February 28, 1970 Saturday

 

 

 

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February 28, 1970

Saturday

 

 

10:55 PM

 

Am working on a Primer on Communism. Everyone is talking of confrontations with student power. Actually the whole crisis has been utilized by communism to create a revolutionary situation.

Ernesto Granada, columnist of the Manila Chronicle has become libelous. He writes what Iñing Lopez tells him to. Today he blames me for the riots and for paying toughies to infiltrate the demonstrations and to destroy private property and thus raise the ire of the people against the demonstrators. We must watch out on the Lopez side. Mother has written me that one of the friends of Iñing Lopez has revealed to her that Iñing Lopez has paid some people to kill me. I can believe this.

My barber, Conrad, tells me that the overwhelming opinion outside Malacañang is that it is about time I took sterner measures against the demonstrators that are violent.

The Armed Forces had a critique of the exercises for the Contingency Plan. Defects being ironed out.

We must finalize the list to be arrested if there is massive sabotage or assassination. I assess the plans of the communists to include these activities by the middle of March.

Johnny Ponce Enrile reports demoralization among the HMBs specially the Ma-Maos who are ready to surrender but would like to make it appear like a capture.

There is restlessness in the transportation sector as the bus operators are losing ₱.30 for each peso gross they earn.

 

 

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We will have to allow an increase in rates as the tire suppliers have increased prices by 17% and the oil people are meeting next Wednesday to increase theirs. I was able to hold the rates down in 1966. Today we will not be able to do this because of the floating rate.

The Congress is moving as slowly as ever on urgent legislation like the price and rent control law.

I have asked Bing Tanco to come and help me on the agricultural program. I hope to put him in as Undersecretary of Agriculture if I can convince Nanding.

I have just appointed Gen. Estrada as Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

The cement shelter in the ground floor (my gymnasium) has just been finished. It is against any possible mortar or grenade attack.

And I have been trying out my bullet proof vest as I was going to Bohol but had to cancel it as the East Visayan Athletic Meet is set for the afternoon and I have some appointments here in Manila. The vest is a little lumpy under my newly tailored barong and shirt. It weighs 13 pounds and protects from the most penetrating rifle fire.

February 27, 1970

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February 27, 1970

Friday

 

 

10:30 PM

 

The Manila Police early this morning (two hours after the rioting) raided the Philippine College of Commerce with a search warrant from Judge Jarencio and arrested 38 persons including students, professors and paid vandals with Molotov cocktails, revolvers, a shotgun and other weapons of assault. And the reaction of the public seems to be reacting favorably.

Finished the problem of the Muslims. Salipada Pendatun says he will be responsible for Ex. Gov. Udtog Matalam the leader of the Muslim Independence Movement, who on Feb. 6, 1970 issued another manifesto against the government adopting the Ma-Mao and Kabataang Makabayan line. Salipada Pendatun insists there is no training ground for insurgents and that Udtog will consult him before he does anything serious. I have my doubts about his capability to hold Udtog but I am hoping for the best. I have asked him to bring Udtog’s son.

Also settled the Sulu differences between Cong. Amin and Mayor Barby Abubakar of Jolo. It seems that Amin and Gov. Sangkula bring in policemen of the other towns fully armed into Jolo, causing tension. A barrio captain was killed by the policemen recently. So I am having the arms of the Jolo policemen who shot him and from now on no more guns from outside Jolo to be allowed.

Delivered a speech on Liberal Democracy before Rotary International 380 at the Hilton tonight.

February 26, 1970 Thursday

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February 26, 1970

Thursday

 

 

1:25 AM

 

The Supreme Court ruled the mayor of Manila can refuse to give a permit for a rally in Plaza Miranda and offer instead a permit for a rally in Sunken Gardens – in the name of peace and order.

