Traders' strike cripples RP city

Thu, 31 Oct 1996, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

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.

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