Slept till late. Woke up at 6:30 AM, read and worked, then went back for an hours sleep.
Talked to Gov. Antonio Villanueva on the attacks on the eight towns of Ilocos Sur. He denied that the attacks were made by any of the men of Crisologo or his men. He called attention to the fact that the municipal building of Cagayan was already burning when the policemen discovered the arson and some molotov bombs with gasoline. And both the incumbent and newly elected mayor are Nacionalistas. The radio station of Bingbong [Vicente] Crisologo and that of Gov. Villanueva were bombed. And a provincial capital guard was wounded. So was a passenger of a bus from Ilocos Norte. The Provincial capitol was attacked.
Although Mayor Jose Singson of Vigan says that the alleged witnesses saw the assailants return to the Tobacco Redrying Plant of the Crisologos.
Although this is the first time that M-79’s are used in Ilocos Sur. Or grenades as in Magsingal.
So I issued a press statement which I attach.
The Liberals, of course, connects me to the supposed plot to cause disorder so that martial law may be declared. Vice Gov. elect Pablito Sanidad, son of Ex-Cong. Pablo Sanidad said so.
Tony [Antonio] Raquiza saw me tonight on his two projects—that of Adaza and of Max Goldberger.
So did Bobby [Roberto] Benedicto.
Official Gazette for December 20, 1971: The President continued concentrating on paper work, even as he trimmed his scheduled callers to a few officials of the executive department who consulted him on projects of their respective agencies.
He was closeted most of the morning and afternoon in his private study going over official reports and disposing of urgent state papers.