Building no. 2: Inside Ninoy’s prison cell

From outside, the detention site where martyred opposition leader Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was kept in solitary confinement for seven years during Martial Law seemed oddly peaceful. Surrounded by trees, a basketball court, and tall gates with guards, the white structure could be mistaken for an ordinary bungalow in a private subdivision. But the serene facade masked the suppressed atmosphere inside. The cell is so cloistered even sun rays hardly penetrate it. Indeed, the detention site appeared to reflect what the Philippines was like under martial rule - peaceful on the outside but simmering with activism inside. For three decades now, the Philippine military has preserved the cell. “(It's) one way of recognizing the historical significance of the place," said Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos. Known as Building No. 2 in Legaspi compound, the cell in Fort Bonifacio was opened to the media on Thursday to commemorate Aquino's 26th death anniversary on Friday. The assassination of Aquino in 1983 had sparked a wave of protests that culminated in the historic people power revolt in 1986, ending the dictatorial rule of Ferdinand Marcos. Burgos said this was only the third time that outsiders were allowed to visit the site. A restricted area, the prison cell was last opened for public viewing 10 years ago, when the National Historical Institute (NHI) put up a marker in the site. According to Burgos, the Army had no intention of opening the prison cell for public viewing, but gave in to a request from GMA News’ Raffy Tima. Last prison cell Painted in white, the four-by-five meter room looked like a tiny cage with a toilet and bath. Maybe because of its size, all of the appliances and furniture in the room had to be small to keep the room tidy. Burgos said Building No. 2 was Aquino’s fourth and last prison cell since he was arrested on September 23, 1972 or two days after Marcos declared Martial Law. He stayed there for seven years, from August 7, 1973 until he was exiled to the United States in 1980. During his confinement, Ninoy was kept in almost complete isolation. A wooden box with a small opening was mounted on his door to limit the items brought by visitors. His window was fitted with steel bars and boarded with plywood panels outside. On most occasions, only his family was allowed to enter the room. Other guests would be entertained in the amphitheater 20 meters away. Burgos said it was the same amphitheater where weekly masses for Aquino were held. “Ang alam ko, lingo-linggo talaga may misa sa buong pitong taon." Inside the room, Aquino spent most of his time reading books and praying the rosary. There were more than 50 books inside the room, among them Clavell’s Shogun, Merton’s The Non-violent Alternative, and Szulc’s The Winds of Revolution. Aquino reportedly read some 5,000 books during his confinement. Burgos said the Aquino family brought home some of the books, particularly the encyclopedias, when the cell was first opened to public in 1986. That was the year his widow Corazon Aquino was installed as president after the successful People Power Revolt. - GMANews.TV