President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday morning led the rites marking the 26th anniversary of the EDSA-1 People Power revolt that catapulted his late mother Corazon to the presidency.
Aquino, who arrived to military honors at 7:20 a.m., led the flag-raising at the EDSA People Power Monument.
Former Philippine leaders also attended the ceremony, including former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada.
Estrada, who was ousted in a another EDSA revolt in 2001, got a warm welcome from people who arrived at the site early.
Also present was Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who with Ramos played a key role in the 1986 uprising when they withdrew their support for then strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
Vice President Jejomar Binay was also present.
As early as 5 a.m., delegations from several areas in Metro Manila started gathering at the People Power Monument, dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported.
Many of the delegations wore yellow shirts and caps, while some wore yellow-themed accessories.
The early arrivals included delegations from Taguig and Caloocan Cities. Other delegations carried streamers indicating where they came from.
Many balloons marking the occasion were also placed at the People Power Monument area.
On the other hand, Presidential Security Group personnel spread out at areas near Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported.
A Philippine National Police contingent also proceeded to the area early Saturday morning to prepare for the traditional “Salubungan.”
Saturday’s rites marked the 26th anniversary of the 1986 People Power revolt, where Filipinos gathered at EDSA to support then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Constabulary head Fidel Ramos.
The four-day revolt resulted in the ouster of then strongman Ferdinand Marcos and the installation of Corazon Aquino – incumbent President Aquino’s late mother – to Malacañang.
EDSA-1 had also inspired similar shows of People Power in other countries. — LBG, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
