Yesterday, the 11th, the critical period in Cotabato was passed.
With only two companies of less than 200 officers and men, our troops, supported on the air and with only two 106’s Recoil-less and four 81 mm mortars opened the bridge at [Siniuay?] against an enemy of 500 to 1,000 which dispersed and withdrew today to the west (the sea at Parang), have shown their superiority and capability to sweep the enemy out of the area.
Yesterday, the 11th, the enemy leaders sent in feelers for a general amnesty but I wired Dr. Alunan Glang who wired me of the feelers of five insurgent leaders that the rebels stop attacking the military installations before we talk of any negotiations.
We have had to resort to misleading the enemy about our strength with multiple landings of our transport planes and repeated air attacks. But it has worked.
The civilians are now demanding to be allowed to fight the enemy and to be armed as BSDU’s [Barrio Self-Defense Unit]. Their morale is high.
But our soldiers have shown courage and professionalism. Surrounded, they have refused to be extricated but insist on maintaining position and counter-attacking if resupplied and reinforced.
Official Gazette for March 12, 1973: THE PRESIDENT lauded the people of Caloocan City for setting an example on how the citizens can help in the efforts to attain progress and do their share in nation-building. In a message read for him by Secretary of Trade and Tourism Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. on the occasion of the opening of the Caloocan City agro-industrial trade fair, the President said that the success of the New Society and the reforms being done will depend greatly on the willingness of the people to do their share. The President said: “We are at the cross road of our history as a nation and it is but fitting that we realize that progress can only be attained by helping build, not destroy; by pointing out the good inherent in every man, not by criticizing; by offering our best in the service of our nation.”
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Alejandro Melchor has formed a Public Information Unit to attend to and act on problems of the under-privileged and to bridge the gap of communications between the citizens and the government The PIU, aside from, handling matters within the scope of the Executive Office, also deals with complaints arising from the misuse of power by government officials in implementing the President’s Letters of Instructions Nos. 14 and 14-A.
DEPARTMENT OF Social Welfare has instituted two crash assistance programs, the General Assistance (GA) program and the Aid to Families in Economic Distress (AFED) program. While the GA gives assistance to remedy immediate needs, the AFED not only provides money enough for immediate needs, but also, capital to establish small businesses.
RULES AND PROCEDURES on merger or consolidation of insurance companies were approved by Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata. The consolidation or merger domestic insurance firms is provided for in Sec. 175 Of the Insurance Act as amended by Presidential Decree No. 83. The Insurance Circular setting the rules for consolidation or merger of Insurance firms takes effect immediately.
Our recovery is due to them. And they should be properly commended and rewarded.
And we have now worked out the kinks in our mobility, transport, communications, inter-service coordination, leadership, command structure and planning.
The 11th was a lucky day.