The return of democracy and government reforms beginning in 1986 were hampered by national debt incurred during the Marcos dictatorship, [[1986-90 Philippine coup attempts|coup attempts]], and a [[CPP-NPA-NDF rebellion|communist insurgency]] which grew under Marcos. Aquino initiated the peace negotiations with [[Moro conflict|Moro separatists]], which resulted in the creation of the [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]] in 1989. The [[MV Doña Paz]] sinking took place in December 1987 and the eruption of [[Mount Pinatubo]] in June 1991. Throughout her term, Aquino gave great focus on the restoration of democratic institutions, and paying the nation's foreign debts incurred under Marcos. She was succeeded in 1992 by [[Fidel V. Ramos]] whose modest economic performance, at 3.6% growth rate, was overshadowed by China's 1995 seizure of [[Mischief Reef]] and the onset of the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]].