Official Gazette for November 25, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS conferred with Secretary of National Defense Efren I. Plana on the killings in Lanao del Norte.
During the conference, the President ordered a thorough reassessment of the entire concept of military operations in Mindanao as a result of the incident in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, ending in the death of some 34 Muslims.
The President said the reassessment of the military operations concept in the region would particularly cover operations in the two Cotabato provinces, two Lanao provinces, Bukidnon, Sulu, and other provinces which might be affected by the problem of Ilagas and other outlaw bands.
After the conference with the top defense and military officials who had been from a fact-finding trip to Lanao del Norte, the President also announced that:
1. That parties involved in the incident resulting in the death of 34 Muslims at Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte would be investigated and prosecuted in civilian courts. He said the decision was arrived at because it would not look good if the military would prosecute and at the same mete out justice to its own men in court martials.
2. The policy of mixing Christian and Muslim officers in joint commands would be reactivated in Lanao del Norte to ensure maximum rapport with the population. The President explained that the policy could not be implemented because the Election Code banned the transfer of officers during the period from 90 days before election to 30 days after the election.
3. The 31st Philippine Army Infantry would be pulled out of Lanao del Norte for retraining and reassignment as soon as it could be replaced.
4. The national policy of paying reparations to Muslim and Christian settlers for damages caused by military operations would also be reviewed. The President said that some P10 million had been appropriated by Congress for the payment of reparations for damages caused by the military operations in Mindanao.
Present at the conference were Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Rafael Ileto, PA commanding general; and Brig. Gen. Felizardo Tanabe, acting PC chief.
Earlier in the morning, the President received a three-man Soviet Muslim goodwill mission to the Philippines.
During their call on the President, the mission members thanked the Filipino people through the President for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded them by Filipinos, both Christians and Muslims.
They also expressed hope that their visit, which was made on behalf of the Grand Mufti of Tashkent, would pave the way for wider contact and more friendly relations between the peoples of Soviet Russia and the Philippines.
The President also learned from them that Muslims in Russia, numbering some 30 million, and people of other religions, “are well taken cared of” by the Soviet government and enjoy full religious freedom, contrary to reports.
“That is very interesting,” the President said, “because the news we have been receiving is that there is religious suppression there and the people are not allowed to worship as they like.”
The President also expressed the hope that there would be more such goodwill missions in order to help foster friendly and trade relations between the two countries.
Before the delegation left, they presented the President with a historical album of their Republic, Uzbekistan.
The delegation, which was accompanied by Sen. Mamintal Tamano, included Imam Khatib Mamatskli Parpiev of Tashkent, head of the delegation, Ioussoupkhan Chakirov, chief of foreign relations department of the Muslim Religious Board of Uzbekistan, and Azan Aliakbarov, secretary of the Muslim Religious Board, USSR.
In the course of the day, because of the worsening conflict between India and Pakistan, the President sent the following identical messages to Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Yahya Khan:
The developments of the last three days in the Hindu-Pakistani boarders, with its implication for the peace and stability of the region, cannot but raise grave apprehensions among the peoples of Southeast Asia. At the same time, the mounting crisis, unless checked in time, can visit untold hardships on the peoples of India and Pakistan.
I appeal to you to take advantage of your considerable resources on behalf of a peaceful settlement of the dispute. Trusting in your wisdom, I pray that you will continue to use the utmost prudence and discretion in the face of the unfortunate and regrettable difficulties which now beset your great country.
I have ordered all the books on war, revolution, guerilla or underground warfare etc. from the National Library Director [Serafin] Quiason. Crozier’s Institute for the Study of conflict in London should be a good source.
Sec. [Carlos] Romulo called up to request that the Foreign Policy Council meeting set tomorrow be postponed to Saturday so that he can submit a report of substance. Right now they are still awaiting Malaysia’s definition of the term neutralization.
They may issue a communique but the final proclamation will be at the Asian Head’s [sic] of States conference or summit (at Manila I hope).
Sec. [Efren] Plana and the generals arrived from Lanao. I have ordered the prosecution of the Phil. Army soldiers who killed—the Muslims at Kauswagan—and in civilian courts.
We will now fieled Moslems officers jointly with Christian officers.
And review our military and civilian policy specially in Mindanao.
The problem is more social than military or religious.