MANILA, Philippines - Former President Fidel Ramos blamed President Benigno Aquino III for botching the government's relationship with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) resulting in the Zamboanga City standoff now entering its nonth day.
"Why don't you clean up your own mess first because you did it in the first place? After we turned it over to you in a nice silver platter," Ramos said in a televised ambush interview Monday night.
"Put your team in order, after that maybe you can succeed in cleaning up the mess," Ramos added.
It was under Ramos' watch that the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF was forged, the implementation of which under Aquino disappointed the rebel fighters who declared independence as a "Bangsamoro Republik" state in Sulu last August.
Ramos, now 85, said that Aquino has disregarded the government's promises to the MNLF faction led by Chairman Nur Misuari.
"Hindi totoo yung sabi ng mga media na nasira yung peace agreement nung panahon ni Ramos. Hindi po, nasa implementation 'yan e. Kahit na ano'ng ganda ng kasunduan, ng peace agreement, e kung mali-mali ang implementation afterwards, e 'di sira din yung kapayapaan na 'yon," he said.
The former head of state also said that Aquino should heed his suggestion if he wants to end the conflict.
"Kami, we're trying to give advice. You can take it or leave it but it is good advice," Ramos said.
Nur's MNLF group attacked several villages in Zamboanga last week leading to a continuing standoff with the armed forces.
While the city remains paralyzed, over 14,300 families have been displaced along with their 72,100 dependents.
MNLF expressed bitterness toward Aquino, whom they claimed to have disregarded the 1996 deal.
Related: Nur's MNLF pursuing 'war for independence'
"Showing total disrespect to the 1996 Peace Agreement forged during the Ramos administration, President Benigno Aquino III disregarded the advice of former President Fidel V. Ramos to engage in peace dialogue Chairman Nur Misuari of the MNLF regarding the complete implementation of the peace accord," the group said in a statement last September 12.
The 1996 agreement is shown as follows:
As of Tuesday, the military has almost closed in on MNLF-held villages in Zamboanga and rescued about 80 hostages.
Related: Troops retake most rebel-held villages; 78 hostages freed