3:00 AM June 17th
Moslem leaders from Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte pledged loyalty to me—“’even if you declare yourself dictator.” 24 mayors out of 28 of Lanao del Sur and 10 mayors out of 19 of Lanao del Norte under Cong. [Mohammad] Ali and Macacuna Dimaporo and Ex. Gov. Mandangan Dimacuta “our only reservation is our religion.”
Sen. Mamintal Tamano refused to meet with these leaders.
Asian Land Reform ministers and directors paid a courtesy call on me with Sec. Conrado Estrella.
Cancelled the briefing on the consultative group to meet in June 22, 1972 in Tokyo.
Luncheon for Donald Kendall of Pepsi Cola with [Bernard] Lasker, Pres. of the New York Stock Exchange, [James] Roche former Gen. Manager of General Motors and Champion former Chairman of First National City Bank of New York—and others who are leaders in the economic field in the U.S.
Official Gazette for June 16, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS conferred in the morning with the mayors of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte on the peace and order situation in the two provinces.
The President warned the Lanao mayors of the presence of communists in their localities, who had reportedly already infiltrated the ranks of both the Ilagas and Muslim organizations.
The local executives, accompanied by Reps. Macacuna Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte and Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur, called at Malacañang to renew their pledge of loyalty to the President and the government.
The President deplored the effort of international media “to interpret the fighting in Mindanao between the Muslims and the Ilagas as an attempt to crush political opposition and eradicate the Muslims who, in turn, are utilizing the fighting to attain their selfish ends.”
He assured the Muslim leaders that “we are trying to settle the differences between the leadership and the local groups so that the Muslim leadership will be united.”
Among those who called on the President were the mayors of Bacolod, Saguiran, Binidayang, Tugaya Tuburan, Madamba, Tarakan, Bayang, Ramain, Piagapoc, Lumbatan; Masiu, Bubong, Pualas, Balindong, Lumba, Tamparan, Monay, Baloy, and Marawi City; former Governor Linang Mandangan, and Brig. Gen. Mamarinta Lao.
Among other callers were the officers of the Confederation of Land Reform Farmers of the Philippines headed by Mac Fabian, whom he inducted into office; and the members of the Southeast Asia Agrarian Reform Study Tour headed by Secretary Conrado F. Estrella of Agrarian Reforms, who paid him a courtesy call.
The group was composed of Vice Minister of Land Reform and Agriculture and Fishery Nguyen Thanh Qui of Vietnam, Director-General R. Soebiantoro of Transmigration of Indonesia, Land Reform Commissioner P. S. Appu of India, Land Commissioner K. N. Weerachody of Ceylon, Director C. Narayanasamy of Agrarian Research and Training of Ceylon, Director Khamaruzzanan Bin Abdul Halim of Management Services of Malaysia; Associate Director Sein Lin of John C. Lincoln Institute; and A. N. Seth, regional rural institutions officer of the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok.
In the afternoon, the President worked on official papers and went over reports from government agencies, including that of Acting Health Secretary Clemente Gatmaitan, who assured him that all precautionary measures were being taken to prevent the outbreak of diseases in evacuation areas in Zamboanga del Sur.
Then dinner at the boat on a cruise of Manila Bay up to 2:00 AM.
Held a conference with Cong. Jose Alberto, Sen. Lorenzo Teves and Com. [Faustino] Sychangco on the budget. Since the Senate has removed the power to transfer funds and the use of savings as well as other substantial provisions, there will have to be a new special session to be called immediately after the 1st on June 23rd.
The House will maintain its version.
Met the Justices (Felix Antonio, Felix Makasiar and Antonio Barredo) on the appointment of a Justice of the Supreme Court and a Presiding as well as Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals.
[Jose] Joe Campos, Ralph Nubla at 9:30 PM.
Then called up Gen. [Fidel] Ramos on Mindanao and Johnny [Juan] Perez on ads for the
Express.
[Muammar] Gaddafi of Libya in a Lebanon speech has reiterated his stand that he will continue to support the Moslem independence movement against “the Manila government” with men, arms, equipment and money.”
He has probably been approached again by Congressman Salipada Pendatun who left the country some time ago.
And this may be the reason for the attack on government troops by Muslim groups. One led by the nephew of Udtog Matalam had a following of 50-100 men with three 30 caliber machine guns, BARs and AK47. They suffered I5 KIA [killed in action] while our troops suffered 1 KIA.
The Gaddafi speech was reported by Ambassador [Roberto] Benedicto who quoted Japanese sources. I directed him to document this.
Seato [Southeast Asia Treaty Organization] and its replacement.
Neutralization of South East Asia.
The Malacca Straits.
The Convention of the Law on the Seas.
The effect of the closing of the Malacca Straits to Philippines.
The funds for the Constitutional Convention.
[Eisaku] Sato reassigned as Prime Minister 30 minutes before I talked to Bobby Benedicto by long distance.
[Takeo] Fukuda may succeed for a year or two and [Kakuei] Tanaka to follow. Fukuda is for increased trade and investments and aid abroad as well as for increased arms for Japan.
Appointments
Justice [Salvador] Esguerra
Com. Luis Patajo.
Don [Donald] Kendall, [Bernard] Lasker and the others are clearly disturbed by the possible victory of Sen. [George] McGovern whose welfare state program is beginning to attract the young and the 18 year olds are going to vote this year. McGovern is for an inheritance tax of a hundred percent for all the excess of $500,000, a 77% income tax on income in excess of $150,000 and promises to give $1,000 to every American.
He is an isolationist and for “Fortress America.”