1989 Philippine coup attempt

Failed military overthrow of President Corazon Aquino February 2023 February 2023 1989 Philippine coup attempt Coup attempts against Corazon Aquino December 1–9, 1989 Villamor Airbase, Camp Crame, Fort Bonifacio, Cavite Naval Base (Philippine Navy), Sangley Point Air Base (Philippine Air Force), Mactan Airbase, Cebu, Malacañang Palace and portions of Makati, Manila, Quezon City around Metropolis and Camp Aguinaldo Philippine government victory Coup averted Creation of the Davide Fact-Finding Commission Flight of Honasan and arrest of coup plotters, financiers and leaders but some were given amnesty later on Family and remains of Ferdinand Marcos remains exiled in Hawaii until 1991 War Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Reform the Armed Forces Movement Philippines 1986United States 1960 (minor air support) War Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Gregorio HonasanWar Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Edgardo AbeninaWar Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Jose ZumelPhilippines 1986 Salvador Laurel War Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Proceso Maligalig Flag of the President of the Philippines.svg Corazon Aquino(President)Philippines 1986 Fidel RamosPhilippines 1986 Renato De Villa Old Flag of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.png Armed Forces of the Philippines War Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg RAM Loyalists from the AFP 99 dead (including 50 civilians) and 570 wounded The 1989 Philippine coup attempt was the most serious attempted coup d'état against the government of Philippine President Corazon Aquino and part of a series of coup attempts against her. It was staged beginning December 1, 1989, by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines belonging to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and soldiers loyal to former President Ferdinand Marcos. Metro Manila was shaken by this Christmas-time coup, which almost seized Malacañang Palace. It was completely defeated by the Philippine government by December 9, 1989. Background section March 2025 Philippine politics between 1986 and 1991 was punctuated by Aquino's struggle to survive physically and politically a succession of coup attempts, culminating in a large, bloody, and well-financed attempt in December 1989. This attempt involved upwards of 3,000 troops, including elite Scout Rangers and marines, in a coordinated series of attacks on Camp Crame and Camp Aquinaldo, Fort Bonifacio, Cavite Naval Base, Villamor Air Base, and on Malacañang Palace itself, which was dive-bombed by vintage T-28 aircraft. Although Aquino was not hurt in this raid, the situation appeared desperate, military commanders around the country waited to see which side would triumph in Manila.https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/classic_resolve.htm Operation Classic Resolve / Operation JTF-Philippines Coup The coup was led by military officers, including Lt. Colonel Gregorio Honasan, General Edgardo Abenina, General Jose Ma. Zumel and Captain Proceso Maligalig, and staged by an alliance of the RAM, led by Honasan, and Zumel.Davide Commission Report, p. 222 At the onset of the coup, the rebels seized Villamor Airbase, Fort Bonifacio, Sangley Airbase, Mactan Airbase in Cebu, and portions of Camp Aguinaldo. The rebels set patrols around the runway of Ninoy Aquino International Airport effectively shutting it down.Davide Commission Report, p. 222-225 From Sangley Airbase, the rebels launched planes and helicopters which bombarded and strafed Malacañang Palace, Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo.Davide Commission Report, p. 229. Three hours after the fall of Villamor Air Base, Aquino went on air to address the nation, and said that "We shall smash this naked attempt once more". At that point the government counterattack began. Seven army trucks headed for Channel 4, and fierce fighting occurred there. Ramos and Renato de Villa monitored the crises from Camp Crame, the Constabulary headquarters. With loyal forces hard-pressed by the rebels, Aquino requested U.S. military assistance, at the behest of her military commanders, which was granted. 120 marines, part of an 800-strong U.S. contingent stationed at Subic Naval Base, were deployed at the grounds of the U.S. Embassy as a defensive measure. President Aquino stated that the loyal forces lacked the ability to contain the rebel forces. American help was crucial to the Aquino cause, clearing the skies of rebel aircraft and allowing loyalists to consolidate their forces. While many mutineers surrendered, Aquino declared: "We leave them two choices; Surrender or die".Archives L. A. Times 1989-12-03 Philippine Jets Strafe Rebel Posts as Fight Resumes in Manila : Civil War: President Corazon Aquino tells rebel troops to 'surrender or die' and says there will be no negotiation with leaders of the latest attempt to overthrow her government. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-03-mn-293-story.html 2025-07-16 Los Angeles Times en-US Government F-5 jets sortied and challenged rebel planes culminating in the destruction of the rebel T-28 Trojans. Government forces recaptured all military bases save for Mactan Airbase by December 3, but rebel forces retreating from Fort Bonifacio occupied 22 high-rise buildings along the Ayala business area in Makati.Davide Commission Report, p. 224 The government claimed the coup was crushed, but fierce fighting continued through the weekend, with Camp Aguinaldo set ablaze by the rebel howitzers. The occupation of Makati lasted until December 7, while the rebels surrendered Mactan Airbase on December 9. The official casualty toll was 99 dead (including 50 civilians) and 570 wounded.Davide Commission Report, p. 376 The United States military supported the Aquino government