Today in history: Did Marcoses go to the airport?
An intriguing entry in Ronald Reagan's diary says they did the day before they fled
In the diary of Ronald Reagan for February 24, 1986 are these intriguing passages on the Philippines:
The day started at 5:30 A.M. with a call from John P. & Don R. The situation in the Philippines is deteriorating. The Marcos family & the Vers left the palace & went to the airport. Then Gen. Ver apparently talked them out of leaving. Back in the Palace they went on T.V. The Pres. & the Gen. They got in an argument. The Gen. wanted to launch an attack on the military that has gone over to the anti-Marcos people. The Pres. said no. Well all of this ended sleep for me.
In the office at 9—the staff meeting & N.S.C. were on the same subject. I was approving statements for delivery to the Pres.—pleading for no violence…
Then a call from Nancy—what to say to Imelda Marcos who was calling her? At same time I’m told Paul Laxalt, Geo. S., John Poindexter & Don R. were coming in about Pauls call to Marcos. We’ve agreed that he should be told I’m recommending he step down & we’ll take the lead in negotiating his safety & offering him sanctuary in the U.S. He says he wants to live out his life in the Philippines. Well we’ll try to negotiate that. Wound up the day in the dentists chair—time for inspection—I passed.
5:30 A.M. Washington time, Feb. 24, was Feb. 25 in the afternoon in Manila; his national security briefing according to his official diary was 9:32 to 10:09 that morning; his official diary records a phone call from Sen. Laxalt at 2:49 P.M. and then Reagan talking to his wife from 3:10 to 3:12 P.M. Then a huddle with the Secretary of State and his National Security Adviser from 3:47 to 3:52 at which point they were joined by Sen. Laxalt from 4:05 to 4:15; Reagan also talked to his wife from 4:05 to 4:11 P.M.
This swift series of events makes for an interesting correlation with Chronology of a Revolution, for February 24 and February 25, 1986:
For February 24, 1986 (Manila):
THE WHITE HOUSE, 6:00 PM (Manila Time) ► President Reagan was awakened by his National Security advisor, Admiral Poindexter. Reagan finally agreed to publicly call on Marcos to resign…
WASHINGTON, D.C., 7:30 PM ► The United States endorsed the provisional government of Mrs. Corazon Aquino, abandoning a 20-year ally in Mr. Marcos for the sake of a "peaceful transition" in the Philippines.
The full text: "We have heard disturbing reports of a possible attack by forces loyal to Gen. Ver against elements of the forces who have given their support to General Ramos and Minister Enrile.
"We urge those contemplating such action to stop. President Marcos had pledged to refrain from initiating violence and we appeal to him, to those loyal to him, and all other Filipino people to continue to do so.
"Attempts to prolong the life of the present regime by violence are futile. A solution to this crisis can only be achieved through a peaceful transition to a new government." Times Journal 25 Feb…
USA ► Blas Ople talked to Marcos by telephone. The Philippine President was angry that while his Palace was being threatened and his television station taken over, the US was telling him not to defend himself. He told Ople that Mrs. Marcos was there beside him and "she doesn't want to leave." Time 10 Mar
For February 25, 1986 (Manila):
WASHINGTON, D.C., 2:45 AM (Manila Time) ► Shultz, Habib, and Armacost were in the Capitol building, secretly briefing thirty key members of Congress, including Marcos friend Senator Paul Laxalt of Nevada. A telephone call from Marcos to Laxalt interrupted the session. Marcos wanted the word straight from Reagan. Was the statement about a "transition" real or another State Department plot? With Shultz, Habib, and Armacost hovering over him, Laxalt confirmed the statement. The conversation lasted twenty minutes, Marcos's raspy voice betraying his exhaustion. He essayed alternatives, like a "power sharing deal with Cory." After all, he said, he was a veteran at fighting Communists and negotiating with foreign creditors. Floating another idea, he might serve as Cory's "senior adviser" while remaining president until the end of his original term in 1987. Laxalt promised to consult Reagan and call him back. IN OUR IMAGE p. 421
MALACAÑANG PALACE ► Imelda called US First Lady Nancy Reagan also to ask what the Reagan message was all about. Nancy promised to go and ask her husband. QUARTET p. 78
WASHINGTON, D.C., 3:00 AM (Manila Time) ► Alejandro Melchor, attempting to negotiate Marcos's exit, was asked by members of the National Security Council to telephone Cardinal Sin in Manila to secure the Archbishop's intervention with Aquino over the deal…
MALACAÑANG PALACE, 5:00 AM ► Marcos and Imelda got their respective replies from Washington.
Immediately Marcos asked if Reagan was telling him to step down. "President Reagan," replied Laxalt, "is not in a position to make that kind of demand."
After a pause Marcos asked, "Senator, what do you think? Should I step down?"
Laxalt's answer was forthright: "Mr. President, I'm not bound by diplomatic restraint. I'm only talking for myself. I think you should cut, and cut cleanly. The time has come."
At that, the phone seemed to go dead. Laxalt was alarmed by the long silence. "Mr. President, are you still there?" he finally exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm still here," said Marcos in a faint low voice. "I am so very very disappointed."
Nancy's words were no more comforting than Laxalt's. If Marcos avoids violence and cooperates in a peaceful transition of governance, he would be invited to live in the United States. QUARTET p. 78
► Still unable to accept the finality of it, Ferdinand called his labor minister, Blas Ople, an old ally, who was in Washington. Ople confirmed the overwhelmingly negative attitude there. As gently as he could, Ople asked why they did not simply leave. Ferdinand said it was Imelda's idea - she was reluctant to go. "She is here beside me. She does not want to leave." There it was. DYNASTY p. 418