March 22, 1970

Sunday

This is actually being written at 8:30 AM March 23 at the Mirador Retreat House. I could not write it last night as my papers including my diary had been left behind at The Mansion when we checked into the retreat house.

With me in retreat are Ramon Cojuangco, Daniel Vasquez, Vincent Recto, Manoling Revilla, Pepe Oledan, Gene Tanseco, Francisco Rabat, Benny [Bienvenido] Tantoco, Mundy Feliciano, Chito del Castillo, Col. Fabian Ver, Capt. Yoro.

I come into retreat with my prayer that God give me the grace of strength and insight so that I may save my people from suffering; that I may not decide in anger what has to be decided but that I may not hesitate in doubts and irresolution when the decision has to be taken; that I may have the grace of patience and understanding.

Played golf at the Mansion golf course 11:30-1:00 after arrival.

PMA graduation exercises where I predicted that the military confrontation with communism is inevitable. (Incidentally Chino Roces headlines this with “Marcos warns of Martial Law” in the Manila Times).[1] Last Saturday when I persisted in asking about the information that he has on communists plans, after stating that I underestimate the communist strength and that they would strike this year or next, he asked me to assign a good intelligence officer to go to Hongkong and get the information from Peking contacts giving the impression that the activities of the radicals in the Philippines are planned and orders given from Peking.

Met with Joe and Ralph Friday night. Convinced Joe to update his diary and to then confirm his handwriting when a raid with search warrant seizes his diary with which he is confronted with the others who will also be searched and arrested simultaneously.

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

11:35 AM March 23, 1970[2]

Monday

Free Time to 12:00 AM. Father [Jose] Cruz, our retreat master, says our Christian commitment is to humanize our society. I have been saying this for a long time.

It is both a Christian ideal and a pragmatic requirement of peace and development. For if society is not humanized, we fail to do what is right and worse, we lay the groundwork for the leftist radicals whose siren song will be the total incapability of the democratic society to help the brutalized underprivileged and the need for another ideology.

But to do so requires management, more funds and currency stability as well as the harnessing of both private and public initiatives and resources.

The “Tulungan” project in Tondo is an example. We will create new factories, give away the land to those who are hungry for land, build socialized housing, set up agro-industrial settlements, the green revolution, etc. But we need active executives and funds.

I must now certify the bill on compulsory forced savings of ten percent of declared income which shall be invested in government bonds. Declared income is estimated at P2.7 billion so that this would mean forced savings of P270 million. The businessmen thru [Alfredo] Piding Montelibano [Sr.] is willing to increase the rate to raise a total of P800 million from both the 10% export tax and the forced savings.

The Congress (actually only the Senate as the House has approved both the Export Tax and Price Control Bills) has agreed upon my instance to meet on Holy Week (Monday to Wednesday) for the first time in history. They have consumed 48 days of their 100 days session and have passed only five bills on second reading.

4:00 PM

“Filters” and a corner of one’s self that is not “slave to your appetites” or subject to pressures and where one is moved for goodness only for goodness sake—not because of any reward or consideration.

The Lord supports you—be not afraid. This is the idea of telling the leader—go and expose yourself to the anger of the mob. Here I touch you and make you strong—go and do good. Bring my message and you shall succeed.

The “filters” the good father speaks of are experiences that determine the manner with which one looks at things. One should not allow them to govern one’s decisions.

“He who does not have the habit of reflection surrenders himself to panic” from the French philosopher.

This is plain objectivity, scholarliness and freedom from passion and bias.

So God invites us to help him tend his flock. What shall be our response.

Have hope. There is a natural goodness in everyone that will conquer evil. So how shall we respond to the invitation of God.

85% of our people quietly works for our progress. The quiet anonymous government employees who spent what he called an overpayment to him, in seeds which he taught the underprivileged of Sapang Palay to plant and tend; the young men who have started small garlic farms and exported them; I can add those who are helping themselves by building irrigation dams on their own free labor—these are our people who believe in our democratic way of life. But these 85% are now in a state of tension. So they seek guidance. And we must give it to them. For by creating new jobs, by increasing the income of the poor, by furnishing the social services, we remove the people from evil. Thus we do God’s bidding. Thus we fulfill our Christian commitment in our society that is under tension.

