Defense Secretary Renato de Villa says that the government will continue with negotiations. The president has told the press not to worry. But that is one order Mindanao's MILF rebels surely will not follow. Cotabato City becomes the seat of the ARMM government, which is formally inaugurated a year later. The government re-establishes contact with Misuari in Tripoli, Libya.
Peace talks begin a year later.
The two sides sign an interim ceasefire agreement. The government and the rebels reach a final accord. Misuari is elected third ARMM governor under the banner of President Fidel Ramos's ruling Lakas-NUCD party. A rash of kidnappings prompts the military to bring troops, artillery and vehicles into central Mindanao. All Rights Reserved.