1986–1990 Philippine coup attempts

Last updated

From 1986 to 1987, there were six plots to overthrow Philippine President Corazon Aquino involving various members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A significant number of the military participants in these attempts belonged to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), while others were identified loyalists of former President Ferdinand Marcos, who had been deposed in the People Power Revolution in late February 1986.

Contents

Two attempts—the November 1986 "God Save the Queen Plot" and the July 1987 plot—were uncovered and quashed by authorities before they could be operationalised. The other plots were repelled with little or no violence, the deadliest being the August 1987 coup attempts which left 53 dead. An even more serious coup attempt would be staged against the Aquino government in December 1989. Following the plot's failure, President Aquino established a fact-finding commission headed by then-COMELEC Chairman Hilario Davide, Jr. The report would become known as the Davide Commission Report, and it was mandated to investigate and provide a full report on the series of coup attempts against the Aquino government.

Manila Hotel plot

The first occurred on 6 July 1986, when some 490 armed soldiers and 15,000 civilians loyal to former President Ferdinand Marcos occupied Manila Hotel for 37 hours. [1] At the hotel, Marcos's vice-presidential running mate Arturo Tolentino announced that Marcos had authorised him to temporarily take over the government, took his oath as Acting President, and designated a cabinet. [1] The public remained generally unaffected by this incident, [2] and it ended without violence by 8 July. [3]

"God Save the Queen" Plot

A more serious conspiracy unfolded some months later, known as the "God Save the Queen Plot". [4] The Davide Commission concluded that Defense Secretary Enrile and members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) were behind the plot. [5] Scheduled for 11 November 1986, the plot was discovered by government several days in advance and was deliberately leaked to the Philippine Daily Inquirer , thus thwarting the plan. [6]

The government then learnt that the plot was rescheduled for 22 November 1986. [7] On November 22, the military was placed on red alert and the rebel troops were blockaded, leading them to return to barracks. [8] The following day, Aquino announced she had sacked Enrile as Defense Secretary and that she would revamp her Cabinet, "to give the government a chance to start all over again." [9]

GMA-7 incident

From 27–29 January 1987, around 100 soldiers led by Colonel Oscar Canlas seized the main compound of GMA Network in Quezon City, [10] while other troops attempted in vain to capture Sangley Point Air Force Base in Cavite. [11] One rebel soldier was killed, while 35 people were injured. [12]

In the early morning of January 1, 1991, former lieutenant colonel Rodolfo Calzado was captured without resistance in Paco Park, Manila by the Philippine Air Force for masterminding the plan to capture Sangley Point, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. [13]

Black Saturday incident

On Black Saturday 1987 (18 April), 13 rebel soldiers staged a raid on Fort Bonifacio. It was repelled within the morning, with one rebel soldier dead. [14]

MIA plot

In July 1987, a plot to stage another coup attempt through a military takeover of Manila International Airport was uncovered before it could be implemented, with four officers being court-martialled for the plot. [15]

August 1987 coup attempt

On 28 August 1987, the most serious attempt up to then to overthrow Aquino's government was launched by members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement led by Colonel Gregorio Honasan, who had been a former top aide of Enrile. [16] In the early morning of the 28th, rebel soldiers launched an attack on Malacañang Palace. The siege was repelled within a few hours, with several military and civilian casualties including Aquino's son, the future President Benigno Aquino III, who was wounded. [17] Honasan himself led the soldiers that seized portions of Camp Aguinaldo, including the headquarters of the Department of National Defense. [18] Rebel soldiers also seized parts of Villamor Airbase, three television stations in Manila, military camps in Pampanga and Cebu, and the airport in Legaspi City. [19] Various statements broadcast by the rebels referred to "the overindulgence in politics which now pervades in society", [20] the supposed mishandling of the communist insurgency, and the deplorable economic condition of the military rebels. [21] By day's end, government troops were able to recapture most of the rebel-held facilities, and the coup had fizzled out by the 29th. 53 were dead and more than 200 wounded; [22] many of the fatalities were unarmed civilians who were fired upon by rebels after they were jeered by the crowd. [22] Honasan himself evaded capture, while Enrile (by then a Senator), denied involvement in the coup. [22]

