May 13, 1975

On Monday night, May 5, 1975, my husband, Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., was transferred from Fort Bonifacio to Veterans Memorial Hospital on orders from “higher authorities.” That night, attempts were made to feed him intravenously with dextrose, but my husband refused and the doctors finally desisted.

On May 10, 1975, the Evening Express featured in its front-page headline story – which was also broadcast on television that night – the statement of Mr. Marcos’ Secretary of Information that the “Government won’t let fasting man (Aquino) die.” The news story also stated, without specific attribution, that “Aquino has been given dextrose intravenously.” This part of the story is not true.

Ninoy’s family and friends have given much thought to these circumstances and the alternatives available to him. In our view, there are only two options open to him:

1. To continue his present course and allow his health to deteriorate to the irreversible point where, because of disability, he will be of no use whatever to his country and to his fellowmen.
2. To try to regain his strength somehow, so he can in due time resume his fight for freedom and justice.

To allow him to deteriorate irreversibly would not only serve the very injustices he is fighting against – it would also be inhuman. Only this morning, his pulse rate suddenly dropped to an alarming level.

Since the imposition of martial law, my husband has been denied the basic human right to live in dignity. Now the Government has decided to also deny him the right to make the supreme sacrifice – namely, to die for his convictions. Ninoy has said he prefers a meaningful death to a meaningless life. But the Government has ruled out a meaningful death for my husband, and he still faces the bleak prospect of a disabled, meaningless life.

Under these circumstances, we have decided that it is pointless for him to lose whatever little strength is left in him. His family and many friends believe that he can best serve his country and the cause he is fighting for if he now takes steps to regain his strength to continue the struggle.

We have consulted with our countrymen who have stood by him in this ordeal, and they are all strongly agreed that this is the only choice under the circumstances. He has asked no concessions for himself. His only demand is for justice and freedom – justice to him and to many still in prison, and freedom for our people. Ninoy realizes that the struggle will not be easy and that more Filipinos will still suffer.

My husband has been informed about the many people here and abroad who have taken up his cause, interceded for him, and offered prayers on his behalf. He appreciates all these, and our family is most grateful.

Therefore, on this the fortieth (40th) day of his sacrifice, we have succeeded in prevailing on my husband to end his fast. Allow us to thank you for your moral support, your deep concern, and your prayers. Without you and God’s help, we could not have gone this far.

(SGD.) CORAZON C. AQUINO