Presidential candidate Jose De Venecia says that he is hopeful the MILF will sign a peace pact based on a government proposal that is similar to the “one country, two systems” approach that China implemented in Hong Kong. Venecia is the candidate hand-picked by President Ramos. The proposal calls for the Philippines to exercise authority over Christians in the south while the MILF or its appointed government rules over the Muslims. Venecia sidesteps the issue of the MILF’s use of shariah courts and its executions of those found guilty. Meanwhile, 4 MILF members and 1 militiaman are killed during two gun battles. A ceasefire between the two sides has been in effect since July of last year (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 01/16/98).