Inside Philippine politics & beyond

President Duterte, who jokes about military coups, is a member of a military-civilian group that once staged coups to reinstate Marcos

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By Raïssa Robles

President Rodrigo Duterte has been making jokes about military coups being launched against him in successive days.

What he and his aides never ever mention is that Duterte is a proud member of a military-civilian group that once staged a series of bloody coup attempts against the late President Corazon Aquino in order to reinstate the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Recently, I got this curious query from my editor in South China Morning Post, who noticed that Duterte had a tiny tattoo on his hand. It was unusual for a head of state to have a tattoo, he said, explaining why he wanted to know more about its origin.

And so I asked Duterte’s former schoolmate, presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza.

And it turned out, Dureza has the same tattoo.

Here below is my story which the SCMP print edition carried with the title –  a Marked man: Duterte’s tiny hand tattoo explained.

Thanks to the research I had done on the book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, I was able to give Duterte’s tattoo a historical context. Neither Duterte nor Dureza’s name came up as among the participants in the failed coup attempts against Mrs. Aquino.

But the fact that they are both prominent members would indicate that they do know how coup d’etats work or don’t work, as the failed coups show.

Duterte’s membership in the Guardians also gives more meaning to his recent jokes and statements on coups to active duty soldiers. On August 2, 2016, Duterte told the hastily assembled staff and patients at the army hospital, V. Luna Medical Center, after announcing he was going to build them a state-of-the-art hospital and speed up death benefits:

Sana naman ‘wag kayong magalit kung tama ‘yung ginagawa natin. Eh baka mag-kudeta kayo tapos nawalan ako ng trabaho. ‘Wag na mag-kudeta, tawagan mo lang ako sa Malacañang: “Hoy, Duterte, umalis ka diyan. Mag-take over kami.” “O, sige. ‘Di, halika kayo dito, announce ko: Mga kababayan ito ‘yung bagong mag-ano sa ating bayan, siya ang chairman, ito ang magpapadala ng gobyerno. Hala, sige. Ba-bye. Kayo na ‘yan. Uwi na ako.”

Pero kung… Kailangan tulungan tayo dito. Malinis na gobyerno. At, anong nasa inyo, aabot sa inyo ‘yan.

Since Duterte is a come-from-behind president in the recent elections, not as much digging was done on his life compared to, say, that of former Vice-President Jejomar Binay or former Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas. It is therefore in the spirit of knowing more about Duterte that the piece below was written.

Revealed: the secret meaning behind the tiny tattoo on the president’s hand

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte sports a tattoo of a soldiers’ group that once staged coups to reinstate dictator Ferdinand Marcos

PUBLISHED : Friday, 05 August, 2016, 6:55pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 06 August, 2016, 8:07am

RAISSA ROBLES

Verbally, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he is a “Leftist” and a “Socialist”.

Etched, however, on his right hand is a small tattoo marking him out as a ranking member of Guardians Brotherhood, a soldiers’ group that once tried to topple then-president Corazon Aquino because she had leftists in her cabinet and to reinstate the ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Duterte’s presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza confirmed to South China Morning Post that the tattoo on Duterte’s right hand just below the fold of the thumb and index finger stands for the “Magic Group” of the Guardians Brotherhood. He is the first ever Philippine head of state to sport a tattoo.

“It’s a secret cult,” Dureza jokingly said.

Turning serious, Dureza – a former schoolmate of Duterte – said he too was a member of the same Magic Group and he showed the Post the same tattoo.

“We are members of Guardians Brotherhood. It’s a fraternal group of people. It started as a military fraternal group. Then they got also civilians as members,” Dureza explained.

According to its website, the Guardians Brotherhood started out in 1976 during Marcos’ Martial Law as an informal soldiers’ group known as the “Diablo (Devil) Squad”.

This was ordered disbanded by Marcos’ spy chief General Fabian Ver and former members formally registered it with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a self-help group to improve soldiers’ welfare. A civilian component of mainly lawyers was added.

It started as a military fraternal group. Then they got also civilians as members, Dureza explained.
At one point, seven out of every 10 active soldiers and officers were Guardian members, according to the “Davide Commission”, a fact-finding body led by the former chief justice Hilario Davide that investigated the series of failed military coups against the late president Corazon Aquino from 1986 to 1989.

To read the rest, pls. click on this link.

Below is a video that accompanies my story:

P.S. Don’t forget to read the Comments on my story in SCMP. It shows just how pathetic Philippine history has been taught to Filipinos. Fidel Ramos was Marcos’ Vice-President?????

Marcos had NO VICE-PRESIDENT. He was allergic to vice-presidents.

Which is why I am very suspicious of Duterte’s moves to change the 1987 Constitution. It will abolish the post of the Vice-President, in effect removing Vice-President Leni Robredo from office. A constitutional coup against the VP.

 

Comments

  1. Duterte’s tour of the military camps is not just a morale booster per se—it is a loyalty check. Considering what he has been doing, he is trying to get a sense, a feeler– if any of those would potentially plot a coup against him. He bribes them with better salaries, puts the fear of God in them and tinitingnan kung sino ang Mukhang astig at Palaban.

    At the rate this psycho is going, he is heading for martial law and will hatch or find any excuse to assume a dictatorial role. I hope that Leni and her camp are alert and proactively taking measures to protect her and be ready just in case this happens.

    Duterte is baiting people when he says that he doesn’t mind if anything happens to him because Leni is there to replace him. He is feeling the pulse, assessing the peoples’ sentiments if they would readily take her to replace him. He also wants to get some re-affirmation that it is only he who could do the changes for the people.nyou see–if he is not really power hungry, why would he rule in Davao for 20 years and embed his family dynasty there? He has the role of pakiyeme, kwa-kwari and many of us buy his words hook line and sinker.

    When he declares martial rule, Leni would be on top of his list to be “neutralized” because he knows that people will support her as an alternative leader (second is PNoy.) The same scenario when he adopts the federal system–He would reduce Leni’s role to nothing or as a sanitizer. I’d like to believe that Leni is far more astute than him, yet positive.

    Leni playing coy said that she is ready to resign if it is for the betterment of our country. UNACCEPTABLE. She was elected by the people and she should honour that responsibility.

    • I can’t see the rationale of PDu30 to be thinking of martial law when he still has 5 years and 10 months + to serve his country. He himself had said that he may not even live long enough to finish his mandate.

      If he’s lucky to be around by 2021 and still healthy, that’s the time to be vigilant

      • Thanks @ kalahari
        At this time, we don’t have to look long-range. He wants absolute power now! On a longer term, he is set on paving the way for somebody he has blessed to succeed him–could be a close family friend or family, just like what he has set up in Davao.

        Side bar comment
        Many wonder how this guy became a lawyer or passed his bar exam when he can hardly communicate properly. Marami nagsabi Siguro one of those nagbayad, just saying. Lagi na siyang may tagasunod to “explain” (palusot) for his comments. Moral of the story, what he said is not always what he meant.

        This dude has no moral compass and is so deprived of decency in his bone. Latest example – to say in public that he cannot listen or focus sometimes because he was mesmerized with Robredo’s beauty, and was especially distracted when Leni’s skirt was up!

        What an awful jackass!

        You are right kalahari. There is a big IF before and after Duterte’s name.

        • Hah?! re VP L. Robredo?

          May kasabihan diyan, D O M Dirty Old Man. May libog, ipaparada kung mailu-lusot.

          heh he heh Pumito pah kaya?

          Ultimong VP at biyuda, pag-iinteresan pa? Garapal.

          His appeasers and ‘minders’ would seek to clarify and put into context, kuno. Uli –

        • PDu30 looks to me as having an excess of testosterone and a “bugoy” style and there’s nothing in this world that can change him.

          Whatever, he won overwhelmingly on his campaign promise of eradicating illegal drugs, among others, and the people gave him a huge margin of over 6M over his closest rival.

          True to his promise, his bloody campaign against “shabu” did not sit well with some legalistic groups, local and international, but the millions of law-abiding citizens who yearn for years for meaningful change in governance gave him a resounding 91% approval ratings. (Sample: he has not assumed office yet but the tanim-bala, long a cause of national embarrassment, suddenly stopped)

          After the elimination of poor drug traffickers, he is now after the big fish like narco-politicians, high-ranking policemen, and the elusive drug lords – most of them chinese nationals residing abroad or those moneyed incarcerated drug producers who. for many years, cooked shabu at the tunnels of New Bilibid Prisons, apparently with the blessings of high officials with authority over the prison. It was reported that 75% of all illegal drugs in the country came from that closely-guarded Alcatraz-like correctional facility

          Many don’t give a damn to some of his omissions in public (like Trump) as long as the illegal drug trafficking is reduced significantly.

