Ex-Air Force generals hold annual EDSA meet

MANILA, Philippines - Retired Air Force generals who were part of the EDSA People Power revolt in 1986 have their own “ritual” of commemorating the historic event.

The former soldiers meet every year at 6 a. m. of Feb. 24 at Camp Crame in Quezon City to talk about the good old days.

“Just to let you know how significant it is to us, even in our old age, we still do the same. We talk to each other and enjoy each other’s company. We won’t see each other until next year,” said Antonio Sotelo, the leader of the 15th Strike Wing troops who defected to rebel soldiers in 1986.

This year, five of them joined the meeting – Sotelo, his son Nick, Charles Hotchkiss, Artemio Orozco and Fernando Manalo, who is currently Defense undersecretary.

In the late 80s, when the People Power euphoria was at its peak, many soldiers attended the meeting. But as time passed, the number of attendees decreased.

This year’s attendance, however, was an improvement from last year, when only three persons reminisced what is considered a turning point in history.

At first glance, there is nothing extraordinary about the ritual. For outsiders, it may just be about men nearing or in their 60s sharing stories over a hearty breakfast.

But for the Air Force officers, it was a way to remember a time when everybody was proud to be Filipino and when ordinary people went out to demonstrate their love for the country.

Manalo, then assistant chief of the Air Force Command Center, said their defection was a culmination of the military’s disappointment during the Marcos regime.

“Promotion system was based on whom you know and not on what you know. The assassination of Ninoy Aquino, the cheating during the snap presidential election and many others were some of the many reasons that disgusted the military,” he said.

For his part, Sotelo said, “You only die once for your country,” as he explained his defection.