The Cotabato situation—I have chosen Col. Encarnacion to head the task force that will operate in Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon. The task force will be supported by all Army forces including a FA unit. Two companies of the Battalion Combat Team are now in Alamada, still uncommitted. We are sending two APC’s [armored personnel carrier] for transport of troops. Two helicopters are there now.
Had a conference with the Christian and Muslim leaders including Cong. Salipada Pendatun, Gov. [Simeon] Datumanong, Mayors [Nicolas] Dequinia of Midsayap, [Esteban] Doruelo of Pigkauayan, [Armando] Lagda of Kabacan and [Dima] Dalid of Carmen, President of the mayor’s league. They pledged to support the campaign against the armed men causing destruction of lives and property.
Official Gazette for June 25, 1971: President Marcos gave three hours of his time to a conference on the Cotabato situation, when he met at Malacañang the political leaders and officials of that province to thresh out the problems and the solutions to the resurgent armed strife among hostile factions in the region.
Deeply concerned about the situation in that province, the President asked the officials and other leaders of the region to stick to their posts during this emergency so that the people may better respond to authority and allay their fears.He also issued directives and asked local leaders to coordinate with the military in hardening peace and order in the area.
Present during the conference were Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Acting Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, Sen. Mamintal Tamano, Reps. Constantino C. Navarro, who is chairman of the House Committee on National Defense; Mohammad Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte and Salipada K. Pendatun of North Cotabato. Mayor Omar Dianalan of Marawi City, Gov. Simeon Datumanong of North Cotabato, Board Member Doroteo Palencia, Mayors Esteban Doruelo of Pigkawayan, Nicolas Dequinia of Midsayap, Armando S. Lagda of Kabacan and Dima Dalid of Carmen, all in Cotabato.
Earlier in the morning, the President received officials of the Anti-Communist League of the Philippines. The group requested the early release of the ₱250,000 authorized by Congress for the expenses of holding the joint conference of Asian anti-communist groups in Manila next month.
Those who composed the group were Senators Jose J. Roy and Leonardo B. Perez; Reps. Ramon D. Bagatsing, Frisco San Juan, Salipada K. Pendatun, Fermin Z. Caram, Jr.; former Director of Prisons Alejo Santos, Antonio Roxas Chua, Col. Ernesto Golez, N. Fernandez, Leon O. Ty, former Rep. Inocencio V. Ferrer, and Prudencio T. Europa.
Among the few other callers the President received was a delegation from the Philippine Jockeys Association and the Sta. Ana Park Horse Race Trainers and Jockeys Association, headed by Lumen Policarpio, which presented a plaque of appreciation to the President for his support of R.A. 6115 providing benefits to these class of workers, and which he subsequently signed.
In-between these conferences and callers, the President acted on other urgent official matters, including certifying to Congress the bill giving public school teachers increases in salary rates.
He also designated Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal as his personal representative at the inauguration of President Park Chung Hee of Korea on July 1. Others designated to compose the Philippine delegation were Philippine Ambassador Benjamin Tirona to Korea; Mayor Elias Lopez of Davao City; Brig. Gen. Edilberto Bernales of the Philippine Air Force and Atty. Ramon Martinez.
Among other actions, the President declared July 1, 1971 (Thursday) a special public holiday in the province of Southern Leyte, marking the 11th anniversary of its creation as a separate province. Proclamation of the public holiday was requested by Governor Salvation O. Yñiguez and Rep. Nicanor E. Yñiguez of that province.
Also present were Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Congs. [Mohammad] Ali Dimaporo, Pres. of the [Minanpala?] and [Constantino] Uging Navarro, Chairman of the House Committee of National Defense. These three came from an inspection of Cotabato. So were Sen. Pres. Pro Tempore Jose Roy and Sen. [Mamintal] Tamano.
Actually these political leaders have no control of the situation. And they have violated the peace pact that was entered into here at the palace several months ago.
We finalized the complaint for libel against Time magazine this morning. And I have prepared the filing fee in the amount of P99,850.00 as we are asking moral damages of P50 million.
The election of officers of the Constitutional Convention will be held on Tuesday, June 29th.
Delegate Carlos Ledesma accompanied by Congs. Arman Gustilo and Nene [Fermin] Caram [Jr.] as well as Delegate [Emilio] de la Cruz [II] and Ady Sison came to seek my support this noon. I asked them to allow me to study the matter.
And tonight, Delegate Estanislao Fernandez came to see me to convey the request of Ex-Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal for my support. I called Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal, Delegates Gualberto Duavit, [Antonio] Tony Tupaz, [Natalio] Chito Castillo [Jr.] and Rep. [Eduardo] Danding Cojuangco [Jr.] to the conference. Then I asked Delegates Duavit, Tupaz and Chito Castillo to see ex-Pres. Macapagal tonight and report to me tomorrow morning.
The rivalry for the Presidency of the Convention will probably narrow down to ex-Pres. Macapagal, Ex-Sen. [Raul] Manglapus and [Carlos] Charlie Ledesma if he continues. But Ledesma would be vulnerable as he is not prestigious and he is a rich haciendero of sugar and shipping—not a reformist.
The typhoon hit Leyte and Samar and passed south of Manila at 8:00 PM. I hope that this means the weather will be good when we go to Leyte by boat on Sunday evening. We leave at 12:00 midnight. To Ormoc City our first stop is 27 hours. We attend the fiesta on the 29th. Then we go to Tacloban to attend the fiesta in the morning of the 30th.
Imelda’s birthday will be on the 2nd of July. We will celebrate it in Tolosa. And the memorial for her father will be inaugurated in Tolosa on the 3rd.
I have to organize the Oil Commission and appoint some judges and the director for Postmaster General and President of the Housing Corp.
Since the Liberals have met through their National Directorate and they have started the political season, we have to prepare for the campaign.