INTRODUCTION
This February 25th, we commemorate the 39th anniversary of the victory of the EDSA revolution. This was the historic action of the Filipino people against the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. And on this day, let us take a look back at the contributions of the Bulacan people and the Diocese of Malolos in their solidarity with the Filipino people in bringing back freedom and democracy to the country. Even before the EDSA revolution, many Filipinos had already fought against the inhumane policies of the dictatorial government. When Martial Law was declared in 1972, the dictatorship of the Marcos administration began. Although it is said that martial law aims to eliminate communist forces and subversives in the government, the records of history record numerous abuses committed by government agents, especially killings and violations of human rights. Anyone who spoke or acted against the government was imprisoned, tortured, and some or most were killed. This sparked a desire among many citizens to oust the President from office. There were widespread protests and uprisings in various parts of the country.
THE BULACAN MARTYRS
In Bulacan, the so-called "Bulacan Martyrs of 1982" were identified as Danilo Aguirre, Edwin De Guzman Borlongan, Teresita Evangelista Llorente, Renato Turla Manimbo, and Constantino Reyes Medina, all young people. Their group was planning their program of action and struggle. Until one day in June, 1982, while they were meeting at the house of a farmer in Pulilan, Bulacan, a large army of soldiers arrived and arrested them. The next day, these five were found dead.
In the factsheet released by the Task Force detainees of the Philippines (July 9, 1982) the description of the incident is as follows: "They were six organizers, including a female, meeting at a farmer's house to assess their work when suddenly they heard orders "not to move" for the house was surrounded. Then emerged some 30 heavily-armed soldiers from the 175th Philippine Constabulary (PC) Company led by a captain and a major. One of the six organizers inside the house managed to climb out of a window undetected and hide himself on the rooftop. The rest of the unarmed organizers submitted themselves without resistance."
The next morning, residents of the town of San Rafael, Bulacan, were shocked to see five bullet-riddled bodies lying on the side of their municipal building. They were "casualties" from an encounter, according to the soldiers. The municipal personnel immediately donated money to buy a coffin and buried the remains in their local cemetery that same evening. Meanwhile, the sixth member of the group who escaped, who was initially unaware of the fate of his comrades, immediately informed the families of his friends. Their relatives immediately went to the Campos but vehemently denied the identities of the captured, and said that no one was taken to the Campo. They learned of the tragic fate of the five martyrs the next day.
The remains of Rey Manimbo and Edwin Borlongan were recovered by their families three days later, while the remains of their three companions were only discovered ten days later, only through the intercession of the Bishop of Malolos* (who was probably the Most Rev. Cirilo R. Almario Jr., according to the year of his office) to the Military. The bodies of the martyrs were covered in wounds and bruises, as well as bullet wounds.
Nine priests offered Holy Mass for the last three remains found. This Funeral Mass was held at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, before being taken to their final resting place at the Meycauayan Cemetery. The deaths of these five youths sparked the uprising of various human rights groups and even Church Associations in Bulacan to demand Justice for them. When Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was killed in the same year, many Bulacan residents joined the protests, remembering the five defenseless youths who were also killed. To this day, it is still unknown who killed them, and this case has not been investigated and no one has been punished.
RADIO VERITAS MALOLOS TRANSMITTER
In 1986, when the historic EDSA People Power Revolution took place, the Church also became a strong Sandigan of the people. The Radyo Veritas 846 kHz transmitter station in Malolos City, Bulacan, was used by the then Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence, Jaime L. Cardinal Sin to call on Filipinos to unite and gather on EDSA and support the officers and soldiers who revolted against the Marcos regime. This call by Cardinal Sin took place on February 22, 1986. Radyo Veritas was under the management of the Catholic Church and was one of the few newspapers that continued to deliver news on events during Martial Law and the leadership of the Marcos Regime. This was after the government closed down many newspapers, radio and television stations by virtue of Proclamation no. 1081 after he declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972.
