NINOY AQUINO's Last Interview Before His Assassination | 21 August 1983 | Remembering Ninoy Aquino

Summary

In this interview, a former opposition leader from the Philippines discusses his return to his homeland after his fellowship at MIT ended. Despite facing a death sentence and political opposition, he is determined to contribute to the 1984 elections and help reorganize the grassroots of his party. He expresses a willingness to face imprisonment or even death for his cause, hoping to engage in dialogue with President Marcos to address the country's issues and restore democracy.

Takeaways

• 📅 The interviewee's fellowship at MIT ended on June 30, necessitating a return to the Philippines within days to avoid needing another fellowship.
• 🏆 The interviewee wishes to contribute to the opposition preparing for the 1984 elections, having previously served as the Secretary General of a major opposition party.
• 🚫 There has been significant effort to prevent the interviewee's return to the Philippines, including denial of passport and travel documents.
• 🤔 The interviewee expresses confusion as to why the government would deny their return, considering the existing charges and death sentence against them.
• 🗣️ A desire to communicate directly with the president is expressed, believing that being physically present, even in prison, would facilitate this.
• 🛂 The interviewee is uncertain about how the government could deport them, having lost their passport and lacking a visa for Taipei.
• 💉 The interviewee is prepared to face the consequences of their return, including the possibility of execution if found guilty, or working for the opposition if not.
• 🤝 The timing of the interviewee's return and President Reagan's visit to the Philippines is coincidental, with no political ambitions for personal office.
• 🔒 Even if imprisoned, the interviewee believes they can be effective in organizing from within the Philippines, drawing a parallel to a general leading troops from prison.
• 👴 The interviewee speculates on an age gap and misunderstanding as potential reasons for President Marcos's opposition, despite no personal differences.
• 🛑 The interviewee advocates for the beginning of freedom of the press and credible elections, as well as economic restructuring to help the impoverished majority in the Philippines.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel the need to return to the Philippines immediately after their fellowship at MIT ended?

The speaker's fellowship ended on June 30, and they had to leave the United States within a few days. They also wanted to contribute to the opposition preparing for the 1984 elections and help reorganize their grassroots organization.

What is the speaker's role in the opposition party in the Philippines?

The speaker was the Secretary General of the major opposition party in the Philippines.

Why does the speaker believe there has been an effort to stop them from returning to the Philippines?

The speaker mentions that their passport and private documents were denied, and they were asked to delay their return without any assurance of receiving travel documents afterward, suggesting an attempt to prevent their return.

What does the speaker hope to achieve by returning to the Philippines, even with the risk of facing charges and a death sentence?

The speaker wishes to contribute to the opposition's efforts for the 1984 elections, reorganize the grassroots, and possibly discuss the country's problems with the president, hoping for a restoration of democracy.

How does the speaker view the potential for dialogue with President Marcos upon their return?

The speaker hopes to talk to President Marcos directly, believing that even as a captive, they might have the opportunity to discuss issues affecting the country and how the opposition could help.

What is the speaker's stance on the timing of their return in relation to President Reagan's planned visit to the Philippines?

The speaker believes it is a coincidence, as their fellowship ended on June 30, and they had to leave the U.S. shortly after, before President Reagan announced his visit.

What are the speaker's political ambitions after returning to the Philippines?

The speaker has no ambitions for office but feels a duty to help rebuild their party's grassroots organization and support younger leadership.

How does the speaker assess the effectiveness of their role in organizing the political situation in the Philippines if they are imprisoned?

The speaker believes they can be more effective in the Philippines even if imprisoned, as their presence in the country provides psychological and moral support to their followers.

What does the speaker think President Marcos should be doing differently to prepare the country for the future?

The speaker suggests that President Marcos should allow freedom of the press, hold credible elections, and focus on restructuring the economy to help the impoverished majority in the country.

How does the speaker view the potential danger of assassination upon their return to the Philippines?

The speaker acknowledges the risk but is not deterred by it, stating that they must lead their people and fulfill their responsibilities, even if it means facing death.

What is the speaker's attitude towards the possibility of being jailed upon their return?

The speaker is prepared to be jailed and continue their political work from there, viewing it as an inconvenience but not something to be ashamed of.