02/12/2025
THE FLYING COBRAS OF THE 01 DECEMBER 1989, "FRIDAY, BLOODY FRIDAY"
The 3 flying Cobras from the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 5th Fighter Wing, who flew the F-5 Freedom Fighters against the RAM-SFP-YOU rebel soldiers.
• Major Danilo Atienza PAF TAPS +
Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1974
6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th FW
Cobra Commander, Flight Leader
• Captain Ariel Quijano PAF
Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1982
6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th FW
Cobra Fighter Pilot, Wingman
• 1st Lieutenant Antonio Arturo Avaricio PAF
Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1985A
6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th FW
Cobra Fighter Pilot, Wingman
These fighter pilots are among the heroes of the Friday, bloody coup d’etat when they destroyed the RAM-SFP-YOU Air Power at the 15th Strike Wing in Sangley Point, Cavite City on 01 December 1989.
The government of Corazon Aquino was shaken by a number of military coup attempts. The "God Save the Queen Plot" in November 1986 and the July 1987 plot were uncovered and quashed by the Aquino administration before they could be operationalized. The other coup plots were repelled with little or no violence, the deadliest being the 27 August 1987 coup attempts, which left 53 dead. An even more serious coup attempt would be staged against Corazon Aquino’s regime on 01 December 1989.
The most serious attempted coup d'état that almost destroyed the administration of Corazon Aquino was staged beginning on 01 December 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 known as the Soldiers of the Filipino People (SFP) and the group of junior officers called the Young Officers United (YOU).
It was on the early morning of 01 December 1989, when a group of young Philippine Air Force Attack Pilots and a team of enlisted personnel who are in the armaments and maintenance team from the 16th Attack Squadron and 20th Air Commando Squadron of the 15th Strike Wing, joined an anti-government revolt led by PMA alumnus and flew their AT-28D Trojans or colloquially known as “Tora-Tora”, Sikorsky AUH-76 Firebird and a BN2 Islander light transport aircraft against the administration of Corazon Aquino.
• Captain Vergel Nacino PAF
Philippine Military Academy Class 1981
15th Strike Wing, 16th Attack Squadron
AT-28D Tora-Tora Pilot, Flight Leader
(The father of GMA 7 actor Mr. Rocco Nacino)
• Captain Elmer Amon PAF
Philippine Military Academy Class 1981
15th Strike Wing, 16th Attack Squadron
AT-28D Tora-Tora Pilot, Wingman
• 1st Lieutenant Joey Sarroza PAF
Philippine Military Academy Class 1983
15th Strike Wing, 16th Attack Squadron
AT-28D Tora-Tora Pilot, Wingman
• 1st Lieutenant Gregor Mendel Panelo PAF
Philippine Military Academy Class 1984
15th Strike Wing, 20th Air Commando Squadron
Sikorsky AUH-76 Helicopter Pilot
(Nephew of Atty. Salvador Panelo, former Presidential spokesperson of Duterte)
• 1st Lieutenant Orlando Caballegan PAF
Philippine Military Academy Class 1984
15th Strike Wing, BN2 Islander aircraft Pilot
Forward Air Controller
Grabbing the initiative less than three hours after Corazon Aquino went on state television and vowed to crush the coup attempt, these air force rebel pilots who joined the RAM-SFP-YOU, flew their AT-28D Tora-Tora, Sikorsky AUH-76 attack helicopter, and BN2 Islander aircraft and attacked the Malacañang Palace and the Presidential compound. They made 3 bombing runs at the Presidential compound.
“They’re bombing us!” a palace staff member cried over the telephone. “We’re going down!”
Lourdes Sytangco, who was then the deputy presidential spokeswoman, said Cory Aquino was safe. Sytangco said she could not provide a damage report because no one was allowed to leave the building.
After attacking the Presidential palace, these rebel attack pilots fired rockets and strafed the government troops who were trying to retake the government TV station PTV-4 from the rebel soldiers.
The RAM-SFP-YOU at that time had the upper edge, because they already had Sangley Point, where they have the Philippine Air Force attack Wing, which is the 15th Strike Wing, and the Philippine Navy fleet. These navy vessels can transport additional troops from the south and ferry them to Manila.
The Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu, was already under the RAM-SFP-YOU as well. The threat of using the C-130s to airlift more rebel soldiers to Manila gave the government side an additional headache. Some fighter jets were also deployed in Mactan at that time. The Commander of the 2nd Air Division, Brigadier General Jose Commendador (Philippine Military Academy Class 1959), was in control of Mactan Air Base and was against the administration of Cory Aquino.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, then General Renato de Villa, informed the public that the soldiers of the RAM-SFP-YOU, already taken Villamor Air Base, Manila International Airport, Fort Bonifacio, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and Mactan Air Base in Cebu. The rebel soldiers also captured the government TV station PTV 4.
