Jeraiza is a writer of Syntactics Inc. in Cagayan de Oro City. MANILA It was a revolution like no other. Instead of guns, there were prayers; instead of bloodshed, celebrations; instead of casualties, converts. The strongman had just been proclaimed winner of the February 7 snap elections against popular opposition candidate Corazon Aquino, widow of Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr., who was gunned down on August 21, 1983, upon returning from a three-year US exile. He dispatched tanks and armored vehicles to Camp Aguinaldo to end the uprising. February 25, 1986 marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino. The Land Transportation Office has scrapped periodic medical examination as a requirement for holders of drivers license with five to ten years validity. 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. So, if you are talking about crushing the anti-Marcos protests, he could have done it, but he decided to go into exile to prevent any bloodshed, Dela Cruz added. The Facts: The EDSA People Power Revolution was the culmination of the decades-long authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos, whose family and allies are notorious for pilfering from the governments coffers, the World Bank, and International Monetary Funds and amassing billions in ill-gotten wealth while the Filipino people suffer from malnutrition and poverty. Sawyer Miller, an American public-relations and political-strategist firm that would be in the 1980s and 1990s the most expensive and most sought-after outfit in the world after EDSA 1, handled almost in its entirety Cory Aquino's public performance in the 1986 snap elections. Nonetheless, Parong said Edsa remains relevant, not just because it continued to inspire nonviolent regime change, as seen in East Germany and many other former Soviet bloc countries at the end of the Cold War era in 1989. 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. There were many key highlights during the EDSA People Power in 1986. The People Power Monument gets cleaned in preparation for the 36th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, the bloodless revolt that inspired similar regime changes elsewhere, and . The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, [1] [2] [3] [4] was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22-25, 1986. 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. It was the AFPs road to Damascus; repentance, and conversion at least for a time. However, this all depends on the proclamation of the sitting president. 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. Claim: The 1986 EDSA People Power was bloodless because of Marcos (21 July, 2022) Retrieved from https://factsfirstph-partners.rappler.com. At the height of the Edsa revolution, Dela Cruz claimed that the majority in the armed forces actually remained loyal to the President until the last minute.. Many of them lifted the rosaries and crucifixes they were carrying for the soldiers to see, then knelt on the middle of EDSA. 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. 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. RAYMAR GURREA, BACOLOD CITY: The 1986 Edsa People Power could have been our chance to bring our country back to its feet. There were a lot of groups within the Marcos camp that was already struggling or competing for influence and power, he said. This partly explains the growing popularity of his son Bongbong, the consistent survey frontrunner among presidential aspirants in the May elections. To begin with, it was the failures of his administration and his weaknesses in his presidency that triggered the bloodless revolt. Col. Dencio Acop (Ret), Baguio City: I was a second lieutenant who was in the inner circle of then Philippine Constabulary Chief Lt. General Fidel V Ramos during Edsa 1986. https://www.facebook.com/globaldailymirror/posts/1220809132028791. As Enrile and Ramos were meeting the press across Edsa in Camp Aguinaldo, our four teams from the Special Operations Group of the PC Special Action Force safeguarded Camp Crame - one team for each of the four gates into the camp. NONOY LACZA THE People Power Monument gets cleaned in preparation for the 36th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, the bloodless revolt that inspired similar regime changes elsewhere, and sent President Ferdinand Marcos to exile in Hawaii. The first chopper fired a pair of rockets, followed by .50 caliber machine gun fire. Copyright 2021 Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation. This was due to military rebels, supporters of the EDSA rally, disabling the transmitter of the Marcos-controlled channels 2, 9, and 13. That the participants of the bloodless revolution were mobs and savages as the pious Marcos tolerated them. "FACT CHECK | Video claiming Marcos did not want bloodshed during People Power lacks context". Her idealism, she pointed out, was also what prompted her to return to the barrio and set up her own clinic after graduation. The Dilemma of General Tadiars forces at EDSA (24 February, 2021) Retrieved from https://hrvvmemcom.gov.ph. Adrian Catral, Quezon City: The jubilation of the people upon hearing the news of the Marcoses flight to Hawaii is etched in my mind. Bongbong Marcos pushes unity, saying the country will never progress if it keeps dividing itself between past and present. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcemets. 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. Bloodshed was prevented from such acts of reconciliation. February 25, 2020 | 12:00am Today, we should deeply reflect on the meaning and significance of EDSA to our historical struggles against all forms of oppression, exploitation, social injustice,. 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. The focus of this note is not individual but social PEOPLE POWER, used in two different but related contexts. After three decades, the Antipolo Regional Trial Court found three RAM members guilty of two counts of murder and meted with the penalty of up to 40 years imprisonment. 