MANILA - Filipinos abroad were among the first ones to express sadness over the death of democracy icon former President Corazon Aquino.

Filipinos have been invited by ABS-CBN's Boto Mo iPatrol campaign to pay their last respects to Aquino by e-mailing or texting their original photos and videos of or about the former president.

Boto Mo iPatrol Mo is ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs’ campaign encouraging Filipinos to patrol election-related incidents, and to share and speak up about these through technology.

Boto Patroller Alvin Semacio, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, wrote to ireport@abs-cbn.com to say he and fellow Filipinos in Dubai mourn the death of Aquino.

“Kami po dito sa Dubai ay taos pusong nakikiramay sa pamilya ni Tita Cory. Siya po ay isang Ina ng Demokrasya na nagtaguyod ng Kalayaan sa pamamagitan ng malayang pagpapahayag ng damdamin sa pamamagitan ng pagboto, kaya po kami dito sa Dubai ay makikibahagi sa darating na halalan at magmamatyag sa isang malinis na halalan,” Semacio said.

A letter from gorgonaj@yahoo.com coming from Glendale, US, to ireport@abs-cbn.com said, “Her (Aquino’s) presidency after Marcos was looked upon favorably, she will be missed.”
 
Meanwhile, Diosdado and Julia Vallejo wrote from Kapolei, Hawaii to extend their sadness over the news.

“She serves as a role model for the younger generations—that with perseverance, passion, and the goal to make a difference, we too can make an impact in many ways. Her accomplishments are endless and life-changing. While President Aquino has left us in this life, her advocacy will inspire and live in our hearts forever,” the Vallejos said in their email to ireport@abs-cbn.com.

Other Patrollers sent letters, poems and messages expressing their sense of loss.

Messages were also texted to 2366.

The Boto Mo iPatrol mo campaign asks Boto Patrollers to send photos or videos of incidents in their communities that are of public interest, and should be tackled by the citizens. These submissions, after checks by ABS-CBN journalists, become part of ABS-CBN News coverage. During special events, Boto Mo iPatrol Mo would also call on the Boto Patrollers to send photos or videos that best depict their views on certain issues, such as the last State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo.