We have just come from deck where Imelda insisted on staying as the ship started rolling, pitching and yawing in heavy seas. The children have stretched out to sleep in the deck lounging chairs finding the deck less conductive to sea-sickness.
Last night 3/4 of the crew of our escort destroyer were sea-sick and the PCF’s [Patrol Craft Fast] had to go back as the waves were 50 feet high.
I seem to be a better sailor than most—today anyway.
We docked at the IISMI [Iligan Integrated Steel Mills Inc.] pier at Iligan at about 6:00 AM. I woke up suddenly at 6:20 AM when we were no longer moving, washed up, dressed, ate my bowl of corn flakes with honey and milk and was ready to go at 7:00 AM. Cong. [Mohammad] Ali Dimaporo was waiting for me. I was at the Baloi Airport at 7:30 AM. Reached the Cotabato Airfield at 7:50 AM.
I asked a briefing by the officers of the PC [Philippine Constabulary], USec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.], Dirs. [Jose] Viado and [Vicente] Valdellon, Gov. [Simeon] Datumanong and Com. Raoul Veloso just before the open forum and my decisions.
Set aside about 5,000 hectares for settlements—some for Tirurays, some for Muslims and others for Christians.
Ordered about 50 detachments to be set up in the areas of conflict (about 300 soldiers).
Directed Capt. Tronco and Col. Zarrosa to be taken out of Cotabato.
Ordered [Feliciano] Luces alias Toothpick to be brought to see me in Manila.
Ordered all loose firearms to be confiscated whether held by men in uniform or civilians—but gave a previous registration or surrender period.
Released funds to the various municipalities for roads and other projects.
Was back at Baloi Airport at 11:00 AM. We reached Marawi overland at 11:45 AM. The program lasted up to 2:00 PM.
Listened to Sec. Mahamed Ta Omeida.
No Official Gazette entry for this day
Spoke of unity.
Pledged P100,000 of my private funds for an Islamic Center. I intend to push this through. There is already $100,000 from Pakistan.
I can allocate two hectares in Camp Bonifacio.
Then cooperatives for fishing and farming to be financed by the Libyan President with $2 million or more.