Then Minister Fidel V. Ramos of the Department of National Defense ordered an “overwhelming force” to crush the revolt involving about 1,000 troops. The revolt has been linked to a dismissed army Lieutenant Colonel, Lt Col. Gregorio "Gr**go" Honasan (PMA Class 1971), leader of an army mutiny against Cory Aquino on 27 August 1987, in which 53 people were killed... Some major players were also identified: Brigadier General Edgardo Abenina, AFP, Brigadier General Jose Ma Zumel, AFP, and others, who met frequently with Brigadier General Alejandro Galido, AFP, who was reportedly then acting as a deep pe*******on agent for General Renato de Villa, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP). Brigadier General Galido, AFP, also had meetings during this period with, among others, Cherry Cobarrubias, Enrique Cojuangco, and Luis Tabuena.
As the attack aircraft of the 15th Strike Wing flew over Metro Manila, they bombed government installations and attacked the government ground forces. The Defense Minister Fidel V. Ramos ordered the 5th Fighter Wing of the Philippine Air Force to destroy all the RAM-SFP-YOU air assets stationed in Sangley Point, Cavite City.
The wing commander of the 5th Fighter Wing, Brigadier General Armando Garcia (Philippine Military Academy Class 1960/Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1962), ordered the squadron commander of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, who was then Major Danilo Atienza, to prepare a flight of F-5 Freedom Fighters to dismantle the attack aircraft used by the rebel soldiers in Sangley Point. Major Atienza was somewhat worried because he had a lot of classmates in the Philippine Air Force Flying School assigned to the 15th Strike Wing in Sangley Point, Cavite City, and he could not swallow shooting fellow soldiers and brothers in arms. The atmosphere at the 5th Fighter Wing was emotional and heart-pounding at that moment. But as the Cobra commander of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, He has an obligation and duty to fulfill even if it's against his will.
The fighter pilots of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron declined the plan to drop bombs in Sangley Point because they wanted to avoid enormous casualties. Instead of bombs, they convinced the 5th Fighter Wing Commander, Brigadier General Armando Garcia, to "persuade" the rebel pilots to stop by showing the might of the F5s by firing rockets at the seaside of the runway.
The 5th Fighter Wing aircraft maintenance team prepared three F-5 Freedom Fighters to do the mission. A reconnaissance flight of a T-33 training jet aircraft, piloted by 1Lt. Democrito "B**g" Masmela, Jr. (PMA Class 1983), first flew to assess the situation over Metro Manila... 1Lt. B**g Masmela also flew as one of the wingmen of Major Atienza during the early hours of the coup. But he didn't join the airstrike in Sangley Point.
When a flight of three F-5 Freedom Fighters took off from Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, they proceeded directly to Metro Manila airspace. Major Danilo Atienza initiated a series of maneuvers to force the AT-28D Trojan pilots from further wreaking havoc on government ground forces. Major Danilo Atienza, together with his two wingmen, cannot afford to shoot down the AT-28D Tora-Tora because of collateral damage over the populated Metro Manila residential area.
When the AT-28D rebel pilots landed back in Sangley Point to refuel and rearm, Major Danilo Atienza took the opportunity to give a warning to the rebel pilots to ground their aircraft and return to their quarters. The Wing Commander of the 15th Strike Wing, who was then Brigadier General Tereso Isleta (Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1960), was strictly confined by the rebel soldiers at the 15th Strike Wing Air traffic control tower for his safety... According to an air force air traffic controller who was with Brigadier General Tereso Isleta at the control tower, the wing commander radioed Basa Air Base requesting an airstrike to destroy his attack aircraft used by the mutineers... The first airstrike of the F-5 flown by Major Atienza was a rocket punch... It was not intended to kill any fellow soldiers or classmates assigned to the 15th Strike Wing. The first rocket landed on the waters just at the side of the runway of Sangley... Brigadier General Tereso Isleta got mad at Major Danilo Atienza because he was not hitting the target that he had instructed him to hit... Major Atienza was just showing a clear warning to the rebel soldiers that they (The Cobras) had direct orders to destroy them. Unfortunately, it was misunderstood by the rebels. They thought the F-5 fighter pilots were with them as rebels because the F-5s were not hitting them directly. That made them more audacious in their next attack.
