Filipinos Mark Anniversary of ‘People Power’

Throngs of jubilant Filipinos today celebrated the first anniversary of a “people-power” revolution that forced President Ferdinand E. Marcos into exile after 20 years of autocratic rule.

President Corazon Aquino, who was swept to power by the uprising, told a crowd after an outdoor Catholic Mass that the revolution had “restored freedom.”

“Now we have to continue with the same ‘people-power’ spirit of selflessness and dedication to achieve our other goal, our economic goal,” she said.

Earlier, she saluted soldiers who defied orders to crush the uprising.

‘Moment of Truth’

“In the moment of truth, when you were ordered to fire on marchers for peace, for once in your lives you disobeyed,” Aquino said at a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, where the anti-Marcos revolt began Feb. 22, 1986.

“You disobeyed the dictator in obedience of a higher call.”

Church bells rang at dawn throughout the nation, opening a day of celebration that included speeches, Masses, fireworks, parades and concerts by American folk singers Peter, Paul and Mary and Filipino musicians, some of whom went into exile during the Marcos era.

Police estimated that as many as 1 million people swarmed around EDSA boulevard, where civilians a year ago gathered by the hundreds of thousands to protect anti-Marcos soldiers from attack by troops loyal to him.

The rebellion climaxed on Feb. 25, 1986, when Marcos fled the presidential palace. He later fled to Hawaii.

Civilians, Military

Helicopters dropped flowers and three air force jets streaked overhead today as civilians embraced a group of soldiers led by military chief Gen. Fidel V. Ramos in a show of unity between civilians and the once-hated military.

Armed forces spokesman Col. Honesto Isleta said the military received a report that Marcos loyalists would try to assassinate Ramos at noon, but the hour passed without incident.

Absent from the festivities was Juan Ponce Enrile, Marcos’ defense minister who led the revolt along with Ramos.