Testament from a Prison Cell

This brief but moving testament of one man's convictions--a man self-described as ``a humanist, a democrat and a romantic''--was written in a prison cell by one of the first political opponents to be arrested and held in military detention after Marcos established his totalitarian regime in the Philippines on September 22, 1972. Five years after his arrest, Aquino was sentenced to death by firing squad. The addition of a brief summary of historical events immediately before and after this testament was written, such as Aquino's release from prison, sojourn in the U.S., return to the Philippines and subsequent murder by the military, would have enhanced the book. What is presented here is Aquino's elegant, reasoned defense of his political views (Christian Socialist), his outline for an ideal society (freedom of the individual is all-important), and a family history of patriotism (both his father and grandfather were ``imprisoned for serving the Filipino people''). Bleeding through the text's rationale and legalese is a current of unabashed passion from a man who believed in his cause. Photos not seen by PW. (Mar.)