My EDSA Revolution

It was maybe about dinnertime in the night of Saturday, Feb. 22, 1986, when news came from the radio that the small group of Minister Enrile and Col. Gringo Honasan was going to hold out to the death in Camp Aguinaldo after a failed coup attempt against President Marcos. I told my brothers that we should go there right away but they held back until Cardinal Sin made his call from the Veritas radio to gather at Edsa and protect the small group who opposed Marcos' dictatorship. The Banzon brothers and Junior's wife, Evelyn piled into two cars and drove to Camp Aguinaldo (we were later joined by Dicky's girlfriend, Timi). We were among the first people to get there and watched the people gather in a festive mood glad to find so many souls brave enough to stand against Marcos rule. I had hastily made a small placard saying "Just a few more days until the end of Marcos Rule" which later turned out to be prophetic.

In the crowded Santolan road we slowly made our way to the camp's main gate with cars honking and people chanting "Cory" or "Ninoy". I started barricading the gate with my small sedan in the hope of helping slow down the expected attack of the dreaded Marcos military. A long flatbed truck soon joined my car in blocking the gate and we stayed there all night. Eldest brother, Erwin, treated us to some burgers at Wendy's in Cubao which was open 24 hours. By dawn of Sunday though most of the crowd (including my brothers) as well as the truck had to leave and my small sedan looked so puny and pitiful trying to block the two long gates. Soon a military helicopter with soldiers aboard started circling above. It was so low that you could see a soldier aiming his M-16 threateningly at the few remaining people. The huey left after a while without incident and I went home before lunch.

Later in the day we came back and saw that more and more people were coming in until the wide lanes of Edsa were covered in a sea of bobbing people. Sticking up over the masses heads were statues of the Virgin Mother and Philippine flags. Groups were organizing. One brother, Dicky, and I listened up in an impromptu planning session near Camp Aguinaldo's Gate 2(?) conducted by Col. Santiago of the LTO. He asked for volunteers and told us to prepare molotov cocktails and meet again later. He also inquired about anyone with weapons at home and weapons skills. One funny fellow volunteered he could drive a tank if ever we could capture one. That got a good-natured laugh. But we didn't take that meeting too seriously and forgot about it while we roamed Edsa so I didn't get to go with Santiago when he met again with his volunteers. I later found out they were the ones who attacked Channel 4 and capture it from the government troops and goons. The liberated TV station started broadcasting for the people soon after the capture.

The crowd had swelled to thousands of jovial, peaceful people blocking the way for any attempt by Marcos soldiers to attack the scared Enrile group (now bolstered by the appearance of Gen. Ramos who threw his lot with them and had the group moved to the smaller Camp Crame across the street) would have meant a lot of civilian casualties including rich folk, priests, nuns and politicians as well as women and children. We went to a Goodah, open air fastfood restaurant, in Greenhills for some siopao supper and heard 'live' on the radio that Marcos was declaring Martial Law again and imposed a 9PM curfew. Everyone around jeered and laughed at this broadcast. He meant business but it really felt so good to see that the people weren't afraid of Marcos anymore. Later we found out that some friends were gassed when riot police tried to disperse a group in Santolan but were stopped by priests. By late evening though many went home (including my group while I stayed and met up with a cousin, Philip Zayco, who was taking pictures) and the crowd dwindled to about a thousand or so. By 3AM Gen. Ramos was worried about the people's morale and he suddenly went out and jogged along Edsa to try and boost people's spirits as well as to keep the remaining people vigilant. Everyone was exhilirated when they saw him and the people surged around him as he stood on a jeep atop a pile of heavily armed rebel soldier escorts around him and the crowd chanting "Eddie! Eddie!". I almost shouted myself hoarse. Who cares if his name sounds stupid, it was one of the high points for me and it looked and felt like the "Cry of Balintawak", the way we shouted defiance to the mighty, fearsome and vastly superior Marcos dictatorship similar to the way I pictured the the Katipuneros did against Spanish Rule in an earlier revolution.

