EDSARevolution

Based on the work of Angela Stuart-Santiago on the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986.

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

Two American agents of the Office of Special Investigation, U.S. Air Force, their sidearms in full view, walked President #Marcos to the plane, a C-9A with medical facilities. It was 5:45 AM, February 26, 1986. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

Ambassador #DandingCojuangco and wife Gretchen, were with their immediate family and a business associate, #NarcisoPineda. They had motored all the way from Sison, Pangasinan to join the president. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

General Ver has somehow managed to get everyone in his family together and they are all accounted for. Numbering 26, they make up more than a fourth of the entire group of 92 that finally reached Honoloulu. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

#Aruiza: Before boarding the two fixed-wing planes waiting on the runway, I take a head count of everyone in the lounge. What astonishes me is the large #Ver clan. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

It was #Marcos who finally broke the deadlock by handing over his own .357 Magnum. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

#Aruiza: The President’s tired voice breaks the silence. “All right,” he says, “make no scene.” #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

As the group prepares to board the U.S. Air Force C-9 medical evacuation plane for Guam, Allen asks Marcos and his men for their guns. “The price of admission on U.S. Air Force aircraft is no guns.” #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

#Aruiza: The Americans now demand that we give up our firearms. The President’s face turns expressionless, but Ferdinand Jr.’s flushed an angry red. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

There is a bitter exchange between Ferdinand and American officials. He demands to be flown to Ilocos. They have orders from Reagan and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to fly him to America. At 4 AM, Ferdinand stops arguing. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

At 2:30 A.M. Allen contacts #TommyManotoc and #BongbongMarcos and informs them of the need to leave before daybreak for Guam, where he could guarantee the family’s safety until it could decide upon a final destination. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

It would seem that Reagan’s men in Washington are only too happy to affirm American support for the new President. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

Some of these supporters in turn report Marcos’s phonecalls to Ramos and Enrile, who begin questioning Aquino and Bosworth about what Marcos was up to now. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

#Marcos is deep into last-ditch efforts to get to Paoay, phoning former ministers and supporters, squeezing them for face-saving favors, complaining that the Americans are wavering about allowing him to return to Paoay. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

Newly aware of political pressures to get #Marcos out of the country, and worried about Marcos’s security inside the base which was in rebel hands, Allen sought permission from Washington to leave for Guam ASAP. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

Deputy base commander Colonel Romeo David has pledged his loyalty to General Ramos. “I told the head of U.S. Intelligence inside Clark that I could not guarantee the safety of Marcos.” #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

Just as threatening, said Allen, “Word went out in the province to mobilize People Power around the base, and I had visions of one million people converging on the gate by morning.” #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

General Allen, who had earlier promised to take Marcos anywhere he wished just to get him out of the Palace, is in a bind. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

But Ambassador #Bosworth, who was also in Clark, insists on first getting #CoryAquino’s okay, and he fails. Cory has been warned of civil war should #Marcos make it to Paoay. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

General Williams asked one of his men to drive me to the base hotel, but before we parted, he said to me, “Get a good night’s sleep, Colonel, and we will fly you up North tomorrow at about 0800H.” #EDSA1986 #EDSA32

[EDSARevolution @EDSAUno1986]

For that night President and Mrs. #Marcos are given a large room in a duplex that they shared with General Ver and his sons. The general was on the phone once we landed and did not let up until he went up to his room. #EDSA1986 #EDSA32