MATAS, Pia

114682
On the 14th of January 1993, President Ramos rejects the idea that a
country takes control over Spratlys, an island along the South China Sea and
supports the motion that the area remains open and conflict-free so that its
resources can be shared distributed and shared publicly. The countries involved
in claiming the said island as territory includes Peoples republic of China,
Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.
According to Philippine Star, there has been consistent collision between
China and Vietnam due to the claiming the said islands as territory. This discord
has caused mini-arms race of sorts, Ramos reveals, giving rise to the fears that
the area will provide the next flash point in Asia.
Spratly Islands have resources that are very wealthy in oil and natural gas.
President Ramos takes a stand as he fights for cooperation rather than conflict
regarding this matter. Looking at the brighter side, Ramos notices the immense
attention given to economic development worldwide. He adds further that the
ASEAN is very open to welcome the state in democratic participation as this
recognizes that the genuine political and economic empowerment is the
bedrock of the nation further contributing to regional stability. Moreover, the
president engages to host an international workshop on regional security
concerns. This is to make a firmer stand on regional cooperation. He believes
that there must be internal balance of political and economic power sufficient to
ensure collective stability and peace. Rest assured, the Philippines is one with
contributing to the regional stability in terms of developing its economy and
giving its absolute commitment to the ASEAN and its other neighbors. Ramos
certainly aspires for peace, progress and security evident in the nation.
Based on Malaya, the national newspaper, reported on the 15 th of January
1993, headline states that Ramos rejects the plea of the Chinese- Filipino families
on reviving the use of secret marshals to combat the rising issue on kidnapping.
Three days ago, a funeral march was organized for Charlene Mayne Sy who was
a victim of slain kidnapping. An estimate of 20, 000 including students from
Chinese schools, members of volunteer associations, brotherhood organizations
and medical teams attended the said march at Quezon Avenue to EDSA as they
were accompanied by ambulances, private cars and fire trucks. In Ramos
perspective, the secret marshals were not necessary if the idea is to solve
criminality. The solution was to address this concern in a very decisive and firm
measures. It is unnecessary to go through such controversy of going to the
extent of patronizing secret marshals. Despite this refusal, Ramos attended to
the Filipino- Chinese families by giving them double police patrol at various
Chinese schools in Manila and in areas where in there are numerous Chinese
residents.
Commander Mubarak is the said leader of this notorious kidnapping.
Reports show that the commander, who was said killed last December, is still
alive and that the one killed only resembled that of Mubarak. These speculations
have been settled as Gen. Lisandro Abadia, AFP chief of staff and Deputy

Director General Raul Imperial, PNP chief have assured the president that the
man killed in Pantukan, Davao del Norte last month was Mubarak.
The president attested that the dismantling of the three task forces of the
Presidential Anti- Crime Commission the year before was the cause of the
prevailing crime mentioned.