The demonstrators went to Sunken Garden then proceeded to the U.S. Embassy where they were kept away from the buildings by the MPD and the Metrocom. The demonstrators have wrought destruction in Plaza Fergusson, threw a few Molotov cocktails and destroyed the pots along the islands in some streets. The last group was in Galicia Street. They numbered 200 and challenged the police to take them. Tear gas bombs were used again. Even the citizens in their houses were affected by the tear gas.

Enriquito Zobel came to see me and told me that it was not he and his group who had organized to fight me but that it was Hans Menzi who had said that he was asked to resign as a senior aide because he had written me a frank memorandum about government weaknesses and anomalies. Looks like Hans cannot be trusted any longer.

The congressmen from the North were here again waiting for the demonstrators. They had dinner and a movie.

 

February 25, 1970

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February 25, 1970

Wednesday

12:10 AM

Spent the whole morning and noon in San Fernando, La Union, where I was supposed to prevent the Ilocano leaders and men from marching to Manila and doing battle with the demonstrators. The whole of Ilocandia was there – Tarlac represented by Cong. Eduardo Cojuangco, Nueva Ecija by Cong. Leopoldo Diaz, Pangasinan by Cong. Bobby Estrella, Nueva Vizcaya by Sen. Leonardo Perez and his brother Cong. Benjamin Perez as well as all the mayors, Isabela by Gov. Samuel Reyes and Cong. Rodolfo Albano as well as all the mayors. Cagayan by Gov. Teresita Dupaya and her husband Cong. Tito Dupaya and Cong David Puzon, Ilocos Sur by Gov. Carmeling Crisologo and her husband Cong. Floro Crisologo as well as Cong. Luces Cantor and Ilocos Norte all the officials.

Very overwhelming affection and trust – so completely different from Manila.

Rode in an open car – convertible with the top down. Imelda as usual was mobbed affectionately.

Must go to the provinces more where the atmosphere is more representative of the nation.

Met with Ex-Sen Domocio Alonto and asked him to help me prevent bloodshed in Moroland. He was reported having gone to Basilan and said that the country was in the grip of a revolution and the army 70% against the government. Of course he denied it and seemed obsessed with petty local politics.

He was brought by Cong. Bert Sabido who kept repeating his requests for special favors – the Asst. Immigration Commissioner and allowances for the congressmen from savings in my office.

February 24, 1970 Tuesday

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February 24, 1970

Tuesday

 

 

10:35 PM

 

We go to San Fernando, La Union tomorrow to return at noon. This is a counter demonstration of the Ilocanos who want to show solidity behind me. But my fear is that they will march to Manila armed and cause violence to erupt once more at their instigation. So I must stop them.

Fiscal Policy Committee with the Congressional leaders met to assess the monetary situation. The Senate President and Aytona was helpful. Speaker Laurel complained that the congressmen and he were not informed of the decision for a floating rate before approval. Puyat understood but as usual the Speaker did not understand the need for secrecy.

Will start releasing funds for the provinces. Priority has been given to the Tondo project. I meet Enrique Zobel on the project next Friday afternoon.

The trading this day on dollars quoted ₱5.70 to the dollar – much lower than we expected. The black market had reached ₱6.30. The persons who face dollar loan amortizations are complaining of the new policy for a floating rate as they will pay more in pesos but the exporters specially those not in the copra, sugar, logs and copper category are cheering it.

Looks like we still have no funds in government. We should now have only one appropriation act to include even public works and capital expenditures.

February 23, 1970 Monday

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February 23, 1970

Monday

 

 

1:10 AM

 

The Lopezes are more and more vicious through their columnists. Ernesto Granada happily refers to me as snake-like. He probably knows he is suspected as a communist by me. And so does I.P. Soliongco.

But the Lopez contributions to the radicals is their premium payments for insurance. They do not know that they would be the first to go if the communists take over.

Adevoso and his co-conspirators have met again. They are still at it.

Ninoy Aquino attacked the fertilizer plant project of the sugar planters in a privilege speech – a project that I have already ordered to be suspended.

