I Was There! (Part II)

The "pow ow" (the term we use for our meetings), dealt with assessing the brewing critical situation. There were those who wanted to go out and be with the people in their protest and in protecting Enrile and Ramos. They believed that the the country is calling everyone now. They saw the situation as a very clear sign to have our formation and education right there in EDSA. They believed that the philosophizing and theologizing we have been doing can now find expression and concrete action. There are those who believed that we continue our schedules. Organize vigils and reflection times. If we abandon our studies, we might not be equipped to deal with situations. This is not yet the time. We will be there at the most opportune time.

We were united in saying that Marcos was not anymore governing well. The country had been in quandary. Graft and corruption had reached its ultimate. The civilian superiority, provided by the constitution, had been set aside in favor of military power. What we had was a heavily militarized government. Crimes were committed wantonly by those in power. Many disappeared suddenly and without a trace. Freedom of speech and action were severely curtailed. Basic rights were trampled upon. Communism had penetrated the professionals and the youth. Insurgency, specially in the south, was gaining much grounds.

In the end, we were told that it was our call. We were left to discern whether we will opt to stay and fulfill our regular schedules but be in tuned with the developments outside. Or choose to go out and actively participate in the "revolution". A show of hands showed that almost all wanted to go. Those who are going were warned that there are risks involved and that they would be responsible for themselves. There were the possibilities of being apprehended, interrogated, jailed, hurt, or even killed. The seminary fathers made sure that we were joining in with our eyes wide open. That night, some seminarians and fathers went out to join the people in EDSA.

The next day, February 24, 1986, Monday, there were reports that Marcos had already decided to attack Camps Aguinaldo and Crame. The crucial points were EDSA-Ortigas, Santolan, Boni Serrano, and Greenhills. We were assigned to block the Santolan (near Blue Ridge) intersection which leads to Camp Aguinaldo. After dinner, we donned our cassocks and rode to Santolan. There, in the Caltex station, we found many religious sisters and seminarians from other congregations, leading the people in praying the rosary. After the rosary, singing of some religious and patriotic songs, whiled away the vigil that was taking place. We organized the people for a common action. In order not to be deceived by mixed and misleading information, a system was developed on how to receive, evaluate, verify, and disseminate information. An orientation was also given on how to practice "Active Non-Violence"; that is, asserting one's advocacy without resorting to violence. We were asked to police our ranks. We had to see to it that no one will act on his own. The situation was so tensed that a single shout or violent action may trigger a riot, stampede, or complete chaos in the crowd. With thousands of people gathered and close together, many will certainly be hurt, and some might even die. A "leader" was assigned in order to have a voice that would lead everyone to what action to make. 

Time passed and so was the evening. During those times, the "leader" would time and again make a command in order to practice everyone about our moves. At times, an update about what is happening around Crame and Aguinaldo, was being announced. Midnight passed and the wee hours were drawing near. No one was saying but we were all conscious of the escalating tension. We knew why we were there. Marcos' army will soon come. Marcos could not afford to let the situation go on. 

Finally, we heard news that the attack of Aguinaldo was definite. The army had gathered somewhere in Ortigas and was on its way to Santolan via Libis (now the northernmost part of C-5). It was just a matter of time. The quiet night would soon be broken by the taps of boots marching towards our position. Suddenly, tension was high. What will we do? What will I do? The "leader" spoke and told everyone that we will hold our position and we will convince the soldiers not to proceed.

And the hours, minutes, and seconds ticked away towards that moment...