Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, former President and heroine of the 1986 "people power" revolution, has died after a 16-month battle against colon cancer, her family have said.

The 76-year-old Aquino was diagnosed with the disease in March last year and had undergone chemotherapy and surgery. She was admitted to hospital in June after a loss of appetite.

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3.18 a.m. (1918 GMT Friday) of cardio-respiratory arrest," her son, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, said on national television.

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