Too bad I missed her at Studio 54.)
And of course, since the half-witted Horse has gone on to the great Corral in the sky (or the Badlands), then the secret indeed died with him.
Would Big Sis talk? Of course not. Half the time she was busy being a legend in her own mind and/or was purposely left out of the loop in the other.
zippo said,
August 30, 2009 at 7:25 pm
dtfuygikjnlm,
Hmmmmm…..
The Philippine Embassy is in Massachusetts Avenue.
The Philippine Ambassador to the U. S. in 1983 was Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, brother of Imelda Marcos.
Kokoy Romualdez is 1 year younger than his elder sister, Imelda. Imelda was born in 1929 which would make her a Snake. Kokoy, who was born in 1930, would have been a Horse.
Were you referring to him?
Oh boy if somebody can only get me drunk and talkative, I’d probably spill the beans on the venom that spewed forth from sick Snake’s mouth when he saw brother-in-law Horse for the first time after the former was transferred to the Kalaniana’ole beachside villa in March or April of 1986 after being a “guest” at the Hickam Air Force Base for a little over a month.
By the way dtfuygikjnlm, I am also a Horse….. a FIRE HORSE at that.
Irames,
hahaha, you ended your post (no. 34) with the phrase, “Inquiring minds….” Since Kokoy Romualdez is the father-in-law of Sandy Prieto, I think it should have been “Inquirer minds….” 🙂
Z
Irames said,
August 27, 2009 at 5:06 pm
This is starting to become too convoluted and noirish for me; I guess I’m not up to Chinese horoscope much : ) How the hell did you know the protagonists’ personal details (their zoological traits, among other things) in the first place? Inquiring minds…
dtfuygikjnlm said,
August 27, 2009 at 4:40 am
Clue:
Before, Horse would have the chaffeur drive around Massachusetts Avenue handing out pots of a delectable dish to please the stomachs of the rest of his colleagues.
Nowadays, I hear the Horse’s offspring is doing the same thing in principle. Instead of a dish it is now cash and instead of special delivery it is by special invitation to the big garden so immaculate and so near to his most naive but shrewd cousin, the Rat, hoarder and keeper of things that must remain hidden.
dtfuygikjnlm said,
August 27, 2009 at 4:34 am
Irames,
Mind you. All of this was being planned by the Horse. The Horse has been told so many times never to meddle. But the Horse knew the Snake was ill and the aging Snake does not know what the sick Snake will do.
Sick Snake has overrun the military with Northerners. So under a cover up of a cover up, there was a change in plan. The Horse connived with the Dragon to take advantage of the opportunity.
Besides who would think Horse would have done it? He only controlled select people in the military? And further to that, everyone keeps on fanning the flames of anger between the Half-Ilocano Hacendero versus the eldest branch of his family?
Notice that only at the last minute did aging snake find out. And only at the last minute did the aging snake rush back to the nest after sponsoring a wedding of one of the General’s sons.
Horse’s job has always been to prepare for arrivals here and there. To iron things out when the Snakes arrive and depart in grand style. To orchestrate perfection.
The problem is. 1.) Neither Snake ordered for such a mind boggling arrival and thus 2.) Horse thought a thank you is forthcoming.
But no expression of gratitude came. Snakes danced in love and in death. One blamed the other.
Why did you think Horse’s children are bred in the US? The children came before the revolution even started brewing.
Because their descent from the graces of the sick Snake came quick and silent.
Hence, at the time of the revolution, the only thing Horse had to do was make arrangements for the spouse as the rest of the nuclear family were safe and sound in the Land of Milk and Honey.
Horses are stubborn you know. They are born raptuous and engulfed in fire. They cannot be stopped. When they age they mellow considerably. Although the drive is still there…
Irames said,
August 26, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Hmmm,,,,this thread is now unfolding like a real Agatha Christie whodunnit. Great! Thanks, dtfuygikjnlm. Your insight on the minds of the members of the Cojuangco clan is a valid take and I love how you subtly injected some esoteric elements to the crime like the mastermind’s shared regional dialect with a soldier and his/her possible Chinese Zodiac sign.Very intriguing.
dtfuygikjnlm said,
August 25, 2009 at 2:04 am
Although Danding controlled Avescom, it was not him. The man/ ex-prisoner whose interview I saw on youtube… he said “kamag-anak.” No.
All the Cojuangcos know that Danding would not go as far as spill blood on a fellow Cojuangco. Probably money can be fought on, probably political turfs. Probably land. But none would go as far as bloodletting.
