I just talked to Kokoy [Benjamin] Romunldez at Washington on the cablegram report of Ambassador Eduardo Romualdez on his talks to Marshall Green, the State Department man of the Far East on the reported Japanese plan to recognize Red China, in which conversation Marshall Green “bluntly told us that the Philippine government has overestimated the aid extended by the Chinese (Red) government and the Chinese community in the Philippines to the local communists.”
The U.S. State Department has a consistent record of error in the assessment of Asian situations and judging Red Chinese intentions. It is preposterous, therefore, for them to lecture to us on their estimate of the threat we face from the local communists.
And apparently, they are at it again in the Philippines.
Perhaps, the U.S. Embassy here is most to blame. For I think the Ambassador and his staff, the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] man, Canaris, have finished as of last year a report on the Isabela situation concluding that the NPA [New People’s Army] operates out of the pocket of [Jose Maria] Sison and [Victor] Corpus? And does not pose a serious threat—numbering less than 100.
How stupid can they get?
Official Gazette for August 27, 1972: THE PRESIDENT led in the national commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio, Rizal.
Addressing the nation at solemn rites held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at high noon, the President pledged anew the determination of the Filipino people to preserve their freedom at all cost.
“We, the Filipino people, are ready to pay the price of freedom anywhere, at any time and at any place. Like the Unknown Soldier, we shall demand no reward nor expect any exceptional recognition, but merely hope our efforts shall indeed buy the freedom that our people desire and dream for.”
The President reiterated his warning that an alien ideology, using the very freedom that the Unknown Soldier had fought for and won, was trying to subvert and destroy the government.
“Therefore,” the President said, “it is necessary that we place on record before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that we recognize our duties and obligations and that we shall never fail them.”
After the brief remarks, the President walked to the foot of the Tomb and laid a wreath, offered a few moments of silent prayer and saluted.a
Those who also laid wreaths at the Tomb were Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Senator Lorenzo Teves and Mrs. Yolanda Veloso. representing Senator Helena Z. Benitez, and Dean Gloria Santos of the Philippine Historical Association.
Also present at the ceremonies were Justice Secretary Vicente Abad Santos, Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, General Romeo C. Espino, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief; Brig. Gen. Rafael G. Zagala, PA commander; and members of the Philippine Historical Association led by Chairman Esteban de Ocampo.
The President worked on urgent state papers in the afternoon.
And after we, in the government, had traced the interlocking of the front organizations in the cities like Manila (like KM [Kabataang Makabayan]) with the NPA, the CIA man, Canaris, offered to spend good money on the question of whether there were any connections at all between the front organizations and the NPA.
If the NPA has no funds except those from the pockets of their leaders, where did they get the P5 million that was used, according to the captured NPA, in the purchase of the SS [Single-screw Steampship] Karagatan and the about 2,000 M-14 rifles, ammo, rockets, communications equipment, clothing and food.
And why is there an increase in their number, so much so that in most engagements in Isabela, our boys were outnumbered, contrary to the basic principles of guerrilla warfare.
The NPA is spreading to the Bicol, Samar, Leyte, Panay Island, Negros, Mindanao and even Sulu.
And the KM’s are proliferating in greater strides.
What about the Supreme Court decision. Are the Americans saying that the justices are incompetent? Like all of us, supposedly?
Then the ambush in Marikina of a Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] car which resulted in the capture of an M-14 with serial number beginning with 620 like the M-14’s captured in Digoyo, Palanan.
So I have asked Gov. Romualdez to ask our friends like Gen. [Donald] Blackburn and [Napoleon] Poling Valeriano to put things right in the lower levels.
And to send word to the cabinet level and National Security Council level that I feel that we are being misused.
Anyway I was so exercised by the reported ex cathedra statement of Marshall Green that I asked for the clarification of the intention and purpose as well as the surrounding circumstances of the statement.
But that is the U.S.
This reminds me of the assessment of the 1970 situation in U.S. News and World Report (Feb. 23, 1970, p. 54—Worldgram)—“Add this to Asia’s troubles: Filipinos are on the brink of a peaceful or a bloody revolution. Change must come quickly. Everyone agrees on that.
Filipinos have lost confidence in their political leaders. The treasury is virtually empty, exports are lethargic, the peso is weak and corruption is rampant. The gulf between the very rich and the very poor is widening.
Is the U.S. to blame for this crisis? Not at all. Yet it could end up in the middle. Filipinos who respect Americans are asking what the U.S. will do: Stand behind the legal Government, or with those who demand reform?”
This is one of the most preposterous, false and misleading statements I have read.
It is a restatement of the position of the political opposition—of the irresponsible press of [Joaquin] Chino Roces who went to the extent of demanding my resignation which started in Jan.
26, 1970.
Incidentally our exports increased by 21% in that year 1970!
And the magazine suggests intervention by the U.S. government in our internal affairs very casually.
I attach the magazine in Envelope No. XXXIV-P.
After golf this morning, I laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb on the occasion of National Heroes Day.
“Anonymity in Heroism” was my theme.
Then worked on the problems tomorrow.
Parity and the Sup. Ct. [Supreme Court] Decision is still the top news.
But whatever may be done, we must be fair and equitable in dealing with the Americans.