The forces of the leftist radicals are equally dedicated. One Huk before he died said the principles of love for the poor and justice are but doctrines to you (talking to Father Cruz), to us they are our life.

So our task needs the same courage that was needed in Bataan.

The lecture of Father Cruz was so inspiring and timely that we invited the girls to come tomorrow to hear him but they have their own retreat under Fathers [Ruben] Tanseco and [Alfonso M.] Nebreda. So we are tape recording our respective lectures instead for replay later on.

Father [Cipriano] Unson’s opening lecture was how to approach a retreat which is nothing but a new experience of God. I myself feel it is a renewal of my conversations with my Maker. He (Father Unson) sets three basic prerequisites. They are:

N-earness—to God

O-peness—to any message he may send

W-onder—at the pleasant result

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

8:50 AM March 24, 1970[3]

Third day of retreat Tuesday

The meditations have been inspirational. “The Lord went into the darkness of the forest for his own test” was the theme of meditation this morning at 7:30 AM. I exercised and jogged inside the room for ten minutes (jogging); all in all about 15 minutes. It did not feel cold after that unlike yesterday morning when I did not exercise and felt chilly. Last night I was chilly and woke up at 4:30 AM.

It is my feeling that Father Jose Cruz the retreat master must think I might be breaking down under the pressures of the crisis and so the inspirational talks. I must thank him for it. He even spoke of the Manila Times slanting the headline yesterday “Marcos warns of martial law” which of course I did not as borne out by the body of the story. Neither did Manila Chronicle help. It carried the headline “Marcos Threatens Martial Law” which was worse.[4]

“Goodness may not be immediately appreciated but this is the test. History is a capricious mistress and does not guarantee that even if she allows you a historical role she will reserve even but a little space for you. But it is for one’s satisfaction that one does what is right even if unpopular. One small mistake and all the brilliant achievements in the past are forgotten.” His example—Rizal.

And I say we do what is right because of self-respect and integrity. Although a sense of history may propel us to do so, this is not the primary motivation, but pride in one’s integrity and in one’s self is a greater cause at times.

Let me stand this suffering but let it be suffering that will cure. Let it be the passion that will bring life.

For the cries of the evil ones are heard over the land. And I must often bear the lash of their tongues in silence even if I know they are wrong.

For time will bear me out. Of this I am sure as I am sure that my conscience tells me so.

Today it is fashionable to be aligned against the establishment and I symbolize it. So all kinds of men pick up the cry of protest against what could be actual causes of grievance like crookedness and pettiness in public service. We listen to them knowing that the accusers are not any less guilty not are they so nobly motivated. For these are indeed valid grounds for grievance and there are indeed rapacious, vicious and indolent men in the public service. And we must also rectify errors committed in the past.

But the past is a heavy legacy of all these ills—400 years and more of apathy, indolence, viciousness, pettiness and indifference. Four hundred years the spirit had died—and now suddenly we must resuscitate it. Phoenix-like it must spring alive from the ashes of our frustrations and our failures. This miracle is my task. Or at least its beginning and birth is.

So I pray that I may be given the grace of inspiration, of wisdom, discrimination, dedication and courage to accomplish the task.

And I am strengthened as I hear the Lord say: Fear not. I am with you. You shall not fail. For you bear my words in your mouth and my courage in your heart.

Now I know why I could not order the shooting of the men who attacked Gate 4 of Malacañang on January 30th. They had attempted to burn the Medical Clinic, they had actually burned the fire truck with which the gate was rammed open as well as several vehicles and they had entered the compound where actually six were arrested.

But there flashed through my mind’s eye all the killings and the butchery that I had known and I had participated in what was legitimate combat and I recoiled at the memory of what may be useless waste of life.

