The Federation of Urban Poor (FedUp) in Negros Occidental marked Ninoy Aquino Day, on the exact day of the 41st anniversary of the opposition senator’s assassination, with a mass and the laying of flowers at the foot of his statue in Bacolod City on Wednesday, August 21.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. moved the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day this year to Friday, Aug. 23, “to provide for a longer weekend” for the Filipino people.
The assassination of Aquino on his return to the Philippines from exile sparked the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 that led to the ouster of then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Joy Jarabelo, FedUp head, said they were celebrating Ninoy Aquino Day to honor his courageous sacrifice for the nation.
Aquino demonstrated by example “how to be true blooded Filipino”, she said.
Like Ninoy Aquino, the Filipino people today should stand up against the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), threats to the West Philippine Sea, and those who betrayed the nation in favor of China and abused power, Jarabelo said.
To commemorate Ninoy Aquino Day the FedUp members clad in yellow attended a mass at the Lupit Church at 6 a.m. and walked to the statue of Aquino at Araneta Street to lay flowers in thanksgiving, Jarabelo said.*