Four Days in EDSA ( Day 3)

Discordant Notes

February 24, 2012

Four Days in EDSA ( Day 3)

“ The battle of EDSA will be decided on who can bring their reserves to Manila” 

This was the analysis of Prof. MacCcoy of Australia on a broadcast by the BBC on the third day of the EDSA Uprising. He mentioned the failed attempt of RAM forces to bring in reinforcements from Davao  in the Manila International Airport when they were all arrested upon arrival by the Marcos loyalist forces.

Its funny because Prof.McCcoy stressed  in his BBC analysis that the Philippines have only two C130 plane and it is still controlled by Marcos forces. The RAM forces came in a regular PAL flight. I will learn later that Prof. McCcoy made a very good study of the notorious RAM officers and it was a very authoritative study of the human rights violations by the RAM during the 14 years of Marcos dictatorship.

Earlier, the marine contingent was stopped by the multitudes of people at the corner of Ortigas and EDSA. The old amphbious vehicles/tanks driven by the Marines were stopped by Col. Tadiar because he cannot bear driving it through the millions of people who were holding up their tanks. Thus the reserves were stopped cold in their tracks by the people.

On the onset, as if the advantage was still on the dictator’s side. But on the third day, the balance of forces began to turn as some of the AFP forces began changing sides, became neutral or refused to budge in their positions as millions of people gathered in EDSA to protect the rebel forces.It seems that the dictator is losing his grip on his forces who began to mutiny.

Late that night, we heard over DZRH that private cars shadowed a convoy of armed personnel carriers (APC) coming from Malacanang before they reached EDSA and blocked their way at Timog Avenue. The cars were led by actor Aga Mulach and former broadcaster Orly Mercado. We can visualize the chase and can hear the honking of cars by the tune of "LABAN."

But were also saddened when Radio Veritas (DZRV) went off the air because of a bombing incident but were gladdened again when Radio Bandido went into the air. It was so nice to hear the battle hymn during that election campaign; “Mambo Magsaysay.”

What really surprised us is that the PNP forces under General Alfredo Lim who headed the NPD, switched sides and refused to obey the orders of the dictator to disperse the crowd at EDSA. He reported to General Ramos and took orders from him.

And then we heard over DZRH that early morning that the some AFP anti-riot forces led by General Balbandero, Camp Aguinaldo  Commander tried to disperse the crowd at Santolan. They threw gas canisters at the crowd but the wind blew the gas back to the camp perimeter at the delight of the crowd.

The biggest news of that day was the defection of the 9th Strike Wing of attack of the Philippine Air force. They were tasked to attack Camp Crame but Col. Sotelo, a Cagayano and a province mate of Enrile changed his mind when he saw the millions of people in EDSA.

Instead of attacking Camp Crame, he landed the helicopters into the parade ground of rebel held camp  and reported to the rebels. Now the AFP rebels have their air force.

Later that afternoon, the Sikorsky helicopters bombed the palace, destroyed some air assets in Villamor Air Base and warned the Marcos family and their cronies that their end is near.

The coup de grace came late in the afternoon when the military rebels were able to wrest the two government owned radio and television stations, Channel 9 and Channel 4 and the live feed of Marcos inauguration at Malacanang Palace went off the air.

We were right in cautioning ever body that the fight is not yet over when General Ramos announced that the Marcos Family fled.He even bragged that it was the job of the police to arrest the President who is still holed up in Malacanang. It was all a psy-war propaganda. It turned out to be false alarm because Marcos went on air on his inauguration. But when the broadcast was cut-off, we felt something is really happening that night.

We went on the 3rd day without seeing any military forces in their camps. We heard in the FEBC news that the notorious 48th IB Philippine Army based in Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya  was deployed at the GMA TV Station in EDSA.It was the erie silence that bothers us.

The 17th, 41st  and 21st IB were called to the NOLCOM Headquarters in Tarlac. The 5th Division, the armored component of the AFP was based in the North. They were  called in as reserves with all its APC's to Manila  but cannot proceed to Manila. They were at the NOLCOM  HQ and was stalled in Tarlac because the  borders of Pampanga and Bulacan were barricaded by the people. The center of struggle  now is in the urban areas.

Even the government radio is now broadcasting the news that the PNP is under the control of Ramos loyalist. One by one, the PNP regional commands are reporting that they are awaiting orders from Camp Crame and not from Malacanang.

Changes are happening everyday, and it kept us on our toes.

What if Marcos forces counter-attack?  Are they still capable of mounting  a last ditch stand or a desperate offensive?

We closed our eyes and had an uneasy sleep that night.Too many questions unanswered and yet more questions came to the fore.  Is this just a prelude to a more bloody revolution like Russia in 1917 or China in 1949 or very specific in the Philippines?

We will know the answer on the next day.

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