Fidel V. Ramos passes away at 94

Fidel V. Ramos passed away on Sunday, July 31. He was 94.

His family confirmed the news in an official statement obtained by The Philippine STAR: "The Ramos family is profoundly saddened to announce the passing of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos."

He was part of the Philippine army and was appointed by then President Ferdinand Marcos as chief of the Philippine Constabulary in 1972. "When Marcos imposed martial law later that year, Ramos was responsible for enforcing it," according to Britannica, noting that the Constabulary "arrested thousands of political dissidents." He became deputy chief of staff of the armed forces in 1981.

In the 1986 presidential elections, Ramos—along with then defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile—expressed his support for Marcos' opponent Corazon Aquino. This move put forth the start of the "People Power" movement that eventually led to Marcos' ouster.

On the 35th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, Ramos said: “The world stood in awe as it witnessed Filipinos united in courage and determination, in selfless offering of life and fortune to restore our democracy, our rights, and our freedom. This was our opportunity to make things right, to do things right, for what we hold in our hearts as true and just."

“We were the beacon of hope, the pride of our race, the muse of the community of nations. We owe generations after us the true story of EDSA 1986 and bequeath the legacy of the spirit that carried us through those fateful days and beyond,” he added.

FVR served as the 12^th President of the Philippines from June 30, 1992 to June 30, 1998, succeeding Aquino.