Benigno Aquino, Philippines (1932-1983)
Born in Tarlac, Philippines, Aquino was the chief opposition leader during the era of martial law in the Philippines (1972-81) under President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Aquino's assassination in 1983 mobilised popular opposition to the Marcos government and brought his widow, Corazon, to the political forefront.
National leader of the Liberal Party in 1968, he had planned to run for President in 1973. However, Aquino was thwarted in 1972 when President Marcos declared martial law; he spent the next eight years in prison, being sentenced to death on charges of murder and subversion in November 1977.
Suffering from a heart condition, in 1980 he was allowed to leave for the USA for surgery (and exile). Two years after martial law was lifted in the Philippines, he returned home in 1983 intending to campaign in promised elections. He was shot in the head at Manila Airport. His death unleashed mass demonstrations against the Marcos regime, which were to lead in 1986, to the collapse of the Marcos presidency and the succession of Benigno's widow.