MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III recalled the assassination of his father during the 29th anniversary of the first People Power Revolution on Wednesday.
In his speech at the EDSA Shrine, Aquino showed a photo of a bloodied Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. right after he was shot dead.
The younger Aquino said the photo is a reminder of the hardships that his family endured during the Marcos regime.
"Sa larawang ito, halos hindi ko na siya mamukhaan. Para siyang karneng ibinagsak sa tarmac," the younger Aquino said.
Aquino then admitted wanting to exact revenge against those behind his father's murder.
"Aaminin ko: Pumasok sa isip ko ang paghihiganti; sabi ko, ang dugong inutang, dugo rin dapat ang kabayaran," the President said. "Umabot ako sa puntong handa akong mamatay, maidamay lang sa hukay ang mga pumaslang sa aking ama."
But Aquino said his mindset changed when he saw the thousands of Filipinos who showed compassion for his slain father. Thanks to the people's support, Aquino said he no longer feared Marcos' dictatorship.
Amid the public outrage over his ineptitude in handling the Mamasapano incident, Aquino said he is not trying to get sympathy now from the public by remembering his father's assassination.
Aquino said he only wants to impart the lesson he had learned: one should not be swayed by emotions, particularly hatred.
"Nagbabalik-tanaw po ako sa kuwentong ito, hindi upang kumuha ng simpatya para sa aking sarili, kundi para idiin ang leksiyong dala nito," Aquino said.
"Bilang inyong Pangulo, maliwanag sa aking magkukulang ako sa aking tungkulin, kung hindi ko ipaaalala sa sambayanan ang kapangyarihan ng malasakit," he added.
Aquino is calling for calm among Filipinos enraged by the viral video showing the brutal killing of a police commando in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
"Para sa ating lahat na naranasan ang EDSA, batid natin ang positibong bunga ng pagiging mahinahon; na sa halip na magpadala sa galit at emosyon, bigyang-daan ang pagiging risonable, ang tiwala, at ang pagmamahal sa isa't isa," Aquino said.