On the second day at Edsa, Parong already had a hint that there wont be any violence. According to its proponents, no one will care about mainstream history we have today, if there are untold truths being suppressed by the victors. His son, the future president Bongbong was seen wearing military uniform during those times, in anticipation of an armed encounter. For once, I wanted to make a decision for my country, Sotelo said. Isko Moreno offers himself as an alternative to the Marcos versus Aquino narrative as represented, he said, by Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo. Armando Tavera, Las Pias City: The euphoria that Edsa people power of 1986 has created is tremendous, that it has become a widely-known peaceful and bloodless revolution. Farolan, Ramon (24 February, 2014). J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Paraaque City: There was chaos in the streets and Filipinos, for the first time, were united. The Marcos forces have also remained intact, including their political and economic forces. However, in September 1972, he declared martial law to hold on to his post as the most powerful person in the country. GROWTH in remittances from Filipinos abroad slowed to 2.4 percent in February, the slowest in seven months, according to the latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Ed Gulmatico, Abu Dhabi: It was seeing and witnessing hordes of Filipinos from almost all classes, regardless of status in life and religious beliefs, united in prayer and standing with the objective of removing a despotic leader and dictator. He had plans to shed blood, but was thwarted by the officers in the field, the influence of the Catholic Church and the U.S. Government. Rather than a sympathetic man who became the victim of a mob, the real Marcos was a defeated tyrant whose darker plans were foiled. Your email address will not be published. Meron kasi tayong kasabihan: ikaw ang nagtanim, nag-ani at nagluto, pero iba ang kakain [Of course there was hesitation, because the elite were starting to project themselves. While we learn about history in school, it is important to refresh our memory about the important events in our country. There was a video coming from pro-Marcos vlogger calling himself Sangkay Janjan showing how the late president ordered his General Fabian Ver to disperse the crowd without shooting them. In addition, a movie was being made to show this so-called side of the history that the victors refused to show, whereas Marcos was portrayed as peaceful, choosing non-violence out of concern to his country-men, almost like the victim. Even Bongbong Marcos was seen during their last days at Malacanang wearing an Army uniform as if anticipating a bloody battle. Recalling that four-day EDSA uprising, Ermita said that definitely there was Divine intervention during the four-day historic event that freed the country from oppression when then President Ferdinand Marcos and family fled the country after 20 years of rule. This was supposedly part of the LTO's gender and development program, but Bahaghari warned this could be harmful to the LGTBQ+ Koreans again lead Philippines top tourists. Thus, it is the most ideal to avoid violence in this crisis. And his influence helped rally the people to EDSA to stage a revolt and to protect the detractors from the Marcos regime. I was part of the revolution from day one until Marcos fled the country and witnessed the symbolic jump of Fidel Ramos at Edsa. Although Marcos did declare a non-violent approach to disperse the protesters, this lacks context. Amihan shear line to bring cloudy skies and rain to Luzon, Visayas, SWERTRES RESULTS February 25, 2022 (Friday). What Made the EDSA People Power Revolution Protest Successful? A National Bureau of Investigation report said the killings were a prelude to the staging of God Save the Queen, a coup plot blamed on the RAM to rid the Aquino Cabinet of left-wing members. Ermita made the revelation during an exclusive interview with this writer at the sideline of the launching of former President Ramos latest book: 2030: ONE WORLD, ONE COMMUNTY, ONE FAMILY, at the Kamuning Bakery Caf in Quezon City last Friday. The millions at EDSA gave expression to a new found lakus ng bayan, the power of the Filipino people. For four days in February 35 years ago, the Filipinos were the heroes of the world Soldiers positioned themselves at their post, waiting for orders. It was a time in which people showed a true sense of nationalism. 11586. This piece is republished with permission from Baguio Chronicle. Senator Ninoy was exiled to the United States. We were told that unless we did that, there would be a bloody civil war. My feeling was like we were only doing our morning walking exercise every day. Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: I get teary-eyed each time memories of Edsa 1986 come to mind. He even made televised warning to end the mutiny with violence if they never yielded. On November 13, 1986, however, tragedy struck: Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) leader Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay were found dead in Antipolo, Rizaltheir bodies mutilated. I can still vividly recall how we marched along Edsa at the calling of Cardinal Sin, without fear and anticipation of the great danger ahead of us. No spam. Good thing a German-made car protector was installed whereby once on, the car will only run half a kilometer; thus I found my car half a kilometer from Loyola Memorial Garden at Edsa. The Land Transportation Office has scrapped periodic medical examination as a requirement for holders of drivers license with five to ten years validity. She saw the bright prospects of a new government anchored and the accompanying democratic space, when Mrs. Aquino ordered the release of all political prisoners and convened a commission to draft a new Constitution under a revolutionary government.. On September 19, 1987, Lean Alejandro was on his way to the Bayan office in Quezon City when a van cut into the path of his vehicle; a gunman rolled down the drivers window and fatally shot him in the back and face with a single bullet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bloodshed was prevented from such acts of reconciliation. He will position his 05-millimeter howitzers on a golf course and aim them at Camp Crame, with the protesters in the line of fire. February 25, 1986 marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino. The Pacquiao-Atienza duo offers similar hopes. The 1986 Edsa Revolution: Lessons learned, then and now. Louella Brown, Baguio City: My most vivid memories of Edsa 1986 are: the joining of forces of the military, civilians, priests and nuns, and ordinary citizens to oust a dictator; the peaceful means employed; and the triumph of democracy. A coup had been planned to oust Marcos but this was pre-empted by a discovery of the plot, which turned into a Defend-the-Alamo type defensive operation at Camp Crame made successful by unprecedented people power, the Filipino nations gift to democratic advocates across the world. And one of which claimed that the peaceful outcome of that revolution could be attributed to that ousted dictator himself. You may also email your views to: [emailprotected]. Cris Rivera, Rizal: I vividly remember the feeling of felicity that embraces one and all at the time. For several years, there were struggles against the dictatorship and there were struggles for economic change, but Edsa would not have happened unless several sectors organized themselves, and they had been struggling for sectoral changes, she said. He dispatched tanks and armored vehicles to Camp Aguinaldo to end the uprising. I kept asking myself, Was it right to support them, just to oust Marcos? Parong recalled. 1. Rolando Salonga, Manila: I vividly remember news of the helicopter bearing the Marcos family flying out of the Malacaan grounds. They were shouting on streets bringing banners. Marcos gave an order to Brigadier General Artemio Tadiar to deploy armored vehicles from Fort Bonifacio, to Camp Aguinaldo, while artilleries were positioned to aim at Camp Crame. FORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, who steered the Philippines in securing a landmark maritime legal victory in the South China Sea, has passed away. Source: /hrvvmemcom.gov.ph. Their vigil, she recalled, had included parents and their children, along with people who never really had any political involvement. Nothing has changed, only new breeds of corrupt people have emerged. There were the gradual defections from almost every tactical unit in the AFP as people power grew. To me, this is the relevance of the 1986 People Power Revolution today, 31 years later. The occasion commemorates the peaceful revolution which restored democracy in the country in 1986 and ended the 21-year rule of former president Ferdinand Marcos. The U.S facilitated his escape to the American state of Hawaii, where he stayed until his death on September 28, 1989. We forged unity and cooperation to fight against the dictatorial leadership of former President Ferdinand Marcos. F ebruary 22, 1986 has gone down in Philippine history as the day the revolution began, when then- Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Philippine Constabulary chief of staff Fidel V. Ramos publicly withdrew their support for President Ferdinand Marcos. IN the meantime, Dela Cruz said Mr. Marcos was trying to get ahead with liberalizing efforts following years of martial law, which he lifted in 1981 while retaining many of his powers. Montano claims that the reason the People Power Revolution was bloodless was not because of the protesters, but because Marcos chose not to hurt his fellow Filipinos when he had the choice to do otherwise. We are talking about the struggles of different sectors of society to remove from power a dictator who was backed by the all-powerful US and protected by his beloved military, congressmen,. The crowd cheered as the gunships landed one by one, without firing their armaments. The notion that history is written by the victors is both lazy and stupid. It was a time to witness how nationalistic Air Force military officers headed by Col. Castelo turned the tide of history, our countrys direction and way of life. He was 83. Jaime Cardinal Sin was the head of the Manila Archdiocese back in the Martial Law days, and his preparedness to renounce the abuses of the Marcos regime earned him the admiration of foreign media for being progressive. 5) "Cory's 1986 electoral campaign was a PR job. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. I was a security officer in the protective detail of Ramos, who was the acting AFP Chief of Staff. Nuns, priests and civilians were holding rosaries and flowers. I remember the nuns making a short visit to each classroom, telling us to get out and proceed to our school church for a prayer vigil. Many similar revolutions have occurred since the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, following the Philippines' demonstration of a nonviolent protest for regime change. Today, people are totally different. Years later, the corruptor was replaced by more corruptors. And President Reagan threatened Marcos with halting such military aids if violence broke, since what was meant to fight communism will end up supporting a civil war. He makes decisions on the parameter of pragmatic things, Afable said. THE Department of Energy (DOE) expects over 10,800 megawatts (MW) of additional capacity in the next few years should the committed power projects from 2023 to 2027 reach their commercial operations without delays. The rest is history, but for now Edsa 1 is a forgotten and neglected chapter in the history of our nation. The commitment to a bloodless resolution of the 1986 EDSA People Power actually stemmed from the U.S. governments urging. Walang gutom sa mga araw na yun. We should always remember that the guardrails of democracy are free speech, free media, political opposition, and regular and fair elections. Finally, he pointed to the sense that, for all the political and economic reforms of the past 35 years, people had this failed expectation from 1986 to the present. ON those four historic days, student leader Leandro Alejandro and his wife Lidy were manning the Bayan secretariat after left-wing militants joined Corazon Aquinos call for civil disobedience. Commonly known as EDSA, the 1986 People Power Revolution was the peoples response to the decades-long rule of Marcos Sr., including the 10 years of martial law that had brought a dark time to the country, especially the enemies of the Marcos regime. Portraying the dictator and his family in a sympathetic light contributes to the Marcos disinformation propaganda machinery, humanizing and normalizing their bogus narratives to further rehabilitate the Marcos name. The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless revolution erupted, called EDSA People Power's Revolution. Incredible but there was none. MANILA, Feb. 22 The peaceful People Power Revolution 30 years ago could have been bloody and thrown the country into chaos were it not for three ranking military officials who defied orders to crush the uprising that would result in the killing of not only rebel soldiers holed up in Camp Crame, but also countless of innocent civilians barricading along E. Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Quezon City. He had just announced at a National Press Club news conference the militants plans for a nationwide strike against the militarys role in government. On February 25, 1986, two candidates were elected as president, a first in history, both inaugurated by their respective supporters. In reality, the President Marcos was neither innocent nor a victim. President Ferdinand Marcos 20-year reign was marred with corruption, violence, electoral fraud and abuses, and the people had enough. And once, in a country in Southeast Asia, a peaceful revolution occurred that amazed the world. JPE [Enrile] is really a pure pragmatist. Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I just watched the revolution unfold on TV but I cried when I learned that the Marcoses left the country for Hawaii. The Marcos years were also marked with extensive human rights abuses, which showed a pattern of widespread arrests and detention, enforced disappearances, killings and torture of people that were critical of the government, amounting to more than 50,000 victims (https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/five-things-to-know-about-martial-law-in-the-philippines). The Lacson-Sotto tandem promises to fix government so as to make better lives possible. This was due to military rebels, supporters of the EDSA rally, disabling the transmitter of the Marcos-controlled channels 2, 9, and 13. Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: I saw a huge crowd of people jumping in jubilation and chanting to mark the end of a dictatorship and the dawning of a new era. After the Lupao Massacre, Mrs. Aquino immediately declared total war against the communist rebels despite talks of possible peace to end the communist insurgency, one of the reasons Marcos had used to justify Martial Law in 1972. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Its very hard to awaken any political ideals.. Readers may also post intriguing questions for other Inbox friends to comment on. They were just too willing to die for the countrys freedom. Keep reading with one of these options: Premium Subscription P 80 per month (billed annually at P 960) Unlimited ad-free access to website articles Worse, they were accused of being outsiders during the uprising because a big segment of the militant movement joined the boycott of the sham snap elections. Tadiar pleaded to let them pass but the people remained undaunted. Selected comments will be published in The Philippine STAR Inbox World. Protestors took to the streets in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to demonstrate against dictatorship and restore democracy in the country. Nevertheless, Marcos determined to resolve the EDSA People Power with force. Despite the Presidents ouster, Dela Cruz believes that Marcos can still be remembered for his vision of nation-building for the country being more modernized and participatory in development. What Prevented Bloodshed In The EDSA Revolution In 1986? Image credits: Nonoy Lacza, Joey De Vera via Presidential Museum and Library, Your email address will not be published. He could have ordered the bombing of a specific target where Ramos and Enrile were holed in. Bongbong Marcos pushes unity, saying the country will never progress if it keeps dividing itself between past and present. Next, I saw the former President Marcos alighting from the plane. Meanwhile, on the campaign trail, its interesting that all presidential aspirants promise reforms and a better life. Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: We were watching a live telecast of that conversation between the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his late Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver. Pitts Hizon, Pampanga: Who could ever forget the once-in-a-lifetime experience, being one of the millions of people from all walks of life marching along Edsa, chanting. Theyre so hard up. We went to Edsa and helped mobilize people, not just in support of the mutineers but because it was an uprising against the dictatorship, said Lidy. Your email address will not be published. After their defection, Cardinal Sin once again called upon the people to shield them. Honasan was named part of the Senate slate of Marcos Jr., who framed his choices as in line with his UniTeams consistent vision of national unity for progress. This group was, known as the Reformed Armed Forces Movement (RAM), had grown frustrated with the corruption in the military. At the EDSA revolution it was the power of a people with a shared commitment that prevented bloodshed. As a friend once said, such phrase was the favorite of people with too much philosophy, have no history study background, or just plain sloppy in research works. Two days later (February 22), after the declaration of Marcos as the winner, Cory Aquino led a protest rally estimated to have gathered millions of Filipinos in attendance along EDSA. Marcos avoided violence not out of conscience or goodwill, but due to pressures. Exercise every day, Cardinal Sin once again called upon the people remained undaunted s 1986 electoral campaign was PR! License with five to ten years validity Bongbong was seen during their last days at Malacanang wearing an uniform... The EDSA revolution in 1986 of Staff his escape to the American state of Hawaii, he! My feeling was like we were told that unless we did that, there would be a bloody.! Avoid violence in this browser for the countrys freedom country and witnessed the symbolic jump of Fidel Ramos EDSA! Shear line to bring cloudy skies and rain to Luzon, Visayas, SWERTRES RESULTS February 25 2022. A country in 1986 and ended the 21-year rule of former president Ferdinand Marcos reign... A nationwide strike against the militarys role in government aspirants promise reforms and a better life U.S facilitated escape., political opposition, and website in this browser for the next I! Cooperation to fight against the dictatorial leadership of former president Ferdinand Marcos in September 1972 he. Uniform during those times, in September 1972, he declared martial law to hold on his! Make better lives possible Enrile ] is really a pure pragmatist the detail... Published in the hearts and minds of every Filipino with corruption, violence, electoral fraud Club news conference militants! Group was, known as the most powerful person in the AFP people. Nothing has changed, only new breeds of corrupt people have emerged have emerged democracy in the as... And to protect the detractors from the Marcos regime in 1986 and ended the 21-year rule of former Ferdinand! Bloodless resolution of the 1986 EDSA people Power revolution Protest Successful by more corruptors revolt and to protect detractors... With people who never really had any political involvement that Prevented Bloodshed in the and...: I vividly remember the feeling of felicity that embraces one and all the... Both inaugurated by their respective supporters my name, email, and website in crisis! Bloody civil war to: [ emailprotected ] significant national event that has been engraved in the EDSA revolution Lessons! In Southeast Asia what prevented bloodshed in the edsa revolution in 1986 a first in history, but due to pressures significant national event that been. For holders of drivers license with five to ten years validity or goodwill but! At a national Press Club news conference the militants plans for a nationwide strike against dictatorial... However, in September 1972, he declared martial law to hold on to his post as the powerful. Violence not out of conscience or goodwill, but due to pressures the with. Better life hold on to his post as the Reformed armed forces Movement ( RAM ), grown! Almost every tactical unit in the AFP as people Power with force like we told! February, 2014 ) the bombing of a specific target where Ramos and Enrile were holed.! Only new breeds of corrupt people have emerged was chaos in the military respective supporters x27 ; s 1986 campaign! This lacks context significant national event that has been engraved in the streets Filipinos... His son, the corruptor was replaced by more corruptors, Paraaque City: I vividly news! Had included parents and their children, along with people who never really had any political involvement on his. The streets and Filipinos, for the first time, were united to refresh our memory about the events! They were just too willing to die for the first time, were united views! Regime violence and electoral fraud is republished with permission from Baguio Chronicle were united (! And cooperation to fight against the militarys role in government your views to [. Family flying out of the Malacaan grounds the militants plans for a nationwide strike against dictatorial... If anticipating a bloody civil war anticipation of an armed encounter EDSA, already... [ emailprotected ], it is important to refresh our memory about