It was “slightly” Fabian as he knew everything that was happening.
It was not Apo and Madame. They honestly did not know until the last minute.
Sometimes, it is better to know one’s Chinese Zodiac.
Snakes do not attack in the open.
But Dragons do. Do you know who is the one born in the Year of the Dragon?
Very close to the Palace. And very much alive.
Clue: This person speaks the same dialect as the soldier whom the Cathay Airlines cameraman recorded yapping away a few seconds before that fateful two shots.
Garganta Inflamada said,
August 24, 2009 at 5:06 pm
uhmmm…Larry, can we drop the ill-fitting titles?
Je ne suis une “madame.”
larry leviste said,
August 24, 2009 at 8:39 am
NO WORD on Isla at all, Madame G.I.
Silent as a tomb.
Personally, I’m worried.
Irames said,
August 23, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Larry, if you have to peg my wit as a gem, make it a Verdura then: not commercially easily nor locally available 🙂
But for some of my reactions here, you’re the effective provocateur (not agent provocateur), and I say it in a positive light. It’s great to share space with you, thanks to Toto of course.
Garganta Inflamada said,
August 23, 2009 at 1:56 pm
well, larry…I don’t know what to say…
Toto’s blog just brings out the best and the beast of its regulars. About royalty, I don’t know…all I know is that per a spiritualist/medium, I supposedly had a previous life in Budapest, Hungary daw…of all places. At saka, I supposedly had a strange affliction then…which I sort of do now…but that’s another story for another day…
BTW, que paso con Isla? Is he OK? Donde esta?
Mike V. Jugo (MikeJ) said,
August 23, 2009 at 10:04 am
The Last Journey of Ninoy: As Told Through the Last Interview of Cory
larry leviste said,
August 22, 2009 at 10:17 am
Cheers G.I.
You are the heroine of this blasted blog.
The queen of the scene, empress impressed.
I kneel at your feet.
Irames:
Impecable polished like a gem WIT.
I’m in Malarayat LOVING the outrageous slings and arrows.
Spot onwards.
Garganta Inflamada said,
August 20, 2009 at 10:26 pm
actually, it was dovie beams and anna nicole smith!! 🙂 🙂
isabella said,
August 20, 2009 at 8:50 am
it is something that is unsolved for us common earthlings….but will you not think it strange that Cory with her 6 years in power as president of the Philippines with all the powers and connections she held in her hands was not able to ‘find out’ who did Ninoy in?
many people have conspiracy theories- and it include group of people who are not Filipinos who want FM down.Both are just victims of conspiracies that play on our country’s destiny.Poor Philippines!
Mike V. Jugo (MikeJ) said,
August 19, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Quijano’s testimony to the Agrava commission was supported by that of
– Jessie Barcelona
– Ramon Balang
– Olivia Antimano
– Mario Laher.
Foreign correspondent Sandra Burton likewise stated that Aquino was shot while descending the stairs of the plane and not as the soldiers claimed, while he was on the tarmac. Forensic experts likewise proved that the trajectory of the bullet was downward meaning he was shot from behind by someone standing on the stairs.
The soldiers involved were pardoned by GMA.
Irames said,
August 19, 2009 at 2:28 pm
more questions than answers…
Irames said,
August 19, 2009 at 2:27 pm
According to this analysis, it’s the handiwork of Imelda and Danding, although in the latter’s case, the motive has not been completely established. I can imagine Imelda in one irrational swoop ordering to do away once and for all the pestering threat to her and her husband’s 20-year reign but Cory’s cousin? Unless, he was pushed to the corner by Imelda’s posse to cooperate or lose everything he owned. This piece raises more questions than answered but it does clearly point fingers:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20090819-221072/Who-ordered-the-hit-on-Ninoy-Aquino
Who ordered the hit on Ninoy Aquino?
By Rodel Rodis
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:54:00 08/19/2009
CALIFORNIA, United States—Many years ago, while I was waiting in line to see the Agatha Christie whodunit, Murder on the Orient Express, a moviegoer who was exiting the theater screamed out “They all did it!” spoiling the suspense.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21 this week, people will ask: Who ordered the hit? Was it the Dictator Ferdinand Marcos? First Lady Imelda Marcos? Marcos crony and business mogul Danding Cojuangco? Military chief General Fabian Ver? Or, like Murder on the Orient Express, was it all of the above?
The conventional wisdom points to Ferdinand Marcos as the mastermind because the military scope and precision of the assassination could simply not have occurred without the knowledge and involvement of the loyal Gen. Fabian Ver, who would not have undertaken such an enterprise without the dictator’s’ knowledge and approval.
