JAKARTA, Reuter: Indonesia’s President Suharto advised visiting Philippine leader ‘Corazon Aquino, whose government is tackling a 17-year communist insurgency, to crush communism before it grew too strong.
His suggested approach contrasted sharply with Aquino’s softer line towards communist rebels in the Philippines. She is attempting to arrange ceasefire and persuade the rebels to surrender.
In wide-ranging talks lasting. Two hours, Suharto was quoted by an Indonesian spokesman as telling Aquino that he had 20 years’ experience in fighting communism.
He said communist insurgents must be tackled quickly or they would grow too strong, said Indonesian minister of state Sudhar- mono, Suharto’s righth and man and head of the country’s ruling Golkar organization.
Asked at a press conference about Aquino’s reaction to the advice, Philippine deputy foreign minister Leticia Shahani said she had not had a chance to speak to Aquino but in general the Philip- pine leader took a more conciliatory approach.
Shahani said many people had joined the Communist New People’s Army of the Philippines, which has an estimated 16,000 men under arms, because of economic conditions and abuse of human rights during 20 years of rule under former President Ferdinand Marcos,
She said they were different from the hardcore of the communist party who are undertaking their struggle through the use of arms and violence and who might wish to subvert the government.
Shahani said it was not sufficient for what she termed the softcore of the rebels to surrender. The government needed funds to give them a new start.
Aquino is due to leave Jakarta tomorrow for a 36-hour visit to Singapore before returning home on Wednesday. It is her first over- seas tour since she was swept to power by a civilian-backed military revolt in February.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 29, 1986
