Ramos upset over peace plan progress<\/p>\n
MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos yesterday accused
\npolitical leaders in the southern Philippines of formenting
\nresistance against a planned peace agreement with Moslem
\ninsurgents.<\/p>\n
Referring to reports that armed Christian militia groups were
\nbeing formed and leaflets being distributed to oppose the peace
\nplan, Ramos said \"this is being formented by some of the so-
\ncalled responsible leaders in the southern Philippines.\"<\/p>\n
He also said, in a speech to veterans, that based on a
\nsampling of opinions in the southern Philippine island of
\nMindanao, \"I am confident that the great majority of our people
\nwill support our peace and development program.\"<\/p>\n
However in the southern city of Dipolog yesterday, residents
\nstaged a massive strike against the peace program with schools,
\nbusinesses and transport services remaining closed.<\/p>\n
Only three government-run banks and a few market stalls were
\nseen still open in this largely-Christian city, whose residents
\nhave vehemently expressed opposition to the plan.<\/p>\n
In an act of protest, some buildings hoisted the Philippine
\nflag vertically with the red field on the left and the blue field
\non the right, which is done only when the country is at war.<\/p>\n
They were protesting the interim peace agreement forged
\nbetween the government and the Moslem insurgent Moro National
\nLiberation Front (MNLF), wherein Manila agreed to create a
\nspecial council, dominated by the MNLF, to monitor development
\nprojects in Mindanao and nearby islands.<\/p>\n
The agreement will pave the way for the creation of a Moslem
\nautonomous region in 14 provinces in the south. MNLF chairman Nur
\nMisuari has also agreed to run in September for governor of an
\nexisting four-province Moslem autonomous region, as part of the
\npeace plan.<\/p>\n
Christians, who make up the majority in the 14-province area,
\nare resisting the peace plan, fearing it will lead to Moslem
\ndomination.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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