The warning continues when another F-5 made a low pass strafing the waters of Sangley at the end of the runway near the facility of the Philippine Navy Seals HQ (Naval Special Warfare Group), and many families from the enlisted personnel quarters living near the runway ran and hid on the side of the Sangley commissary near the air force officers' quarters. Other Air Force and Navy enlisted personnel families living near the Attack Squadron and military installation vacated their quarters as well (The 20MM cannon was freaking loud and scary). The F-5 fighter pilots continued flying over Sangley airspace, firing rockets and strafing the seaside of the runway, just to scare the rebel soldiers in Sangley. When the three F-5 freedom fighters left, the rebel pilots, together with their Crew, refueled and armed their AT-28 Tora-Toras and AUH-76 Sikorsky for another sortie.
The rebels took off again and attacked the Philippine Constabulary Headquarters in Camp Crame, burning it. After Camp Crame, they attacked the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, dropping four bombs at the quarters of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, then General Renato De Villa. The rebel pilots were not content; they fired rockets and strafed other government installations and ground forces. The AUH-76 Sikorsky strafed and fired rockets at government soldiers who were at white plains and near places providing close air support to their fellow rebel soldiers.
When the three AT-28 and one AUH-76 rebel attack pilots were done with their airstrike, they flew back to Sangley Point to refuel and rearm. While they were flying back to Sangley (RPLS), the rebel attack pilots were already aware of the F-5s retaliation... But they were not aware of the fighter pilot's intention. After the 3 AT-28 Trojans touched down, Sangley was so quiet. Army rangers and infantry, together with Navy personnel in olive drab uniforms, fortified on the side of the main road of Sangley, and some were at the Military Police Battalion building, the 15th Strike Wing Headquarters, and the Philippine Navy Fleet headquarters. (Some were at the roof of the Weather Station of PAGASA beside the 15th Strike Wing HQ with their 0.50-Cal machine guns. Some boarded the Navy ships to utilize the anti-aircraft machine guns.
It was after lunchtime when the three F-5 Freedom Fighter jets showed up again, circling the skies of Sangley airspace like sharks waiting for the right moment to attack their prey... After a few minutes, the lead Fighter aircraft piloted by Major Atienza made his first pass, releasing two rockets, hitting his first target (Not the waters of Sangley this time). The rebels in Sangley were running, looking for a safer place to hide. Captain Quijano and 1Lt. Avaricio was just circling over Sangley airspace at a safe altitude, waiting for a go signal from their Cobra commander to attack.
Major Danilo Atienza was running the show alone, conducting an airstrike, frightening everyone inside Sangley and even those living near Sangley in Cavite City. It was the sound of the 20MM cannon of the F-5 plus the afterburner that bent everyone's knees in every pass. The rockets coming from Major Atienza's aircraft were flying over the houses before hitting their target. After disposing of all of his rockets, destroying many important facilities and aircraft used by the rebels, Major Atienza continued his attack using the scarier 20mm cannon. This time, all of his approaches were low, and in every pass after strafing all the AT-28Ds parked on the flight line, you will hear 0.50-cal machine guns from different directions firing at Major Atienza's aircraft... The Cobra flight leader continues the same approach in every strafing attack...His final approach was a long burst of strafing, blowing the fuel Depot of the 15th Strike Wing... A dark ball of fire was something I will never forget. Then the last pass of Major Atienza's F-5 over our location when it was engulfed by the dark fireball... A BOOM! A very loud explosion that shook the ground of Sangley Point, destroying windows, occurred after Major Atienza's final strafing. His aircraft crashed into the armory of the 15th Strike Wing near the office of the 25th Attack Squadron and the 16th Attack Squadron.
After the final pass of Major Atienza, two angry F-5 freedom fighters became a tandem of thunder and lightning, firing rockets, 20mm cannon, unleashing hell, and delivering more fear to everyone inside Sangley Point. You will see the Army scout rangers changing clothes, leaving the base like deserters. Air Force attack pilots in the officers' residential area were all watching, until they all gave the signal to evacuate because the two F-5 fighter pilots were flying wild, firing in any direction, hitting some navy and air force barracks converted as enlisted personnel quarters. The Air Force Chaplain, Captain Gunod, assisted every Air Force officer's family who was evacuating the base. While packing up for evacuation, the F-5 fighter jets of Captain Quijano and 1Lt. Avaricio is getting wilder, flying at low altitude, firing their 20mm cannon. The sky of Sangley was messed with flying rockets and bullets.
