I directed more troops into Diguyo since the estimate of enemy strength is 500 men: 100 NE Diguyo under Comdr. Dencio (Victor Corpus) another 100 N Diguyo and 300 coming from direction of Ilagan. So at equivalent strength government troops should be 500. At the anti-guerrilla ratio of government troops to guerrillas of 4-1, the government should be 2,000 at least. I attach copy of order.
Two senators ([Leonardo] Perez and [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.]) visited the Diguyo creek. I attach the reports on the visit.
I also attach situation reports from Gen. [Romeo] Espino and Capt. Dalipe, liaison officer of PSU [Presidential Security Unit] at Palanan.
The movement is still slow and coordination very sloppy. Lt. de Leon of the Rangers is still at the shoreline and has not linked up with Lt. Santos who is being resupplied by helicopter and has no radio contact with ACP. And there is no diesel fuel for the tugboats used as transportation of the troops from Didadongan to Diguyo. Some of the company of marines from Ilocos Sur are still in Vigan and Tuguegarao. Only one helicopter is available to airlift the troops to Diguyo.
Planning and reaction slow and weak.
I also attach two reports assessing the documents captured by TF Saranay in Bo. [Barrio] Tarugsing, Cordon, Isabela containing the NPA [New People’s Army] Regional Plan of Action for 1972.
Official Gazette for July 13, 1972: THE PRESIDENT met with congressional leaders and Cabinet members at a luncheon in Malacañang to pave the way for the early approval of a calamity bill, which seeks the appropriation of P250 million.
The President strongly urged that action be taken immediately on the measure “in view of the calamities which have been so pervasive as to have affected the entire country.”
He further added that the approval of the calamity bill should include not only the repair of destroyed infrastructure, “but also the establishment of the means by which to diminish such destruction and damage.”
Among those present at the conference were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Majority Floor Leader Arturo Tolentino, Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Senator Lorenzo Teves, Rep. Marcelino Veloso, Finance Secretary Cesar K. A. Virata, Public Works Secretary David Consunji, Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, Deputy Budget Commissioner Juan Agcaoili.
In the course of his work on state papers later in the day, the President issued an executive order changing the constitution of the Presidential Investigation and Recovery Commission so as to facilitate the work of this body charged with effecting the collection and recovery of monies and properties of government firms.
The commission, as reconstituted, would have the secretary of justice as chairman, the RCA chairman-general manager as vice chairman, and the solicitor general and a representative each of the auditor general and the Philippine National Bank, as members.
It suggests more troops for TF Saranay and possible Martial Law.
Luncheon Conference on Calamity Legislation and the entire legislative program with the legislative leaders.