I have just arrived from the 12:00 o’clock (high noon) interment of Col. Jesus Villamor at Libingan ng Bayani. He is the Air Force hero of the last war. I decorated him a few months ago (Distinguished Conduct Star) for his reconnaissance and photography mission of Cavite in an unarmed plane from Corregidor some time during the siege of Bataan and Corregidor. Then Imelda talked to him by telephone when she was in Washington about two weeks ago.
Now he is dead and buried because of cancer which was discovered only when he was hospitalized for cancer about two rnonths ago.
Official Gazette for November 6, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS led the nation in paying last homage to the late war hero, Col. Jesus Villamor, who was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio at high noon.
The. President left Malacañang at 11 a.m. and joined the funeral cortege at the gate of the Libingan at 11:30 a.m., together with other high ranking officials, representatives of the U.S. government led by Ambassador Henry Byroade, comrades in arms, close relatives and friends of the deceased.
As soon as the procession reached the burial site, the band played the Philippine National Anthem, a squadron of PAF jet fighters made a fly-by, and a PAF light plane sprayed the cortege with flowers.
The President then took the flag which had been carefully folded by the honor guard, and gave it to the tearful widow.
After the last rites, the casket was slowly lowered into the grave to the sound of muffled drums and “taps” and three volleys of musketry.
Back in Malacañang at about 12:30 p.m., the President and the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, honored at luncheon Malacañang house guest Dame Margot Fonteyn.
Among those present at the luncheon were Australian Ambassador James Charles Ingram, members of the Australian Dance Company, and heads of local dance troupes.
And he dies an impoverished man—and an American citizen.
The funeral reminded me of the days of war again—the first days of shock and confusion, the recovery of balance and the counter-attacks, the long long withdrawal from Lingayen to Bataan, the tense patrolling and indecisive combat, the heartbreak of surrender, the decision to break out, the wounds and injuries that prevented it, Capas and living death and the attempts to escape, the release and Fort Santiago, the tortures of the Japanese Kempei Tai, escape at Sariaya, the tedious bitter days of the underground, liberation and the many “Escolta guerillas,” emotional instability, anger at the many injustices against the soldier and the veteran, the superhuman effort to return to normalcy (men who have never been in sustained combat will never understand this instability of the combat soldier for which governments and society should give allowance and leeway), the mission to the U.S. Congress after the decision to go to Harvard.
12:15 PM [sic]
I am trying to finish all my paper work while waiting for Imelda who has gone to Laguna.
The city is like a carnival with all the candidates set on moving their motorcades.
We are preparing for the TV talkathon tomorrow evening from 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM.
The Liberal Meeting de Avance by TV was dull—all speeches. I have directed that ours be a fast paced question and answer format from a panel and from the public.
I attach the Diplomatic reports on the China question on Envelope XI-G, Survey Reports Envelope XI-H, various political papers XI-E. NPA [New People’s Army] organizer Abrino Aydinan for Northern Luzon XI-I, Various papers XI-J.