When bombs hit the transmitter of Radio Veritas in Bulacan in February 1986, the main independent source of information during the uprising suddenly went silent.
But the broadcast did not end. It moved underground.
From a church facility, operations were shifted to a small room in Santa Mesa, where a makeshift radio station would continue airing updates during the historic People Power Revolution.
As the 40th anniversary of the uprising approaches, Bam Aquino has been recalling the story of “Radyo Bandido,” highlighting the role played by young volunteers who helped keep information flowing at a critical moment in the country’s history.
For Aquino, the episode serves not only as a historical reminder but also as a reflection on the continuing responsibility of younger generations to stay engaged in civic life.
The bandit broadcasters
After Radio Veritas was forced off the air, Jesuit priest James Reuter coordinated the transfer of operations. Together with broadcaster June Keithley, they began transmitting from the DZRJ facilities in Santa Mesa, located near Malacañang Palace.
Inside the improvised studio were teenage volunteers, including brothers Paolo and Gabe Mercado, who helped operate communication equipment linking the station with key figures and field sources.
Members of Fr. Reuter’s theater group, the youths assisted in maintaining broadcasts while security forces searched for the signal.
The group used music and coded signals to confirm the authenticity of their transmissions, working under tense and uncertain conditions. Despite the risks, the station remained on air during a crucial period of the uprising.
An unfinished story
Aquino described the events of 1986 as part of an ongoing national narrative rather than a closed chapter. He noted that remembering shared experiences is important in an time marked by rapid information exchange and competing historical interpretations.
He emphasized that the success of the EDSA movement was driven largely by ordinary citizens who chose to participate peacefully. According to Aquino, the story of Radyo Bandido illustrates how young people contributed meaningfully to that collective effort.
Commemorating People Power
Activities marking the 40th anniversary of EDSA are scheduled to begin on Feb. 21 at the Quezon Memorial Circle with the “People Power 40 sa QC Kickoff Concert: Awit at Aksyon kontra Korapsyon.”
Organizers have also announced similar events in the Visayas and Mindanao, aimed at encouraging reflection on the historical significance of the uprising and its continuing relevance for new generations.
