Late Philippine leader is honored
He’s praised for stance vs. China, his integrity
MANILA, Philippines — Late Philippine President Benigno Aquino III was praised Friday for his integrity in a Southeast Asian nation long plagued by corruption and for standing up to China over long-raging territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Hundreds of people lined up at a Catholic church in Manila despite coronavirus restrictions to pray before a silver urn with the cremated remains of Aquino, who died Thursday at age 61 of kidney disease arising from diabetes.
“I just want to show my support and big thanks to Pnoy,” Ivy Roque, a 41-year-old call center employee said, using Aquino’s nickname. “In his time, we were given hope that the Philippines can rise from poverty.”
President Rodrigo Duterte declared 10 days of national mourning and ordered Philippine flags to be flown at half-staff across the country to honor Aquino, who led the country from 2010-16.
Aquino’s remains are to be interred Saturday in a private cemetery beside the tombs of his parents, the pro-democracy icons who
helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s.
Ordinary Filipinos took to Facebook and other social media platforms to mourn Aquino and praise him as an honest leader.
Condolences also poured in from around the globe.
“He was a valued friend and partner to the United States, and he will long be remembered for serving his
country with integrity and selfless dedication,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
Aquino’s late parents, including former President Corazon Aquino, are revered for helping lead the resistance against dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in a 1986 army-backed revolt that helped spark similar peaceful uprisings in authoritarian regimes worldwide.