I ordered “Shoot To Kill” for wanted criminals and created a regional Task Force immediately under the Zone Commander, Gen. Tomas Diaz—to meet the problem of Ilocos Sur where the killings continue unabated. The latest killing was that of Ex. Mayor Porte of Bantay, in the public market and by known gunmen of the Singson faction.
I called a conference of the Sec. of National Defense, PC [Philippine Constabulary] Chief, the Zone Commander, Prov. Commander, Gov. Chavit [Luis] Singson, Vincent Crisologo, Tony [Antonio] Villanueva and the mayors.
Told them, the meeting was the last conference. There was evidence of partiality of Col. [Honorio] Balanon the prov. commander which I ordered investigated. He seems to be a weakling and is such a bully his own enlisted men were ready to shoot him down.
Worked on the Rice Terraces tourism project. We will lengthen and asphalt Bagabag Airfield, finish the asphalting of the road to Banawe—32 kilometers more from Lagawe.
Then finish the waterworks of Baguio as well as the road to Bontoc from Baguio.
Also worked on the problems of Northern Luzon.
Official Gazette for April 2, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS started his paper work early and then broke off from his desk toward noon to meet with Manila newsmen covering him.
In the evening, the President called leaders of two feuding factions of llocos Sur to a conference at the Mansion House following the killing of former Bantay Mayor Maria Asuncion Porte in Vigan.
During the conference, the Chief Executive told the incumbent and former officials of Ilocos Sur that the government had reached the end of its patience in the continuous politically motivated killings in that province.
He directed Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile to assign a marine unit to the province which will hunt clown all wanted criminals.
Among those present at the conference were Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief; Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, Ex-Governor Antonio Villanueva, Mayor Evaristo Singson of Vigan, Col. Honorio Balanon, Ilocos Sur provincial commander; and Vincent Crisologo, representative of former Governor Carmeling Crisologo.