POST EDSA REVOLUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
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The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution, was a series of protests and demonstrations that took place in the Philippines from February 22 to 25, 1986. The revolution was a nonviolent, popular movement that led to the overthrow of the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy in the country.
Ferdinand Marcos, a former senator and war hero, became president of the Philippines in 1965. His presidency was characterized by corruption, human rights abuses, and the suppression of opposition groups. Marcos declared martial law in 1972, suspending the constitution and assuming near-dictatorial powers. Under martial law, thousands of Filipinos were arrested, tortured, or killed for their political beliefs. The country's economy suffered as well, with rampant corruption and cronyism leading to widespread poverty and inequality. Opposition to Marcos' regime grew throughout the 1970s and 1980s, as Filipinos became increasingly disillusioned with his leadership. Catholic bishops and priests were particularly vocal in their criticism of the regime, with many speaking out against the violence and repression inflicted upon their parishioners. International pressure on Marcos also mounted, as foreign governments and human rights groups condemned his record on human rights and democracy.
The EDSA Revolution began on February 22, 1986, when a group of military officers led by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Lieutenant General Fidel Ramos declared their withdrawal of support from Marcos. The officers set up a makeshift headquarters at the Camp Aguinaldo military base in Quezon City and called on Filipinos to join them in their opposition to the regime.Word of the military rebellion quickly spread throughout the country, and Filipinos began to gather at EDSA, a major highway in Manila, to support the rebels. The protestors, which included ordinary citizens, students, religious groups, and members of the opposition, set up barricades and formed human chains to block government troops from reaching the rebels' stronghold at Camp Aguinaldo.The situation was tense, with the possibility of violence hanging in the air. However, the protestors remained peaceful and determined, singing patriotic songs, praying, and offering food and water to the soldiers stationed at EDSA. The movement grew in strength and numbers over the next few days, with estimates of the crowd ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million people. The turning point of the revolution came on February 25, when Marcos ordered his troops to disperse the protestors and storm Camp Aguinaldo. However, the soldiers refused to obey his orders, and instead joined the protestors in their call for Marcos to step down. Marcos, sensing that he had lost the support of the military and the people, fled the country with his family on a US military aircraft bound for Hawaii. The EDSA Revolution was a historic moment in Philippine history, marking the end of the Marcos regime and the beginning of a new era of democracy and freedom. Corazon Aquino, the widow of opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., was sworn in as president on February 25, 1986, becoming the first female president of the Philippines.
Aquino's presidency was marked by challenges, including a series of coup attempts by loyalists of the Marcos regime, as well as natural disasters and economic problems. However, her government was able to enact important reforms, such as the restoration of civil liberties and the drafting of a new constitution that limited the power of the presidency and strengthened democratic institutions. Today, the EDSA Revolution is celebrated as a symbol of Filipino people power and resilience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of democracy and the struggle for human rights and freedom in the Philippines and around the world.
Abihales, P.N., & Amoroso, D.J (2017) state and society in the Philippines. Rowman & little field Publishers.
Mccoy, A.W.(2018). In the shadow of the EDSA Revolution: Democracy and economic crisis in the Philippines. University of Wisconsin Press.