Following the coup attempt, the Aquino government seemingly veered to the right, dismissing perceived left-leaning officials such as Executive Secretary Joker Arroyo and tacitly authorising the establishment of armed, quasi-military groups to combat the ongoing communist insurgency. [23] It was also believed that General Fidel Ramos–who remained loyal to Aquino–emerged as the second-most-powerful person in government following his successful quelling of the coup. [24] Across-the-board wage increases for soldiers were also granted. [25] Aquino herself meanwhile sued Philippine Star columnist Louie Beltran for libel after he wrote that the President hid under her bed when the Palace was under siege.

In January 1991, former navy seaman Jose Pedragoza was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Service for his involvement in the takeover of the People's Television Network station. [26]

December 1989 coup attempt

On 1 December 1989, three rebel T-28D Trojans (Tora-Tora) raked Malacañang Palace with rockets and gunfire. The rebel soldiers wrongly assumed that they achieved air superiority by effectively neutralising the assets of the 5th Fighter Wing of the Philippine Air Force. Rebel soldiers in Mactan successfully trapped most of the F-5s and combat-ready pilots, preventing them from interfering with rebel operations. Meanwhile, at Basa Air Base, only three F-5A and an F-5B remained partial mission capability.

Squadron Commander Danilo Atienza of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Cobras) ordered his maintenance crew to expedite bringing the F-5s back to full operation. Later that same day, three F-5s under Atienza's command fought the rebel T-28s, culminating in the destruction of the Tora-Tora on the ground at Sangley Point.

The elimination of the T-28s turned the tide against the rebels, but at the cost of the F-5A flown by Atienza, who died in one of the strafing runs. Atienza was awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroism, and the airfield at Sangley Point was renamed in his memory. It is especially worth noting that, had it not been for the intervention, the Aquino government would have been overthrown.

March 1990 coup attempt

On 4 March 1990, suspended Cagayan governor Rodolfo Aguinaldo directed his private army estimated at 300 men [27] to seize the Hotel Delfino in Cagayan's capital of Tuguegarao following his indictment on charges of rebellion and murder relating to his support for the failed Dec. 1-9, 1989 coup attempt against President Aquino. Brig. Gen. Oscar Florendo, armed forces chief of Civil Military Relations, was sent to Tuguegarao by Aquino to serve Aguinaldo with an arrest warrant. [28] After Aguinaldo's men seized control of Hotel Delfino where the general was staying, Florendo was taken hostage along with more than 50 other hotel guests. Though he was thought to have been a long-time friend of Aguinaldo's, [27] Florendo was shot at close range in the hotel and later died of his wounds. [29] Hours of standoff ensued between the two sides until nearly 1,000 government troops [27] launched an attack to dislodge Aguinaldo's forces from the hotel; government forces prevailed after more than 100 of Aguinaldo's men surrendered and about 90 were captured. [30] During this siege at least a dozen others were killed in or around the hotel; scores of civilian supporters of Aguinaldo were arrested; and a truck with assault rifles, mortars, and crates of ammunition was captured. [31] Following this melee, Aguinaldo fled with about 90 fighters for mountains in the north. [29]

