October 18, 1971

[1] Official Gazette for October 19, 1971: P resident Marcos had a full schedule of callers, most of whom were foreign businessmen, rural bankers, and local officials. Among the first to be received by the President were Mitchell L. Werbell III and Huge McWhinne, American businessmen, who paid him a courtesy call. They were followed by the officers of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines, who took their oaths of office before him. Those inducted were Oscar Ravanera, president; Edgardo Reyes, Rhium Sanchez and Modesto Buenaflor, vice presidents for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively; Dr. Isagani Sayo, secretary; Guillermo Narvaez, treasurer; Jose O. Desiderio, Jr. and Cesar Ocampo, consulting directors for legal and public relations affairs; and Jose Bullas, Ponciano Rivera, Jr., Francisco German, Sergio Montinola, Ramon Melencio, Amando Buhain, Amando R. de Jesus and Saturnino Abesamis, directors. The President told the rural bankers that the government would extend all the necessary help to the rural banking system which, he said, plays an important role in economic development. The rural bankers informed the President that they would require an initial additional capital of ₱25 million from the Agricultural Guarantee Loan Fund. They said that a ₱56 million fund provided for the rural banks from the AGLF in a bill submitted to Congress “ was lost along the way to the approval of the bill. ” The President expressed the; hope that he would be able to talk to Congress leaders “ in more sober terms ” after the November elections.Present at the oath-taking ceremony were Honesto O. Francisco and Mariano Gimenez, director and associate director, respectively, of the Central Bank Department of Rural Bank. At past noon, the President administered the oath to Ernesto Pilares as acting vice mayor of ’ Quezon City, vice Ismael Mathay, Jr. who resigned to run for mayor of the city. The President was guest at the TV program “ Impact ” in the evening

[2] Official Gazette for October 20, 1971: P resident Marcos was guest of honor and speaker at the opening of the 8th General Assembly of the Asian Broadcasting Union (ABU), held at the Malacañang Ceremonial Hall in the afternoon. Before addressing the regional gathering, the President received the delegates and observers from 56 member-countries and United Nations agencies, as well as chiefs of the diplomatic missions in the Philippines who graced the affair. In his speech, the President reminded radio and television broadcasters of their responsibility in enlarging the consciousness of the public and giving it an idea as to its identity and direction. He said that no other medium quite parallels the reach and impact of radio en the lives of so many, adding that not even print approximates the immediacy of broadcasts methods or the speed of their transmission of news and information to their audiences. In the Philippines, the President said, “ mass media have been a strong force in keeping our citizens aware of national issues and directions, despite the diversity and fragmentation of our geography. ” “ In Asia, ” he said, “ media plays an indispensable role in nation building so that it must be preeminently social in its outlooks which must be progressive. ” Yoshinori Maeda, president of the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation and of the ABU, who spoke for the delegates and delivered the opening remarks, thanked the President and the Filipino people for hosting the convention. He expressed confidence on the ability of the ABU to continue promoting the interests of its member nations. Following the opening rites, the President received the delegates at cocktails held at the Palace Reception Hall. The President attended to urgent state papers and other state business in the morning. Toward noon, he had an interview with Elmer Lower; president of the American Broadcasting Corporation. Early in. the afternoon, the President received the parents of two non-participant young victims of the violence that attended the Caloocan demonstration on October 5, and another wounded youth who came with his mother. Accompanied by Mayer Macario Asistio, those who called on the President concerning the misfortune that befell their sons were Abelardo Antonio and Ernesto de Lara, Sr., whose sons died from injuries suffered during the demonstration. The wounded victim who came with his mother was Segundino Fernando. He was still nursing wounds on both legs and came to Malacañang in crutches. The President commiserated with the parents of the victims, and asked them to inform him of an y help he could extend to them.

