Enrile is ‘Rambo’
BY A twist of fate, Corazon Aquino and Salvador Laurel brought the end of the Marcos regime flanked by two key figures of that very same regime, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Gen. Fidel Ramos.
Enrile, looking haggard after his four-day siege, and Ramos, dressed in combat uniform, arrived at Club Filipino aboard a helicopter from nearby Camp Crame. They were preceded by eight soldiers who immediately secured the place, momentarily sowing terror into the hearts of hundreds of spectators on the street fronting the club. As soon as the crowds recognized Enrile and Ramos however, they burst into thunderous applause.
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Enrile and Ramos signed tire citizens’ resolution revoking the proclamation of Marcos and Tolentino and installing Aquino and Laurel. On leaving Club Filipino later, Enrile acknowledged the cheers of tans by raising an armalite with both arms. He was promptly nicknamed, Johnny “Rambo” Enrile.
Ramos gave his new-commander-in-chief a snappy salute after he was promoted to full General’s rank and appointed Chief of Staff. The new commander in chief, taken by surprise, returned the salute limply, and then flashed a rather embarrassed smile.
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Cory arrived two and a half hours late for the biggest day of her life, the reason for the delay not sufficiently explained. She wore a bright yellow linen outfit with cut-work sleeves, more than her usual light make-up, small diamond earrings and a black—strap watch as her only jewelry. Her four daughter, only son, two sons-in—law and her mother-in—law. Aurora Aquino stood around her as she took her oath on Doy Laurel’s red-bound Bible. Aurora Aquino held the Bible for her, and Celia Laurel held it for husband Doy when his turn to take his oath came. The Bible was a gift from Celia to Doy last Sept. 2, 1983.
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The historic document revoking the Marcos proclamation and installing Aquino as President was typewritten on simple bond paper. But it appeared terribly crumpled, for it had been passed around for over a hundred signatures, beginning with all the Opposition assemblymen’s. As Neptali Gonzales read the names of the signatories, inure names were added, passed on by former Sen. Ernesto Maceda on pieces of paper and even bits of newspapers.
Among the most applauded signatories were Minister Enrile, Gen. Ramos, Namfrel boss Joe Concepcion, the widow of Evelio Javier, and Chino Roces. Among the signatories were three other KBL assemblymen who had defected to Cory Aquino, Camilo Cabili of Iligan City, joe Zubiri of Bukidnon and Ramon Lopez of Bohol.
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Cory bussed her vice-president lightly on the check after his speech and he in turn bussed her after her speech. As Doy spoke in his usual oratorical style, extolling the heroism of Filipinos demonstrators who would put bodies between tanks, many wept, such as Doy’s elder brother, Minority Floorleader Pepito Laurel, Celia Laurel. Dona Aurora Aquino, UNIDO lawyer Raul Gonzales and Sen. Soc Rodrigo. Many also wept as Cory spoke. Cory herself was watery-eyed as she sang “Bayan Ko” at the ceremonies’ close. Enrile himself was misty-eyed as he acknowledged cheers of the crowds.
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People were curious as to whether Ramos and Enrile knew how to sing the Opposition theme song, “Bayan Ko.” It turned out that the two not only knew the song, but also raised their hands in a Laban sign, like all the rest in the hall.
