Cabinet Split on Philippine ‘Revolution’ : Decision on Proclamation Up to Aquino, Justice Minister Says

The Philippine justice minister said today that he has been unable to convince his colleagues on a Cabinet commission that President Corazon Aquino should proclaim a revolutionary government.

Justice Minister Neptali Gonzales, who heads the commission, said in an interview that he was the only one on the five-member commission who favored a formal declaration of a revolutionary government.

Gonzales predicted last week that Aquino would issue a proclamation this week in order to swiftly dismantle the remnants of the government of deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

But others say such a move would be too sweeping and would becloud the democratic rule established when Marcos fled after a military-led revolt Feb. 25.

Report Due Wednesday

The commission will formally report to Aquino on Wednesday when the Cabinet next meets, he said, noting that the final decision rests with the president.

“It is possible we may file a majority and a minority opinion,” Gonzales said. “We don’t want to tie her hands.”

Military authorities, meanwhile, said today that communist rebels armed with high-powered rifles ambushed a van carrying local militiamen and government employees on Negros Island, killing 12 people and seriously wounding four.

The attack took place Saturday after civilian militiamen and government oil company employees drove from a meeting with villagers in Amlan, 375 miles south of Manila, said Central Visayas Islands commander Col. Jose P. Santos.

Reconciliation Effort

Eight of those who died were employees of the Philippines National Oil Co. and the other four were members of the Civilian Home Defense Force, officials said.

In a reconciliation campaign since ousting Marcos on Feb. 26, Aquino has called on anestimated 15,000 communist New Peoples Army fighters and Muslim guerrillas to lay down their arms and hold talks with the government.

But Santos said the attack was “the second depredation perpetrated by the communist rebels in two days in total disregard of the new government pleas for reconciliation.” On Friday, communist guerrillas killed 10 militiamen in an attack on nearby Bohol Island.