Archive Report
Archive Report
Rising Political Opposition
Assassination Hurts Marcos' Credibility
The shots that rang out on the tarmac at Manila International Airport Aug. 21, killing Philippine opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino Jr., have shattered the credibility of the government of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, both at home and abroad. The demonstrations that have rocked the Philippines since the assassination represent the most serious threat to Marcos' regime since he declared martial law 11 years ago.
For the past two months thousands of citizens — from poor squatters to Mercedes-riding bankers — have repeatedly taken to the streets to express their outrage over the murder, and to vent anti-government frustrations pent up during 18 years of authoritarian rule. For the first time since martial law was imposed in 1972, people who ...