Quest for justice to continue, says Noynoy

MANILA, Philippines - The son of assassinated former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. yesterday vowed to continue their family’s quest for justice even without assistance from President Arroyo.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III lamented that legally, his family has already run out of time to file charges against other people who might be responsible, including the mastermind, since the 20-year prescription period for the crime expired in 2003.

Aquino was shot to death on Aug. 21, 1983, moments after soldiers escorted him from a plane upon his return from exile in the United States. His death unleashed a wave of protests, culminating in the “people power” revolt that toppled former president Ferdinand Marcos and installed Aquino’s widow Corazon as president.

In 1987, a court convicted 16 soldiers of killing both Aquino and his alleged Communist assassin Rolando Galman, and sentenced them to 40 years in prison. The soldiers were acquitted in their first trial under Marcos.

Last Wednesday, President Arroyo commuted the sentences of the last 10 convicted killers and set them free.

Noynoy is still hoping that several people who vowed to publish a “tell-all book” about the assassination will do so.

Aquino also said they want former Air Force Captain Felipe Valerio Jr. to come back, he being the possible key and link between the “higher ups” and those of lower rank who carried out the actual killing.

Valerio was the leader of the 10-man unit assigned to secure the late senator. He was allowed to leave the country after he was absolved by the Agrava Commission tasked to investigate the assassination.

Noynoy said they received information that Valerio has since changed his name twice.

The senator stressed they were no longer expecting any help or even sympathy from President Arroyo, judging from her participation in the commemoration of the first people power revolution last month.

“She went to the tomb of the unknown soldier when Edsa 1 was all about the people’s peaceful revolution. I think she doesn’t get it,” Noynoy said.

Noynoy said that more than honoring the memory of his father, Mrs. Arroyo would send the right message to the people that a person would be punished for committing a crime.

Aquino’s younger sister Kris appealed to Filipinos not to forget the sacrifice of her father.

Meanwhile, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) yesterday said the Aquino family’s refusal to cooperate was a reason why the assassination case was not re-opened despite newly uncovered forensic and testimonial evidence.

PAO chief Persida Acosta told reporters at the weekly Kapihan Sa Sulo hotel news forum in Quezon City that a three-month review on the forensic evidence conducted by a team of medico-legal experts headed by Dr. Erwin Erfe showed that Galman was the actual killer of Ninoy.

Acosta said key witnesses who have a personal knowledge of the case, including Galman’s sister, the driver of the van and the owner of the airport ID used by Galman in gaining access to the airport are still alive and could testify in court. – Aurea Calica and Perseus Echeminada