Former Philippine President Fidel “Steady Eddie” Ramos has died

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, who oversaw a rare period of steady growth and peace that earned him a reputation as one of the country’s most effective leaders, has died at the age of 94, officials said on Sunday.

Known as “Steady Eddie” for his unwavering demeanor in the periodic moments of upheaval in the country, he was frequently pictured munching on unlit cigars while guiding the Philippines with a sure hand from 1992-1998.

A career soldier who had never previously held elected office, his professorial demeanor was very different from the bombastic image of many Filipino politicians.

He was also the first Protestant to win the top office in the predominantly Catholic nation, despite opposition from some in the church. He later aggressively pushed for family planning to curb rapid population growth.

But like other top officials of his generation, Ramos played a role in the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos that saw thousands killed and thousands arbitrarily imprisoned.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos,” said Trixie Cruz-Angeles, press secretary for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator who took office last month.

“He leaves a colorful legacy and a secure place in history for his participation in our country’s great changes, both as a military officer and as CEO.”

Ramos’ family are expected to release a statement later on Sunday. The cause of death was not released.

The European Union delegation to the Philippines sent their condolences and described Ramos as a “committed statesman” and “a pillar of democracy”.

A graduate of the prestigious West Point Military Academy in the United States, Ramos had a long career in the armed forces, including fighting communist guerrillas, and was deployed to the Korean War as part of the Philippine contingent.

He later served as commander of the Philippine paramilitary police force – the key agency that enforced the brutal repression of dissidents after Marcos declared martial law in 1972.

Ramos’ moment of truth came in February 1986, when public outrage over the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino and massive regime betrayal in early elections peaked.

A group of young military officers and their leader, Secretary of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, sensed Marcos’ weakness and plotted to seize power, but were spotted.

Enrile and his allies, facing arrest, holed up at military headquarters in Manila and appealed to the public to protect them from an impending government attack.

Ramos joined their rebellion, withdrawing his support from Marcos and inspiring many others to rise up as well.

Soon, millions rallied in the streets for the peaceful “People Power” revolt that exiled the dictator and installed Corazon Aquino as president.

Aquino promptly appointed Ramos military chief and then defense minister out of gratitude.

He would prove to be a crucial ally for Aquino, as the military rebels trying to overthrow Marcos soon turned their sights on her.

He led the loyalist forces that helped quash coup attempts against them from 1986 to 1989.

When elections were held in 1992, Aquino gave Ramos her support, which was crucial in his winning the presidency despite opposition from influential figures in the Catholic Church.

As president, Ramos resolved a crippling crisis of power caused by years of underinvestment in energy and dismantled cartels in telecoms, aviation and shipping – and kick-started an ailing economy into a period of renewed growth.

He also made peace offers to communist guerrillas, Muslim separatists and military coup plotters.

In the end, only the communists refused to sign agreements with his government.

Ramos was also a key early supporter of Rodrigo Duterte when he entered national politics with his 2016 presidential bid.

After Duterte’s landslide victory, Ramos even served as the president’s special envoy in Beijing to ease tensions over the disputed South China Sea.

But the relationship quickly deteriorated, and he publicly criticized Duterte’s powerful speeches, his departure from the US alliance, and his anti-drug campaign that claimed thousands of lives.

Ramos was also appalled by Duterte’s decision to have Marcos buried in the National Heroes’ Cemetery, despite the damage his dictatorship had done to the Philippines’ economy and social order.

When a Marcos daughter tried to link Ramos to the abuses of her father’s rule, Ramos said he had already apologized and made amends for his part.

“My expiation was to lead the military and the police” in the revolt that toppled Marcos, he said.