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THY4

MARARAC, Princess Jerica Alondra T. 2JMT March 9, 2017

Asst. Prof. Verdeflor

PEOPLE POWER OF 1986

I. What is People Power?

People Power is a political term denoting a populist force of any social movement

invoking the opinion and willpower against the authority and usually in the opposition to

that of the conventionally organized political forces. It can be manifested as a small

protest or campaign for a social change or can be wide-ranging as revolutionary action

with the involvement of nationwide street demonstrations, work stoppages and general

hikes. It usually intends to overthrow the existing government and its policies.

The historical People Power Revolution of 1986, commonly known as the EDSA

Revolution, was a series of demonstrations in the Philippines that began in 1983 and then

set its peak on February 22-25, 1986. There was a campaign of civil resistance against

the electoral fraud and position violence during the Marcos regime. This nonviolent

revolution led to the exploitation of President Ferdinand Marcos from his position thus

having the countrys restoration of its own democracy.

This peaceful revolution is also being referred to as the Yellow Revolution

because of the yellow ribbons seen during the demonstrations following the said

assassination of Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino, Jr., the husband of former President

Corazon Aquino and said to be a close friend of Marcos. This was widely seen as the

great victory of the Filipino people from the 20-year running authoritarian regime of

President Marcos. It is said to be the revolution that surprised the world.

 A large demonstration took place on a long stretch of Epifanio de los Santos

Avenue (EDSA) from February 22-25,1986. It was joined by over two million Filipino

civilians, political and military groups, and religious groups headed by Cardinal Jaime Sin,

and Cardinal Ricardo Vidal. This then results to the departure of the Marcoses from the

Malacanang palace to Hawaii. Corazon Aquino then proclaimed as the President of the

Philippines after the revolution.

II. What is the role of Radio Veritas in the People Power 1986?

Catholic radio programming includes Bible readings, discussions about Church

teachings and live coverage of mass. But Catholic radio also reports political

developments. During the Edsa Revolution, Church-owned Radio Veritas and later

named Radyo Bandido, played a pivotal role as an effective and reliable source of news

and information. Only Radio Veritas was carrying a blow-by-blow account of the unfolding

siege.

Even when Marcos forces destroyed the stations P40-million transmitter, the

broadcasts continued on Radio Veritas. Not only reports, but appeals for food and

provisions and urgent calls for people to block approaching tanks were aired on the radio.

Ramos said it was the first time in military history that private broadcast media were used

to transmit or relay military orders or directives to military units in the field. Fr. James B.

Reuter, SJ, head of the Catholic Churchs National Office of Mass Media (NOMM), called

the Edsa Revolution the first in the history of the world to be run by radio not state-
owned or even commercial radio, but Catholic radio. It was arguably Catholic radios

finest hour.

And yet Radio Veritas was not a popular radio station prior to EDSA. Of the 28 AM

stations in Metro Manila in 1983, which had an average listenership of 15 percent, the

stations audience share was only 0.2 percent. But with the stations coverage of the

assassination of former senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983 more people

started to tune in.

III. Summarize the four days event.

February 22, 1986

The final meeting of the RAM at the Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enriles house

in Dasmarinas Village has been concluded. AFP chief of staff Fabian Ver calls for

additional units for defense for Malacanang. The recoinnaisance of Malacanang was

headed by Lt.Col. Honasan and Kapunan. Hpwever, battle-hardened Marines were

already stationed in their point of attack.

Maj. Avelino Razon then briefed the AFP Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Fidel V. Ramos

on the development of RAMs plans. Col. Rolando Abadilla then informed Col. Honasan

that their plans have been known already, warning RAM not to make any rash decisions.

The latter phones Kapunan not to abort the mission, rather freeze it for the next 24

hours. On the other hand, Corazon Aquino left for Cebu for the Civil Disobedience

Campaign.
 While Marcos was having his meeting with the U.S. envoys, Capt. Ricardo Morales

reconnoiters the defenses of the Palace grounds, and took the initiative to withdraw some

firearms from the PSG armory. He is arrested and is brought to the office of the Aide-de-

camp for interrogation. As the meeting came to a close, barely has Amb. Bosworth left

the room, Gen. Ver storms into the Presidential study to convey the recent arrest of four

officers in the PSG who are found to be members of RAM.

Due to the discovery of their plan, Enrile and the RAM officers had to change their

direction and decided to draw a public support to storm this crisis out. Meanwhile, Cory

in the rally calls for the boycott of Marcos business.

Marcos first response to mutiny was to call his family to Malacanang. Enrile and

Ramos then made their official statement regarding their withdrawal of support to Marcos

Administration.

February 23, 1986

Filipinos supported the uprising of Enrile and Ramos and showed support for

Corazon Aquino as their President. People and military camps proceeded to EDSA after

a brief meeting in Cubao District. Radio Veritas made broadcasts from transmitters since

the government cut all media operations.

Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps soldiers began to deploy in

opposition to rebel forces. Corazon Aquino now arrives in Manila from Cebu.
 As Radio Veritas signs off,due to difficulties in elecrtricity,June Keithley and station

staff takeover the DZRJradio headquarters in Santa Mesa, Manila, along Ramon

Magsaysay Boulevard, planning to restart transmissions at midnight.

February 24, 1986

Radio Veritas broadcasts from its new, secret location as "Radio Bandido" (Outlaw

radio) from the DZRJ station building. Personnel of the Philippine Marines attack the

people with its first teargas. The 15th Strike Wing and several of their helicopter crews

defect to the people and the Enrile-Ramos camp upon landing in Camp Crame, much to

their delight. It would later turn out that Col. Sotero is a RAM supporter.

February 25, 1986

Corazon Aquino became the President and sworn in front of Senior Associate

Justice Claudio Teehankee. Aquino then appointed Enrile as Defense Secretary and

Ramos as AFP Chief of Staff. Marcos and his family aboard American plane and left to

Hawaii making it the end of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

IV. What is the relevance of People Power 1986 to you?

EDSA People Power made a significant moment in the Philippine history. With this

kind of event, we realize our rights and fight for them. Little things can really make

something big. With our continuous support to each other and having joined and one ideal

in our minds and hearts, we are on the edge to change our society.
 This People Power is very relevant to me because this symbolizes who I really am

as a citizen of this country. I may not be on the event itself, however, I can feel the cries

of my fellowmen asking for justice, correcting the wrong ways, and building a greater

nation.