        • that’s the reason why there’s likely gonna be trouble ahead. there’s a mad crowd pushing a mad prez. there will be consequences for approving a prez breaking the law especially when it is not necessary at this point. the next survey is going to tell us more, though.

        • I support a war on drugs and I am aware that war can never be pretty. But what I would like to know is why is President Duterte’s war on drugs focused mainly on killing people and not aggressively confiscating the illegally acquired wealth of the drug lords, narco politicians and coddlers? By this time, much of that wealth must have already been stashed safely by the drug lords for access at al later time. For as long as the economic power of the drug lords and beneficiaries remain intact, I can not imagine how this war can be won.

          As for tanim bala, I suspect that a part of it was actually a covert political operation to embarrass the Aquino government. Why did investigation stop and no effort now has been done to try to arrest those who were involved in it?

        • yes the tanim bala was suspect to me.
          i guess it’s an instrument played well.
          and imo, it was a very successful operation complemented to put down admin’s bet.

  2. What DUTERTE is not telling you……

    President Dyterte is exposing the government officials involved in drugs,,,, Explosive news isn’t it? However, what he is not telling you in the news is that he ordered the military to prepare the burial of the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The timing is just perfect just like when the failed peace talks with the CPP-NPA was announced the crooked former president GMA was acquitted. Whoever is directing the whole presidency is such a good scriptwritter except that this is not the movies, this is real life affecting millions of Filipino lives.
    War against drugs is a fantastic drive but it is just a smokescreen of more serious matters like GMA, Marcos and Scarborough Shoals. Does Duterte realize that the root of evil in our country is poverty ? Does Duterte realize that corruption is the real reason why a great majority of the Filipino people are suffering in poverty? Did it ever cross his mind that Marcos, GMA and corrupt politicians drove this country to the ground milking it like their own cow? If he is truthful in what he said that what he is doing is for every poor Filipinos then he should do the right thing. He has quoted that his mother had always have a heart for the neglected and abused poor Filipinos. Does he not realize that for every peso stolen by the corrupt politicians and that includes Marcos and GMA , basic necessities such s foods and services are deprived of the people?
    Hungry families living in mountains of garbage could have been resettled. Men, women and children dying of curable diseases not capable of buying medications could have been saved. Farmers deprived of their very own livelihood by unnecessary taxation such as the coco levy and fictitious government assistance programs such as the fertilizer scam.

    It is a sad state of the nation. This should be an opprtunity to correct what has been done by the corrupt leaders. Instead of quashing the true evils of our country Duterte resorts to propaganda.

    • One of the constitutional mandates of the SC is the power of judicial review, aside from being the highest court of the land, among many

      The gma case is a product of the majority (11-4) decision/opinion of the highest court that the prosecution (de lima) presented weak evidence that would warrant gma’s conviction – and PDU30 has nothing to do with her release except that it was promulgated under his watch.

      If anybody has another strong case against her that would hold water in court, the Ombudsman is ready to accept the complaint.

      • Tuluyan nang nawala ang tiwala ko sa Supreme Court noong nakapagpiyansa si Enrile, hindi na-disqualify si Grace Poe at ngayon nakalaya si Gloria.

    • I’m not taking sides and I’m going to be fair as I can be to my fellow Filipinos…especially on the current situation in my old tiny country in which “small time drug users” are being eliminated by unknown assailants and without any government investigation being launched on sight…But to keep reliving the Marcos time, connecting it to some of the problems my old tiny country’s facing is beyond my comprehension…Even the desire by the Duterte Administration and other Filipinos for the burial of the late Marcos at whatever you call “……Libingan, etc.” is being raised as an issue at this point….I was born and raised in a remote town of Burgos, Ilocos Sur and I could care less if someone would brand me as the late Marcos sympathizer…The problem with you people is you want to reopen and keep an old wound fresh as ever just to glorify your self-serving agenda and keep our country remained divided…You and your groups want, I think and that’s what I can see on your brief, to continue nurturing old ills and I further think you don’t want to heal wounds….I’m a true blooded Filipino, and I think a native one and without any foreign blood, neither a blood from a “foreinger” or past colonizer of my old beloved country…CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT AND I AM WILLING TO DEBATE YOU ON THOSE ISSUES YOU’VE RAISED IN YOUR BRIEF…Thank you…Irenrab Hare

        • Nene Pimentel suggested that the LNMB be renamed “Libingan ng mga Bayani at iba pa”

        • Someone I know is looking for a space just outside of the Libingan ng mga Bayani with a plan to put up a beerhouse which he plans to name “Libangan ng mga Bayani”.