[3] Official Gazette for October 21, 1971: P resident Marcos received callers in the morning only, and devoted the whole afternoon and early evening to paper work and other urgent state business. Among those received by the President were officials of Chemical Bank of New York and of Sanyo, Ltd., who called at Malacañang to pay their respects following their arrival in the course of a tour of branch offices in the Far East. The bank officials were Charles W. Carson, Jr., executive vice president and in charge of the international division and W. Donald Brown, senior vice president. They were accompanied by Paul Mayers and Charles Sherwood III, local representatives of the bank, and Ernesto Rufino. The Sanyo official was T. Kimura. During the day, the President addressed a letter to Mrs. Benito L. Prieto extending his and the First Lady ’ s condolence on the death of the president of the Manila Times Publishing Company. He paid tribute to Prieto as a gentleman “ devoted to life itself, who valued and enriched friendships; and who stood steadfast in his beliefs. ” The President also received a Deed of Donation from a philanthropist from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, who offered to donate to the peace campaign in Mindanao one year ’ s produce or income from his land in Bukidnon, which has an area of some 10 hectares. The donor was Teodulo Padernal, who expressed in his deed of donation his desire to contribute to the peace campaign in Mindanao, ” initiated by the Office of the President.

[4] Official Gazette for October 22, 1971: P resident Marc o s summoned the heads of the government investigating agencies looking into the Plaza Miranda rally bombing incident of August 21 to clarify news reports that the arrest and detention of Antolin Oreta, brother-in-law of Senator Aquino, was a frame-up, that he was implicated by a witness who was third degreed by the Manila police, and that he was not allowed to confront witnesses against him. Summoned to Malacañang were General Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff, who was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Fidel Ramos and Col. I. I. Paz; Col. Prospero Olivas, chief of the PC Criminal Investigation Service; Col. Jolly Bugarin, director of the National Bureau of Investigation; and Col. Gerardo Tamayo, chief of the Manila Police Department. Col. Tamayo reported that immediately after the Plaza Miranda bombing, the MPD picked up a man who, when investigated, admitted having sold hand grenades to a certain person connected with an official from Central Luzon. Further investigation, he said, showed that the person who had entered allegedly into the transaction on the sale of Armalites, hand grenades, explosives and other firearms had these weapons delivered to subversive elements in Central Luzon and Laguna. “ Since this had something to do with, subversion and rebellion and is covered by Proclamation No. 889, ” Tamayo said, “ we turned him over to the national government investigating agencies. ” He also said that the MPD did not employ third degree methods, but used the normal method of police interrogation and investigation. The President told the officials to inform him of the developments because he was sometimes caught by surprise by newspaper reports, adding that “ it would be to the interest of everybody if we are informed of the results of the investigation. ” In a statement he issued after the conference, the President said that the government was determined to solve the bombing incident in accordance with due process and without trampling upon the civil rights of anyone. He, however, pointed out that nobody, whether the relative of a politician or not, should be exempt from investigation if the evidence indicates that such person has committed the crime, of subversion, insurrection or rebellion. “ But ” , the President said, “ I assure everyone, whether Liberal or Nacionalista, that fairness and justice will reign in all investigations and I shall see to it that the investigating agencies will not frame anyone or employ third degree or intimidate witnesses. ” Earlier in the day, the President received callers, among whom were Don Manalo Elizalde, Jose Africa, and Mrs. Chito Serrano. He also had a video-taping session with Bob Stewa rt and Leon O. Ty of Channel 7.