Villalon testified before the Joint Committee to the effect that the Liberals specially Osmeña funded and encouraged the demonstrations. There must be consternation among the Liberals.

Looks like the demonstrations will continue and they may become more violent.

Met with the PACD and barrio officials who reaffirmed their trust and confidence in me.

Imelda went to the Tondo slums and relates how the children are eating only once a day and in some instances three times a week. So we have decided to convert Tondo into a model city – as a priority project.

 

February 22, 1970 Sunday

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February 22, 1970

Sunday

 

 

12:05 AM

 

Spent practically the whole afternoon (4:00 PM) up to about 8:00 PM with the military, Gens. Yan, Espino, Ileto, Garcia, Tanabe, Sabalones, Ordoñez, Col. Ver and Diaz. Gov. Nepomuceno with Eric Mendoza who is a former jet pilot resigned because of hazing and helping in the location of Dante and Arthur Garcia whom he confirms he met after the claim that he (Garcia) was killed by Dante, were also here. Gov. Nepomuceno is disturbed by my statement to him that his bodyguards are Dante’s men. So he is helping through Mendoza in the campaign to locate Dante.

We mapped out the plans in the event of the massive sabotage of the city and the public utilities. Transferred some of the armor to Central Luzon. They missed Dante by a few hours in Capas the other day.

But we have five companies [of] reserves for the Metrocom which has 1,339 men – one company each from the major services and one from GHQ. Then there are two HDF in Malacañang, two in Camp Crame and one in [Fort] Bonifacio. The different brigades are forming up. In the event of an emergency, the PA can organize two more complete battalions with equipment in Fort Magsaysay and Cebu for the April training.

Our unanimous assessment is that the subversives have no capability of mounting an attack of company proportion and probably will not but are capable of small unit harassment, sabotage and liquidation which capability should also be eradicated.

 

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Cocoy reports that the people have faith in my capability to solve the problems we face.

Ablan Jr. claims Vic Villafranca whom he says is in his payroll will be the publisher of the Catholic newspaper for which a million dollars worth of printing machinery has been ordered. Villafranca is looking for an editor.

Benny Toda of PAL is allegedly organizing an intelligence team under Col. Hernandez, former J-2, to research on the administration – in retaliation for my open skies policy.

These rich people are back to their old tricks to protect their profits.

The new monetary policy seems to be received well. We will see how the market is tomorrow.

 

 

February 21, 1970 Saturday

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February 21, 1970

Saturday

 

 

2:00 AM

 

Signed the Monetary Board Resolution for the new monetary stabilization measures.

Interview by Nick Joaquin of the Free Press, with Teddy Boy Locsin. Then by Kalb of CBS of the U.S.. Met with Raschid Lucman and Princess Tarhata who were brought by Cong. Bert Sabido with Ricardo de la Fuente.

The rally in the U.S. Embassy was quiet – there were more security men in the rally (in civilian clothes) than demonstrators. The demonstrators are losing their steam.

Nori Pobaldor says the people are now in sympathy with me. Even Ex-Justice Alex Reyes says I have been making the right decisions – and that a little more destruction and vandalism and I can do anything.

The same thing is said by the ambassadors of the Latin American countries. They are all for a dictator coming out of this confusion, though.

Father Calle and his like!

We must await the Feb. 28^th demonstration.

There was hysteria, crying and anguish among the women in Ermita when the rumor was spread that the demonstrators were out to burn the district.

February 20, 1970 Thursday

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February 20, 1970

Thursday

 

 

12:15 AM

 

I have asked Gens Yan and Ileto to advance and accelerate preparations in the event that the Maoists accelerate their schedule. Another violent demonstration like last night and according to our intelligence the next targets for sabotage are the public utilities and the big establishments, and I may have to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

Ambassador Byroade filed a strong protest for the vandalism, arson and destruction in the U.S. Embassy last night. I have asked Mayor Villegas to explain his inaction.

