The World - News from April 7, 1987

Former Philippines Tourism Minister Jose Aspiras, ex-Director of Air Transport Jesus Singson and nine soldiers pleaded innocent in the 1983 murders of Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and his alleged assassin. Aquino was killed on Aug. 21, 1983, at Manila International Airport on his return from self-exile in the United States. His alleged killer, Rolando Galman, was then gunned down by soldiers. Prosecutors said Aspiras and Singson helped monitor Aquino’s arrival at the airport. Twenty-five soldiers and a civilian were found innocent of double murder charges in December, 1985. But a special presidential commission, appointed after Aquino’s widow, Corazon, became president, overruled the acquittal.