CLARK AIR FORCE BASE - The fugitives rested nearly eight hours before proceeding to Guam at 5:12 AM, Wednesday, aboard a USAF C-9 Nightingale Hospital Aircraft which the Geneva convention protects from forced landings. A second plane, bearing General Ver and other supporters, left at 5:22AM. Their destination: Andersen Air Base, Guam, USA. Asiaweek 9 Mar 

CLARK AIR FORCE BASE - Shortly before they were to leave the base, the deposed President asked his American pilots if they can take him to his home province. The pilots retorted in a rather curt manner that their orders were to take him out of the Philippines. It was on the flight to Guam that the President had to be sedated, to stop him from insisting on flying to the north.  Mr. & Ms. 21-27 Mar

CLARK AIR FORCE BASE - The deposed President at first refused to leave Philippine soil and insisted on being flown to Paoay, Ilocos Norte. American officials hurriedly communicated with the heads of the rebel forces, General Ramos and Minister Enrile, who earlier gave the go-signal for Marcos to leave the country.
    The rebel chiefs said no way could Marcos be allowed to seek refuge in Ilocos as this would enable him to regroup with his loyalist forces. By 5:05 AM of Wednesday, Marcos was finally convinced to take the US Air Force plane to Guam.  
Inquirer 28 Feb

CLARK AIR FORCE BASE - The Americans provided two jet aircraft, capable of transporting 500 persons - a Boeing 707 and a B-747. The Marcos party was given security during the operation by US Marines.
    Mr. Marcos begged to be taken to Laoag because, he said, he "wanted to spend one last night in Ilocos." Arriving at Paoay's lakeside Malacañang of the North, the former president's mood shifted to aggression. He instructed his aides to organize an "Ilocano Army" to fight its way back to Metro Manila and "recover" the capital.
     He rang up up Deputy Premier and Minister of Local Governments Jose Roño and told him of his plans. Roño, aghast, counseled him against a "countercoup." He asserted, "Please spare out people a bloodbath!"
     He then telephoned Minister of Trade and Industry Roberto Ongpin, insisting, "Bobby, I'd like to make a last stand in Paoay!" Ongpin, equally taken aback, advised Mr. Marcos: "Think of the millions of Filipinos who are going to die if you start a civil war!"
     He boarded his US Air Force Plane at 0:15 AM Wednesday morning and finally departed with his family.  
Inquirer 28 Feb

CLARK AIR FORCE BASE - The presidential party stayed at the base until 5:00 AM, Wednesday. During the night, there was a bitter exchange between Ferdinand and American officials. He demanded to be flown to his home in the Ilocos. They had orders from President Reagan and the joint chiefs of staff to fly him to America. At 4:00 AM, Ferdinand stopped arguing and the sleepy and sullen group began boarding jet transports for Guam and Hawaii.  Dynasty pp. 419-420


CONTENTS 
Introduction
Before Edsa 1965-1986: Marcos Times
Day One

Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
The Flight
NEXT: Afterword
 



Email: Angela Stuart-Santiago