Philippine Consulate Aides in L.A. Support Rebels

Staff members of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, in a statement issued Saturday night, expressed support for two top Philippine officials in their revolt against President Ferdinand E. Marcos and called for the president to resign.

The press attache for the consulate, Larry Zabala, read the statement calling on Marcos “to wake up to the realization that the only prudent course of action is to abandon his claim to the presidency” of the Philippines.

The statement followed the seizure of the Philippine military headquarters in Manila by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos.

In their statement, the Los Angeles staff members said, “We are taking this position in the hope that such action will bring about a peaceful transition of government authority and thus avoid violent confrontation among our people, especially the members of the (Philippine) armed forces.”

The acting principal officer of the consulate, Leovigildo Anolin, led the action by the Los Angeles staff. Ten of 20 consulate aides signed the statement; the others could not be reached, Zabala said.

Earlier Saturday in Hawaii, seven Philippine diplomats, including Consul General Paul C.H. Rabe, issued a statement supporting the revolt of Enrile and Ramos.

Both consulates said staff members would continue to perform their duties “until the legitimate president is installed and instructions are received by us.”