Details in history

History is rooted in a story or narrative. It should have a beginning, middle, and end. It should be relevant and more importantly, engaging. When people confess that they don’t like history, I tell them that they had a bad history teacher or textbook. They did not have me. Stories are based on details, and it is unfortunate that what often passes for classroom history is big on outcomes and sparing the details that made it happen.

Looking back on Edsa 1986, we know the outcome: Marcos was out, Cory was in. But how did it get that way? Aside from the warm bodies on Edsa, what other forces made the outcome happen? In my last column, I reproduced the texts of letters sent by cable from Washington to Manila from then US President Ronald Reagan to then Philippine President Cory Aquino and from former US vice president George Bush to former Philippine vice president Salvador Laurel. These illustrate how the US shaped the Philippine past and, rightly or wrongly, also its future.

A declassified After Action Report from US Maj. Gen. E. G. Shuler on the Marcos evacuation through Andersen Air Force Base, Guam is worth reading. Post was informed on Feb. 26, 1986, that Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and party “were en route to Guam, with final destination unknown, and exact duration of stay not firm.” Post was ordered to receive and care for the group, which meant housing and food. US Army Brig. General Teddy Allen was in charge of the mission and represented both the Department of Defense and the state department. Their orders were “to keep the press away from President Marcos … (provide) a presidential welcome, be accommodated and receive utmost personal security.” General Allen was concerned that Marcos be treated “with dignity upon arrival.”

The Base was prepared to receive 55 people in the Marcos party, but on arrival, the manifest grew to 67, and upon revision, the group total was 90 people. They were transported in two US Air Force planes: C-9 for Marcos, his family, and General Ver; and US C-141 for the rest. Aside from Marcos Sr. and Imelda, accompanying family members were: Imee, Irene, Aimee, and Bongbong, together with grandsons Fernando and Ferdinand Manotoc, and sons-in-law Tomas Manotoc and Gregoria (sic) Araneta. In addition, there were six Cojuangcos, six Tuasons, and eight Vers in the manifest.

In response to state department information that Marcos was “flat on his back and requiring medical evaluation upon arrival, needing to go to Naval Hospital for treatment,” two navy helicopters were on standby to transport him to the Navy hospital if needed. A “sanitized” area was prepared for this eventuality with Marines deployed to secure the hospital. This proved to be a false alarm as Marcos walked down from the plane unassisted to receive arrival honors. Two personal physicians of Marcos were on the manifest: Juanita Zagala and Claven (sic) Ramos.

Security was on yellow alert following the detention of (Filipino?) contract employees who painted “Marcos Rest in peace” on the wall of a flight line building before Marcos’ arrival. A demonstrator lay in wait at the Andersen Air Force Base gate and media of six that swelled to 30 waited by the main gate. How did they know that Marcos was arriving? In addition, was a bomb threat on the air terminal and a telephone threat against Marcos’ life. The sign was quickly painted over and the personnel involved were detained and questioned. Media was not allowed access to Marcos. When a congressman tried to intervene, he was informed that the layover in Guam was temporary and was not to be considered political asylum.

Some members of the entourage left the Philippines, literally, with only shirts on their backs, making it necessary to open the Base Exchange to shop for a change of clothes, luggage, etc. that racked up a total bill of $12,256.69, whose reimbursement was channeled through the Air Force. Total amount averaged to about $300 per person; security detail was in uniform and needed complete civilian outfits. Breakdown of the purchases is as follows: Health and beauty aid, $7,540.04; cleaning/towels/wash cloths, $1,561.84; clothing men/women/children, $1,448.16; shoes/footwear $1,424.93; toys $69.05; tobacco products, $41.3; stationery/greeting cards, $6.70; food/snacks/beverage, $5.85; and miscellaneous, $158.78.

The Guam layover was uneventful. The former president shook the hands of everyone in departure honors, while the former first lady went further by hugging everyone. The final destination was Hawaii, not Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Total cost to the US of evacuating Marcos from Manila and the cost of his five-week stay on Hickam Air Force Base amounted to $451,000. Despite Marcos being offered hospitality by President Reagan, the US House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services found the following expenses personal and excessive: $20,000 in long distance calls, $16,000 in meals, and $11,000 in health and beauty products. Congress recommended that the military recover this and much more from their reluctant guest.