Gen. Ordoñez of the Metrocom suffered head wounds last night.

I asked Ernesto Rufino, Vicente Rufino and Carlos Palanca to withdraw advertisements from the Manila Times which was openly supporting revolution and the communist cause. They agreed to do so.

I have convinced Maceda to stay in PACD and he still acted like a spoiled brat. I had to tell him that his employees were talking of his bringing women to the Executive Secretary’s office at night and that he was getting too arrogant.

Gen. Rancudo has put up a SSB for direct communications between my office and the 5^th Fighter Wing.

The headline in the Bulletin has caused consternation among some senators as the secret orders if anything untoward happens to me has alarmed them of the military taking over. But this only if all the civilian government leaders are liquidated which is far-fetched.

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February 20, 1970

Friday

 

 

10:00 PM

 

The report of the IMF and the solution acceptable to them has come in with Gov. Licaros. It is a multiple rate – a floating rate for all imports; all earnings of principal exports of copra, logs, sugar and copper concentrate to be surrendered to the Central Bank at the legal rate of ₱3.90 to the dollar except for 20% which will be allowed to be retained by the exporter and sold at the floating or free rate. Imports of luxuries and travel should be restricted. This will be an industrial development scheme. All the lesser exports will benefit and will be encouraged.

It should be approved by our Monetary Board by now, effective tomorrow, Saturday, morning at 6:00 AM to coincide with the approval of the IMF Executive Board in Washington. We must watch prices.

Met with Byroade and Jim Rafferty to offer my personal apologies. Those crazy Americans for a time thought that I had deflected the rallies from Malacañang to the U.S. Embassy to get them involved. Ridiculous!

But Romulo is getting senile. That note of his in answer to the stiff protest of the Americans was off the beam. It speaks of there being valid ground for the attacks against the Americans and the Americans to ponder on the solution of the problems between the two countries. I have to replace Romulo soon. This is not the way to treat a wounded ally.

More and more people are demanding sterner measures against the demonstrators. The Chamber of Filipino Retailers and small merchants demand protection for life and property.

Met with the Moslem student leaders with their demands – specially Zamboanga and Basilan.

 

February 18, 1970, Wednesday

 

 

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February 18, 1970

Wednesday

3:00 AM

The rioters have just dispersed at the corner of Recto and Legarda (3,000 of them) with six grenades of tear gas thrown at 1:00 AM. The gas is still in the air as there is no wind. The 150 men under Lacsina who had been at Gate 4 since about 7:00 PM waited for the rioters that forced their way into the U.S. Embassy compound, burned the guardhouse, destroyed the glass windows of the buildings and threw bottles full of gasoline in an attempt to burn it down. They also wrecked all the shops and restaurants in Plaza Fergusson, at A. Mabini, U.N. Avenue and the Luneta. Part of Hilton Hotel destroyed.

Ambassador Byroade called me to seek help as the U.S. Embassy had only a few guards. I directed Usec. Manuel Collantes to order Mayor Villegas to order the anti-riot squad to break up the rioters.

The massing of 3,000 near Malacañang was apparently a prelude to another attack on the palace.

This was a show of the Lacsina, Bert Olalia and Kabataang Makabayan groups.

But they are moving forward to the need for the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or martial law. Just a little bit more and we will have to.

Met with the provincial governors and city mayors at [Camp] Aguinaldo for a briefing on the plan of the communists to take over the government and the need to organize strike forces of local municipal policemen which I authorized in March 1968. They want guns and ammo, funds and the lifting of public bidding in the purchase of police equipment – which I gave.

February 17, 1970

 

 

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February 17, 1970

Tuesday

12:35 AM

I have that feeling of certainty that I will end up with dictatorial powers if the situation continues – and the situation will continue. The HMBs and the Ma-Maos will continue to try to bring about a revolutionary situation. Massive sabotage is indicated by the crude bombs they are manufacturing and teaching their recruits to manufacture in their training camps. This also means they are not getting any aid (military) from outside. We should allow them to gather strength but not such strength that we cannot overcome them.

