Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1972, #PH Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. delivered a privilege speech on the Senate floor revealing a top secret military plot by #Marcos to place Manila & surrounding areas under PH Constabulary control. He revealed this as "Oplan Sagittarius." (THREAD) #history

Just a yr before, 2 grenades exploded at the miting-de-avance of the opposition at Plaza Miranda. The candidates were injured, and Pres. Marcos immediately blamed the Communists for the it. Yet LP won 6 of the 8 Senate seats in midterm elections.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1272850897354145792?s=20

As the Constitutional Convention convened to redraft the 1935 #PH Constitution, a series of bombings in Manila began in 1972, beginning March. It increased in frequency as September neared. Sightings reveal that bombers were uniformed state forces.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1302192452917317639?s=20

On 12 Sept, in a luncheon at the @USEmbassyPH, Sen. Ninoy Aquino told American officials, including diplomat Frank Maestrone of a gov plot to impose Martial Law. 1st Lady Imelda Marcos heard of it, immediately calling the Embassy demanding to know why the “enemy” was there.

#OnThisDay in 1972, Sen. Ninoy Aquino revealed Oplan Sagittarius on the Senate floor. The plan was to use the series of bombings, pinning blame on Communists for Marcos to declare Martial Law. Alarming #SenatePH, Sen. Pres. Gil Puyat immediately went to Malacañang.

After Puyat went to Malacañang, he issued a statement:

"The President stated that he has no plan to declare martial law. But if martial law is to be imposed due to some unusual event, he would first consult the leaders of the Congress."

Malacañang released a statement after:

"There is a contingency plan for the whole country, including the Greater Manila area, and it was organized in 1966... It would be the height of negligence not to prepare such a plan."

While the media was generally skeptical of what Aquino revealed, and it was buzzing w/ conspiracy theories, it would only be 10 days later that all the fear would be realized—a nationwide Martial Law.

Read: tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2CNPsWB

Photos from the Presidential Museum & Library:

- Sen. Ninoy Aquino delivers privilege speech on Oplan Sagittarius, 13 Sept 1972
- Sen. Aquino bowed after the speech, 13 Sept 1972
- Candid photo of Sen. Pres. Gil Puyat, undated
- Pres. Ferdinand Marcos meets generals, undated

@subselfie @jmnualla @tonitiemsin