Cory Aquino Endorsed EJKs During Her Term, Approved CIA Operation, CIA Document Says

It appears that the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino has endorsed the so-called EJKs (extra-judicial killings) during her administration. This is according to an old United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) document, revealing that she approved a CIA operation, as signed by then-US President Ronald Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989.



“He (President Reagan) recently signed another secret “finding” – the first since the Iran arms deal became public – to authorize a multi-million dollar CIA operation against communist insurgents in the Philippines.” A statement reads in a Newsweek article titled “Covert Help for Cory Aquino,” dated March 23, 1987, during President Cory’s term.

“According to critical Washington source, the plan has been approved by Philippine President Corazon Aquino, it calls for CIA operatives to gather intelligence – with overflights if necessary – and launch undercover political activities. The agency will add about a dozen agents to its 115-member station in Manila, these sources say.” It added.

“Many Filipinos are increasingly worried by the rise of right-wing vigilante groups that are battling the communist New People's Army (NPA)….For now, the Aquino government seems to endorse the vigilantes. But some Filipinos fear they could lead to a revival of “death squads” that terrorized the countryside under Marcos.” The report further said.

To be fair with ‘Tita’ Cory, who is the wife of slain former Senator Bengno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the mother of former President Bengno “Noynoy” Aquino III, we at Philippines News Courier did some research if there were summary killings (or EJKs as we all know now) during her term. And indeed there are, and in fact most of them remain unsolved.

Must Read: * Cory Aquino Freed Joma Sison, NPA Leader Kumander Dante, and Allowed the Return of Nur Misuari

Credit: cia.gov

On January 22, 1987, members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas led by Jaime Tadeo, along with some other militant groups marched their way to Malacañang, to protest the lack of government action on land reform. However, they were met by the police with gunshots. The incident, dubbed as Mendiola massacre had at least 12 protesters killed.



In addition, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), a local, nonprofit HR organization created during Cory’s term, has documented that between 1986 and 1992, there were 1.2 million civilian victims of dislocations due to military operations, 20,523 victims of illegal arrests and detention, and 1,064 victims of summary executions or EJKs.

Contributed by Salvi Dalida