We continue to meet the students – a tedious time consuming effort to placate them. For what? They will come back with some more demands later on. But the play must go on.

We must establish a mass base. Father Calles suggests that the women who are getting impatient should be organized. I agree.

Then we must get the Armed Forces working properly. A dry run for Plan X must now be executed.

I talked to Ambassador Byroade and told him I needed his continuous support before I started the drive against the communists now and later when the ammunition is exhausted. There is not a single round of ammunition for our 35 rocket launchers. But we have just received our ammunition reloader.

February 16, 1970, Monday

 

 

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February 16, 1970

Monday

12:10 AM

Spent practically the whole day attending to the problems of the Tondo foreshoreland  slum dwellers. They ask for the land reclaimed from the sea at North Harbor. Last year I gave ₱350,000 to the Bureau of Lands in their presence to spend for the survey and subdivision of the land into residential lots excluding the customs area and land set aside for roads, parks and recreational facilities which they now wish to do away with.

I have given them the responsibility of deciding the conflicting claims and the problems of more than 5,000 applicants to only 3,000 lots if the parks, roads and recreational facilities are included as residential land. And I explained the program of housing (requesting that if it is necessary to accommodate several families in one lot they should agree to condominiums in three or two storey apartments), education through the foster-parent plan of businessmen and employment.

Met with the business leaders on the Tondo problem of housing, education and employment.

Then talked to the Blue Ladies on the capabilities of government to protect them and what government is doing to bring about change.

Asked Enriquito Zobel in the businessman’s meeting to hurry up the Magalang project of the Filipinas Foundation.

February 15, 1970, Sunday

 

 

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February 15, 1970

Sunday

11:15 PM

Was guest of honor of the convention for the merger of the two biggest labor unions, the P_C of Bert Oca and the PTUC of Pedro Fernandez at 4:00 PM at the GSIS auditorium. They constitute 65% of the organized labor force. They welcomed me warmly and applauded my speech enthusiastically. This will show that labor is on the side of government and not leftist as claimed by the KM and SDP.

This is the second time I leave the palace. I should do so more often.

Had lunch with Gen. Rancudo, CG of the Fifth Fighter Wing who swore undying loyalty even if the other elements of the AFP should turn disloyal. “One of my F-5’s can blast the Tabak Division installations in ten minutes,” he said. He said he is willing to fight even the Americans if necessary. I hurried to add that the Americans were on our side. He had the CAA Administrator, Fred Ablan, with him (he is another jet fighter pilot). I ordered Laoag airfield which is only 5000 long to be immediately lengthened to 10,000 so as to handle jet transport (commercial) as an alternative international airport. Actually this is to handle our jet fighters. The same thing with Zamboanga and Davao.

I have given the project on the Osmeña training camp in Samar to Gen. Ben Reyes, III PC Zone Commander and his C/S Chief, Maj. Manglongat who strikes me as competent. Aerial photography may locate the area. And vertical envelopment by helicopter or by air drop may do the trick.

Imelda is again very confident that I have things well in hand. So does Father Dougherty fee the same way.

February 14, 1970, Saturday

 

 

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February 14, 1970

Saturday

11:00 PM

Adevoso’s group has postponed its meeting set Wednesday. They must smell something.

But de Leon says the barracks in this secret training place in Northern Samar is so camouflaged that it cannot be seen from the air. It is a long building roofed with galvanized iron over which tree bark and soil is spread. Two Americans went there four times in the about two weeks that he was there by small plane which are then covered with tree foliage. He does not know their names but will try to get their pictures as well as that of the place when they return Wednesday. He was with an Atty. Tumulak, Osmeña’s man, when he went there last.

I have now asked the 3^rd PC Zone Commander, Gen. Reyes, to come with the CIS officer, Maj. Manglongat. There is one Home Defense Force in this zone and it should be used against this camp.

