Traders' strike cripples RP city

Traders' strike cripples RP city

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): Businessmen in this southern city went on strike yesterday to protest at rampant kidnappings in the southern region of Mindanao, officials said.

Schools and offices declared a holiday, retail establishments were boarded up and banks closed early to cripple this trading post and regional government center a day after a Chinese- Filipino woman was slain by suspected kidnappers.

Even gasoline stations closed shop, paralyzing traffic in this city of 170,000 people, and the local water utility said it would shut off city taps on Friday in sympathy protest.

"The killing of Mrs. (Minda de Hua) Chua calls for the highest degree of condemnation and indignation from Cotabatenos," city mayor Vic Badoy told reporters.

"We are made to believe that there is already peace in our city. But recent events belie the promised peace. But we will not be cowed," he added.