The military has held a powerful position in Philippine politics since being invited to take a leading role by dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the early 1970s.
Marcos, a lawyer, was elected president in 1965 on a wave of optimism that he would resurrect Philippine fortunes. He won a second term in 1969. But his efforts failed and, trapped between the powerful ruling oligarchy and protesters, he turned to the military.
His partnership resulted in the declaration of martial law on September 21, 1972.
Marcos' reliance on the military to retain power propelled it to a central role in government as a payoff. The forces' intrusion into Philippine society soon went well beyond maintaining internal and external security.
The president of the Institute for Strategic and Development Studies in Manila, Carolina Hernandez, said yesterday senior military officers were partly responsible for the end of martial rule. They grew disenchanted with Marcos and some supported the Edsa popular uprising.
Dr Hernandez said that leading military officers in the overthrow of Marcos, Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregoria Honasan considered they had a right to a role in government and agitated to seize power throughout Corazon Aquino's presidency.
Their view was responsible for the 'coup culture' that persists among various military factions, especially officer graduates of the elite Philippine Military Academy.