      • Irenrab Hare

        I admire your desire of peace, forgiveness live of country or any vested underlying reason. I can not say i am pure blooded filipino i may have multicultural mix in my blood but i was there in EDSA to make sure that PEOPLE POWER prevail. I wanted to contribute to freeing the country from the corrupt dictatorship. Just like what i said earlier i admire your capacity to forgive but what about those whose daughters and sons were kidnapped, raped, brutally eaten up up to death. Who speaks for them? What about the poor farmers not only deprived of the fictitious government but on top it illegally taxed so that specific bulk of money line up tthe pockets of that dictator. What do you say to the Mijares family. Lucas family, Aquino family, Rojas family and the family of thousands of missing students who voiced their woes. What about the billions of dollars in the Swisss Banks that was confirmed and are in contention between the philippine government and the Marcos family? It is easy to say forgive when you are not the direct victim. I am not a direct victim but i believe that IF THERE IS NO JUSTICE THERE IS NO PEACE. Now, can you tell the victims in their faces that Marcos is a hero?
        If you can do that then you are one callous son of a bitch.

        • You’re a MORE callous SON OF A BITCH of ALL SOBS….AND A BASTARD and ASSHOLE of ALL..GOT THAT, STUPID MORON…!

        • IrenRab

          I like the way you rant. Father Duterte taught that I’m sure.

          As regards Marcos — Forgive, but never Forget. You Forgot because you had nothing to Forgive — obviously no-one in your ramily was raped, tortured or properrties forfeited by Marcos and his goos, many of which care coming out of the woodworks.

  3. This gov was charged for murdering a journalist –

    ‘
    DIGOS CITY—At least 17 provincial officials of Davao del Sur resigned from their posts on Wednesday, barely a day after Gov. Douglas Cagas was released on bail from the district jail here.

    Cagas, charged with the 2010 murder of journalist Nestor Bedolido, reported for work as soon as he was released from jail after posting P1 million in bail.’

    Murder when evidence of guilt is strong NO BAIL.

    Link

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/803663/ugly-politics-davao-del-sur-employees-resign

    • When bail is at P1 million, a very high amount ! . . . evidence is weak?

      DOJ, what do you say?

      SC?

  4. “We are already in the slippery slope towards tyranny, without martial law, when we allow one man to be judge, jury and executioner. This is just the start,”

    Sen. Delima

  6. Dapat ang bawat isa ay maging mapagmanman sa mga kilos ng Duterte administration. Sa mga lumalabas na background ni Duterte, ako ay lubhang nababahala at doubtful kung ano ba talaga ang gusto niyang mangyari sa ating bansa. May pagaalinlangan akong napi-feel sa mga pagkilos ni Duterte. May nabasa ako sa Philstar.com kahapon na naghahanda na raw ang pamilya Marcos sa paglilibing kay Marcos Sr. sa Libingan ng mga Bayani sa September. Totoo ba ito? Bakit wala akong naririnig na pagtutol sa mga anti-Marcos groups.

    • ‘Interred’ and ‘disinterred.’

      To bury or Not to bury, that is the question.

      ‘. . . The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
      The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,
      The insolence of office and the spurns’

      ‘. . . With this regard their currents turn awry,
      And lose the name of action.–Soft you now!
      The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
      Be all my sins remember’d.’

      To be, or not to be: that is the question.
      [Bill Shakespeare]

      tsk tsk

  7. Was it for a secret membership? Obviously it cannot as it is revealing.

    666 on a bald head?

    . . . did MaCoy have a tattoo also? He had a lot many of tuttaatoos !