[5] Official Gazette for October 23, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS met anew with Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. and Undersecretary Jose Drilon, Jr., concurrent chairman-general manager of the Rice and Corn Administration on the rice situation throughout the country. To ensure continuous supply of rice in the Greater Manila area and other parts of the archipelago, the President ordered: 1. Rolling stores in Greater Manila doubled from 106 to about 200; 2. Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, PC chief, to assign one PC trooper to each of the rolling stores to prevent blackmarketing and diversion of the cereal; 3. The Price Control Council to meet with major women ’ s clubs in order to get some 200 women vigilantes from the private sector who would serve as undercover agents in public markets and report violations to the FCC; 4. The PCC to intensify surveillance of 400 miller-wholesaler bodegas throughout Manila and Central Luzon, padlock bodegas of violators, and prosecute those guilty of hoarding. 5. Secretary Drilon to investigate reports that RCA warehousemen, PNB representatives, and GAO auditors were collecting a tong of PI per bag from retailers withdrawing rice from RCA bodegas. The President also called a meeting in Malacañang of all 3000 rice retailers in the Greater Manila area, rolling store operators in Luzon and all millers and rice merchants. During the conference, Secretaries Tanco and Drilon reported that rice prices were down to as much as ₱2.30 and ₱2.50 in South Cotabato, Zamboanga, Negros Occidental, Iloilo and the entire Panay region, the whole of Bicol, and most of Cagayan Valley. The President directed the Rice and Corn Administration to conduct full-scale price-support (buying) operations in places where palay prices threaten to go below the cost of production to the detriment of the farmers. Earlier in the day, the President received well-known comedian Danny Kaye, who called at Malacañang to pay his respects following his arrival in the course of a four-week mission of goodwill to 19 countries for the United Nations International Children ’ s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Before leaving, Kaye promised the President that he would come back in 1972 to hold a concert for the UNICEF and a similar project of the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos. Kaye was accompanied to Malacañang by Secretary of Social Welfare Estefania Aldaba-Lim; Paul Edwards, UN information officer m New York; Anthony E. Meager, UNICEF representative in the Philippines, and Wilfred Binns, director of the local UN information center. On another aspect of UN activities the President announced the completion of a $20 million “ Philippine Country Programme Proposal for United Nations Development Programme Assistance ” from 1972 to 1976. In his foreword to the proposal, the President pledged the Philippine Government ’ s support for the full implementation of the program. He also expressed pride “ in the knowledge that with its submission the Philippines becomes one of the first countries to undertake country programming of UNDP assistance. ” The President said “ utilization of the assistance will be guided above all by the Government ’ s keen awareness of the need to combine the highest possible rate of material growth with active promotion of social justice. ” In the evening, the President motored to the DZBB-Channel 7 station in Quezon City, where he was interviewed by Leon O. Ty and Bob Stewart in their “ What The People Want To Know ” program. During the question and answer session, the President lengthily discussed subjects ranging from the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to the rice situation. The p rogram lasted from 9 to 10 p.m.

[6] Official Gazette for October 24, 1971: P resident Marcos motored to Camp Crame early in the evening in response to the request of some of the persons detained under Proclamation 889 to see him, and to find out what they wanted. The five detainees who had signified their desire for a direct dialogue with him were Radio-TV commentator Roger Arienda, Nemesio Prudente, PCC president; Teodosio Lansang, PCC professor; and Julius Ballesteros and Bayani Alcala, PCC instructors. The President informed the detainees of the basic charges against them, and gave them the opportunity to answer off-hand those charges. He likewise informed them of the summary examination he had ordered, wherein they could confront witnesses and produce evidence on their own behalf. The President ordered the release of Ballesteros when he found out that evidence in the hands of government prosecutors against him was the least serious. He issued the release order on condition that Ballesteros ’ parents guarantee his appearance in court when required and that he would not go into hiding. Among those present at the President ’ s meeting with the detainees were Col. Tagumpay Nanadiego, JAGO; Col. Prospero Olivas, CIS chief; Brig. Gen. Bruno Balancio, deputy PC chief; and Lt. Col. Nicolas Camello, PC chief of staff. The President left Camp Crame for Malacañang at 8:30 p.m. Earlier in the day, the President was closeted most of the time in his private study attending to paper work a nd other urgent state business.

