Soldier in Ninoy slay killed in accident

MANILA, Philippines - One of the aviation security officers convicted in the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. has died in an accident.

A sport utility vehicle hit former M/Sgt. Pablo Martinez, 78, while he was biking along Roxas Boulevard at around 7 a.m. last Monday.

Chief Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte, Southern Police District director, told The STAR Martinez agreed to an amicable settlement with the driver of the SUV before he died.  He said the driver also agreed to compensate the family of the victim.

“That was the reason that the driver of the SUV, Henry Roque, was released from police custody,” he said.

Roque, a Philippine Airlines employee, allegedly tried to escape but was arrested after he got stuck in traffic.

Martinez’s son Diomedes reportedly sought a thorough investigation of the incident, saying there could be foul play.

Court records showed that Martinez, of the defunct Aviation Security Command, was under orders to kill Rolando Galman if the latter backed out from assassinating Aquino at the last minute.

Martinez, who maintained that Galman killed Aquino and was in turn shot dead, was released from maximum security prison on Nov. 23, 2007 after he was pardoned by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.