Gov. Licaros has called up by long distance to report that the IMF team’s (headed by Dr. Zabvkar) report will be submitted to the IMF Board next Friday the 20^th and will be approved. The third credit tranche of $27.5 million will be granted, $40 million loan for Central Bank working balance from the consortium of 23 U.S. banks $40 million loan from the Federal Reserve Bank and possibly $60 million standby loan from the consortium. He leaves for Tokyo next Tuesday where we hope to borrow $200 million standby and $50 million trade credits.

The dollar now costs ₱6.10 – a new high.

 

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This is what concerns me most because if it goes any lower, we will have inflation and instability. Then there may be riots.

We must now pass the price control bill I certified last Thursday (Feb. 12^th) and the rent control bill. Then we must allow the entry of essential commodities to be stocked in the Free Trade Zone at Mariveles.

We must soon allow the expenditure of funds for highways and ports because while there is money in Manila, there is beginning to be a pinch in the provinces.

I should record the attempt of Angel Nepomuceno, co-owner (with Bibit Duavit) of the Butterfly and who is now keeping Gerry Barican at his house, and Tony Pastalero to hold me up for ₱150,000 for alleged expenses during the Alcantara funeral when allegedly they used 250 students to prevent any untoward event – allegedly committed by Tony Raquiza. Tony Raquiza denied this to me yesterday when he came to see me playing golf alone at about 6:30 PM. He says he did not convey this to me as he found the proposal obnoxious as it smacked of blackmail.

The students have their weaknesses.

February 13, 1970, Friday

 

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February 13, 1970

Friday

12:35 AM

Col. Ver reports that de Leon has just come back from Samar where the men of Osmeña numbering about 300 are training with an American among them. We must find out if this is Larry Trackman. De Leon brought two samples of home made bombs – beer bottles with gun powder and a fuse.

We must track down these training camps and eradicate them.

Met with Father Blanco, the revolutionary priest. He seemed impressed with the crash program of employment with me calling the 600 biggest employers in the Manila area and asking them to take five to ten unemployed – then the housing program in Tondo, Tala Leprosarium, Sapang Palay, Carmona, San Pedro Tunasan; the free trade zone and the sale of essential commodities without payment of tariff or tax if necessary; the agro-industrial estates and the Magalang project under a private foundation, the Filipinas Foundation of the Ayalas.

Have asked Sec. Melchor to start the housing project immediately with the DBP, PNB, GSIS and SSS contributing one million pesos each.

Hope to be able to visit some community projects soon.

February 12, 1970, Thursday

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February 12, 1970

Thursday

12:00 PM

Against predictions of violence, the Plaza Miranda rally turned out to be peaceful. Some of the leaders shouted for the crowd to go to Malacañang but the crowd would not follow.

But the KM and SDK violated their word and went through with the rally in Plaza Miranda when they had said that they would not leave the campuses. Some 40 trucks came from Angeles City. The men in them did not look like students and they were the ones crying out for blood.

The northern congressmen, senators and governors came to the palace with completely armed men. I dissuaded them from infiltrating the demonstration and inflicting harm on them.

For a time I secretly hoped that the demonstrators would attack the palace so that we could employ the total solution. But it would be bloody and messy.

Anyway I told the northern political leaders that the situation may develop into a revolutionary situation during my administration and that we should prepare for a military confrontation with the communists. The North should be developed as a last bastion, just in case. We must now cache arms and ammo there, prepare Laoag for jet landings, Lingayen Gulf for our navy and organize provincial strike forces, at the rate first of at least 100 men each province.

But we must win the hearts and minds of our

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people. So, I argued, we must all be ready to sacrifice our personal interests for the common good. They agreed to this but begged that the men who had sacrificed in the political battles be not forgotten.