[7] Official Gazette for October 25, 1971: P resident Marcos cleared the deck for formal inquiry into the subversion cases of persons detained under Proclamation No. 889, as amended. The inquiry was set to start Thursday. The President transmitted to Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos a letter dated October 24, 1971 of the acting secretary of national defense reporting that there was prima facie basis or prosecuting the persons listed therein for acts of subversion. In a memorandum to Secretary Abad Santos, the President said: “ You are to constitute a panel of investigators to be headed by Chief State Prosecutor Emilio A. Gancayco, to conduct an inquiry for the purpose of determining whether the persons listed should be brought to court or not on the basis of available evidence. The investigating panel should be guided as follows: 1. Notify the persons listed that they can be present and represented by counsel; 2. Such persons listed or their counsel shall have the right to cross-examine the witnesses against them and to adduce evidence in their defense; and 3. The hearing must be summary in nature and shall as far as practicable be terminated at the earliest possible time. “ On the basis of the findings of the panel of investigators you shall submit appropriate recommendations. ” Later in the evening, the President contacted Muslim leaders of Lanao del Norte to get their views on the situation in the province, and to ask them to cooperate by exerting their influence in the maintenance of peace and order in that province. The President has been informed that a platoon of A Company of the 26th Infantry Battalion stationed at Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte was attacked by armed bands. It was also reported that a reenforcement sent to Magsaysay was ambushed four kilometers before reaching the town proper, resulting in the killing of three officers and 14 enlisted men. The President focused on desk work the whole morning and part of the afternoon. In a message he issued earlier on the occasion of United Nations Day, the President said: “ Today 131 member nations commemorate United Nations Day. “ This is an affirmation of faith in the fact that while the United Nations may not have completely fulfilled all ’ hopes for peace of our human community, majority of the world ’ s nations find in the United Nations a viable instrument for strengthening the foundation of international understanding, cooperation and security. “ While the United Nations remains until now a forum where, one hears all expressions of disappointment about its supposed failure to enforce peace in many sensitive and troubled areas in the world, it; also remains the same forum where hopes for a better future for mankind continue to be raised and heard by all. “ For all its deficiencies, the United Nations constitutes a sturdy framework in which international cooperation in all fields of human development may be pursued by nations large and small, with equal voice and opportunity. It is but fitting, therefore, that on this day, the Filipino people rededicate themselves to the ideals that have made the United Nations the last sanctuary of our hopes, particularly in times of instability, grave peril, or war itself. ”

[8] Official Gazette for October 26, 1971: P resident Marcos ordered the Philippine Army to take over the job of maintaining peace and order in Lanao del Norte, even as he sent Brig. Gen. Rafael Ileto to the province to assess the situation. “ If necessary, I will bring the army strength in the province to division level to maintain peace and order there, ” the President said. The President had been informed that four armed bands operating in the province had been identified and that operations were being conducted against them. Because of the pressure of work, which necessitated his presence in the Palace, the President was not able to attend the Second Regional Convention of the Asian and Australia Hotel and Restaurant Association, held at the Hotel International in the morning. He asked Tourism Commissioner Gregorio Araneta II to read for him his prepared speech for the occasion. In the afternoon, the President had an interview with Teddy Locsin, Jr. of the Philippines Free Press. He also met briefly with Malacañang newsmen. The President ’ s interview with Locsin centered mostly on fiscal and economic matters, while his talks with the Malacañang newsmen focused on the entry of Red China into the United Nations and the peace and order condition in Mindanao, particularly in Lanao del Norte. In connection with the admission of the People ’ s Republic of China into the U.N. and the expulsion of the Republic of China (Taipei) from the world organization, the President made the following statement: “ The Philippines will continue to have fruitful and friendly relations with Nationalist China, which is recognized by 59 other states, 56 of whom are members of the United Nations. At the same time, we will now have to study in greater depth the prospects, opportunities and problems of increased contacts with the People ’ s Republic of China. “ If Communist China accepts membership in the United Nations and enters it with a conciliatory and cooperative attitude, the prospects of solving certain vital problems before the U.N. would be greatly enhanced. International cooperation for economic and social development could likewise benefit from the contributions and experience of Communist China. Furthermore, Communist China could provide a constructive and effective leadership to the so-called third world. ”