That Monday morning I went home for a shower and supplies and joined up with my brothers on the way back to Edsa when we hear a report on the radio that a long column of tanks and marines led by Gen. Tadiar were heading for Edsa. This was about the time of the famous TV coverage of Marcos and Gen. Ver's "Attack, don't attack the people" skit. We were having a hard time finding a route to the Edsa-Ortigas area that wasn't blocked, all the time worrying that the tanks might get there before we did. We finally got there and parked beside Camp Crame at Santolan Road and I prepared a couple of molotov cocktails that I hid in the trunk of the car. I'm for peace but am ready for war just in case. The intersection of Edsa and Ortigas was hastily and intentionally blocked by a whole mess of parked buses. To avoid this roadblock, the column just swerved to the right and rammed through the hollow-block perimeter walls of a lot used for fairs and tried to proceed to their objective...rebel-held Camp Crame. The tanks (huge LVTP-6s) were finally stopped at the fair grounds by a mass of pleading, peaceful civilians. All the Marcos troops attempts to try to scare-off the crowd blocking the way of the tanks failed as the masses, led by a couple of nuns, knealt in their way and prayed the rosary. Right beside them was my brother's girlfriend Timi, who he'd later marry. Tough girl. She was right beside those nuns facing the tanks. The marines we got to approach and talk to were nice guys and didn't look threatening except for maybe one asshole with a Marcos sticker at the butt of his rifle who gave the crowd the finger. We gave them snacks, cigarettes and made small talk. Some even got flowers.One overheard conversation went like this, Civilian: "Mamang sundalo, huwag niyo kaming patayin ha"...Marine: "Aba, hindi naman talaga namin kayo isasaktan". This marine armored column later pulled out of the area and peace prevailed. The rebel group had survived another day. By this time the place was starting to stink of sweat and urine. People just went to quiet spots to pee and the women had it the hardest.


By nightfall, we eventually found ourselves parked in front of Camp Crame at Edsa. The rebel side requested all cars parked along edsa to face the Camp Aguinaldo side across the avenue, where they expected the Marcos troops to come from if they attacked, so we could light it up with our headlights. It was a long, tense night. Some slept but most stayed up, listened to June Kiethly's constant radio updates and kept wary all night. When dawn broke that Tuesday, the pro-rebel radio station "Radio Bandido", that took over after the Veritas station was ransacked and put off the air by Marcos crony Danding Conjuanco's goons, played the National Anthem. Everybody who stayed at EDSA then stood up and sang along as loud and as heartily as they could while flags were waving and fists were raised in the protest salute. It was probably the most meaningful time many of us ever sang the "Bayang Magiliw". At the end of the anthem everyone broke out in a loud, exultant cheer and I remember my brother's wife, Evelyn shout, "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas"...and in a quieter voice..."uwi na nga tayo" in the same breath. She was getting tired of our emergency food supply of coke and butter cake that we packed along. We had a good laugh.

We went home again for a meal and a shower then drove back to Edsa again. This was about the time when Marcos sent the PAF's 5th Strike Wing to attack the rebel group holding out at Camp Crame and the choppers appeared menacing as they approached but surprisingly just landed on the camp's parade ground and joined the rebels. When we arrived we found that they opened up the camp and everybody was slowly walking triumphantly into Camp Crame to gawk at the helicopter gunships and to cheer the rebel soldiers. Then when the camp was super-crowded with people Gen. Ramos' men started requesting the people to disperse out of the camp and get back to the avenue fearing Marcos infiltrators might sneak in with the crowd. So after taking a long time slowly moving with the crowd to get into Camp Crame we had to make our way slowly out. But everyone stayed upbeat and cheerful anyway. Gen. Ramos later warned Marcos thru the radio not to try sending tanks in again or he would destroy them with helicopter rocket fire. We later heard that a rebel chopper fired warning shots at the Palace. More and more government units were changing sides and joining the rebels and Ramos and others kept announcing the new units in the radio and TV. Most of these info were true and some were not but we later learned that this was part of Ramos' Psy Ops tactics which disconcerted the Marcos side who didn't know which units to trust or rely on anymore.

