Soldier in Ninoy assassination passes away

MANILA, Philippines — The former aviation security officer who was imprisoned for the 1983 assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. died earlier this week.

In an interview over radio dzBB on Thursday, Diomedes Martinez said his father, former M/Sgt. Pablo Martinez, was hit by a sport utility vehicle last Monday along Roxas Boulevard.

Martinez said his 78-year-old father bikes every morning behind the Mall of Asia. He doubts that the incident is not intentional, saying there could be foul play.

One of military escorts in Ninoy's assassination, MSgt Pablo Martinez, passes away at 78. Son sees foul play as father was run over by SUV.

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) May 8, 2014

According to court records, the elder Martinez was under orders to kill Rolando Galman if the latter backed out at the last minute from assassinating Aquino.

In November 2007, about two decades after being sentenced with finality to double life imprisonment, Martinez was released from maximum security prison after being pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Read: GMA pardons soldier in Aquino-Galman slay

A former Aviation Security Command officer, Martinez publicly apologized to Aquino's family and to the Filipino people after his release.

He maintained, however, on what he and other surviving convicted military men had claimed since their arrest: Galman killed Aquino and was later shot dead.

The assassination sparked massive street protests that eventually led to the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship.

The slain democracy icon is husband of former President Corazon Aquino and the father of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III. -Louis Bacani