The danger was there but it was not danger that I had known in many a battle and paled into significance before the desperation of the last was and the underground.

And most of the attackers were irresponsible children—who could have been our children.

I was never born to massacre babies.

However our military and some of the advisers say if an armed conflict as you say is inevitable why not provoke it now when we would have to kill less than later when the communists will be stronger and we would have to kill more of our own people.

Because it is still my hope that by legal action of the courts and restrained action against those engaged in actual violence we shall so weaken them and render them leaderless and debilitated they will never be able to mount an armed uprising.

And also because we must stabilize the currency and propel the economy forward with such momentum that no matter what the jolts, the quakes and the shocks, later on such inertia will carry our county forward inexorably.

Father Jose Cruz seems to have studied the problem of the militant youth although he claims that his views are merely those of an ordinary citizen.

He starts with the warning that the problem may not be as insurmountable or as serious as most people may think. Only 350 armed Huks, a base of legal cadres (he calls them part time fighters at night) of a thousand and a half and some mass base. But he says 85% of our people are quiet workers for our progress although they receive only 40% of the benefits derived from our development while the 15% that owns the greater portion of our wealth receive the 60% of such growth fruits. He feels that we must not allow the communists (he calls them the leftists) to win the 85% and they have not. For he feels that the wisdom and discrimination of this 85% of our people sees through the slogans of the leftists, “imperialism, fascism, feudalism.”

“In lieu of slogans we must give them issues and a dynamic ideology that is relevant to their lives. This dynamic Christian ideology that has to do with anything that is human. For it is through humanity that one approaches God.”

And the greater number look askance at the violence and the disorder fomented by the radicals for it destroys all that they have been working for. But this 85% is under tension and gropes for answers which we must furnish them.

Thus the courageous dedicated leadership that will guide and reassure.

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

12:20 AM March 25, 1970[5]

Wednesday

There was a fourth retreat master and she was not a priest. She was Imelda who was so enthused about the retreat, she talked intermittently about the subject of the meditation in the retreat.

Last night we had a second joint retreat with our retreat masters talking to us in succession. We had invited them to dinner at the Mansion then to another session. Father [Jose] Cruz talked on filters and the Christian’s commitment in Philippines society. Father [Ruben D.] Tanseco followed on counsel for the married—the differences of outlook between the man and woman. The woman seeks to build a home so she is obsessed with a home life. But the man also wants a work life. The man is passionate and his love is in spurts but the woman is romantic, needs the refinements of preparation for the sexual act and has a love that is more consistent and prolonged and may be too possessive. Father [Alfonso M.] Nebreda[6] who is a Basque, a friend and colleague of the Black Pope and may become the next Black Pope spoke of the need to consider each human being as the nearest approach to God and therefore must be treated as such.

The common note was hope and not despair, life and not death and the triumph of goodness in man over evil—this struggle being the most agonizing of conflicts.

Blas Ople warns of a plot to take over the government by some retirees being openly spoken of in media circles. He says that [on] Thursday or Friday students armed by the Huks or the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] will attack the police and Metrocom [Metropolitan Command], place me under House arrest in Baguio, the first division to neutralize any loyal troops of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines]. So I sent Gen. [Rafael] Zagala to take over command of the 1st Infantry Division, grounded Col. Carreon, deputy commander and an S. [Sergio] Osmeña [Jr.] man, as well as Commodore [Manuel] Cabal and Col. Irlanda, Commander and Deputy of the SOWESCOM [South West Command] as well as Col. [Jesus?] Dizon, CO [Commanding Officer] of the 20th BCT [Battalion Combat Team], and Capt. Nangkil, the S-2 of the 10th BCT stationed in Central Luzon.

Gen. Zagala has taken back command of the Tabak Division, transferred command of the Pasig Task Force to Col. Jose, Deputy Commander of PHILCAG [Philippine Civic Action Group]. The Deputy Commander of Gen. [Jose] Rancudo, CG [Commanding General] of the 5th Fighter Wing (jet fighters), Col. Bauzon was replaced by Col. [Cirilo] Bueno.

