(Editor’s Note: The following chronology was distilled from books and Inquirer Archives about events leading up to what is called the “real” Edsa 28 years ago.)
Midnight
BIG MOMENT The Inquirer headline on Feb. 25, 1986, says it all. FILE PHOTO
Marcos loyalist soldiers fire through barbed wire barricades on Nagtahan Street, injuring several people. Some of Marcoses’ belongings are taken out of Malacañang.
3:30 a.m.
Marines rejoice as orders to attack Camp Crame are canceled.
3:45 a.m.
Airplanes carrying reinforcements ordered by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver head for Clark Air Base. The troops stay there for the duration of the revolt.
5 a.m.
On the phone to Washington, President Marcos asks US Sen. Paul Laxalt if he should resign. Laxalt’s reply: “I think you should cut, and cut cleanly. The time has come.”
Marcos tells Labor Minister Blas Ople, who is in Washington lobbying for the Marcos regime, that he is not stepping down because first lady Imelda Marcos does not want him to.
5:30 a.m.
SETTLING SCORES An angry crowd in Malacañang trashes the official picture of the Marcos couple shortly after the First Family fled for the United States. PHOTO FROM THE BOOK “CHRONOLOGY OF A REVOLUTION
Marcos gives the go-signal for his family to prepare to leave.
6 a.m.
Rebel soldiers storm Channel 9’s transmitter tower, which is held by loyalist troops. The noise of a gun battle is heard at the Aquino residence on Times Street, Quezon City, where Cory Aquino and her children are.
8 a.m.
People are called to guard Club Filipino in San Juan in case Marcos attempts to disrupt Aquino’s inauguration as President.
10:15 a.m.
Aquino arrives at Club Filipino. Opposition lawyer Neptali Gonzales reads a resolution proclaiming her and former Sen. Salvador Laurel as duly elected President and Vice President.
10:46 a.m.
EDSA SOUVENIR People take pieces of the barbed wire fence encircling Malacañang on Mendiola to keep as memento of newfound freedom. PHOTO FROM THE BOOK “PEOPLE POWER: AN EYEWITNESS HISTORY”
Cory Aquino is sworn into office by Senior Justice Claudio Teehankee. The crowd breaks into the anthem of the anti-Marcos movement, “Bayan Ko.” AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile join the singing flashing the Laban “L” sign.
11:45 a.m.
Marcos enters Malacañang’s Ceremonial Hall for his own inauguration.
11:55 a.m.
As Marcos raises his hand to take his oath, the live television coverage is abruptly cut with a perfect shot hitting the transmitter, shutting down Channels 2, 9 and 13.
Chief Justice Ramon Aquino is called back for a reenactment of the swearing-in of Marcos recorded by movie cameras. For the first time in Philippine history, the country has two presidents.
The Marcoses, with Bongbong in fatigues, proceed to balcony and wave at some 2,500 people assembled below. The crowd cheers: “Martial law! Martial law!”
3:45 p.m.
Loyalist soldiers try to ram down barricades set up at Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue in Quezon City, but people power prevails. On Nagtahan, pro-Aquino groups and loyalists coming from Marcos’ inauguration clash.
4:30 p.m.
STORMING THE GATES People stream through the gates of Malacañang to see for themselves the fabled lifestyle of the country’s richest and most powerful couple. JOE GALVEZ/MR. & MS.
Imee Marcos’ husband, Tommy Manotoc, relays the offer of US Brig. Gen. Ted Allen to use American helicopters or boats to move Marcos from the Palace.
5 p.m.
Marcos calls Enrile again to coordinate his departure from Malacañang. His aides start packing not only clothes and books but also boxes of money that have been stored in his bedroom since the start of the election campaign.
Prime Minister Cesar Virata negotiates Marcos’ departure with Aquino.
6:30 p.m.
Imee and Irene Marcos plead with their father to leave Malacañang after he tells his remaining men that he has decided to die there.
7 p.m.
US Ambassador Stephen Bosworth asks Cory Aquino if Marcos can be allowed two days in Paoay, Ilocos Norte province, before heading abroad. To prevent possible regrouping of Marcos loyalists, Aquino refuses.
In Malacañang, luggage is loaded on boats, which proceed to Pangarap golf course across Pasig River where US helicopters are to collect the Marcoses.
7:30 p.m.
The families of Ver and Eduardo Cojuangco motor to Clark Air Base in Pampanga province.
8:40 p.m.
JUBILATION Then Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and then Defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile (left) enjoy the cheers from the crowd at Edsa when informed that people power has prevailed. JOHNNY VILLENA
A convoy of heavily secured vehicles makes a beeline for Clark.
8:45 p.m.
The Marcoses and other government officials board helicopters. Some of their possessions are loaded on the choppers.
9:05 p.m.
The first helicopter leaves Palace grounds.
Shortly, the crowd near Malacañang rejoices after hearing reports that the Marcoses have left.
9:45 p.m.
Marcos lands in Clark and is met by Bosworth. People in the area welcome him with chants of “Cory! Cory!”
9:52 p.m.
Radio dzRH announces: “The Marcoses have fled the country.”
10 p.m.
US Air Force TV station FEN confirms Marcos’ departure.
11:30 p.m.
People wrench the Palace gates open. Marcos loyalists inside Malacañang flee in all directions, with members of Palace household and security men jumping into the murky Pasig River to flee the angry crowd.
Looters and vandals enter Malacañang. Ramos’ men move in to secure the premises.
Officers who withdrew support from Marcos: Brig. Gen. Felix Brawner of elite First Scout Ranger Brigade and Brig. Gen. Carlos Martel, Special Mission Wing of Air Force.
Sources: “Chronology of a Revolution” by Angela Stuart Santiago, “Walang Himala: Himagsikan sa Edsa” by Angela Stuart Santiago, “The Quartet Tiger Moon” by Quijano de Manila, “People Power: The Philippine Revolution of 1986,” “Bayan Ko,” and Inquirer Archives
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