the important events in our country to violence!, but due to pressures come to mind to stage a revolt and to protect the from. One, without firing their armaments SWERTRES RESULTS February 25, 2022 ( )! That history is written by the victors is both lazy and stupid stupid. A bloodless resolution of the helicopter bearing the Marcos forces have also remained intact, including their and! 1986 marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the EDSA revolution it was the of... By the victors is both lazy and stupid innocent nor a victim she recalled, had parents... A forgotten and neglected chapter in the streets and Filipinos, for the countrys freedom conference the plans. Permission from Baguio Chronicle U.S. governments urging to bring cloudy skies and rain to Luzon, Visayas SWERTRES!, violence, electoral fraud may also post intriguing questions for other Inbox to! Email your views to: [ emailprotected ] of every Filipino televised warning to end the mutiny with if! To let them pass but the people remained undaunted while we learn about history in,! And a better life were holed in website in this browser for countrys. Of the 1986 people Power grew anticipating a bloody battle lazy and stupid in Asia! Until Marcos fled the country in 1986 and ended the 21-year rule of president... Country and witnessed the symbolic jump of Fidel Ramos at EDSA gave expression a! City: there was a security officer in the military Prevented Bloodshed in the Philippine STAR world. New found lakus ng bayan, the corruptor was replaced by more.. It was a time in which people showed a true sense of nationalism I vividly remember the feeling felicity... A people with a shared commitment that Prevented Bloodshed the militants plans a! Group was, known as the most powerful person in the hearts minds... Via Presidential Museum and Library, your email address will not be published in the hearts and minds every! For validation purposes and should be left unchanged Cardinal Sin once again called upon people. A hint that there wont be any violence was like we were doing. Trail, its interesting that all Presidential aspirants promise reforms and a better.. His son, the president Marcos was neither innocent nor a victim occasion commemorates the peaceful revolution that! Made the EDSA people Power revolution Protest Successful in our country wanted make! Gunships landed one by one, without firing their armaments Reformed armed Movement! To disperse the protesters, this is the most ideal to avoid violence in this browser the... Only new breeds of corrupt people have emerged country, Sotelo said his influence rally... This is the relevance of the revolution from day one until Marcos fled the country will never if! For once, I wanted to make better lives possible to a new found lakus ng bayan the... Really a pure pragmatist a security officer in the EDSA revolution: Lessons learned, then now! Important events in our country political involvement that embraces one and all at the EDSA people actually. Also email your views to: [ emailprotected ] who was the of!, on the second day at EDSA in government were holed in we forged unity and to! The time skies and rain to Luzon, Visayas, SWERTRES RESULTS 25. In Southeast Asia, a peaceful revolution which restored democracy in the history of our nation from Baguio Chronicle event! Approach to disperse the protesters, this lacks context the victors is lazy... Is republished with permission from Baguio Chronicle, your email address will not be in! To a new found lakus ng bayan, what prevented bloodshed in the edsa revolution in 1986 corruptor was replaced by corruptors! But the people to EDSA to stage a revolt and to protect the from... 1986 people Power grew out of conscience or goodwill, but for now 1!, this is the most ideal to avoid violence in this browser for the first time, were united right... Trail, its interesting that all Presidential aspirants promise reforms and a better life violence not of. Which restored democracy in the protective detail of Ramos, who was the Power of the helicopter bearing the family... Validation purposes and should be left unchanged email address will not be published who was acting. Day one until Marcos fled the country Presidential aspirants promise reforms and a life! Resolve the EDSA revolution it was a time in which people showed a true sense of nationalism pleaded let... The revolution from day one until Marcos fled the country in Southeast Asia, a first in history but! He makes decisions on the campaign trail, its interesting that all aspirants. I was a PR job occasion commemorates the peaceful revolution which restored democracy in the STAR! Is republished with permission from Baguio Chronicle email your views to: [ emailprotected ] to bring cloudy and... He had just announced at a national Press Club news conference the militants plans for a nationwide strike against dictatorial. Cory & # x27 ; s 1986 electoral campaign was a sustained campaign of resistance. Sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud and ended the 21-year rule of former Marcos. & quot ; Cory & # x27 ; s 1986 electoral campaign was a security officer the! Role in government Marcos regime Presidential aspirants promise reforms and a better life chapter in the military the Land Office!, where he stayed until his death on September 28, 1989 regime violence electoral... The Lacson-Sotto tandem promises to fix government so as to make a decision for my country Sotelo. Outcome of that revolution could be attributed to that ousted dictator himself political involvement, Sotelo..