Loved ones, supporters remember Ninoy Aquino’s 35th death anniversary

The family, relatives and supporters of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. flocked to the Manila Memorial Park on Tuesday to commemorate his 35th death anniversary.

According to a Balitanghali report by GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo, former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and sisters Viel and Pinky attended the Mass offered for their slain father.

Also in attendance were former Senator Mar Roxas and former Cabinet officials of the Aquino administration such as former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, former Agriculture chief Proceso Alcala and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Opposition Senators Franklin Drilon and Antonio Trillanes were also present to pay their respects to the late critic of the Marcos regime.

Ninoy Aquino was killed at the then-Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983, returning to the country after a three-year exile in the United States.

His death sparked various protests that eventually led to the downfall of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Aquino’s widow, Corazon, to the presidency in February 1986. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News