Montil, Danna Louisse E.

August 27, 2019

Hist 1- S1

Reaction Paper
“Beyond Conspiracy: 25 Years after the Aquino Assassination”
Have you ever had experienced a flight to and from Ninoy Aquino International airport? The initial
disposition of most Filipinos was that it was just an airport, and several do not know why it was named that.
This year, 2019, marks the 36th year since Ninoy Aquino was “assassinated” in the then named Manila
International Airport, and then after called Ninoy Aquino International airport. “Beyond Conspiracy: 25 Years
after the Aquino Assassination” in 2008, released around the same time of his assassination mainly talks about
the former assassinated senator being the opposition element in the Marcos regime before and even after his
death.
As long as there exists good and bad, divisions cannot be avoided. One scene in the documentary reenacted
the possible involvement of Marcos behind Ninoy’s death, remains one of the biggest conspiracies in the
nation’s history. The documentary and those that knew the events believed this was the case, yet the
government does not serve the justice. Though cronies of Marcos that were possibly involved were suspected
and convicted, Marcos was not, and if they were convicted then, those cronies now are pardoned. It was
discovered that millions and many personal properties were took when Marcos fled to the U.S. for safe passage.
While the powerless military that advanced the crime were in prison, the possible masterminds were not. Why
would the military kill a respective person all on their own? They follow orders, and from whom?
There is this diversion of some politicians or persons of power to achieve great performance such as
creating economic profits for the country with of hidden agenda of laundering money for themselves. Those
politicians who were guilty with plunder like Imelda Marcos, Bong Revilla, ‘Erap’ Estrada, and many more
were pardoned of prison and still continue to succeed in elections.Which shows that those who are of power are
much favored by the law. Creating the whole stigma that all Filipino politicians are corrupt, which is unfair to
those who want to truly serve.
Why do we continue to vote for the wrong ones? Marcos as the representative case once boosted the
industry of the Philippines; he strengthened the value of peso more than dollars. Yes, the people of the
Philippines prospered but only in that amount of time. Whilst Marcos became even more rich, the country was
filled with debt up until now where our social divisions have a big gap. The rich became richer, poor became
poorer. This is for the current politicians that justice be served to the Filipino. The Filipinos deserve more than
be deceived.
On the other hand, activists that fight hard for the rights of the Filipino are in jail and killed just because of
their love for the country as Ninoy was back then. The poor Filipinos are wrongfully killed because the rich and
privileged are given more priority like the war on drugs where the users are killed the protectors are not. If you
wanna talk about justice, kill everyone involved in drugs. Justice isn’t served by another injustice.
11 years ago when this documentary was released social media was not yet available so the means of
spreading truth was by this documentary. The use of CGI and reenactment made a detailed view of the
assassination and the happenings back then that cameras were not able to capture. That is through the witnesses
point of view; i.e. the crying lady, and staffs present in the tarmac on that day. Today, social media can be a
catalyst, more and more Filipinos either rich or poor can have knowledge.
The two divisions, the oppressed and the oppressors of our country, have the Filipino people in between.
To the people, vote wisely, there are good political parties out there. Ninoy Aquino did not die in vain if we
would not repeat our wrong choices. More activists should join the cause that would die for our country, never
think that you are powerless against those politicians that spread fear. Live your life to according to what is
right not what is good for now.
 A lesson towards everyone is to appreciate each piece of history as if it was a piece of clothing protecting
our country and people of what it deserves to be recognized, that these pieces are what we are made of now.
And the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is a piece of this history.