Duterte urges Filipinos to 'never forget' freedoms won during 1986 EDSA Revolution

MANILA, Philippines —  President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged Filipinos to value the liberties won during the 1986 People Power Revolution, including their freedom to chart their future through elections. 

Duterte said the uprising that brought together Filipinos from all walks of life during those tense four days of February 1986 has given rise to "a Philippines that was reborn from the ashes of its tumultuous past."

"Let us never forget the sacrifice of those who came before us so that we may always be motivated to preserve and protect the democratic way of life that we enjoy today," the president said in his statement for the 33rd anniversary of the historic revolt in EDSA.

"I am hopeful that this occasion will inspire all of us, especially the younger generation, to deeply value the freedom and liberty that we won in EDSA," he added.

Duterte noted that the People Power Revolution brought back Filipinos' power to choose their leaders. 

"As the entire nation prepares for the upcoming midterm elections this May, let us always remember how this historic revolution restored our power to collectively chart our future through the ballot. May we all have a profound sense of appreciation and understanding of what we lost and what we reclaimed," he said. 

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Filipinos who joined the EDSA revolt have also shown the world that history could be rewritten without violence, the president added. 

The 1986 People Power Revolution led to the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was accused of massive corruption, cronyism, and human rights violations. 

The peaceful revolt also paved way to the restoration of the country's democratic institutions and the freedoms stifled during the military rule imposed by Marcos. 

Duterte likely to skip EDSA Revolution rites again

While he emphasized the importance of the revolt in his statement, Duterte, a political ally of the Marcoses, is expected to skip the commemoration of the event in EDSA supposedly to attend to "pressing matters."

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo previously said Duterte's decision not to attend the Edsa rites had nothing to do with his relationship with the Marcoses. 

"The president has been working tirelessly, including on weekends," Panelo said in a statement last Sunday.  

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Panelo noted that Duterte attended two public events in Cebu last Sunday. The president is also expected to attend an assembly of village leaders in Pasay on Monday.

"While the president has to attend to more pressing matters of the state and may not be physically present during the commemoration of the People Power Revolution, he will, however, be there in union with the celebrators as well as in recognition and reminder to all that our government is a fruit of democracy and our sovereignty resides in the people and all authority emanates from them," he said.

Panelo: Power only temporary

Panelo said the EDSA revolt was a reminder that power is just temporary.

"The lesson learned in EDSA is unmistakable. Power is transitional as life is ephemeral. You abuse either and it will be taken away from you," the presidential spokesman said. 

"As a wise sage says: Those whom the Gods wish to destroy they first make mad." 

Duterte has been accused of trying to revise history after he allowed the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani despite protests from human rights groups.

The president has defended his decision, saying Marcos is qualified to be buried at the cemetery as a former president, lawmaker and soldier.

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