Fidel Ramos, former Philippine leader who helped oust Marcos, dies at 94
Ramos became a hero to many for defecting from Marcos’ government, where he led the national police force, spurring the dictator’s downfall during the 1986 popular uprising against his rule.Others, though, would not forgive or forget his role in enforcing martial law under the Marcos regime.Ramos, famous in later years for holding unlit cigars, narrowly won a contested election in 1992 to replace the People Power leader During his tenure, the economy surged and poverty rates fell to 31% from 39% through his Social Reform Agenda.Ramos fought right-wing, leftist and Islamic rebels during his time in the military, but later held peace talks with all “enemies of the state,” including rogue soldiers who attempted nearly a dozen times to unseat Aquino during her tenure.He signed a peace agreement with the Islamic separatists of the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996 and succeeded in shrinking the number of Maoist-led guerrillas to more than 5,400 rebels from a high of 25,000 in early 1986.Ramos was a multi-tasking workaholic and athletic leader. When he was military chief, he would play golf and jog at the same time, running after his ball. His early morning jog was legendary among his staff officers and even at 80, he would jump to reenact what he did during the revolt in 1986.