But the sheer audacity and brazen gall of assassinating Ninoy Aquino right at the airport, just minutes after his arrival, in full view of the world’s press, with all the predictable dire consequences to the regime that would ensue, bore all the earmarks of the politically unsophisticated and psychologically unstable Imelda Marcos.
So who ordered it? Let’s review what facts are known.
Ninoy Aquino’s plane had just landed in Manila on August 21, 1983 on a flight from Taipei when Philippine soldiers entered the plane, approached Ninoy, and placed him under their custody and control. The soldiers quickly hustled him through the crowded aisle and out the airport door, which they immediately shut to prevent anyone from following them to a side staircase.
A few seconds later, shots were fired and Ninoy’s lifeless body lay on the concrete tarmac of the Manila International Airport.
About 16 soldiers (no officers) were later charged with conspiring to kill Ninoy. “The forensic evidence submitted to the trial court,” columnist Antonio Abaya wrote, “established that the trajectory of the fatal bullet was forward, downward, and medially, the bullet entering Aquino’s skull near his left ear and exiting at his chin. This was consistent with the gun being fired at Aquino by someone behind him who was at a higher plane than he was, such as someone who was one or two steps behind him on a downward flight of stairs.”
Rolando Gilman, the hapless patsy brought by his military handlers through tight security at the airport, was positioned at the foot of the staircase. After Aquino was shot once from behind, the soldiers pointed their assault rifles at Gilman and shot him several times to make sure he was dead.
After a military van appeared on the tarmac, soldiers quickly loaded the bodies of both Aquino and Galman on to the van, which then sped to a military camp. Several hours passed before their cold corpses were delivered to a coroner for examination.
Barely eight hours later, Marcos announced to the world that “communist hit man” Rolando Galman had killed Ninoy Aquino.
Of course no one believed Marcos and a fact-finding commission he formed in response to world public opinion determined that 16 soldiers were responsible for Ninoy’s murder and they were so charged.
After the soldiers were all convicted of conspiracy in the killing of Ninoy and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Muntinlupa penitentiary, one of them, Master Sergeant Pablo Martinez, later became a born-again Christian and publicly disclosed what the other convicted soldiers refused to do.
In his affidavit, Martinez revealed that he was assigned by Colonel Romeo Ochoco, then deputy commander of the Aviation Security Command (Avsecom); Brigadier General Romeo Gatan of the Philippine Constabulary (PC); and Herminio Gosuico, a civilian businessman from Nueva Ecija, to escort Galman from a hotel near the airport to the tarmac, to await the arrival of Ninoy from Taipei.
Witnesses who testified at the Agrava Fact-Finding Commission had previously identified Gosuico, a known associate of Marcos crony Danding Cojuangco—along with Air Force Colonel Arturo Custodio and two others—as the men who fetched Galman from his home in San Miguel, Bulacan, on August 17, 1983.
Martinez revealed that he was personally recruited for the special assignment by Col. Ochoco, whom he had previously served under. Martinez reported that he and Galman were briefed on the assassination plan at the Carlston Hotel near the domestic airport on the night of August 20, 1983. Briefing them on the details were Gen. Gatan, Col. Ochoco, and Gosuico. That evening, Col. Ochoco gave Galman a .357 Magnum revolver, while Martinez was given a Smith & Wesson .38 cal .revolver. Galman had no idea that would be his last evening alive.
On the morning of August 21, 1983, just before Martinez brought Galman to the airport, he said that Galman’s mistress, Anna Oliva, and her sister, Catherine, were brought by soldiers to the Carlston Hotel to have breakfast with Galman. The two women were last seen at their workplace on September 4, 1983 when armed men picked them up. Their corpses were later exhumed from a sugarcane field in Capas, Tarlac in 1988 in a hacienda owned by Danding Cojuangco.
Galman’s wife, Lina Lazaro, was picked up at her home by two men on January 29, 1984 and was never seen again. During the Agrava fact-finding inquiry, Gosuico was identified by Galman’s son and stepdaughter as one of the two men who picked up their mother.
Despite all the testimonies implicating them to Ninoy’s assassination, neither Col. Ochoco, Gen. Gatan nor Gosuico were ever charged with involvement in the conspiracy to kill Ninoy.
Former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was a Sandiganbayan prosecutor under President Cory Aquino when he came upon a witness with critical evidence and who was willing to testify under certain conditions. Gonzalez went to President Cory in Malacanang to tell her that the witness demanded protection for herself and her three kids. Before Cory would agree to the terms, she asked Gonzalez who the witness would name as the mastermind.