    . . . if one hates people have a tattoo by a robot.

    he he

  8. Arturo Modesto Tolentino was chosen by marcos as his vice-presidential running mate for the February 7, 1986 snap elections against the tandem of Cory Aquino and Salvador Laurel wherein the NAMFREL counts both gave them winning margins but the COMELEC tally gave their opponents winning counts. Tolentino assumed the short-lived vice-presidency on February 16, 1986 until EDSA Uno succeeded that forced the US Air Force to fly the marcoses & company to Hawaii to avoid bloodshed.

    Tolentino launched a coup on July 6, 1986 declaring that since marcos was in exile,he was constitutionally the acting president of the Philippines. Marcos allies and about 100 soldiers occupied Manila Hotel and installing a rebel government . He was expecting massive support but only several thousands of marcos loyalists supported the attempted power grab. On July 8, he agreed to disperse his supporters, ending the failed coup attempt.

    The series of coup attempts of gringo against Cory was financed by enrile not to reinstate the sickly marcos but reportedly to make enrile the head of the rebel government if they succeeded.

  9. PDU30 is also a member of an elite secret society, of which I may also disclose at a later period or should situation warrants to.\

  10. And PD was appointed OIC Mayor of Davao by then PCory. Just shows what loyalty is. And now he also appointed in his cabinet some members of the left, 4 cabinet posts dswd, dar, whats the other two? Ah napc.

    • Technically, it was Sen. Nene Pimentel who did all the OIC appointments.

      Pres. Cory gave him much leeway.

  11. you have circumstantial ev
    do you have confirmation that he encouraged or supported any coup?

    that is the correct depth that you should go to

    • No, but I did say his name was nowhere in the list of hundreds of names implicated in the coups.

    • Anyone who reads the current situation correctly will see that even with just this so-called circumstantial evidence, the emerging trend is clear. The extrajuducial killings and the plan to bury the dictator as a hero signals the restoration of a Marcos-style dictatorship. That he is a member of a group that aimed to do this earlier on confirms this even more. But apologists and supporters will brand all of this as circumstantial. The more intelligent citizens will read the situation correctly and do what must be done.

  12. Senators Manny Pacquiao and Gregorio Honasan are Guardians too. Some of those arrested/surrendered in the war on drugs can be seen having those tattoos too. There are now several factions of Guardians in the Philippines.

    • Can you find the links to those who were arrested or surrendered in war on drugs with the same tattoo?

      Yes, Honasan was like a godfather to the Guardians. I understand that a section of the Guardians has disowned him.

      • @raissa
        I came across the website ucgbinationaldotmyewedsitedotcomslasharticlesslashmarkingsdothtml

        It’s the UCGBI, United Coalition of Guardians Brotherhood Inc. SEC Reg No CN200615412

        It says, upon completion of the Basic Membership Course, initiates are tatooed (marked) by Official Markers of the Guardians.

        The tatooes are on the left and right hands and on the lateral extremity of the upper right arm just below the shoulder.
        Left hand markings signify region, right hand signifies rank, while the shoulder markings detail region, batch and pseudonym.

        Manny Paquiao’s marking on the shoulder is prominently seen during his fights.
        If DU30 has one I his arm, he could also have one on his shoulder, if he is a Guardian.

        • From a Roro supporter, The Guardians endorsed Duterte (of course) in the last presidential elections. This RORO member has a tatto on the shoulder. They endorse a candidate and block vote ala-INC.

          A guardian and a leftist? Who is the real Duterte? Have we seen him without his masks? No wonder he is so unpredictable, confusing and full of contradictions.

      • Hi Raisa,

        The Guardians Brotherhood has been misunderstood by so many, until to this date. The Guardians Brotherhood were one with the people in 1986 revolution, in fact , a big role was played by the brother Guardians in the People Power Revolution. Kaya, we are sad that when commemoration of the EDSA 1986 is done, di man lang mabanggit ng mga nakinabang sa dugo at pawis ng Guardians ang aming grupo sa tuwing may celebration nito. Ang Guardians ay binubuo ngayon nga maramaing sub-groupings or branches na kung tawagin namin (Gringo is just one of co-equal leaders, him leading teh PGBI Branch as the Grand Supremo, me from GSSI). Ang dating pangalan nito ay Diablo Squad, that became Diablo Squad Crime Buster, and was ordered disbanded by Gen. Ver thru Gen. Ramos, thus we became Guardians in 1984, as Guardians Brotherhood (headed by SMF Carlomagno).

