#TodayinHistory in 1983, Benigno "#Ninoy" Aquino Jr., former #PH senator & one of the opposition leaders vs. #Marcos regime, is assassinated at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (now NAIA), upon alighting aircraft. This sends shockwaves to the nation. (THREAD). 
From the time he was elected to the #SenatePH in 1967, Ninoy Aquino was Marcos' staunch critic. Ninoy alleged that Marcos was putting up a "garrison state" & trying to extend rule beyond the presidential term limit. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2C1Ozo-
Upon #Marcos' proc of Martial Law put into effect at 8 pm of 22 Sept 1972, Ninoy Aquino was at top 1 of the military list. Aquino was arrested at midnight of 23 Sept at the Manila Hilton (now Manila Pavilion Hotel) in a bicam conference by soldiers. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2CQ4Y16
#Ninoy, together w/ fellow senator Jose #Diokno, were detained far longer than the rest who were arrested. Diokno was released after nearly 2 years, continuing his dissent, while Ninoy was tried & was sentenced to death by a military tribunal in 1977. Marcos commuted the sentence
Suffering a 2nd heart attack in 1980, Ninoy's request to have a bypass surgery in the U.S. was granted, under the condition that he won't speak against the dictatorship. After the operation, he still campaigned vs. the regime & its human rights violations.
Upon intention to return to #PH, #Ninoy was warned that there was a plot to assassinate him. In @Newsweek, First Lady #Imelda #Marcos was quoted to have said, "If Ninoy comes back, he’s dead," saying that there was conspiracy among loyalists who were not under their control.
Ninoy's primary concern was succession & brewing #PH instability. In context of the upcoming 1984 elections, he wanted to plead w/ Marcos to step down peacefully & restore democracy, or risk having a bloody revolution from rebels.
"You have to be ready with your hand camera because this action can become very fast. In a matter of 3 or 4 minutes it could be all over, and I may not be able to talk to you again after this," #Ninoy told journalists who were with him on the plane. #QOTD #NinoyAquinoDay #history
When China Airlines Flight 811 landed in Manila, soldiers immediately boarded the plane to escort #Ninoy. However as he went out, gun shots were heard as journalists tried to see what was happening. Ninoy was shot in the head. #AquinoAssassination
In the largest funeral procession in #PH #history, attended by an estimated 1 million people (accd to @nytimes), the truck carrying Ninoy's bier entered Luneta. In an effort to honor Ninoy, the crowd forcibly lowered the #PH flag on half-mast on the Independence Flagpole.
*Photo credits: All photos are from the Presidential Museum and Library. The iconic shots from the plane towards the tarmac were from photo journalist Recto Mercene.
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