Yesterday, I was informed, Pres. Park Chung Hee of Korea placed South Korea under martial law since 6:00 PM.
Ex-Foreign Minister Kiichi Aichi, personal representative of Prime Minister [Kakuei] Tanaka of Japan arrived yesterday and conferred with me on the Japan-People’s Republic of China normalization of diplomatic relations, this morning.
I emphasized the security aspect more than the economic aspect. Since the agreement is similar to the U.S.-Red China communique in that it considers the question of Taiwan interval to China to be decided between Red China and Nationalist China, Taiwan would probably become a port of Red China and so our next door neighbor. Red China like Nationalist China would then claim the Spratly Islands and farther raise a source of quarrel with the Philippines.
I asked Japan to support our position that the Spratly Islands are Trust Territories and that Taiwan should be defended by American Forces if force is used by Red China to settle the question.
I attach my notes.
Interview by [Henry S.] Hayward of the Christian Science Monitor.
Then met the sugar planters and millers who were up in arms against Ex-Sec. Alfredo Montelibano for illegal exactions of two pesos allegedly for lobby in the US and ConCon [Constitutional Convention].
I created the Sugar Commission.
Official Gazette for October 18, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS conferred anew with Cotabato leaders in an effort to hasten the return of peace and order and the start of the program of economic development in the province.
The President, receiving Kiichi Aichi, special envoy of Japan’s Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, expressed the hope that Japan will continue with her policy toward the Philippines, including trade, in the wake of the normalization of relations between Japan and the People’s Republic of China, the one-time foreign minister under Prime Minister Ikeda and Prime Minister Sato, was sent to Asian capitals to explain to neighboring heads of governments and chiefs of states the normalization of relations between the two countries and assure other neighboring nations of the intention of Japan to maintain her relations with them.
Creating the Presidential Sugar Commission, the President directed the Philippine Sugar Committee to give a full accounting of its collections from the sugarcane planters, millers and traders. The President issued the directive upon the request of some 150 sugarcane planters and millers led by Rep. Eduardo Cojuangco of Tarlac who expressed some doubts about the proper utilization of collections made from them by the Sugar Committee.
In the meantime, the President authorized the resumption of classes in all courses, levels and departments of the University of the Philippines, except the Institute of Mass Communications.
Met the Cotabato leaders, Datu Kudanding [Camsa], Abdullah Sangki brought by Datu Akilan [Ampatuan], mayor of Maganoy.