October 1990 coup attempt

The last coup attempt against President Aquino happened on 4 October 1990, when mutinying soldiers staged a dawn raid on an army base in Mindanao. The seizure lasted for two days, ending with Brigadier General Danilo Lim and 21 others capitulating to the government on 6 October.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Davide Commission Report, p. 135
  2. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 146. "Perhaps the most significant indication of the public sentiment towards the Manila Hotel incident was the fact that people generally went about their own business, unaffected by the loyalists' call for support."
  3. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 142
  4. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 146
  5. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 148-155
  6. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 149
  7. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 151-152.
  8. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 154.
  9. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 155.
  10. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 163-165
  11. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 160
  12. ↑ Davide Commission Report, pp. 161-165.
  13. ↑ "Coup plotter arrested". Manila Standard . Kagitingan Publications, Inc. January 2, 1991. p. 4. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  14. ↑ Davide Commission Report, pp. 168-169
  15. ↑ Davide Commission Report, pp. 173-175.
  16. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 119-120.
  17. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 181-182.
  18. ↑ Davide Commission Report, pp. 182-186
  19. ↑ Davide Commission Report, pp. 186-196
  20. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 188
  21. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 196
  22. 1 2 3 Davide Commission Report, p. 200
  23. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 201. "Many political watchers believe that the 28 August coup attempt pulled the Aquino administration towards the right in the ideological spectrum..."
  24. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 201.
  25. ↑ Davide Commission Report, p. 200.
  26. ↑ Evangelista, Romie (January 10, 1991). "Navy coup suspect arrested". Manila Standard . Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 6. Retrieved May 23, 2021. Lt. Col. Lucas Managuelod, Philippine National Police-CIS National Capital District chief, identified the suspect as ex-Navy Seaman First Class Jose Pedragoza, formerly assigned with the 5th General Headquarters Battalion...
  27. 1 2 3 Yabes, Criselda (1990-03-05). "MANILA ENDS HOSTAGE STANDOFF". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  28. ↑ Times, Special to The New York (1990-03-05). "14 Die as Philippine Troops Fight Rebel Governor". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  29. 1 2 Tribune, Uli Schmetzer, Chicago. "OUSTED GOVERNOR THREATENS AQUINO". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  30. ↑ "Government troops beat back rebel attack". UPI. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  31. ↑ "Rebel Clash Puts Aquino in New Crisis : Philippines: The battle leaves a dozen dead, including a general. The renegade governor who supported December coup attempt escapes arrest". Los Angeles Times. 1990-03-05. Retrieved 2020-08-23.

Related Research Articles

Cagayan Province in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Cagayan is a province in the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region and the northeastern tip of the Luzon. Its capital is the city of Tuguegarao. It is about 431 kilometres (268 mi) northwest of Manila, and includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte and Apayao to the west, and Kalinga and Isabela to the south. To distinguish the province from Cagayan de Oro City, a highly urbanized city in Northern Mindanao, it is sometimes called Cagayan Province.

People Power Revolution Series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines in 1986

The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22–25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. The nonviolent revolution led to the departure of Ferdinand Marcos, the end of his 20-year presidential term and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.

Juan Ponce Enrile Filipino politician and lawyer

Juan Furagganan Ponce Enrile Sr., abbreviated JPE, is a Filipino politician and lawyer. He was a protégé of President Ferdinand Marcos, and served as Justice Secretary and Defense Minister under the Marcos regime. He later became one of the leaders of the 1986 People Power Revolution that drove Marcos out of power and into exile. Enrile has continued to be a prominent politician since then; he was Senate President from November 2008 until his resignation on June 5, 2013.

Gregorio Honasan Filipino politician

Gregorio Ballesteros Honasan II, better known as Gringo Honasan, is a retired Philippine Army officer who led unsuccessful coups d'état against President Corazon Aquino. He played a key role in the 1986 EDSA Revolution that toppled President Ferdinand Marcos.

A failed putsch dubbed The Oakwood Mutiny occurred in the Philippines on July 27, 2003. A group of 321 armed defectors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, calling themselves the "Bagong Katipuneros" (Filipino: New Katipuneros) led by Philippine Army CaptainGerardo Gambala and Philippine Navy Lieutenant Senior GradeAntonio Trillanes IV forcibly occupied the Oakwood Premier serviced apartments in Glorietta, Makati. Their public statements, as covered by the Philippine news media, charged allegations of corruption committed by the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. They also claimed signs suggesting that the President was going to declare martial law. The rebel group was named "Magdalo" by the newspapers, in a reference to the insignia which the insurgents adopted. The insignia alluded to was a Katipunan flag perceived as similar to that of the breakaway Magdalo faction during the Spanish-era Philippine Revolution.