during this coup. Operation "Classic Resolve" involved the use of US airpower from the aircraft carriers Midway CV-41 6 and Enterprise CVN-65 6 and F-4 Phantom II fighters from Clark Air Base. The United States Air Force jets retook the skies for Aquino. The US planes had clearance to "...buzz the rebel planes at their base, fire in front of them if any attempted to take off, and shoot them down if they did". American involvement Aquino found it necessary to request United States support to put down this uprising.DOW-QA Philippine Defense Chief says U.S. initiated offer to help EO495 quell rebel uprising https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP90M01243R001000300020-6.pdf CIA December 4, 1989 Then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell recalled Aquino calling the White House and asking for the USAF to bomb a nearby air base to prevent the aircraft from attacking Malacañang Palace. Powell and Admiral Huntington Hardisty instead decided to instruct US F-4 pilots to take off from Clark Air Base and buzz the mutinous air base in a manner that demonstrated "extreme hostile intent," with further instructions to shoot down any planes that did takeoff.Lock-Pullan Richard US intervention policy and army innovation: from Vietnam to Iraq 2006 Routledge 978-0-7146-5719-6 1. publ Cass series: strategy and history LondonPowell Colin L. It worked for me : in life and leadership 2012 Tony Koltz Harper 978-0-06-213512-4 First New York 757483449December 2025 In November–December 1989, US forces moved to evacuate Americans during the coup attempt, and generally protect US interests in the Philippines. During this operation, a large special operations force was formed, USAF fighter aircraft patrolled above rebel air bases, and two aircraft carriers were positioned off the Philippines. In early December 1989, Enterprise CVN-65 6 participated in Operation Classic Resolve,https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/navy/enterprise/enterprise2.html History of the USS Enterprise PBS President Bush's response to Philippine President Corazon Aquino's request for air support during the rebel coup attempt. Bush approved the use of US F-4 fighter jets stationed at Clark Air Base on Luzon to buzz the rebel planes at their base, fire in front of them if any attempted to take off, and shoot them down if they did. The buzzing by US planes soon contributed to the collapse of the coup. On December 2, 1989, President Bush reported that on December 1 US fighter planes from Clark Air Base in the Philippines had assisted the Aquino government to repel a coup attempt. In addition, 100 marines were sent from the US Navy base at Subic Bay to protect the US Embassy in Manila. Meanwhile, USS Enterprise remained on station while conducting operations in the waters outside Manila Bay before departing on December 10th. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/e/enterprise-cvn-65-viii/pdf/1989.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210321140851/https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/e/enterprise-cvn-65-viii/pdf/1989.pdf March 21, 2021 2025-07-16 www.history.navy.mil live CIA documents suggested that Aquino asked for assistance for air strikes against RAM positions, but Washington declined since it was a "political risk". Effects Political and economic fallout The failed coup weakened Aquino politically. Her vice president, Salvador Laurel, openly allied himself with the coup plotters and called for her to resign. Even Aquino's staunchest supporters saw her need for United States air support as a sign of weakness.Richburg Keith B. 1989-12-08 CRUSHED COUP TRY SEEN WOUNDING AQUINO POLITICALLY https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/12/08/crushed-coup-try-seen-wounding-aquino-politically/2dea272f-a3fa-4632-ae3b-e83c19f3a6fc/ 2025-07-16 The Washington Post en-US 0190-8286 Most damaging of all, when the last rebels finally surrendered, they did so in a triumphant televised parade and with a promise from the government that they would be treated "humanely, justly, and fairly."Erlanger Steven 1989-12-07 Philippine Rebel Troops Surrender In Business District of the Capital https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/07/world/philippine-rebel-troops-surrender-in-business-district-of-the-capital.html 2025-07-16 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Business leaders estimated that the mutiny cost the economy US$1.5 billion. Davide Commission Following the failure of this coup, President Aquino established a fact-finding commission headed by COMELEC chair Hilario Davide Jr. to investigate and provide a full report on the series of coup attempts against her government.PURSUANT TO RA NO. 6832: Recommendations of the Final Report of the Fact Finding Commission Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism http://www.pcij.org/HotSeat/davidereport.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080417061659/http://www.pcij.org/HotSeat/davidereport.html April 17, 2008Republic Act No. 6832 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1990/01/05/republic-act-no-6832/ Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines 22 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220523174010/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1990/01/05/republic-act-no-6832/ May 23, 2022 January 5, 1990 The report became known as the Davide Commission Report.Cruz Rodel A. The study of national security at fifty: Re-awakenings National Defence College of the Philippines 2013 Quezon City, Philippines Security Sector Reform: Way Forward for Democracy and Development http://www.ndcp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/publications/CRUZ_Security%20Sector%20Reform%20Way%20Forward%20for%20Democracy%20and%20Development.