2:00 AM December 16th
We agreed to start diplomatic and trade relations with Romania and Yugoslavia announcement to be made later (January 12th meeting) after we find out what the big powers do in the Indian-Pakistan conflict. The delay is upon the request of Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal.
Official Gazette for December 15, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS met with the bipartisan Foreign Policy Council at the Malacañang State Dining Room, on the question of establishing diplomatic and trade relations with some socialist countries including Soviet Russia and the People’s Republic of China.
During the meeting, a consensus had been reached within the bipartisan Council that the Philippines establish formal diplomatic and trade relations with some Eastern European Socialist countries.
No decision however had been arrived at in the case of Soviet Russia and the People’s Republic of China because of, among others, the Indian, Pakistani conflict, which threatened to involve the major powers.
Present at the conference held from 10 a.m. “to 12 noon were former President of the Republic and Constitutional Convention President Diosdado Macapagal, Sen. and LP President Gerardo M. Roxas, Acting Speaker Jose Aldeguer, Senators Lorenzo M. Tañada and Emmanuel Pelaez; House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso, Rep. Nicanor Yñiguez;
Secretaries Carlos P. Romulo of Foreign Affairs and Cesar E. A. Virata of Finance, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr.; Press Secretary Francisco S. Tatad; Chairman Vicente Paterno of the Board of Investments;
Undersecretaries Jose Ingles and Manuel Collantes of Foreign Affairs, Efren I. Plana of National Defense, and Estelito Mendoza of Justice; Ambassador Vicente Singian, former Secretaries of Foreign Affairs Felino Neri, Narciso Ramos and Salvador P. Lopez; Joaquin P. Roces of the Manila Times, Manuel Abaci Gaerlan of the Philippines Herald, Benjamin Rodriguez of the Manila Daily Bulletin, Neal H. Cruz of PACE Magazine, Antonio V. Roces of the Daily Star, Luis Mauricio of theGraphic, Benjamin Campomanes of Manila Rotary, Miguel Arambulo of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Julio Francia of the Chamber of Industries.
Following the Council meeting, the President addressed the members of the Philippine Muslim Lawyers League who called at Malacañang shortly afternoon, at the opening of their second national conference.
The President appealed to all Muslim leaders to participate actively as concerned citizens in the restoration of peace and order in the troubled areas in Mindanao.
Introduced by Sen. Mamintal Tamano, league president, the President expressed hope that the four-day convention of the league would come up with specific recommendations and offer workable solutions to the Mindanao problem.
Later, the President issued a provincial circular urging provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors and other local officials, to conduct a campaign discouraging temporarily local folk from emigrating to settlements in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato.
He issued the circular “in view of the unsettled peace and order condition in those provinces arising from animosities between Christians and Muslims directly resulting from controversies and conflicts over land.”
Upon learning of the death of I. P. Soliongco later in the day, the President issued the following message of condolence:
I am deeply grieved to learn of the sudden demise of Mr. I. P. Soliongco of the Manila Chronicle.
The nation has lost in his passing a distinguished man of letters, a leading journalist and a dedicated nationalist.
Through four decades of writing for the Philippine press, he represented to all of us the best in the life of the intellectual. He brought to his work learning, compassion and a consuming interest in the larger concerns of our society. And among his many legacies, he taught many of us the meaning of pride and self-esteem.
To the very last, he was this kind of unfailing witness among us, and we can only regret the void that this tragedy now leaves behind.
To his bereaved kin, and to the Manila Chronicle, my family and I extend our deepest sympathy and condolence.
The President attended to official papers and other urgent state matters in the afternoon.
I stopped the move to include Russia after I called attention to the happenings in England and Mexico—the primary demands of security requires caution—and to take up the case of Russia compels us to take up the case of Red China.
Met the Muslim lawyers league for lunch at Maharlika. I set up a diplomatic mission in Jedda, 3 slots in the Phil. Military Academy for Muslim cadets, stop Christian migration into Muslim provinces, set up security centers in Cotabato, organizing a separate development plan for Mindanao and Sulu and emphasize civic action instead of military operations.
Met Maclang who has just been released last year after a 20 year prison term. He was a member of the Politburo and still is. He represented the Traditionalist Communist group as opposed to the Maoist whom he kept calling Tulisanes, in their offer to receive arms from us (150 automatic carbines, 100 armalites and 50 submachine guns) to go after the Maoist, first in Laguna, then in Manila and Isabela.
Postponed action until we can assess the offer, liaison to be established with Atty. Adasa the partner of Tony [Antonio] Raquiza.
Feliciano Macapagal heads the Traditionalists now, not Francisco Lava, Commander Diwa heads the armed group, Soldiers of the Peoples Liberation Force.
[Teodoro] Teddy Locsin [Sr.] was here for dinner up to 1:20 AM. He is for a capitalist system. I asked “Enlightened Capitalism,” and he says that it may sound reactionary but he was. He was against socialism as this needs discipline which only a war or revolution can bring.
Gunfire in the Supreme Court. One suspect apprehended.
The need for martial law becomes more urgent. The situation in Mindanao is worse than most people think. The NPA [New People’s Army] has shown is reaction to the Supreme Court decision by repeated attacks on military installations.
Maclang warned me about Adrian Cristobal who is sympathetic to the KM [Kabataang Makabayan] and in constant touch with them and Kits [Francisco] Tatad who is in touch with them.
He believes [Joaquin] Chino Roces supports the Jose Maria Sison group, Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] the NPA and Gemma Cruz the Makibaka (the Samahang Progresibo ng Kababaihan Pilipino is their-Traditionalist-Organization and is headed by his wife).
He believes Gen. [Rafael] Ileto whose son is a radical, is disloyal to me. And Col. Irlanda is one of the NPA trainers. As well as Greg Perez.
I[ndalencio] P. [Indalencio] Soliangco died of a heart attack this morning. He is one of the most vicious attackers of the administration. And he has been the [Niccolo] Machiavelli of the Lopezes and the Chronicle.