Clark Air Force Base for the awarding of the trophies in the 5th Fighter Wing (Phil. Air Force) under Gen. [Jose] Rancudo and the 405 Fighter Wing, 13th Air Force (U.S.) under Col. Brown.
Lt. Gen. [Marvin] McNikle, CG [Commanding General] of the 13th and his Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Thurmond were there with Ambassador [Henry] Byroade.
Had to go by car as it has been raining in Manila heavily since the 12th (evening) although it was sunny in Clark Field.
Left at 7:30, arrived at 9:00 AM. Left at 11:00 AM and arrived at 12:45 PM.
Official Gazette for July 14, 1970: President Marcos said that while the primary mission of today’s armies still the defense of their countries, they “must also be productive elements in the enhancement of peaceful pursuits and the betterment of life.”
The President was the guest speaker at the closing ceremonies of the air ground gunnery competition between the 405th Fighter Wing of the U.S. 13th Air Force, at the Clark Air Base in Angeles City. In his speech, the President disclosed that the Philippines, has “successfully experimented with the soldier as a builder.’” “Our aim,” he said, “is to make the soldier as much a part of our society as the civilian is, shouldering not a rifle alone but the same burdens that the plain citizen bears—the burdens of nation-building.” Continuing, the President said of the military: “They must be knowledgeable about so many scholarly disciplines, including politics, economics and technology, not to mention psychology and human relations. Soldiers must be fighters as well as technicians.” To be able to fulfill their primary defense mission, he stated the armed forces “must constantly hone their skills, constantly seek to elevate the standards of professionalism, constantly upgrade their readiness for field duty.” “Only those who can wear the badge of excellence may be called true soldiers,” the President concluded.
The President arrived at Clark Air Base at about 9:40 a.m., with his son, Ferdinand (Bongbong) Jr., coming along as an interested observer. The President was originally scheduled to fly to the base but was forced to go by car because of inclement weather. The President proceeded direct to the base airfield where U.S. embassy and military officials headed by Ambassador Henry Byroade and Lt. Gen. McNickle, the Air Base commander, awaited him. After acknowledging the ruffles and flourishes offered by an honor guard, the President was escorted to Kelly Theatre where the ceremonies were held.
At the four-day gunnery competition, the Philippine Air Force contingent won four out of six trophies, including the coveted President Marcos trophy for over-all group championship. After refreshments at the base officers club, the President and his party motored back to Manila. He arrived at the Palace shortly after 1 p.m.
After a late lunch, the President had a brief rest.
At about 3:30 p.m., the President started working in his private study, in the course of which he directed the National Water and Air Pollution Control Commission (NWAPCC) to submit immediately a pollution control program, as well as guidelines for its implementation.
He broke off at 5:30 p.m. to receive representatives of the striking jeepney drivers, who were accompanied to Malacañang by Secretary of Labor Blas F. Ople and their legal counsel, Lupino Lazaro.
The President succeeded in prevailing on the drivers to call off their strike, and assured them, that he would actively seek a reduction in the price of gasoline, the main issue of the strike.
He also ordered a study of the proposal of the jeepney drivers for the establishment of cooperative gasoline stations, to be owned and run by jeepney drivers.
Lunch and a nap.
Then met with Atty. [Lupiño] Lazaro of the Mazda and about 20 of his jeepney drivers presidents and convinced them to call off the jeepney strike they started yesterday. I gave P5,000 for their men who had not earned a centavo since yesterday. And promised to try and bring down the price of gasoline or get a trust fund as originally proposed.
Gen. [Charles] Lindbergh is back. He is happy about the increase in the herds of tamaraw and the flights of the monkey eating eagle. Ms. Whitman of the New York Times was here too and Mons. [Antonio] Fortich with the Dacong Cogon small planters to say thank you.
Then conferred with Carding Silverio on the Toyota offer to manufacture cars and spare parts and [Potenciano] Nanoy Ilusorio on accounts.
Previewed “Maharlika” up to 12:00.
Maharlika” directed by Jerry Hopper, was a film, produced by Luis Nepomuceno, and shot in the Philippines depicting the war-time exploits of Ferdinand Marcos. The female lead Dovie Beams went public about her two-year affair with Marcos.