Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom expressed admiration for the martyred and late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. as the country marked his 31st death anniversary on Thursday.

“Ninoy was a hero whose 'The Filipino is worth dying for' continues to endear him to all Filipinos, including OFWs,” said Cenon Sagadal, a community leader and RCBC-Telemoney representative.

He noted that Aquino — father of current President Noynoy Aquino lll and husband of the late President Cory Aquino — bravely and courageously returned to the country even if he knew that his life was on the line.

“He was shot on Aug. 21, 1983 after going down the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport, now named after him,” said Sagadal, who is the commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in the Central Region (OKOR-CR).

In Buraidah, Qassim, Christopher Agustin, also a community leader, added, “Ninoy continues to be an inspiration for all freedom-loving Filipinos, including P-Noy, his son and current president.”

“That is why during his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) recently, in which he discussed his administration's achievements, his voice broke when he referred to his late father and late mother,” Agustin said.

In Dammam, Resurreccion O. Ramos, also a community leader, said, “Ninoy's name has been inscribed in golden letters in the heart of every Filipino who loves his country and his compatriots.”

She added that “Ninoy is still remembered with fondness 31 years after his death because he loomed large in the country's political horizon while still alive.”

She added that if the late senator did not die, he “would have been eventually elected as Philippine president.”

In Jeddah, Esmail Ali, also a community leader, added that “Ninoy will remain forever in the hearts of Filipinos.”

“His return to the country on that fateful day in Aug. 1983 changed Philippine history. His death kicked off the people's initiative for the return of democracy to the people, ousting the Marcos dictatorship,” he said.