Saturday, August 01, 2009

Filipinos mourn death of ex-Philippine leader

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 1, 2009) - Military and police camps have lowered their flags to half-mast in honor of former Filipino President Corazon Aquino who died Saturday at age 76.

Aquino, the icon of democracy in the Philippines, died from complications due to colon cancer which was diagnosed in March last year.

“The Western Mindanao Command condoles with the Aquino family in the passing of one of our nation’s icon of democracy, ex-President Corazon Aquino,” said Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, commander of military forces in western Mindanao.

Police camps and government offices in the region also flew their flags at half-mast.

In Sulu province, Governor Sakur Tan also ordered all military and police camps, including government offices to fly their flags at half-mast as s a symbol of mourning.

“Former President Aquino is really the symbol of democracy in the Philippines and we are saddened by her demise. Our people will never forget her; her contributions to the restoration of democracy in the country,” Tan said.

Aquino’s son, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. announced in Manila that his mother passed away at 3.18 a.m. of cardio-respiratory arrest.

Aquino’s husband was assassinated in 1983 upon his return to Manila from his exile in the United States. His death catapulted Aquino to the presidency after deposing President Ferdinand Marcos. She ruled from 1986 to 1992 and survived several coup attempts by rightist soldiers, who accused Aquino as a leftist supporter.

Aquino was named by Time Magazine as the 1986 Woman of the Year. (Mindanao Examiner)

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