(SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP94B00280R000700200005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 8, 2011
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: August 12, 1986
• Content Type: REPORT

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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/08 :CIA-RDP94B00280R000700200005-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/03/08 :CIA-RDP94B00280R000700200005-5
If~ice o~ ~.urrent r~ suction ana tinaiv,~ -- ~uppur~.
IA ~perat~ons' Center
ews Bulletin The Washington Post 10 Agust 1986
B7 Item No. '2
,Tac7c Anderson
Two Women From the Philippines
MANILA-The dramatic developments in
the Philippines, as chronicled by the CIA and
recounted by some of the principal partici-
pants, have revolved around two disparate
women, Imelda Marcos and Corazon Aquino.
The former, a woman of uncommon beauty
and ruthless ambition, is described in secret
CIA reports as the "steel butterfly," the "flam-
ing Imelda," the "Evils Peron of the Philip-
pines." She conspired behind the scenes to
rule the Philippines.
The latter, a woman of quiet dignity and
modest tastes, would have been content to
terrain dust a housewife "She is described by
associates as "too honest" and "too idealistic"
for the dirty~game of politics. Yet she has been
catapulted into the presidency that Imelda
Marcos coveted.
In the words of the CIA, Imelda Romualdez
was "born a poor cousin of landed aristocracy "
with a terrible "thirst for wealth, power end
public acclaim." She first managed to attract
the public spotlight as a beauty queen. `Al-
though she has had little formal education"
says the CIA, "she is cunning "
Corazon Cojuangco, in contrast, was born
into wealth, brought up on a sugar-cane plan-
tation and educated at an elite college in New She also became engrossed in political ma-
York. She was a shy, delicate, well-bred young aipulations. The CIA reported that she had
woman skilled in languages. But beneath the her sights on the presidency. "In the event of
silken exterior was a character of steel. President Marcos' death," predicted the CIA,
The two women married political rivals, "his wife would doubtless make a bid to
Ferdinand Marcos and Benigno Aquino. In replace him "
time, Ferdinand was elected president, and Politics came to a boil inside Malacanang as
the Marcoses moved into Malacanang. Re- Ferdinand Marcos' health deteriorated. Ac-
ported the CIA: "The Marcos marriage is cording to the CIA, Imelda intensified her
essentially a business and political partner- political activities and struck a secret alliance
ship, but no one is sure just how ckue this with the army's chief of staff, Gen. Fabian
working rel2tionship is. At times, the two Ver.
clearly compete with one another. At others, In 1983 whispers reached. Ninoy Aquino
the president will give in to her." that his ailing rival might not survive much
After two elected terms, Marcos tore up longer. The time had come, he decided, for
the constitution, seized personal power and him to return to the Philippines and make his
jailed Benigno Aquino on trumped-up charges. bid for the presidency. He had no plan to
Under U.S. pressure, Marcos eventually frced ~ overthrow Marcos but wanted to be available
but exiled his rival. to succeed him.
Ninoy and Cory, as the Aquinos were called Fmm the Defense Intelligence Agency
by everyone, settled in the Boston suburbs. came word that Imelda Marcos arranged a
She continued to keep in Ninoy's shadow, secret meeting with Ninoy in May 1983. She
content to be a housewife, raising their five reportedly warned him "that assassins might
children while the men talked politics. await him" if he returned.
Back in Manila, Imelda was tossing money He disregarded the warning and, shortly
around like confetti at a New Year's Eve thereafter, clew back to the Philippines. He
party, was gunned down as he stepped off the plane.
Secret intelligence reports duggest cautiously
that he may have been murdered on orders
from Imelda. ,
Apparently, President Marcos had no ad-
vance knowledge of the assassination plot.
Filipino columnist Teodoro Palencia was
present at Malacanang when Marcos learned
that his rival had been shot. According to
Valencia, Marcos realized the gun that killed
Aquino would backfire against himself. Valen-
cia told me Mzrca was ao furious he began
throwing objects at his aides.
Cory Aquino returned to the Philippines to
arrange her husband's funeral. She had noth-
ingelse in mind, family members told me. She
fiad such as electrifying effect upon the pea
ple, however, that opposition leaders persuad-
ed her to step into her slain husband's shoes.
To appease an angry public, Marcos called
~n election, which he rigged. Protesters began
,pouring into Manila until they clogged the
.streets. Two army commands joined the as-'
toaishing, spontaneous demonstration. Cory
Aquino was lifted to power oa the shoulders of
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