When Gonzalez answered that she would name her first cousin, Danding Cojuangco, Pres. Cory reportedly responded “Impossible! It cannot be!” She refused the witness’ request for protection and the witness eventually disappeared.
Gen. Romeo Gatan later died of a heart ailment. Hermie Gosuico died under what would be described as mysterious circumstances, leading Abaya to ask: “Did he die of illness or accident, or was he eliminated because he knew too much?”
Of the original known conspirators named by Martinez, only Col. Ochoco is still breathing, reportedly with his family somewhere in Stockton, California.
But Imelda Marcos and San Miguel Corporation CEO Danding Cojuangco are still very much alive and they know all too well who ordered the hit on Ninoy Aquino 26 years ago this week. They can spoil the suspense.
The author is the president of the Ninoy Aquino Movement (NAM), which was formed in San Francisco 26 years ago.
Garganta Inflamada said,
August 18, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I, for one, don’t believe that the ‘relative’ (if in fact you are inferring the late President, Ben) had her husband rubbed off:
#1 – she is/was not a killer
#2 – how could, in all that is legal and sane, Ninoy lay claim to the Hacienda…when he was but an in-law, not a blood heir? And it’s like, even if it had been possible, how could he single-handedly wrest control from all the other Cojuangco relatives? ***rolls eyes*** I don’t think so. If he thought it were possible, then he must’ve been a really lousy lawyer (was he even one?) and therefore the country was spared from such a looney bin.
This is such a far-fetched scenario that it’s not even funny. Mildly amusing perhaps…but even that is a stretch.
And the other rumor I heard was it was his own kinsfolk, the Aquinos, who supposedly wanted him dead. Are they that cold-blooded? He was their brightest star–all the others were mere starlets–and they would have him done in? Absurd.
After threshing it out more and more here, it really looked liked the work of some out-of-control underling like Ver. Really an impulsive tactic rather than an analytical, well-thought-out one with long-term ramifications that should’ve been considered. After all, who had easy access to military hitmen and a scapegoat to boot? Ver, who had a reputation of ‘shoot first, then ask questions later.’
Mike V. Jugo (MikeJ) said,
August 17, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Ninoy Aquino’s speech (9 parts)
Ben said,
August 16, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Marcos did NOT have Ninoy killed. As you said, he was too smart for that. Besides, he would have done this much earlier if he really wanted Ninoy dead. But Ninoy was to Marcos what Professor X was to Magneto (apologies to the non-comicbook fans here): he admired Ninoy, wanted Ninoy stifled, but not dead.
So who had the most to gain from Ninoy’s assassination?
Answer: A relative. Shhhhh.
Ninoy was on his way home not primarily for political ambitions, but to lay claim over the Hacienda Luisita. And that is one huge hacienda, ladies and gentlemen.
In fact, rumor was that when Ninoy was on his way back to the country, he and Cory were actually estranged already (perhaps because of the Hacienda?). This was why Cory did not come home with Ninoy.
But events change everything. It didn’t make for good PR to turn an estranged wife into a public figure. So hush that up and make them appear as if they were a very united couple til the very end. And the rest is history.
Mike V. Jugo (MikeJ) said,
August 15, 2009 at 2:23 am
NINOY AQUINO’s last recorded phone call before returning to Manila:
It’s amazing how, even though the dictator Marcos knew he was dying, Marcos still did his best to continue his tyranny over the Filipino people.
SimonWiez said,
August 14, 2009 at 11:37 pm
“zippo said,
August 14, 2009 at 5:05 am
Steve Psinakis the arsonist?”
Nah – our grandfather wouldn’t approve. But then again, Steve belongs to the Greek branch of the Wiesenthals.
zippo said,
August 14, 2009 at 5:05 am
Steve Psinakis the arsonist?
Dr.Taddy Buyson Gonzales said,
August 13, 2009 at 10:43 pm
In Ninoy’s last interview before flying to Manila he told the reporters to act fast as things may happen swiftly in Manila. He even revealed that he had a bullet proof vest on but the assassins could aim at his neck or head. Apparently he knew he would be killed. That’s why he travelled with foreign news reporters as a “buffer”. It was not impossible that he knew who the materminds were. Is it possible that Ninoy’s family likewise knew?
Cousin Paz said,
August 13, 2009 at 11:45 am
Please check out the conversation between Ninoy Aquino and Steve Psinakis on Youtube. There may be some clues as to who are involved.
