I was checking my draft entries here and I noticed this one with just the title above but I forgot what I was writing about. Fortunately, my nightly TV Patrol World fix last night fixed the temporary amnesia. I did start this entry back in October of last year, at a time when the news over the pardon of convicted murderer Manuel Teehankee Jr was raging. With the news of pardon to the remaining soldiers involved in the Aquino-Galman slay case, I was transported back to that time. The remaining suspects were finally freed yesterday. Much to the dismay of Sen. Noynoy Aquino, son of the murdered national hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.
I was around four years old when Ninoy was killed. I remember it because even when we were living in Marawi City, a rather isolated moslem-dominated city way down south, news of such magnitude traveled fast. My dad was in the military and I remember the huge tension it caused them. I vaguely remember the red alert status issued within the camp and their battalion’s preparation for shipping out to Manila. Alas, they didn’t have to join their fellow soldiers, to fight and defend Marcos. That must have been quite uncomfortable, for a decent soldier like my dad.
Anyway, that particular episode in 1983 stayed with me. And as Ninoy’s death and martyrdom were incorporated into the history books, I was able to connect these two circumstances like a puzzle completely pieced together. I understood why it caused so much tension at home and in my dad’s workplace (the military camp), why people were scared for many years under that dictatorial regime, why speaking out could mean your life, or your loved ones’ lives, snuffed like a candle in a howling wind. Yes, I’ve pieced the puzzle of that childhood curiosity.
But a bigger puzzle is yet to be solved. And with the news of these men being pardoned without bringing anyone to accountability, I feel VERY doubtful if we ever get to solve the mystery of whoreallydunnit. It’s a shame to give Ninoy and his family a decision like this one and not being able to bring the mastermind/s and the real criminals to justice. Without prejudice to those who were truly innocent of the crime they were accused of, isn’t twenty six long years enough time to solve one murder case? Especially if the case involves somebody we call our national hero?
To the person who granted the clemency, I kind of feel that she’s pushing her luck. I do remember when she first took over as President, after Erap was ousted, when she said she doesn’t aspire to be a great president, but will be content being a good president. At the rate she’s going being chummy with criminals, she might just end up being the worst person to occupy the presidency.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think she’s the only one to have freed so many criminals during her terms e.g. Erap for plunder, Teehankee for murder, and now the suspects for the Aquino-Galman murders. These were the only ones in the news because these are high-profile cases, I wonder how many more lesser known drug addicts, murderers, rapists, thieves she has freed and will pardon before her term ends. What kind of message is she sending the citizenry? It boggles the mind.