Arturo "Boy" Tiongson Enrile was the Secretary of the Department of Transportation of the Philippines from April 1997 – January 1998. He served as the 24th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1994 to 1996.

The most serious attempted coup d'état against the government of Philippine President Corazon Aquino was staged beginning December 1, 1989, by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines belonging to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and soldiers loyal to former President Ferdinand Marcos. Metro Manila was shaken by this Christmastime coup, which almost seized the presidential palace. It was completely defeated by the Philippine government by December 9, 1989.

Martial law in the Philippines Authorized military government in the Philippines

Martial law in the Philippines refers to several intermittent periods in Philippine history where in the Philippine head of state places an area under the control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its predecessor bodies. Martial law is declared when there is violent civil unrest; most countries use a different legal construct like "state of emergency".

Presidency of Corazon Aquino

The Presidency of Corazon Aquino began following the triumph of the peaceful People Power Revolution when Corazon Aquino became President of the Philippines, and spanned a six-year period from February 25, 1986 to June 30, 1992.

Danilo Lim Filipino general

Danilo "Danny" Delapuz Lim was a retired Filipino soldier who served as Chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from 2017 until his death in 2021. He was incarcerated at Camp Crame in Quezon City from 2006 to 2010 for rebellion charges and an attempted coup d'état. After more than 4 years in prison, Lim was granted temporary freedom by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on May 31, 2010.

The Reform the Armed Forces Movement, also referred to by the acronym RAM, was a cabal of officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that attempted to seize power in the Philippines during the 1980s and 1990s. These officers were instrumental in the destabilization of the Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino presidencies.

Danilo Atienza Air Base Philippine military base

Danilo Atienza Air Base is a military base used by the Philippine Air Force, located on the northern end of Cavite Peninsula in Manila Bay, Luzon Island, the Philippines. It is adjacent to Cavite City, in Cavite Province.

15th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force

The mission of the 15th Strike Wing is to conduct tactical air operations in support of Armed Forces of the Philippines units. The unit is headquartered at Danilo Atienza Air Base, Sangley Point, Cavite, just outside the capital Manila. The Wing, as of 2009, was organized with Personal, Coordinating and Technical Staff. Under the Wing's command were units broken up into 3 major groups: Tactical, Maintenance and Supply, and Air Base. The Wing's tactical elements included the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 20th Attack Squadrons, the 19th Composite Tactical Training Squadron, and the 25th Composite Attack Squadron. Many of these units were forward deployed under the operational control of the Philippine Air Force's numerous Tactical Operations Groups. The 460th Maintenance and Supply Group and the 590th Air Base Group filled the other roles.

1986 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1986.

1987 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1987.

1990 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1990.

The People Power Revolution was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines that began in 1983 and culminated in 1986. The methods used amounted to a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. This case of nonviolent revolution led to the toppling of President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of the country's democracy.

The 1990 Mindanao crisis began when Col. Alexander Noble and his supporters seized two military garrisons in Cagayan de Oro and Butuan without firing a shot and unilaterally proclaimed the independence of the Federal Republic of Mindanao on October 4, 1990. The proclaimed state according to Noble has a civilian-military junta as government. Noble later announced the next day that he is calling for dialogue with the Philippine government.

The Siege at Hotel Delfino in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in the Philippines, took place on March 4, 1990. A private army estimated at 300 men seized the hotel under the command of former Cagayan governor Rodolfo "Agi" Aguinaldo. He was suspended as Cagayan's governor in January based on a radio announcement he made at the start of a Dec. 1-9, 1989 coup attempt against President Corazon Aquino; it is said Aguinaldo pledged to send tanks and troops to support rebel forces in Manila led by Lt. Col. Gregorio Honasan. A week before his attack on the hotel Aguinaldo was indicted on charges of rebellion and murder relating to the failed Dec. 1-9 coup effort.

Ariel Oliva Querubin is a retired Philippine Marine Corps officer and a recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.