People Power Revolution

The EDSA Revolution of 1985/1986 was a popular uprising in the Philippines. Four days of peaceful demostration led to the downfall of the Ferdinand Marcos regime. EDSA stands for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, also known as C-4 (Circumferential Road 4) and Highway 54, the main highway in Metro Manila. This avenue was the site of the main event.

The events began in 1983 with the assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. His death shocked and outraged Filipinos. Following this his wife Corazon "Cory" Aquino led rallies on days commemorating important events such as August 21 Ninoy's death, September 21 the national day of sorrow and November 27 Ninoy's birthday.

In 1985 Marcos announced the presidential elections would be held in early 1986. Marcos was proclaimed the victor of this election, but the public was outraged by what they felt as a fraudulent claim. In particular, General Fidel V. Ramos, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and Juan Ponce Enrile, the Secretary of Defense, defected and withdrew their support from Marcos. Urged by the Catholic Archibishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin, tens of thousands of people trooped to Camp Krame on EDSA to protect these two men, on February 16. In the course of the next several days, the numbers swelled to over a million and through non-violent means, prevented the advance of army tanks and soldiers ordered by Marcos to take down Ramos and Enrile. On February 25, most of the armed forces have defected and Marcos was forced to flee Malacañang Palace.