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20200501083036/http://www.ndcp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/publications/CRUZ_Security%20Sector%20Reform%20Way%20Forward%20for%20Democracy%20and%20Development.pdf PDF May 1, 2020 dead Participants of the December 1989 coup later blamed perceived deficiencies in the Aquino government in areas such as graft and corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and lenient treatment of communist insurgents as the reasons for the coup.Davide Commission Report, p. 470October 3, 1990 The Final Report of the Fact-Finding Commission: VII: Causes, Analysis, and Recommendations https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1990/10/03/the-final-report-of-the-fact-finding-commission-vii-causes-analysis-and-recommendations/ live December 1, 2021 Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20171029021433/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph:80/1990/10/03/the-final-report-of-the-fact-finding-commission-vii-causes-analysis-and-recommendations/ October 29, 2017 In response, the Davide Commission recommended several short-term and long-term countermeasures, including the establishment of a civilian national police force, a crackdown on corruption in the military, a performance review of appointive government officials, reforms in the process of military promotions, a review of election laws in time for the 1992 presidential elections, and a definitive statement on the part of Aquino on whether she intended to run for re-election in 1992.Davide Commission Report, pp. 509-530Recommendations of the Final Report of the Fact-Finding Commission http://www.pcij.org/HotSeat/davidereport.html Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism 2003 May 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080417061659/http://www.pcij.org/HotSeat/davidereport.html April 17, 2008 dead Later mutinies In 1990, there were other mutinies in March and October. The Hotel Delfino siege happened on March 4, when Cagayan governor Rodolfo Aguinaldo, who was suspended and indicted for supporting the 1989 coup, directed his private army estimated at 300 menYabes Criselda March 5, 1990 MANILA ENDS HOSTAGE STANDOFF en-US Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/03/05/manila-ends-hostage-standoff/596eb9a9-a4cd-4760-b413-ce60368435de/ August 23, 2020 0190-8286 to seize the provincial capital of Tuguegarao. Brig. Gen. Oscar Florendo, armed forces chief of Civil Military Relations, was dispatched by President Aquino to serve Aguinaldo with an arrest warrant.March 5, 1990 14 Die as Philippine Troops Fight Rebel Governor en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/05/world/14-die-as-philippine-troops-fight-rebel-governor.html August 23, 2020 0362-4331 Florendo was taken hostage in the Hotel Delfino along with more than 50 other guests.Schmetzer Uli OUSTED GOVERNOR THREATENS AQUINO https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-03-05-9001190185-story.html August 23, 2020 Chicago Tribune en-US After hours of standoff between the two sides, nearly 1,000 government troops launched an attack to dislodge Aguinaldo's forces from the hotel; the government prevailed when more than 100 of Aguinaldo's men surrendered and about 90 were captured.Government troops beat back rebel attack https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/03/04/Government-troops-beat-back-rebel-attack/3889636526800/ August 23, 2020 UPI en Florendo was shot at the Delfino by one of Aguinaldo's men and later died of his wounds. At least a dozen others were killed in or around the hotel; scores of civilian supporters of Aguinaldo were arrested; and a truck with assault rifles, mortars, and crates of ammunition was captured.Drogin Bob March 5, 1990 Rebel Clash Puts Aquino in New Crisis : Philippines: The battle leaves a dozen dead, including a general. The renegade governor who supported December coup attempt escapes arrest. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-05-mn-1518-story.html August 23, 2020 Los Angeles Times During this melee, Aguinaldo fled with about 90 fighters for mountains in the north. Seven months later on October 4, the ninth and last coup attempt happened in two army bases in Mindanao where Col. Alexander Noble and his forces mutinied for two days until they surrendered on October 6.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-06-mn-1418-story.html Philippine Rebellion Ends in Surrender : Mindanao: A renegade colonel gives himself up, and government forces recover two military camps on southern island. LA Times October 6, 1990 See also Coup attempts against Corazon Aquino References Bibliography The Davide Fact-Finding Commission The Final Report of the Fact-Finding Commission (pursuant to R.A. No. 6832) Bookmark Inc. Makati 1990 971-569-003-3 118 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1990/10oct/199010-Report-Fact-Finding-Commission.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210427074538/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1990/10oct/199010-Report-Fact-Finding-Commission.pdf April 27, 2021 Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines Category:Reform the Armed Forces Movement Coup attempt, 1989 Category:1980s coups d'état 1989 Category:Rebellions in the Philippines Category:Presidency of Corazon Aquino Category:Salvador Laurel Category:Fidel V. Ramos Category:December 1989 in Asia Category:Philippines–United States military relations Category:Attacks on military installations in the Philippines Category:Attacks on military installations in 1989 Category:Attacks on Malacañang Palace Category:20th-century history of the United States Air Force Category:Aerial operations and battles involving the United States Category:Presidency of George H. W. Bush Category:United States military scandals in the Philippines Category:Attacks on air bases Category:Attacks on airports in the Philippines