We had dinner and a movie. Blas Ople was there for dinner. And so was Emong Salvador, my old Maharlika comrade. Blas is an enigma. Many of the leaders distrust him. Even Col. Ver feels that he is actually one of the communist leaders and that all the attacks in the media against me and the administration may have been his brainchild. But it is best he is in the palace when there is a crisis. Then we can neutralize him or use him.

As of now I am convinced we have to wage a tedious legal, propaganda and economic battle against the communists. So this afternoon I asked the military leaders, Ponce Enrile, Yan, Garcia, and Ramos to prepare for this. There must be an assessment of the voluminous documents captured from the Ma-Maos – for legal action. The intelligence agencies must be sharpened to the sophisticated finesse of the intellectuals and urban communists. For this the NICA and NBI must be reorganized. And we must fund the various anti-subversion and anti-insurgency teams.

If they want a revolution, I will give them one in the economic field. Drastic, dramatic and effective like the rechanneling of the excess money into agro-industrial projects in the farms and resettlement centers.

I met with Vicente Araneta to listen to his priming plan. Assigned Usec. Roman Ong Jr. to study it.

February 11, 1970, Wednesday

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February 11, 1970

Wednesday

1:00 AM

Comparative quiet. The radicals have called off their rally in Plaza Miranda and will probably hold rallies in the campuses. Met with the UP moderates headed by Gordon and Ortega. They are planning to put up their newspaper.

Commander Sumulong sent word through Danding Cojuangco that the rioting in Malacañang was brought about by the CIA. Jim Rafferty had said that he had made inquiries about the squatters and they had refused to join the rally. This, he said was different from Indonesia, where they had.

Commander Sumulong is going after Commander Dante in Tarlac. He says Dante was wounded in a previous skirmish and may be moving around in a hammock. Danding suspects that Ninoy Aquino is hiding him in either Antipolo, Puringay or in the Joe Rojas ranch in Bataan. Sumulong promises to get him.

Col. Tomas Diaz is now Zone-2 and needs ₱80,000 for six civilian jeeps, one jeep each for the six teams and six more vehicles plus ₱10,000 monthly. We will start going after those Ma-Maos in a big way.

Have asked Bobby Benedicto to join Licaros in the U.S.. He has sought a leave of absence preparatory

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to retirement. Executive Vice Pres Villatuya is Acting President of PNB.

Am still looking for replacements in the BIR, Customs and the financing institutions as well as Undersecretaries of Defense, Justice and Commerce.

Have asked Dir. _______ of Forestry to locate 1,000 hectares near Manila and 1,000 hectares in Bataan near the Free Trade Zone for my resettlement projects.

Have appointed Gen. Tobias as Gen. Man. of the National Housing Corporation. I hope to build 1,000 low-cost houses a month.

February 10, 1970, Tuesday

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February 10, 1970

Tuesday

12:15 AM

Have just met with the KM, NATU, MASAKA, from 6:00 PM to 11:15 PM. They claim they will not engage in a hate-Marcos campaign but will limit their demonstration to the campuses and prevent violence.

Now the NUSP also want to meet with me. And so do the Upsilonians.

We are succeeding in dividing the student leaders into the radicals and the moderates.

Have had to grant some of their demands – things that I wanted to do anyway.

But four enlisted men were killed at Mapalacsiao, Tarlac, by men believed to be Maos at 1:00 AM today.

The demands of the radicals are socialistic if not communist – not merely nationalistic. We will have to play along with them, take away their steam while we go after the Maos and the HMBs.

Imelda met with the two Cardinals, Archbishops Gonzaga and Alberto on the problem of the Jesuits and the ultra-liberal priests. They intend to put yup a magazine and a newspaper.

Have asked Gen. Menzi to resign his position as Senior Aide so he can devote his full time to the Bulletin, Liwayway, his business interests and the preparation of a house in Australia and San Francisco if necessary.

February 9, 1970, Monday

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February 9, 1970

Monday

9:40 PM

I write this as I wait for a visitor who will inform us of all the conspiracy going on behind the Liberal Party. Osmeña has just delivered a privilege speech in the Senate denying his connection with the demonstrators and the riots and rehashing his charges about the elections.

