Thousands Protest Marcos Rule on Aquino Assassination Date

Leftists shouting “Revolution!” marched to the palace of President Ferdinand E. Marcos on Wednesday, while thousands of moderates marked the second anniversary of the slaying of opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino Jr. with anti-government rallies.

More than 60,000 Filipinos surged to the streets in nine cities across the nation in rallies that were generally peaceful. But in Cebu City, protesters threw rocks and troopers dispersed them with water cannon. Sixteen demonstrators, four soldiers and two reporters were reported injured.

In downtown Manila, hundreds of marines carrying automatic weapons guarded streets leading to the presidential residence, and riot troops threw barbed wire barricades across a nearby bridge, blocking about 20,000 leftist youths and workers.

Marcos’ Leading Rival

Aquino was killed Aug. 21, 1983, at Manila airport when he returned from three years of self-imposed exile in the United States. He was Marcos’ leading rival.

A board that investigated his slaying found there was a military conspiracy to kill Aquino. Three generals, 22 other soldiers and one civilian are on trial in the killing. Marcos’ opponents have alleged that the president was behind the assassination, a charge Marcos has denied.

Confetti showered down from office towers as 15,000 protesters, led by Aquino’s widow, Corazon, marched in heavy rains through the Makati financial district.

Opposition’s Main Hope

Top opposition politicians, businessmen and office workers marched behind her, regarded as the opposition’s strongest hope of beating Marcos in a presidential election.

The widow, who publicly eschews politics, had asked Filipinos to pray with her for guidance on how she should meet demands that she run for president.

Several protesters carried “Cory for President” signs as she climbed onto a large truck and spoke to her rain-soaked supporters.

“We have been asking Marcos to resign but he doesn’t hear us. Perhaps, we should just say ‘goodby, Marcos,’ ” she said.

In a speech Tuesday, Marcos ridiculed his opponents, saying they were “wasting their time in rallies and demonstrations.”