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Monday, February 24, 1986

00:00 An increasingly agitated Ferdinand Marcos appears on television, pledging not to resign. He denounces the actions of Enrile and Ramos. He further accuses the two of plotting to form a junta.

Marcos defiantly adds, "I have the power in my hands to crush this rebellion."

Throughout the second night of the rebellion, the number of civilians outside the rebel headquarters Camp Crame gradually shrinks.

Reports of loyalist troop movements continue to pour in.

06:00 Five Sikorsky attack helicopter crews under the command of Col. Antonio Sostelo defect to the rebel faction, Soldiers and civilian alike cheer to the arrival of the gunships on the Camp Crame parade grounds.

Three more helicopter crews follow the defectors into Crame while a tactical fighter wing from Sangley Point airbase defects and lands at Clark Air Base. The base later serves as a refueling and operations center for rebel aircraft.

Loyalist Marines attack the human barricades using teargas and clubs near Camp Crame. They withdraw a short time later.

07:00 Radio reports claim President Marcos and his family have fled the country and are in Guam. Ramos and Enrile go on the air to announce their victory as celebrations begin outside the camp gates.

Cory Aquino goes on the air via Radio Bandido, asking people to be "magnanimous in their victory."

09:15 A televised press conference at government operated Channel 4 by Marcos dispels the reports that he had fled the country. He declares he will never leave. A state of emergency is declared.

Marcos threatens to use small arms fire to seize the rebel camps as Gen. Fabian Ver argues for permission to use heavy weapons.

Ver declares, "We are ready to destroy them sir. "

Rebel troops under the leadership of Col. Mariano Santiago attack and seize government-controlled television station Channel 4, cutting off transmission of a live Marcos broadcast. Two loyalist soldiers are killed in the encounter.

09:50 Channel 4 goes off the air in the middle of a Marcos broadcast. The former government station begins broadcasting on the rebel side calling itself "Radio Pilipino."

10:50 Two of the gunships that had earlier defected attack Malacaņang palace with three rockets. Return fire from the loyalist camp fails to harm the attackers.

The rebels claim to have the allegiance of the majority of the 200,000 member Armed Forces.

12:00 Three presidential helicopters are destroyed by rebel gunships at Villamor Air Base.

Tens of thousand people converge outside Channel 4 to prevent the possibility of counterattack by loyalist forces.

13:30 Channel 4 resumes broadcasting under rebel control. Enrile soon declares the formation of a provisional government led by Cory Aquino.

14:00 Aquino visits the barricades near the rebel camp with her family, claiming victory. She sings the "Ave Maria" with the crowd.

15:30 The privately-owned Channel 7 is seized by the forces still loyal to Marcos.

19:30 Marcos is asked in an official statement by the U.S. government to resign in order to avoid violence.

Intensive White House monitoring of developments and phone conversations between loyalist and rebel leaders accompanies the announcement.

20:15 Marcos airs his resolve saying he will not resign and will fight "to the last drop of blood."

A 6:00 am to 6:00 pm curfew is set but is altogether ignored.

Crowds continue to gather at the barricades in place at various parts of the city. Aquino makes plans to formalize her government on Tuesday morning.