PAF master sergeant linked to 1983 Ninoy assassination dies after road accident

An Air Force master sergeant who was implicated in the 1983 assassination of former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. has died, his son said Thursday.

Diomedes Martinez said his father, former M/Sgt. Pablo Martinez, died this week after being hit by a sport-utility vehicle along Roxas Boulevard last Monday.

"Nasagasaan siya sa Roxas Boulevard po... Tatakas pero naharang ang driver," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said his father would bike every morning behind the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

But he also sought a thorough investigation of the incident, saying there could be foul play.

"Duda ako kung nabangga siya o binangga siya," he said.

GMA News' Arnold Clavio reported on dzBB Thursday afternoon that the elder Martinez, of the Aviation Security Command, was pardoned by former President Gloria Arroyo in 2007.

He had insisted it was Rolando Galman who shot former Sen. Aquino, incumbent President Benigno Aquino III's father. The elder Martinez had said he shot Galman.

GMA News' Clavio reported the elder Martinez's remains are to be brought to the Philippine Air Force mortuary. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News