Generals remember EDSA revolution with laughs, crispy pata

MANILA, Philippines - Unknown to many, the retired Air Force generals who took part in the 1986 People Power Revolution have their own annual ritual to commemorate the historic event.

The former soldiers meet at Camp Crame in Quezon City every Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. to catch up with one another and to talk about the good old days.

It was the same place where the world first knew that they were no longer supporting the Marcos dictatorship. It was also the same date and time when they joined the thousands of people who were clamoring for the return of democracy.

“Just to let you know how significant it is to us, even in our old age, we still do the same,” said Antonio Sotelo, leader of the 15th Strike Wing troops who deflected to rebel soldiers in 1986.

“We talk to each other and we enjoy each other’s company. We won’t see each other until next year,” he added.

This year, five of them were able to join the ritual namely Sotelo, his son Nick, Charles Hotchkiss, Artemio Orozco and Fernando Manalo, who is currently an undersecretary for the defense department.

In the late 80s, when the People Power euphoria was at its peak, many former soldiers attended the ritual. As time went by, the number slowly decreased because of busy schedules.

This year’s attendance, however, was an improvement from last year, when only three persons reminisced what is considered as a turning point of the Edsa Revolution.

Looking back

At first glance, there is nothing extraordinary about the ritual.

For outsiders, it is just about men nearing or in their 60s sharing stories in Camp Crame grandstand and sharing a hearty breakfast afterwards.

But for the Air Force officers, it was a way to remember a time when everybody was proud to be Filipino and when ordinary people went out to demonstrate their love for the country.

Manalo said their defection was “a culmination of a long list of disappointments experienced by the military” during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos.  He was the assistant chief of the Air Force Command Center that time and was holding the rank of captain.

“Promotion system was based on who you know and not based on what you know, the assassination of Senator (Benigno) Aquino (Jr.), the cheating during  thesnap presidential election and many others were some of the many reasons that made the military disgruntled,” he told The STAR.

“That is why when then Lt. Col. Tito Legaspi told me about the plan to launch a coup d’ etat several days after the snap presidential election, I immediately gave my consent to join.”

Defection

In the morning of Feb. 24, the older Sotelo was informed that government troops are firing tear gas at demonstrators in Camp Crame.

“It was 4 a.m. and I woke one of my pilots and told him let’s go there, the people were being dispersed through tear gas,” he said.

Before leaving Villamor Airbase for Camp Crame, Sotelo met with his troops to determine who were willing to defect to the other side. He said about 16 to 20 persons were present during the meeting.

“Early morning, I gathered them (15th Strike Wing members) at the briefing room and I told them if they do not wish to join, they should leave their weapons in the corner.” he said in Filipino.

“I did not require them to join us. But nobody moved. Everybody wants to join,”

In explaining his decision to side with pro-democracy forces, Sotelo said:  “You only die once for your country.”

Five gunships helicopters, two rescue helicopters and one BO105 helicopter proceeded to Camp Crame, where people were massing up to call the ouster of Marcos.

Knowing that his father will face risks, Nick, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class ’87, decided to stay with his father.

The moment

Hotchkiss, then the squadron commander of the 20th Air Commando Squadron, recalled that the people in Camp Crame were chanting prayers after seeing them.

“They thought they were about to face their end. They were praying and I also heard soldiers singing the PMA alumni hymn,” he said.

The anxiety was replaced with loud cheers when the crowd learned that the airmen who landed in Camp Crame on Feb. 24, 1986 at exactly 6:05 a.m. were joining them in their cause.

After one day, the Marcoses fled and democracy was restored in the Philippines, thanks to the bravery of ordinary Filipinos and soldiers who sided with the very people they have sworn to protect.

Fried fish and lechon

This year, the former soldiers who took part in the Crame landing ate breakfast at a restaurant in Greenhills.

They shared hearty laughs and stories while enjoying fried fish, crispy pata and fried rice.

“Some of them are senior citizens but they can still eat crispy pata,” Nick said in jest.

Orozco, then a young lieutenant, recalled that they ate lechon for breakfast after the historic landing in Camp Crame.

”But the food did not have any taste. Maybe it was due to adrenaline rush. We were nervous then,” he said.

After the meal, three of them – Sotelo, Manalo and Hotchkiss presented their senior citizen cards to get a discount.

Despite their age, the nationalism of those who joined the right for democracy 28 years ago is still burning.

Nick admitted that he sometimes feel frustrated because of problems plaguing the country like corruption.

“Filipinos lack love of country. We would have been better if  the politicians love their country more,” he said.

For the elder Sotelo, everything was worth it.

“Now you can say what you want to say. You can write what you want to write. That's the big difference. Of course there are frustrations. But we have a democracy and that should be emphasized,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to die for this country. That should be the guiding factor for every Filipino.”