On the morning of February 23, 1986, armed groups supporting Marcos attacked the Radio Veritas 846 kHz transmitter station. According to the transmitter managers at the time, they thought the armed groups had come to guard them, also based on the request of their office to protect their security despite the increasing tension in Metro Manila while their operations continued. However, the transmitter station technicians were surprised when the groups entered the area and destroyed the broadcasting equipment, including the antenna and transmitter equipment using axes and iron bars. None of the transmitter managers were harmed. However, as a result, Radio Veritas lost its signal and its operations were interrupted. (The damaged transmitter was hidden in the Seminary of the Diocese of Malolos, now known as the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary.) They tried to use their auxiliary transmitter in Quezon City but it did not last long and was also damaged.
In order to continue their operations, Radio Veritas used the station dzRJ AM 810 kHz to continue their operations and report on the events between the soldiers and the groups supporting Marcos. The new station was immediately recognized by the people because it simply continued the Radio Veritas system led by broadcaster June Keithly of Veritas. It was later called Radyo Bandido. The Marcos regime thought that Veritas was still operating so it sent armed groups again on February 24 and fired bullets at the transmitter station using high-caliber guns. The transmitter operators immediately fled to the rice fields around the transmitter. Although no one was injured, the workers and the neighboring houses were gripped by fear.
OUR OUR SON, IN A WAY OF MERCY
The EDSA revolution was also a demonstration of the steadfastness of the Filipino Faith. After the call of Cardinal Sin, the Catholic faithful quickly responded and went to EDSA, to gather in front of Camp Crame with and under the leadership of then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos, to stop the attempted bombing by the Loyalists of the Administration. The people surrounded the rebel leaders against the government, carrying their rosaries, flowers, food, and pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Santo Niño, Crucifixes and others. Thousands of religious, priests and nuns, parish priests and parishioners went to EDSA, praying the rosary together without ceasing in front of the Soldiers. Some laid garlands of flowers for the guard soldiers, and some nuns fearlessly climbed onto the approaching tanks.
On February 23, 1986, the National Traveling Image of Our Lady of Fatima arrived amidst a crowd carried by then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who became a Senator, and Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, who became President of the Fourth Philippine Republic while speaking before thousands of Filipinos on EDSA after their defection from the Marcos Regime. The Image of Our Lady of Fatima has become a Symbol of the peaceful revolution that has taken place in history, not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. Therefore, the image is deserving of a Canonical Coronation during at her National Shrine in Valenzuela City on February 25, 2024, in commemoration of the 38th Anniversary of EDSA People Power.
The Blessed Virgin said during her apparition in Fatima: "Cor Immaculata Mea Triumphabit", or if translated into Filipino, "In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph." Now that our country is facing the threat of gradual forgetting or changing history, may we always remember the once united Filipino people on EDSA, whose hearts were set on fire and fearlessly defended TRUTH and JUSTICE for all. May we always keep in mind and in our hearts the spirit of what happened on EDSA, the gift of Freedom, democracy and unity that cost the lives of many. May we remain steadfast in Truth and Justice, and as the Blessed Virgin Mary said in the Holy Scriptures: "Do whatever he commands you." - John 2:5.
Sources:
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation. (2023, June 17). The Bulacan Martyrs of 1982 - Bantayog ng mga Bayani. Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani - Honoring Martyrs & Heroes of Martial Law. https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bulacan-martyrs-1982/
Mabuhay. (2016, March 7). Remembering the role of Radio Veritas transmitter in Malolos on EDSA Uno. Mabuhay Online. https://mabuhaynews.wordpress.com/.../pag-alala-sa.../
Tagapagtala, A. (2025, February 4). Si Maria at ang EDSA – The Pivotal Role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the People Power Revolution of 1986. Pintakasi. https://pintakasiph.wordpress.com/.../si-maria-at-ang.../
Compiled and written by: Gabriel Bantug, Ang Sandigan Media
#AngSandiganMalolos #EDSAPeoplePowerAnniversary #NeverForget
