Turmoil grips Philippines in 1986 as People Power ends Marcos rule – from the SCMP archive
On this day in 1986, massive non-violent protests ended decades of authoritarian rule in Manila.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has resurfaced its original reporting from February 25, 1986, detailing the climax of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines. The archival report, filed by Harvey Stockwin, describes Manila in 'revolutionary turmoil' as Corazon Aquino's opposition movement, backed by hundreds of thousands of unarmed civilians, sought to take power from longtime President Ferdinand Marcos. Despite the overwhelming popular demonstration, Marcos defiantly clung to the illusion of control from Malacañang Palace, declaring he had 'no intention to resign' and calling on loyal soldiers and private armies to demonstrate 'the power of violence.'
The report captures the tense, chaotic final hours of the Marcos regime. Key events included Marcos's televised declaration of war on the Philippine people and subsequent reports that his troops had dropped mortar shells on a transmitter for Radio Veritas, the Catholic Church station that was a crucial communications lifeline for the protest movement. This non-violent uprising, remarkable for its scale and discipline, successfully ended over two decades of authoritarian rule, forcing Marcos into exile and installing Aquino as president. The event became a global symbol of democratic resistance and reshaped the political landscape of Southeast Asia, demonstrating the potent force of civilian-led protest against a militarized dictatorship.
- Massive non-violent protests involving hundreds of thousands of Filipinos backed Corazon Aquino's opposition government.
- President Ferdinand Marcos refused to resign, calling on loyalist troops and private armies to use 'the power of violence.'
- Marcos's forces reportedly attacked Radio Veritas, a key Catholic radio station, with mortar shells during the turmoil.
Why It Matters
The revolution remains a landmark event for non-violent resistance and democratic transition in the 20th century.