REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES–a name full of farce. For indeed, we were a republic in name alone. In the Marcos regime, the gun reigned supreme, the very gun that has victimized countless people. And yet the truth will never be revealed for media is controlled by the ruling elite. All opposition elements were branded as activists and subversives. These people were handed, arrested and herded into camps for Indefinite detention. Freedom was as empty as the national treasury. Justice was an illusion as deceiving as our present day normalization. Equality was as false as the reports on our national dailies.
This intervention of power brings about the closing down of the heart of a nation, a slashing of its memory. The nation ceased to be mindful of itself, wherein we were deprived to understand one another. This gave rise to the silent generation which died without ever having expressed their real sentiments. A sorrow that continued to hang over our heads… a danger to the whole nation.
We have stood where two roads diverged. The choice of which to take after all, was ours to make. One can choose a path towards change paved and stained with blood as advocated by the militant sector. The other through the process of democracy–the ballot. The Filipino people were at a loss as a result of the twenty-years of oppression.
The real danger arises when there is bloodshed. But why must there be bloodshed in order for us to realize the political nightmare we Filipinos are in. The death of Rizal triggered the National Revolution of 1898. The death of the Filipino on San Juan Bridge made us realize the cruelty of the Americans. The death of Ninoy marked the beginning of the end of this nightmarish dream.
The Filipino people clamor for freedom. But the quest for freedom was made through non-violent resistance as Ninoy advocated. Imperceptibly, after years of hardships, the Filipino people have become one – not only in their hopes of attaining a free country but also in its search for justice. Through a single bullet, the Filipino nation became one. The bullet that brutally murdered our leader and gave birth to a new nation. No longer silent. No longer listening to the brouhahas and whims of the government. No longer a slave of this whole damned masquerade. For the Filipino people were awakened to the inhumanity of this regime.
That fateful day of August twenty-one created an avalanche of events. The silent majority is no longer silent. The giant that has been sleeping for twenty years has finally awakened from its slumber to face the challenges, endure the obloquy and insults in order to set right all the wrongs.
For years, the government continued to undermine the murder of Ninoy. The parliament of the streets flourished for the people never forgot what Ninoy has started and the atrocities committed by this tyrant regime. The economy collapsed despite numerous attempts by the Marcos government to uplift it. World opinion on the credibility of Marcos’ leadership put weight on the crumbling foundations of the regime. Until that fateful day in November when he called for a ‘Snap Presidential Elections’. As many have said, this snap election was the greatest blunder Marcos has ever made.
The ruling party never thought that the fragmented opposition will unite and be strengthened. In the person of Mrs. Cory Aquino and Mr. Doy Laurel did the Filipino see the gateway towards freedom. Slowly, as the campaign period neared its end, people from all walks of life poured in the streets to catch even a glimpse of these two who personified freedom, justice, and democracy. The outpouring of the people’s support for the opposition jolted the ruling party. In their desperate attempt, they resorted to massive violence and fraud to thwart the people’s will come election day. As judged by many, the election was the dirtiest in the annals of Philippine history. Yes, Cory won in the election but lost in the counting.
In losing in the election, the Filipino people furthermore witnessed the murder of Namfrel volunteers, opposition supporters including former Gov. Evelio Javier. The rage felt inside the hearts of the Filipino people cannot be kept any longer. A call for civil disobedience was heeded enthusiastically. The Catholic Church denounced the massive cheating done by the ruling party. Again world opinion put more weight on the outcome of the elections.
The Filipino people this time meant business. Prepared to endure hardships in order to topple the regime. After only weeks of a coordinated civil disobedience, pressure was really felt by the dwindling regime. The once formidable ship of the regime began to sink. Unexpectedly, two people, Min. Enrile and Lt. Gen. Ramos made a turnabout. This was the ultimate event that stirred the whole nation to rally behind these two in upholding the people’s will. People began to fill the streets in order to form human barricades. They became buffers in order to prevent bloodshed. Gradually more and more government and military personnel began abandoning the supposedly formidable ship of Marcos’ rule. The loyalist forces of Mr. Marcos were inutile to the thousands of people who thronged the streets to launch an attack to the rebels. They had no choice but to let the will of the people prevail. And on that historic night of February 25, the dictator has fled.
People power has for its roots the countless years of oppression that has pushed the Filipinos to the wall. Furthermore, the assassination of political figures such as Ninoy and Javier contributed to all these. Truly, the foundation of this power is unshakable. The events that just passed proved that the true democracy is a reflection of the people’s will.
In the long run, the emergence of people power redeemed the Filipino person. For so long thought of as a coward, passive, and indolent, the world saw for themselves the true nature of the Filipino – to uphold and defend their most cherished freedom. With the emergence of people power, future leaders will now think twice before going against this power. For always, as a lesson for those prospective dictators, people power is a force to reckon with.
This opinion piece was published in The Bedan’s February-April 1986 Issue.