I Believe 101: I Was There! (Part III)

It was definite, an army would be attacking Camp Aguinaldo via Libis and Boni Serrano at dawn. The army was already stationed somewhere in Ortigas. The time came for them to move sometime near the break of dawn. Information were being sent to us by some "friends" who were tasked to monitor the army. They were composed of maybe a battalion of soldiers fully armed and accompanied by APCs and tanks. The location of the soldiers were being announced periodically. When they were nearing the bend leading to the Santolan intersection, we formed many phalanx of chained human beings. We were determined not to let the army pass through the intersection and to Camp Aguinaldo. We later decided to lay prostrate while maintaining our chained position. As the soldiers drew nearer, we were praying the rosary. The first batch of soldiers we encountered were the "riot" squad. Their task is to disperse us so that their tanks can come in.

I was in the fourth row from the front. I was chained with Fr. Mat Sanchez, S.J., who was intensely praying. I noticed, those who were in the first three rows ahead of us where standing up. The soldiers were pushing them and slowly gaining grounds for the tanks that were behind them. I felt it was time for us to stand up. Else, we would be trampled upon by the soldiers and worse, be over ran by the tanks. In fact, only Fr. Mat and I were left prostrate in front of the soldiers. I told Fr. Mat that it was time to stand up for we were the only ones left. The soldiers were already thumping their shields and their baton giving the signal that they should be allowed to pass. But Fr. Mat was determined to stay. Later he told me that he was even willing to die! Because we were chained, I could not stand. I shouted for help from the other seminarians. I have to admit that I was very afraid then. Although, I was ready to stay if there were nobody who responded to my call to help me remove Fr. Mat. We have to literally carry Fr. Mat up so he could be removed from his position. It was just in time before the soldiers forced their way through with the tanks immediately behind them. To completely disperse us, tear gas were thrown all over. We were prepared for that situation. Immediately we took out our face towels and hankies and wet them. We covered our faces. We washed them too from the nearby gasoline station. But the effect of the tear gas as still there. This was a different kind. It sticks to the skin. The soldiers took advantage of our weakened position. They gained control of the intersection.

Once our line was crushed, the army was able establish their hold of the intersection. Those of us who had recovered tried to approach them. We stood face to face with them. We tried to talk them out of their mission. We begged them. Some even cried. The soldiers told us that they can not do anything. They have a mission to fulfill. We even asked them to abandon their commander and join us. It is the people whom they must protect and not one leader. But they would not listen to us. They were like robots who were just concerned about reaching their goal. Of course we knew that they felt for us too. They were Filipinos too. They knew what was happening to our country. But soldiers are soldiers. They must obey first before they complain.

Once they had taken the intersection, they stopped their advance for a while. Maybe they were waiting for further instructions. maybe they were waiting for the right moment. We took advantage of that situation to approach the soldiers. Some even climbed the tank to talk to the soldiers manning them. Some where given food or drinks which they courteously declined. Some were given rosaries. And some were given flowers. As we have agreed, no one will throw anything that will provoke the soldiers to retaliate or open fire. We tried to smile all the time. We tried to be persuasive in spite of the intense tension prevailing in everyone. We tried communicating to them that we are all Filipinos. They are not our enemies but the one seated in Malacanang. That they are OUR soldiers and WE are the people they pledged to protect!

At the break of dawn, they finally advanced towards Camp Aguinaldo. While they were on their way, news about Marcos finally leaving Malacanang came. I immediately grabbed my Walkman and listened to Ms. June Keithly who was broadcasting from an unknown place. There was rejoicing and shouting from all who were gathered there in Santolan. We told the soldiers about it. If they were happy, it did not show at all. However, while everyone was just starting to rejoice, June Keithly again went on air telling everyone that it was a false alarm. The dictator was still in Malacanang. The revelry was short-lived. Sadness gripped everyone. The dawn looked like dusk! How long will this ordeal be? Will Marcos ever leave? The future became bleak and uncertain. There was also the fear of being hunted once power is stabilized.