Philippine Officials in Hawaii Back Rebellion
Seven Philippine diplomats in Hawaii, including Consul General Raul C.H. Rabe, Saturday backed two top officials in their revolt against President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
They said in a statement they supported Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and armed forces Deputy Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos, who have accused Marcos of massive election fraud in cheating opposition leader Corazon Aquino out of victory in this month’s elections.
“We believe their assessment that the last presidential election was fraudulent to the extent that Ferdinand Marcos can no longer claim any legitimacy . . . as president of the Republic of the Philippines,” the statement said.
The diplomats said they would continue to perform their consular functions “until the legitimate president is installed and instructions are received by us.”
Rabe, appointed consul general in June, 1984, has frequently defended Marcos in letters to Honolulu’s two daily newspapers.
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