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. I kept asking myself, Was it right to support them, just to oust Marcos? Parong recalled. But they were short-lived. Filipinos became one in their quest for change. Because if not for him, the EDSA People Power wont be so peaceful. That Charter affirmed that public service is a public trust and that public officials must at all times be accountable to the people., Azcuna underscored the need to be vigilant 36 years after Edsa, noting the possibility that we can lose it [democracy].. I was too young to understand the happenings then. I and my companions prayed so hard. Many similar revolutions have occurred since the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, following the Philippines' demonstration of a nonviolent protest for regime change. Violence must be avoided at all cost, and money matters to Marcos. Hence, he had no choice but to order Ver to hold his shots, or else. Marcos refused to grant the order and told Gen. Ver he didnt want bloodshed. The second also did the same. Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: That day, tears flowed dry looking at thousands of people risking lives and limbs for democracy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zHGBrCllD8. He even made televised warning to end the mutiny with violence if they never yielded. 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. The "People's Power" was never meant for the Failipino people, it was intended for the oligarchs who are running/ruining . There were the gradual defections from almost every tactical unit in the AFP as people power grew. I had no idea that after more than 20 years, the Philippines would be better off then compared to now. The notion that history is written by the victors is both lazy and stupid. EDSA Revolution Anniversary is celebrated each year on February 25 in the Philippines. They will not go home, he said. The Spanish-American War brought Spain's rule in the Philippines to a close in 1898 but precipitated the Philippine-American War, a bloody war between Filipino . Indeed, it reeks of pure ignorance, but somehow people actually believed that. Artilleries aimed at Camp Crame. Your email address will not be published. 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. https://news.tv5.com.ph/bilangpilipino/read/fact-check-video-claiming-marcos-did-not-want-bloodshed-during-people-power-lacks-context. Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: We only heard on radio about the unfolding events. 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. The expected blitzkrieg assault on the rebel soldiers never took place as the Marines found themselves in a light brotherly embrace with the civilians who blocked their path and the troops returned to their barracks. Former Defense Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, a retired Army lieutenant general and one of the heroes of EDSA People Power 1 revolt, lauded the heroic acts of his comrades-in-arms Marine Brig. Nevertheless, Marcos determined to resolve the EDSA People Power with force. Meanwhile, crowds had just been drawn to Edsa, outside Camps Aguinaldo and Crame, by a call from influential Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, as droves of officers, lawmakers and high-profile government officials started abandoning the Marcos camp after his pyrrhic victory. Meanwhile, Afable noted how, under liberal democracy, we have not moved upwards despite the promises of leaders in the post-Marcos era. Balbas mission was to fire the deadly 105mm cannons at Camp Crame where the rebel soldiers were camped. Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Edsa 1986 reminds me of the sacrifices of the majority of Filipinos to regain freedom and democracy for our country. However, in September 1972, he declared martial law to hold on to his post as the most powerful person in the country. This is a free country, Azcuna said. Seeing the goal of the uprising triumphantly achieved is an incomparable feeling. She writes for all sorts of topic to provide the right information and to keep the readers updated with the trends. Required fields are marked *. He punctuated his statement with admiration for the dictator. But it didnt. 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. It gives you an insight on what kind of people we were [then], Afable said. Photo Courtesy by Reddit. It was already like a picnic. Col. Braulio Balbas. The methods used amounted to a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. What Prevented Bloodshed In The EDSA Revolution In 1986? The crowd never ceased praying. Pedro Rombaoa). For four days in February 35 years ago, the Filipinos were the heroes of the world And one of which claimed that the peaceful outcome of that revolution could be attributed to that ousted dictator himself. Feb 25, 2013. The Pacquiao-Atienza duo offers similar hopes. 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. For instance, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. NOW retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna asserts that the gains at Edsa need not be taken for granted. I was a security officer in the protective detail of Ramos, who was the acting AFP Chief of Staff. Their vigil, she recalled, had included parents and their children, along with people who never really had any political involvement. The insurgency continued because the changes that they were expecting never happened, Parong said. In 1965, Marcos Sr. was elected president of the Philippines. 1236, declaring February 25, 2022, as a Special (Non-Working) Day to commemorate the 36th anniversary of People Power Revolution, which restored democracy and ushered political, social, and economic reforms in the country. from February 22 to 25, 1986, a series of demonstration occurred, and it led to the removal of Ferdinand Marcos without violence or bloodshed. They didnt want Marcos anymore. More orders came in for Balbas to fire, but knowing that civilians were bound to get killed upon doing so, he again reasoned that the positioning was still ongoing. The negotiations failed because the Marcoses proposed settlement was considered to be a mere donation when the class suit involved nearly $2 billion. Marcos did give an order to not shoot, but not out of conscience. 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. Selected comments will be published in The Philippine STAR Inbox World. In a photo quote released by Global Daily Mirror, actor Cesar Montano praises late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. for choosing peace and non-violence during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. Many countries were astounded by our country's move and it draw much more attention because nobody died. Charlie Magne Decena, 26, a call center agent, said that since the 1986 People Power Revolution which has always been commemorated for years as the event that restored the freedom of Filipinos, it should remain as a day remembered by all. 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