        Excerpt from Carlomagno’s Account on Guardians’ History (EDSA part):

        “Sometime in the later part of 1985, when the grasp of power of President Marcos was
        waning, we felt the restlessness of the “principled” military officers, particularly those who came
        from the Philippine Military Academy, with their forming of the “Reform the Armed Forces
        Movement” (RAM) and the “Young Officers Union” (YOU). They resented the leadership of
        General Fabian Ver, who, despite being implicated in the Aquino-Galman double murder case,
        remained the AFP Chief of Staff and seldom came to GHQ, AFP but stayed at Malacanang most
        of the time, with Lieutenant General Ramos who was then running the AFP, remained the ViceChief
        of Staff.
        In the afternoon of February 22, 1986, Minister Enrile and AFP Vice-Chief of Staff
        Ramos announced their rebellion against the government of President Marcos with the support of
        the entire force of the RAM and YOU. They moved from Camp Aguinaldo to Camp Crame.
        Minister Enrile called for the support of the entire AFP. The MP Brigade was then in disarray
        with Brig. Gen. Balbanero’s pronouncement for us to follow our conscience as to which side
        would we turn to, rebel forces or the side of Marcos. Early morning of February 23, I held a
        secret meeting with GBI members at the barracks of the MP’s Charlie Company near the
        Concessionaire’s Area in Camp Aguinaldo. I told them of my decision to support the cause of
        Minister Enrile and Gen. Ramos. I got the nod of 72 GBI members from the entire MP Brigade,
        including then 1LT Ramon “SGF SPHINX” Espino, MIGHTOR, ROBINHOOD, CRAME,
        CHE, CLAY, TAMAGONG, and ESTOY. I told them I would go ahead to Camp Crame to
        coordinate with the troops of Col. Gregorio Honasan to inform them of our defection. I told them
        to follow me at Camp Crame after 15 minutes. Armed with M14 Rifle, I left. When I reached
        Camp Crame, I was subjected to many questions by some “Rebel Soldiers” who didn’t know me
        and were suspicious that I was a spy of Gen. Balbanero, who was known as Marcos supporter.
        When Colonel Honasan’s emissary saw me, we talked for a while then I was told to wait for my
        fellow GBIs. Minutes later I saw the 72 fully armed GBI officers and members marching in. As
        instructed, I led them to Col. Mitz Templo, the Commanding Officer of the Security Group of
        the “Rebel Forces.” Col. Templo gave me instructors about our role. I then deployed some of my
        troops to establish a perimeter defense at the west side of Camp Crame and along the vicinity of
        Santolan Road to deflect the reported infiltration of Col Abadilla’s men. Abadilla was a dreaded
        loyalist of Marcos.
        10
        The entire “Rebel Forces” were frantically prompted to go on full red alert when we saw
        on government TV Channel 4 General Ver asking permission from President Marcos to allow
        him to initiate the firing of the 105 Howitzer Cannon mounted towards Camp Crame to
        “Pulverize Camp Crame.” Marcos, however, replied: “No, no, no, Fabian. Let’s just use assault
        rifles on them.” The “Rebel Forces” sent a Special Team to capture and take over Channel 4.
        With a few firefighting and resistance from the government forces securing the area, the
        “Rebels” successfully took control of the TV Channel 4.
        We were the only group who joined the EDSA Revolution who was referred to as
        GUARDIANS and not the unit (MP Brigade) where we came from. I told Col. Templo that the
        MP Brigade had nothing to do with our defection as we were there as GUARDIANS. Then
        Patrolman Edgardo “CALLAHAN” Gumabay INP, GBI pioneer and my first recruit in the
        Western Police District joined our group in Camp Crame, not representing his unit but the GBI.
        (He was originally my classmate in the Basic Military Training in the MP Brigade and was with
        me in combat zone of Zamboanga and Basilan in 1976. He recently retired as Chief Inspector
        [Major], PNP),
        In the process, I was being frequently called by Col. Templo to alert my GBI group,
        especially when troop movements toward Camp Crame were reported on TV or radio. At one
        point, Gen. Templo asked me to write a message to all GBI members belonging to the Philippine
        Marines marching toward Camp Crame, followed by some Infantry Battalions and the Light
        Armor Regiment of the Army. I wrote the following: “Sa mga kapatid ko sa GUARDIANS
        Brotherhood, Inc. Ito ang Brother ninyo na si CARLOMAGNO. Nandito kami ngayon sa
        Crame kasama ang iba pa nating mga kapatid sa GUARDIANS. Huwag na kayong lulusob
