Marcos responsible—widow

Press, 3 December 1985, Page 10

Marcos responsible—widow

NZPA-Reuter Manila The widow of the Philippines Opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, said yesterday that she still held President Marcos responsible for the death of her husband.

Corazon Aquino, a possible opposition presidential candidate in elections scheduled for February, said: “My whole being tells me it was impossible for Galman to have shot Ninoy” (her husband).

“I still hold Mr Marcos responsible for the assassination of Ninoy ... I would like to get at the facts now but I would like to pursue the case when Marcos is no longer

around.” She said she was convinced that “certain elements” of the military had a direct hand in the killing. Cheering supporters of Mrs Aquino presented her with a million signatures on Sunday urging her to fight President Ferdinand Marcos in the elections.

Mrs Aquino, aged 52, told thousands of banner-waving supporters in a north Manila church that she would not disappoint them. “I wish to assure you, you will hear what you want to hear. You will not be disappointed,” she said.

After a Mass was celebrated in the church to give

“divine guidance” to Aquino, about 5000 people escorted her back to her home 3 kilometres away.

“I wish I could describe to you the variety of feelings I am experiencing now at a time when the credibility (of the Government) is sordidly lacking. I am moved that you believe in me,” Mrs Aquino said.

She said she was still trying to unite the opposition in its challenge to President Marcos, aged 68, who has ruled the Philippines for 20 years. The other main opposition contender is a former senator, Salvador Laurel, son of an ex-president and head of

the United Nationalist Democratic Organisation. Mr Laurel and Mrs Aquino have discussed presenting a single opposition ticket to face President Marcos, but prospects that they will succeed appear to be fading.

Mrs Aquino’s supporters, led by a former newspaper publisher, Joaquin Roces,' presented her with 21 volumes of signatures collected in the last 40 days, urging her to stand against Marcos.

The volumes were tied with yellow ribbon, a colour associated with her husband.