That was the longest airstrike that I experienced. It's like they have unlimited ammunition... Major Atienza, Captain Quijano, and 1Lt. Avaricio attacked Sangley like an angry angel, but they left Sangley's airspace like a ghost after unleashing hell... Sangley was wrecked, and many Navy and Air Force officers and enlisted families evacuated the Fortress. The clouds were dark, the fumes of the burning fuel depot were noticeable... You will see defeat in the faces of the Army Rangers and Philippine Navy soldiers who were part of the RAM-SFP-YOU.
Major Danilo Atienza, together with his two wingmen, Captain Quijano and 1Lt. Avaricio turned the tide on the government side after destroying the rebel soldiers' stronghold at Sangley Point. They destroyed all seven (7) AT-28D Trojan aircraft at the ramp of 15th Strike Wing, including one (1) AUH-76 Sikorsky helicopter, two (2) BN2 Islander aircraft, a fuel depot, an armory and many other facilities like barracks and many more... After all the destruction, rebel soldiers left the base like they don't know where to go.
Their action was a major feat in our country’s Air Power history, for it made them one of the very few Filipino fighter jet pilots to engage in actual Air Combat maneuvers against hostile targets.
However, the Cobra commander, Major Danilo Atienza, lost his life that day after his aircraft blew up the fuel depot and smashed his aircraft into the armory of the 15th Strike Wing.
The leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was just planning to award Major Atienza, Captain Quijano, and 1Lt. Avaricio, the Distinguished Conduct Star only, even the Medal of Valor was requested on the write-up, but President Corazon Aquino ordered to award the Medal of Valor to Major Danilo Atienza.
In his honor, the Medal of Valor was awarded to Major Danilo Atienza, and Sangley Aerodrome was renamed Major Danilo Atienza Airfield through House Bill No. 27876, which was passed and approved in Congress, effective May 5, 1992, in recognition of his gallantry and intrepidity in action.
Only Major Danilo Atienza was posthumously awarded the medal of valor, while Captain Quijano and 1Lt. Avaricio, who flew to destroy the enemy air assets in Sangley and enemy ground troops in Quezon City, was only awarded the Silver Wing Medal and not the Medal of Valor because of the military politics in the AFP during those days. (The same mission, two different awards...Barriotic mindset)
Unfortunately, Captain Quijano and 1Lt. Avaricio, none of them retired with a star. They left the service quietly, after serving the country with loyalty and integrity, before they flew in commercial aviation (many of the rebel soldiers retired with a star because of the so-called mistah mistah mafia system).
Major Atienza, Captain Quijano, and 1Lt. Avaricio, are all former aviation cadets/Dodo's of the Philippine Air Force Flying School, and are not part of the Geopolitics or members of the mafia system in the AFP.
The aviation cadets of the Philippine Air Force Flying School (The flying school of the Filipino people) were stopped because of the Monolithic mentality of the Mafia system as well. Many military pilots left the service, not because of greener pastures, but because they saw the mafia system getting worse. It was from 1988 up to 2007 when the mafia system in the AFP was rampant... setting an organization inside an organization.
"It's not about what you know but who you know."
- The Dark Days (Skywalker)
No US military aircraft or soldiers participated in this December 1989 Bloody Friday... That's against the Constitution. They (the US Military) cannot intervene in any internal issues of the Republic of the Philippines.
Just to correct some hoax stories circling around about the F-14, F-18, F-16, and US Marines F-4 (A narrative that was exaggerated by many Filipinos) flew to scare the AT-28 Tora-Toras and the reason why the coup ended (FAKE). The US just showed its support to the Cory Administration, and the US Air Force F-4 Phantoms were armed with camera pods and fuel auxiliary tanks during their PERSUASION FLIGHTS ONLY... The F-4s were under the USAF, painted in woodland camouflage, and not the US Marines' F-4s in a white paint scheme.
The white fighter jets they saw that conducted an airstrike near white plains are the 3 F-5 Freedom Fighters of the 5th Fighter Wing of the Philippine Air Force and not F-4 Phantoms of the USAF painted in woodland camouflage. The pilots were then:
• Lt. Colonel Ricardo Faustino PAF
Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1971
6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th FW
Flight Leader
• Captain Ariel Quijano PAF
Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1982
6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th FW
Wingman
• 1st Lieutenant Antonio Arturo Avaricio PAF
Philippine Air Force Flying School Class 1985A
6th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th FW
Wingman
The airstrike mission of the Cobra Flight near white plains was after the death of Major Danilo Atienza in Sangley Point, Cavite City. Lt. Colonel Ricardo Faustino replaced the late Major Atienza as the flight leader during the airstrike in Quezon City.
Post shared by Pinoy Aviators.
