Plan to Ambush Aquino Reported; Rally Canceled

Opposition presidential candidate Corazon Aquino canceled a rally today in the Muslim city of Marawi, where her security detail said there were reports of a plot to ambush her.

Retired Army Maj. Ali Alonto, in charge of Aquino’s security in Marawi, said he had received reports from Manila of a plan to stage an ambush or disrupt her rally in the city, where a Muslim separatist rebellion erupted in 1972.

“We are taking the reports seriously,” Alonto said.

He said about 300 security men armed with M-16 rifles and machine pistols were at the airport to provide security for Aquino.

Another Aquino spokesman, former Gov. Madki Alonto, said he had received reports from Manila that President Ferdinand E. “Marcos and his lap dogs will do something to disrupt our rally. They will have to kill our people first before they can touch Cory Aquino.”

The alleged plot came two days after Marcos said he heard reports that the opposition would stage a mock ambush or abduction of the 52-year-old widow of opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino Jr. to gain sympathy in the Feb. 7 poll.

Aquino on Monday accused Marcos of shying away from campaigning in areas disturbed by violence and challenged him to “stand up like a woman” and answer her charges of cowardice.

In Manila, Marcos--who on Monday said intelligent women “should limit their teachings to the bedroom” and stay out of politics--addressed about 800 members of an influential organization of businessmen today to outline his economic program.

He received polite applause once in the middle of his speech when he promised not to raise taxes, but the reception was considerably less enthusiastic than when Aquino spoke before the group earlier this month and was repeatedly interrupted by clapping.

Marcos later addressed a rally in Manila’s port area, drawing about 10,000 people. Several people trucked and bused to the rally said they were paid 40 pesos ($2) each--nearly a day’s wage--to attend.