There were a lot of other things that happened later but eventually by Wednesday, word came that Marcos finally fled the country with U.S. urging and assistance. Everyone was happy, relieved and jubilant. So we made our way to Malacanang Palace but you can only drive up to a certain point because of the security barricades and the huge crowds. We were then hoofing it very slowly with the triumphant masses to the Palace when I noticed a column of military trucks, loaded now with 'former' rebel soldiers, approach and the mass of people opened up a bit so the trucks could pass. A couple of soldiers on one truck asked for our small flag or yellow ribbons and we happily gave these to them which they waved to the crowd. Then I had an idea and asked the soldiers if we can climb aboard and have our pictures taken with them which they agreed to. So we clambered aboard and after the pictures were taken we just stayed on the trucks and made better progress through the thick crowd right to the Palace gates. The Banzon brothers were there celebrating in Malacanang palace watching many of the fools over there loot the place. One really silly group of squatter-looking types told us not to lean on a Scorpion light tank they were sitting on saying "Hoy, amin yan!" Some were even running off with potted plants. What poor misguided, shallow dopes.

Anyway, I find that Edsa 1 had all the the trappings of a real life or death ordeal. A real revolution. Many feared a bloody, drawn out civil war. Nobody expected it to turn out so relatively peacefully. The so-called Edsa 2 was a cakewalk compared to Edsa 1. But they were both picnics.

A few things have changed. But life (and stupid folk) goes on.

Raoul H. Banzon, then 27

Edsa I: The only REAL People Power Revolution

Philippine and other media have conveniently labeled a number of past local political upheavals and incidents as the three people power revolutions of E. de los Santos Ave., Metro Manila or Edsa (Edsa's I to III). But in reality and actual fact there was only ONE true people power revolution and that was Edsa I of February 22 to 25, 1986. The one that toppled President Ferdinand Marcos' 21-year grip on power. The other two were in one way or another fake, unnecessary or staged copycats unrepresentative of the people the power supposedly came from.


EDSA-I
Edsa-I had all the makings of a historic, political, revolutionary upheaval full of drama, spontaneity, fear, bravery, strategy, moral righteousness and a common, steadfast belief in a just and necessary cause. Born out of a failed coup attempt and two decades of fixed elections, oppression, rampant corruption, nepotism, cronyism, political assassination, detention and torture it was a David v.s. Goliath story which united both rich and poor alike (plus rebel soldiers and the church) to stand up to a military-backed dictator. A relatively non-violent confrontation by exasperated common citizens which prevailed against a powerful, entrenched and despotic strongman that until then was unheard of in the Third World...or even the entire post-war World. In fact, it amazed the free world and was a warning to similar dictatorships. People power became part of the international political jargon and a new catchphrase for the oppressed. It was hailed in Time and Newsweek.

And the massing of the people against Marcos wasn't limited to the one to three million who flocked to Edsa in Manila. No, not by a long shot. Similar gatherings spontaneously cropped up in other cities in the provinces as well such as Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Bundokland, Gubatania, etc. (forgot the other places) in support of those in Edsa. There was a general consensus that Marcos must go and a dire need to do something about it. So one could say that it was national in scope. I know I'm saying it. Also...most of the leftists missed out on it which is a plus.

It wasn't a coup, the coup already failed earlier in the story. It was a festive revolution by the people (and illegal under the Marcos or any constitution) and nobody said it was a normal political exercise so the succeeding government of President Cory Aquino initially had to work as a revolutionary government until a new constitution was ratified. After that was done the government finally could call itself legitimate.

Sadly, Edsa-I hardly changed anything for long in the political atmosphere of the Philippines. Wheeling and dealing still goes on. Corruption, election-rigging, abuses and nepotism is still a fact of life in local and national politics. Even the Marcos family and some of their cronies are back in seats of power...us (the Filipino) being so stupid, forgetful and forgiving. But once upon a time, we all shed our fear of tyranny, cast the dice, stood up to right a wrong and ousted a dictator... and that will forever be a valued historical accomplishment. At least nowadays Filipinos are more tenacious about guarding and exercising their rights. Now we just have to learn that with freedom comes responsibility. Not stupidity.