Jezrel said,
August 11, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I am a lurker. 🙂 Been reading your blog for over a year now and I always am amused by your every post. The comments are just as entertaining. Didn’t have the ‘balls’ to leave any comment till now. lol
Who were the guilty parties in Ninoy’s assassination? There seems to be a conspiracy which stretched to the highest realms of power and politics. Ninoy’s death (just like JFK) is probably one of the greatest murder mystery of all time.
The Bible says that the “love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) (please take note, it says : “love” of money)
Irames said,
August 11, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Silly me. I had to ask how much was Marcos being officially paid as President of the country at that time but I really didn’t have a clue. It couldn’t have been higher than Arroyo current salary, could it? And yet the latter only drew 693,000 pesos (about $14,744.68 at the current rate) per annum according to this document based on her 2008 tax return http://www.pcij.org/resources/20090810-2008-Dec-SALN-Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo.pdf . I can imagine that of Marcos was even less. $14K would not buy a lot of European designers’ wardrobe for Imelda, much less all those Cartier/Bulgari/Verdura that she claims are rightfully hers.
Anyway, I could discuss at length the pecuniary aspects of the lives of the main mastermind suspects of Ninoy Aquino death but it would only divert the discussion to a detour that’s already happening. People are jumping in to exercise their moral judgement, when in fact what Toto wants in this thread is for us to point fingers or play detective.
So let’s stick to the whodunit, shall we? Calling Sherlock and his doctor friend… 😉 Or those who can establish a good case forensically.
chetonichi said,
August 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Whoever the perpetrators were, they had grossly miscalculated the consequences of their action, as the unfolding events proved. But then again, it could be argued that hardly anyone could’ve predicted the ensuing People’s Revolution of 1986. It’d be a stretch, moreover, to believe that even the infirm, vase and invective hurling autocrat, in all his legendary brilliance, could have seen it coming. What he did know straight away however, was that the assassination had been, to be sure, a horrendously bad move. The People’s subsequent rising and bloodless deposition of a long-running, well-entrenched dictatorship (a constitutional authoritarianism as it was sardonically oft-described), surprised not only the rest of the world, it surprised the Filipino. While it would’ve required the likes of a Nostradamus to predict the Filipino at his finest hour then, it scarcely requires a seer to predict him rising to his finest again tomorrow.
Garganta Inflamada said,
August 11, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I don’t really think ‘money’ was the motivating factor–unless I am simplistically naive.
My theory has always been one of 2 plausibilities:
1. It was hatched by someone (or parties) who really wanted to embarrass the Marcoses knowing they would be painted into a corner; or
2. By someone who stupidly thought they were going to score extra brownie points with Sir (and Ma’m) …but then it went woefully out of control. I could only think of two people capable of that…the tenacious lapdog of FM, Ver; or the dim-witted younger brother of Ma’m. But they were pretty much on the opposite sides of the fence and actually eyeing each other…would rule out this scenario.
Si es para dinero solamente, quien? Los taipanes? Los duenos de Rustan?
Jules said,
August 11, 2009 at 7:51 am
I love this sensational
1979 Gore Vidal’s
opening Biblical passage
in the flick Caligvla:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
xOxO
Anton Sy said,
August 11, 2009 at 3:08 am
Sadly, people think of money a a way to perpetuate themselves through their children. It’s kind of weird to think of it that way but one must realize one of the reasons why people amass money even if there’s more than enough to last multiple lifetimes is really a matter of face value. Yung quintessential feeling of self upliftment due to one’s ability to massage one’s ego through the accumulation fo wealth. In the same way that the masses love to buy cellphones even if they can’t scrape enough food to eat a decent meal, just so they can have a cellphone, the same way rich people amass their wealth, so that people will be cognizant of them.
larry leviste said,
August 10, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I BELIEVE they are now called HOMELAND SECURITY of the US of A.
Santi said,
August 10, 2009 at 5:15 pm
what is money to these people when they expire?
Irames said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Who had the Most to Lose in terms of Money before 21 August 1983???
To go along with your Eminence Gris’ contention, what was the financial standing of the Marcoses at the time? As President, how much was he paid from the public coffers. Where was he getting the funds to support the suddenly lavish lifestyle of his fair lady from Leyte? How did they amass such mind-boggling quantity of material wealth from his position of supposedly a servant of the people?
It’s all about money and yet, as a Philippine saying goes, money doesn’t grow on trees. well, it seems the Marcoses/Estrada/Arroyo/who else? have found a way to harvest it!
Myles Garcia said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:20 pm
How much is the cash prize if I guess right??