Ramos upset over peace plan progress

Ramos upset over peace plan progress

MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos yesterday accused political leaders in the southern Philippines of formenting resistance against a planned peace agreement with Moslem insurgents.

Referring to reports that armed Christian militia groups were being formed and leaflets being distributed to oppose the peace plan, Ramos said "this is being formented by some of the so- called responsible leaders in the southern Philippines."

He also said, in a speech to veterans, that based on a sampling of opinions in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, "I am confident that the great majority of our people will support our peace and development program."

However in the southern city of Dipolog yesterday, residents staged a massive strike against the peace program with schools, businesses and transport services remaining closed.

Only three government-run banks and a few market stalls were seen still open in this largely-Christian city, whose residents have vehemently expressed opposition to the plan.

In an act of protest, some buildings hoisted the Philippine flag vertically with the red field on the left and the blue field on the right, which is done only when the country is at war.

They were protesting the interim peace agreement forged between the government and the Moslem insurgent Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), wherein Manila agreed to create a special council, dominated by the MNLF, to monitor development projects in Mindanao and nearby islands.

The agreement will pave the way for the creation of a Moslem autonomous region in 14 provinces in the south. MNLF chairman Nur Misuari has also agreed to run in September for governor of an existing four-province Moslem autonomous region, as part of the peace plan.

Christians, who make up the majority in the 14-province area, are resisting the peace plan, fearing it will lead to Moslem domination.