The Philippines: A Mass Requiem in Manila

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The government moved a small step toward explaining the assassination by identifying the gunman who allegedly shot Aquino. The murderer, authorities said, was Rolando Galman y Dawang, "a notorious killer, a gun for hire, who had reportedly been used by various elements, including organized syndicated crime, or by subversive elements." That description only compounded the mystery. If the killer was a hired gun, who hired him? Why did it take nine days to identify a well-known gunman? How did he know which plane Aquino would be taking? How did he breach the heavy airport security? A five-member commission appointed by Marcos will begin looking for answers this week. It was a measure of the President's credibility that few Filipinos expected anything to come of it. —By George Russell. Reported by Sandra Burton and Nelly Sindayen/ Manila