Manila, Aug 1 (DPA) Philippine democracy icon and former president Corazon Aquino died Saturday after battling colon cancer for more than a year, her family said. She was 76.

Cory, as people fondly called her, had been hospitalized in the Makati Medical Centre in Manila since late June after her health deteriorated and the cancer spread to other parts of her body.

'Our mother peacefully passed away at 3.18 a.m. Augt 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest,' Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III said.

'She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support,' he added. 'It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.'

All of Aquino's five children were at her bedside, according to close family friend Boy Abunda.

'Her kids were praying the rosary when she peacefully passed away,' he told reporters outside the hospital. 'They were praying the Sorrowful Mystery when she breathed her last.'

'Everyone quietly cried,' he added.

Abunda said Aquino was 'basically asleep most of the time' for the last few days before her death.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo mourned the death of Aquino, who was critical of Arroyo's administration and expressed regret over supporting a mass uprising that catapulted her to the presidency in 2001.