The other EDSAs
Edsa's-II and III on the other hand were quite different. There was no oppression or curtailment of human rights. No fear for ones life or liberty if one speaks out against the presiding regime. Not generally anyway. There was no immediate need to right a situation or lose all. It wasn't national in scope. Mainly just Manila...and a small part of Manila at that. The cause wasn't selfless but selfish. Both were partially or entirely planned and set up by people pulling the strings. And both were more mob rule than people power and were a failure of the due process of law. Actually, Edsa-III was just a failure.

I didn't bother with Edsa-II of February 17 to 20, 2001 since the situation didn't merit it. Several hundred thousand did join in but many more just stayed away. It was a downright coup against Erap (President Joseph Estrada) with people power wannabe's who missed out on Edsa-I because they were too young to care and a too-quick-to-change-sides military and police. Also some leftists joined in. New technology allowed most participants to be summoned thru cell phones by a conveniently organized text brigade.

A lot of people couldn't stand having Erap for president and he was a muddling fool when it comes to presidential prerogatives, outright corruption or foreign relations...hell, I couldn't stand him and his unattractive, obese sons myself, but he was elected by the biggest majority than any of our previous presidents. And he did order the army to clear out the MILF strongholds that was a challenge to the nation's sovereignty and were previously left alone in the south. He may have looked like an embarrassing, unsophisticated waddling duck to the international eye, playing million-peso stakes mahjong while gulping cases of thousand dollar wine up to the wee hours and taking wednesdays off like an extra driver but he WAS duly elected. Granted elected by stupid people in large groups but still he was a legitimate president. And the impeachment against him was verging on failure.

President Gloria Arroyo happened to be the vice-president so she had to be the one to replace Erap when Edsa-II succeeded. Luckily, the supreme court legitimized this incident at the last minute by stating that the welfare of the people is supreme law (or something to that effect)...unluckily, this set the stage for the bogus Edsa-III revolt. I still sort of support GMA (Edsa-II people have changed their tune regarding her and what they hailed as her triumphant rise to power after Erap)....it's her husband that nobody likes. It must be said though that Edsa-II probably was the least violent of the three.

I also didn't join Edsa-III (just months after Edsa-II, late April-May 1, 2001) because everybody knew it was a farce and a futile set-up power re-grab by Erap flunkies after he was arrested for corruption. There was even talk of a budget supporting the operation plan for this incident. Ten million here another million there and some more from somewhere... And some free flowing crystal meth for any takers to stir up the masses. I mean how genuine and spontaneous can they get? After this one are we doing another people power revolt next tuesday? And why crap on a shrine as they did? Besides, Edsa-III consisted mostly of misguided people and payable hacks that can easily be manipulated...like the urban poor and we all know they don't count in politics except during elections....or full-blown riots...which was the end result. A useless mob riot. As a political exercise Edsa-III was a waste of time. A bloody, violent, useless, unconscionable and unnecessary waste of time for everybody including those who participated in it. They achieved nothing....but everybody got a declaration of a state of national emergency.

Last but not least
Most important of all, to me, Edsa-I is the real and only legitimate people power revolution (if there is such a thing as a legitimate revolution) because that's where my brothers, cousins, friends and I PARTICIPATED IN and that may be our only contribution towards bettering this nation's political history. We went there and stuck our necks out despite the fear, uncertainty, exhaustion, filth, fear...did I say that already...and real danger simply because we had had enough of the overpowering and overbearing Marcos dictatorship. We faced assault rifles threateningly pointed at us from helicopters, we faced combat-ready marines (some giving us the finger when offered food, flowers or cigarettes...maybe they wanted beer), APCs and tanks (threatening to roll over friends and nuns), friends faced gassing and dispersal. But the Marcos forces all pulled back and eventually joined our side because our cause was right and just ( and because our side later had the rocket-armed choppers of the 15th Strike Wing ready to blow any opposition away). We booted out a dictator and vowed never again to allow another president to hold the reigns of absolute power over us (rowdy as we may be).

My final point is that unlike the original one the two other Edsa's were too much ado over nothing much. So either I'm right or it is just me. Enough said.