Aquino, Enrile Hold Brief Meeting
MANILA — President Corazon Aquino spoke privately Monday with Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile amid speculation in the Philippine capital of a major rift between them.
Palace sources said they met alone for about five minutes during a break in a daylong meeting called to discuss the situation in southern Mindanao Island, which is facing rebellions from both Communists and Muslim separatists.
It was not known what they discussed.
In remarks earlier Monday announcing the formation of a peace and development commission for the rebellion-torn Mindanao-Sulu region, Aquino said, “In everything I do or say, I am the president of all our people.
“I speak for this government, and I hope, in so speaking, that my words also reflect the sentiments of those with whom it deals,†Aquino said. “If this is not the case, then I have been misunderstood.
“To those who fear that my willingness to go to any lengths for peace will be construed as weakness, let me say: Let those who want, so construe it,†said Aquino, who has initiated peace talks with Communist and Muslim rebels in the Philippines.
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