1989 Philippine coup attempt

Date	December 1–7, 1989
Location	Villamor Airbase, Camp Crame, Fort Bonifacio, U.S. Naval Station Sangley Point, Mactan Airbase, Cebu, Malacañan Palace and portions of Makati, Manila, Quezon City around Metropolis and Camp Aguinaldo
Result	Coup crushed through United States intervention Creation of the Davide Fact-Finding Commission Arrest of Honasan and coup plotters, financiers and leaders but some were given amnesty later on

Government-Insurgents

Philippine Government

United States

Reform the Armed Forces Movement
Soldiers of the Filipino People (SFP)

Commanders and leaders

Philippine President Corazon Aquino

Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos

General Renato De Villa

George H. W. Bush

Captain Bernard John Smith

Captain Harry T. Rittenour

Colonel Gregorio Honasan

General Edgardo Abenina

General (Ret.) Jose Ma. Zumel

Political support

Vice President Salvador Laurel

Military support

Armed Forces of the Philippines
United States Armed Forces

RAM loyalists from the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Marcos loyalists

The most serious coup d'etat against the government of Philippine President Corazon Aquino 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 coup, and they almost seized the presidential palace. It was completely defeated by the Philippine government by December 9, 1989.

The coup was led by Colonel Gregorio Honasan, General Edgardo Abenina, and retired General Jose Ma. Zumel, and staged by an alliance of the RAM, led by Honasan, and troops loyal to Marcos, led by Zumel. 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. From Sangley Airbase, the rebels launched planes and helicopters which bombarded and strafed Malacañan Palace, Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. Three hours after the fall of Villamor Air Base, Aquino went on air to address her people, 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 US Military assistance, at the behest of her military commanders, and it was granted. 120 marines, part of an 800-strong U.S. contingent stationed at Subic Naval Base, were deployed at the grounds of the US 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. 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. 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.

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