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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-9/ileto-ramos-sm.webp" alt="Generals Rafael Ileto and Fidel Ramos" />
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(Generals Rafael Ileto and Fidel Ramos)
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Ileto had been brought into the Aquino cabinet in November 1986, to replace Juan Ponce Enrile. Ileto had a
reputation as a competent professional military officer. He was thrown into near-exile as ambassador to Thailand during
the heydays of General Fabian Ver's control over the military. His resignation sent a shock throughout the region, and
severely dented Mrs. Aquino's credibility within the ASEAN countries of Southeast Asia.
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<p>
Ileto's resignation was seen as the final result of a power struggle between himself and General Ramos, with
Ileto attempting to maintain a balance among the various factions within the military. Ileto's resignation letter indicated that the consequence of Ramos's fractious behavior was the ineffectiveness of the AFP against the insurgent New People's Army.
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<p>
Ileto in his letter, indicated that he had faced continual challenges to his authority, said:
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<p>
"It has been my distinct impression that the reorganization of the military has not proceeded as I had envisioned, and I fear that divisive elements and controversial issues, if not checked promptly, will erode whatever gain we have achieved." 
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<p>
He later told reporters:
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"Counterinsurgency operations are going very well, but not to the level that I had expected." 
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In an implied indictment of Ramos's own views, he added: 
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"Maybe we have not concentrated on it [the insurgency]. Our actions had been too diversified, looking at so many things instead of concentrating on the main problem."
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<p>
The acceptance of Ileto's resignation and his replacement by Ramos ended all possibilities for unity within the military. 
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<p>
On January 24, 1988 the Reform the Arm Forces Movement, comprised of the majority of officers under the rank of general, issued a declaration against the Ramos appointment. RAM played an instrumental role in the US-backed military coup against Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986. Its leader Gringo Honason then attempted a coup against Aquino in August 1987, and as a result Honason is now awaiting trial in a ship in Manila Bay. Despite this, the RAM remains politically the strongest and most activist element in the military, known for its nationalism and antipathy to the NPA.
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In a statement published in the Philippine Daily Globe, the RAM called Ramos a weak military figure who has fostered factionalism in the armed forces. His boosting to defense secretary, the declaration stated, is <i>"an ominous event ... a serious blow on the morale of the fighting men of the armed forces of the Philippines and on the credibility of the entire government."</i> The RAM warned that it might be <i>"compelled to use whatever means necessary"</i> to oppose Ramos's appointment.
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Attempting to create some momentum, Ramos announced on January 24, 1988 a five-point program for dealing with the insurgency. In a press conference, he said the points will include: revival of the death penalty ror serious crimes, including rebellion, homicide, and dIttg trafficking; and the issuance of national identity cards to facilitate the arrest of NPA and Communist Party (CPP) members. He also called upon civilians to become involved with the counterinsurgency program, through the revival of "peace and order" councils. These councils, operative before the <i>"February revolution"</i> brought together civilian, military, and business sector representatives on the local level, in a local war council against the NPA. Ramos also said that he would reactivate reserve forces, particularly in the region around Manila, for actions against the NPA.
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<h3>
On the ropes
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<p>
It was thought that if crisis in the military erupts, Aquino will face it from a far weaker position than during the Enrile resignation crisis, or the Honason attempted coup. During nationwide elections for local and state offices January 18, 1988 voters indicated that the saintly image of Cory had worn off. Even in races where Aquino made personal endorsements according to campaign strategist Paul Aquino, the <i>"Cory factor"</i> may have accounted for no more than 5%. In key elections, relatives of Aquino put in races to build the Aquino-Cojuangco political dynasty, were rejected by the voters. Her sistctr-in-law Mila Aquino Albert was defeated in the race for mayor of Quezon City, and her cousin Victor Sumulong, lost his bid for the governorship of Rizal Province.
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The 1988 General Ileto's resignation as Defense minister, appointment of Ramos his replacement