Class ’44 of PMA [Philippine Military Academy] will be retired except for some who are vouched for by the loyal commanders.

So everything is under control. But I guess that this is a false alarm. However as Gen. [Romeo] Espino, Vice Chief of Staff who was here on the way to inspect Batanes, says, there is nothing lost in precaution. He commands the reserves of nine battalions in the contingency plan.

Chino [Joaquin] Roces saw Sec. Alex [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] last night and says he is willing to sell the Manila Times. He is probably feeling the pressure and may think that he is going to be arrested next. I do not believe him but we will play along. I am sending [Geronimo] Ronnie Velasco, who has suggested to [Isabel] Bebeng Roces to put up an anti-communist newspaper with the Manila Times outlets, to see Don Ramon Roces if the stockholders (Ramon Roces actually organized the Manila Times after the war and gave shares free to the Roces family) will sell out. Then I meet Chino Saturday here in Baguio.

I go to Ilocos Norte, lunch at Poro Point and return to Baguio tomorrow if I do not go to Manila for lunch.

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

11:45 PM March 26, 1970[7]

Thursday

I write this while waiting for the family from Visita Iglesia which I could not attend [for] security reasons. Talked to Moon Park of Phil-Asia on the possibility of his extending financing for the establishment of Trading Centers for tobacco in the north, grading the tobacco (Virginia) for export and thus developing our export industry, cutting out the anomalies in the trading of Virginia tobacco specially in the grading, the ultimate withdrawal of subsidy to tobacco (in three years I hope) as well as his company financing the purchases of Virginia tobacco by PVTA [Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration]. We also took up the development of a railroad in Mindanao and the development of West Irian which attracts me as it is completely raw land we could attend to when I retire.

Looks like Blas Ople’s story of a coup d’etat is false. Everything is quiet.

I went to Ilocos Norte by plane with Gen. [Jesus] Singson of the Air Force, Federico Ablan, Jr., CAA [Civil Aeronautics Administration] Administrator and my usual party. Arrived at 8:45 AM and left at 11:45 AM for San Fernando, La Union as I did not need to go to Manila and I could not go to Cagayan Valley as they are not there. Took lunch in Poro Point. [Jose] Joe Aspiras served us abuus (bee’s eggs) and ararusip, kibitzed on Bongbong and the boys practicing swimming, took a nap after meeting with the political leaders and after a news interview returned to Baguio by car at 4:30 PM to arrive 6:00 PM.

Lt. Col. Lapeña went on a dry run to Banawe and does not recommend my using the helicopter from Baguio to Banawe but instead from Bagabag to Banawe which is only a twenty minute ride.

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

8:10 PM March 27, 1970[8]

Friday

Everybody is in church. Security has asked me to stay indoors.

Played golf at our Mansion Golf Course which I had previously christened the Caniao Golf Course. I was swaying and my timing was off but I did birdie the monstrous dogleg, par 5 No. 6. To reach the opening of the dogleg for we could not cut too many trees, one must make a 280-290 yard drive. The greens are lush but we cannot cut the grass too short as there is lack of water and some of them are shaded.

We have about finished the conference room or building extensions. There are seven rooms on each wing, the large conference room and if a second floor should be put, it would be more comfortable than the guest house. We are preparing this for the Seato [Southeast Asia Treaty Organization] Military Advisers Conference on April 2-3. The Military Advisers have breakfast with me on April 4th at Malacañang at 7:30 AM.

Was interviewed by Mr. and Mrs. Rindl of Austria who were brought all the way for the interview.

Have approved the Third Investment Priorities Plan. Sec. [Felix] Makasiar has found a prima facie case of Anti-Graft against Dep. Gov. Benecio Eusebio of the Land Authority. The son of Gov. [Conrado] Estrella, Jimmy, has been exonerated.

But my suspicion is that they are both guilty.

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang