‘Our Hearts, Hands’ With New Leaders, Reagan Declares
President Reagan praised “the remarkable restraint” by Corazon Aquino and Ferdinand E. Marcos in preventing bloodshed during the change of leadership in the Philippines, and he declared Wednesday night that “our hearts and hands” are with the new government.
“Despite a flawed election, the Filipino people were understood,” Reagan said in a speech from the Oval Office that centered on his requests for an increased Pentagon budget. “They carried their message peacefully, and they were heard across their country and across the world.”
Reagan--who last weekend urged Marcos to step down after previously supporting him, then backing away--said Wednesday:
“We salute the remarkable restraint, shown by both sides, to prevent bloodshed during these last tense days. Our hearts and hands are with President Aquino and her new government as they set out to meet the challenges ahead.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
