Word: aquinos
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Even as Marcos spoke, thousands of Filipinos streamed into the darkened streets, marching toward Camp Aguinaldo on the outskirts of Manila. The demonstrators, many of them carrying candles, were jubilant as they gathered outside the gates. "Cory! Cory!" they chanted, invoking the nickname of Opposition Leader Corazon Aquino, the slight, bespectacled widow of slain former Senator Benigno ("Ninoy") Aquino, who had challenged Marcos for the presidency and lost in an election tainted by ballot stealing and bloodshed. Aquino was leading a rally in the central Philippine city of Cebu when the uprising occurred at Camp Aguinaldo. Supporters, fearful...
...want to rush into a denunciation of Marcos. The Philippine leader has a reputation for ruthlessness, and U.S. officials were concerned that he might use loyal elements of the military to crush his opponents. On the other hand, the White House did not want to be seen as abandoning Aquino, thereby driving at least part of the moderate opposition into the arms of the Communist New People's Army...
...motivation of both men was General Ver, who had effectively appropriated their functions within the military and the Cabinet. The U.S. has long pressured Marcos to get rid of Ver, who last December was acquitted along with 25 others of conspiracy charges in the August 1983 assassination of Ninoy Aquino at Manila International Airport. Marcos announced last week that Ver would retire on March 1 and Ramos would become "acting" head of the armed services. But most military and government officials speculated that Ver would still keep his more powerful position as director of the civilian intelligence organization. "Marcos...
Enrile and Ramos took pains to make it clear that they were not mounting a military coup, and would support Aquino against Marcos. "I believe in my whole heart that Aquino was duly elected President," said Enrile. "She is the rightful owner of the mandate of the people." Perhaps. But there was no indication that Marcos was prepared to loosen his lock grip on power without a fight. By week's end he was making increasingly menacing noises about taking action to "liquidate" the forces backing the two rebels. "We will not be able to stay from forceful action...
...light of the surprise revolt, it was not clear precisely what Habib had accomplished during his hectic meetings with Marcos, Aquino and church leaders. From the outset, however, his mission had been hampered by a presidential gaffe that had aroused suspicion on both sides. Though nearly all election-day reports of vote fraud involved Marcos supporters, Reagan offhandedly told a news conference on Feb. 11 that abuse might have occurred on both sides. A few days later the White House reversed itself, issuing a statement that blamed Marcos for the irregularities...