        dito, sa halip ay pumanig na lang kayo sa amin at tayo’y magkaisa.” Col. Templo gave my
        note to June Keithley who was later known as the “Voice of EDSA.” When Channel 4 was
        captured by the Rebel Forces, June Keithley transferred her program from Radio Station DZRJ
        Radyo Bandido to Channel 4. She was untiringly broadcasting the movements of the troops loyal
        to Marcos and the defections of prominent personalities and military personnel. Her TV program
        served as our information bulletin on the activities of the soldiers planning to attack Camp
        Crame. June Keithly repeatedly read my note on TV. (After the EDSA Revolution and during the
        victory party thrown by Minister Enrile at the DND Compound, several officers and members of
        the GBI confirmed to have heard or seen June Keithly broadcasting my note, which served as
        among their reasons to desist from attacking Camp Crame.)
        The turning point of the “Revolution” came when the helicopters from the 15th Strike
        Wing of the Philippine Air Force, led by Colonel Antonio Sotelo, previously ordered to attack
        Camp Crame but instead of attacking, defected to the rebel side and landed their choppers inside
        Camp Crame. Eventually, more and more military units joined the “Rebels.”
        On February 26, 1986, Marcos left the county, taken by the US government to Hawaii.
        The “Revolution” was over and the “Rebels” won. General Ismael Villareal AFP, who was the
        War Director of the “Rebellion” instructed me and other “Rebel Troops” to return to our
        respective units. Corazon Aquino became the President of the Philippines.
        11
        The whole 73 GBI officers and members, including me, marched back to the MP Brigade
        Headquarters but General Balbanero did not appreciate what we did in defecting to the rebel
        side, branding us as “Mga Rebelde.” He told us, we were no longer welcome to that unit.
        SPHINX and I went to Colonel Honasan who promised us that all the GBIs who joined the
        rebellion will be reassigned to the Presidential Security Group in Malacanang. While waiting for
        the Assignment Order, we billeted in our fixed tent within the MND Security Group ground.
        Finally, Orders came down reassigning all Enlisted Personnel with the rank of Staff Sergeant and
        below to Malacanang’s Presidential Security Group, while those with the rank of Technical
        Sergeant and above would have to look for a unit that would take us in. I was accommodated to
        the MND’s Action Center (ACCENT), which later became Investigation and Action Division
        (IAD) and renamed into Defense Investigation and Action Office (DIAO), as a Senior
        Investigator and Head, Human Rights Affairs Branch (HRAB), and later became the Assistant
        Chief, DIAO with Atty. Ernesto “SGF MATT” Matibag (then Captain, PAF) as the Chief. The
        Ministry of National Defense (MND) was renamed Department of National Defense (DND)
        later.
        Although without any fanfare, Minister Enrile and General Ramos, who became the AFP
        Chief of Staff, recognized the participation of the GBI in the success of EDSA Revolution. We
        were given a victory party exclusively for the GBIs at the DND Security Group ground, where a
        program was held. I was the Emcee, assisted by Sgt. Herman “CLAY” Malagueno PC, who was
        also with me in Camp Crame. I asked all the prominent officers and members, who participated
        and enormously contributed to the success of the EDSA Revolution, to deliver their speeches. It
        was an atmosphere of joy and the strong brotherhood in the GBI was vividly felt. “

        • Hi,

          I noticed that the history you posted on the Guardians stopped at Edsa.

          Of course they were are at EDSA because they were allied with Honasan and enrile.

          After Edsa, they were still allied with the two. So they went against the Cory government. And they allied themselves with Marcos.

          I’m not making this up. It’s all in the Davide Commission report.

        • Hi Raisa,

          The Davide report is partly right regarding some elements who conspired and plan for the return of Marcos leadership. As I have said, there are factions in the Guardians Brotherhood whereby some of them conspired and lured new members specially in the North, to prepare and train for the take over. It’s was just painful that it was attributed as the Guardians as a whole.

          The historical account is just an excerpt. :)

          Thanks Raisa.

    • Marcos obsessed is the passion that drives Phillipines’ PolPot, a local Khmer Rouge (come to think of it he fancies copying the French).