Blocking of Ninoy Statue 'Unintentional', Says Tarlac City Government

The city government of Tarlac denied Monday that the blocking of the statue of martyred Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. during the campaign rally of presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was meant to disrespect the democracy icon, saying the incident was "unintentional".

The statue of the late Aquino in his hometown Tarlac was seen blocked by a white tent during the campaign rally of the late dictator's son on Saturday, earning criticism from Filipino netizens.

The tent, according to Tarlac City Government administrator Numer Lobo, was initially placed at a “considerable distance” from the monument but could have been moved "inadvertently" due to the heat of the sun.

"The City Government of Tarlac vehemently denies any intention to disrespect the memory of the late Benigno S. Aquino Jr.," Lobo said.

“The incident was inadvertent, nothing intentional,” he added.

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Lobo also called out the publication of the "unintentional" incident, saying it goes against the Marcos campaign of unity.

Marcos Jr. is seeking to reclaim the presidency for the family after 36 years since they were ousted from power. 

Aquino was among those imprisoned during the regime of Marcos Jr.'s father and was assassinated in 1983, sparking the People Power revolution that ousted the Marcos dictatorship three years later.