Villalon testifying before the Senate-House Joint Committee should blast this claim to pieces. Col. Jimmy Barbers has asked for an opportunity to present him next Wednesday at 9:00 AM.

Went out of the Palace (for the first time since Jan. 30, 1970) to attend the 31^st Anniversary of the Phil. Navy set at 9:00 AM. Stayed until 11:00 AM. Commissioned the new 25-know 87 ft. patrol craft made in Singapore. Our Navy will duplicate it. We have a 100 ft. ferro-cement fishing boat in the making.

Was gratified to see the people waving at me and clapping their hands. The public sympathy has returned to us since the attack on the Palace on Jan. 30^th.

Apparently the crisis is over – unless the Feb. 12^th rallies turn into violent riots, God forbid.

The whole family was in Scout uniform at the 5:00 o’clock investiture of Imelda and the opening ceremonies of the preparation for the 50^th Anniversary of Scouting in 1973.

Conferred with the two Cardinals, Santos and Rosales, on the Jesuits and bishops propagating radical ideas – like Father Ortiz, Murphy (Tom) and Blanco as well as the seven bishops who sent the open letter.

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Now even the student leaders are divided. They seem to be in a state of confusion. Tonight 25 students from the UP have seen the First Lady. Uncivil, arrogant but uninformed, naïve and confused.

I see the KM and Labor leaders with Blas Ople tomorrow at 5:00 PM.

But the NUSP is following the script of making demands which I am supposed to grant – to strengthen their hand. And they are supposed to picket Malacañang tomorrow.

Even if the demonstrations should turn violent because the latest intelligence is that Commander Dante is supposed to be collecting hand guns in Concepcion and supposedly in the province of Tarlac, for use in Manila, it would still be favorable to us for the people are against violence – specially if it is against Malacañang Palace.

We must recast the plans for a total solution of the communist problem. We must prepare for a long, tedious legal fight with the military stepping up the drive in Central Luzon and harassing raids in Novaliches, Caloocan and Parañaque where the HMBs and the Mao’s hold in when they escape from the PC raids in Central Luzon.

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Gov. Licaros sent a message through Bobby Benedicto who is agreed to going out on leave from the Presidency of the PNB, that his mission is a complete success.

We will get the third tranche of $27.5 million $40 m from out gold $40 from the Federal Reserve Bank and $120 million from the consortium of banks plus a five year extension of our debts. If we can get $100 m from Japan, we will have all we need.

Now all I am asking for is to be allowed to start working.

February 8, 1970, Sunday

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February 8, 1970

Sunday

11:15 PM

I have sworn in the new cabinet members during my speech before the Constitutional Convention members during the cocktail for them at 5:00 PM at the reception hall except for the new Executive Secretary, Alex Melchor whom I swore in the evening at 7:10 when Iñing Lopez and Nanding, Heny Lopez and the Chronicle and ABS-CBN staff came to have dinner with us.

Iñing was very touchy, even arrogant, Heny was non-committal and IP Soliongco kept reapeating that nothing would be the same again and that we would have to listen to the voice of the students as this was the voice of the people.

I kept repeating to Ernie Granada that he should not push me to Byroade and the Americans.

It is my feeling that the Lopezes are going to do their best to undermine against us.

Met with Tony Pastalero brought by Angel Concepcion, former secretary of Sen. Camilo Osias, as well as Fernando (Gerry) Barican this noon for lunch with the first and the latter at 4:00 PM. They both promised to stop the talk about my resignation after I convinced them that if I were not around the military would take over. This is apparently feared by everyone including them.

Barican today has warned of a take over by the Jesuit-Fascist-CIA combine.

We really should warn our people of this. But today I met also with the Jesuit novices who want to be strengthened by my granting their demands (of the NUSP). I agreed to this to widen the split between them (the moderates) and the radicals.