The Eve of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution

February 22, 1986, when Juan Ponce Enrile (National Defense Minister) and General Fidel V. Ramos (Vice-Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) resigns from the Marcos Government.

Enrile and Ramos also announced that Cory Aquino won the election and that they also ask for Marcos to step down as the president of the country. They also call to the Filipino people to support them and to give protection to the military personnel who also resign with them.

Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin also ask for the whole Catholic Church as well as all the Filipino people to help Enrile and Ramos. He then reminded the Filipinos to be calm and helpful. Agapito “Butz” Aquino (the younger brother of Ninoy Aquino, also ask for the Filipinos support. In a secret radio station, June Keithley (a former TV announcer) also ask for the support of the Filipinos to unite and stay calm.

Thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life heard the pleadings of these prominent people and together they gather themselves along EDSA,  between Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. There bring along with them food and drink for all the soldiers who break-away from the government.

They are now prepared to whatever happens.

Knowing this, Marcos sent military forces with their tanks and cannons to EDSA. General Fabian Ver (who replaces Enrile as the National Defense Minister) proposes to Marcos to just bombard Camp Aguinaldo were Enrile and Ramos made camp. Marcos refuses to Gen. Ver’s advice because he feared that many Filipinos will be killed. There were also many soldiers who disobey Marcos and Ver’s command to put a stop to the on-going revolution.

Filipinos of all classes, priest, and nuns hold their hands together and bravely form a human barricade to meet the tanks going to Camp Crame. Instead of guns or any violent weapon, these people held in their hand flowers, rosary, and foods whom they give to the advancing soldiers who are following Marcos command. Aside from this, they also rely on their most powerful weapon which is “prayer”. They also plea to the Marcos Loyalist not to fire their tanks, cannons and firearms to their fellow Filipinos. And they also plea that they vacate their post and join the revolution.

Those who joined the “call” had conduct a vigil, offered prayers and sing different kinds of nationalistic songs. Instead of a bloody revolution, the Filipino witnessed a peaceful one.

It is estimated that there are more than three million Filipinos who respond the call to go different strategic areas around Manila such as in EDSA, Channel 4, and Mendiola. This is to show their unity to support the revolution and cried out on top of their voice that Marcos should step down from the government. It was also estimated that about 90% of the Filipino soldiers change side in favor of Enrile and Ramos.

Author’s note: Another compiling story and history of my motherland and its citizens.


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