EDSA 1 leaders urged the Filipino people to value the legacy of People Power which meant to be for attaining genuine freedom and democracy of the country.
The struggles for independence and freedom for Filipino people during the EDSA 1 uprising was given emphasis of former President Fidel V. Ramos vice chief of the Armed Forces during EDSA 1 revolution.
Ramos said, Filipino must respect the EDSA 1 like the way we revered the revolution against the Spaniards and against American colonialism.
The younger generation leaders like our ‘President Benigno Aquino III’ must impart to the people how EDSA 1 started as a “shining moments” to attain democracy and freedom to the Filipino people.
“The most important lesson we need to value above all during EDSA in 1986 is the unity of civilians and soldiers who are willing to die for freedom and democracy of the country” Ramos said.
The remarked by Ramos was made in the third floor of Department of National Defense (DND) building of EDSA revolt mini-museum.
The conference room of DND was used before during EDSA 1 where Ramos was a former vice chief of the Armed Forces and Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile who is now a Senate President withdrew their support from the dictatorship Ferdinand Marcos on the 22nd day of February, 1986, leading ousters of former President Marcos.
During the inauguration ceremony, EDSA 1 leaders who gave their inspirational insights are: former President Fidel V. Ramos, Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Gringo Honasan, and Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama.
The leaders said, “We were all committed for the sake of good government and genuine reforms.”
Senator Gringo Honasan, one of the founders of ‘Reform of the Armed Forces Movement’ said
“We were willing to die for the Filipino people and the country and to show to the world that there were professional soldiers who love truly their country.”
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said “EDSA 1 restored freedom and the democracy in the country”.
“It was our nation’s greatest moments which we are all proud being Filipino. EDSA People Power was the greatest gift for the Filipino people,” he added.
