Tuesday
The hearings on the detainees started today with Commander Melody [Benjamin Bie Jr.] making a good witness and Sen. [Jose] Diokno complaining about the procedure and walking out. The hearing was continued by Chief Prosecutor [Emilio] Gancayco.
Tomorrow, Poncair Dizon alias Commander Buyco testifies as the political commissar of Commander Dante [Bernabe Buscayno] on how he gave orders to the front organizations in Manila.
We have been meeting with the Liberal candidates who will carry Nacionalista senators—Gov. [Arsenio] Villarosa of Mindoro Occidental, Ex-Mayor Pablo Cuneta of Pasay, [Gregorio] Murillo [Sr.] of Surigao Sur. Now Rivera of Bulacan wants to meet me.
Conferred on the new witnesses on the Plaza Miranda bombing with Jolly Bugarin, NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] Director.
Called the leaders by radio to check on the campaign.
Ordered the 1969 tobacco to be paid by PVTA [Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration].
12:45 AM November 3, 1971[1]
Wednesday
Imelda left at 6:45 AM for Mindanao and Visayas for three days, while I attended to Luzon. I attach her itinerary.
Jess [Jesus] Villamor came back—dead from cancer. We gave him honors at 7:00 AM.
Yesterday the PC [Philippine Constabulary] through Lt. Ramon Maddela who also killed Commander Fanting apprehended the Forbes Park kidnapper and hold-upper of Nov. 1st Silvestre Mate y Abad at 3:30 PM yesterday at Barrio Maguisguis, Sitio Paitan, Botolan, Zambales.
The newspapers of Nov. 2nd are in Envelope XI-A, while the newspapers of Nov. 3rd (today) are in Envelope XI-B. Foreign press comments on the China Question are in XI-C.
Called up Sen. [Carlos] Romulo to follow up my instructions on his meeting with the Red China delegation which is supposed to go to the UN [United Nations] although they are secretive about it. I directed him in addition to my original instructions to find out their reaction to the proposal of neutralization of the Southeast Asia with the guarantees of the super powers as well as the proposal of non-aggressive among the powers.
Of course I directed him not to make any commitments nor to show too much interest but to establish a means of a continuing dialogue, establish a basis for trade and seek Red China’s reappraisal of its support for local Philippine Maoists.
Received letters from Irene and Bongbong.
11:15 PM November 4, 1971[2]
Thursday
Yesterday I sent P30,000 to Gov. Ben Palispis through the PNB [Philippine National Bank]. Today I sent P30,000 to Sen. [Salvador] Laurel through Sen. [Jose] Roy.
We have declared Gov. [Concordio] Diel, Atty. Ruben Canoy and Mayor [Romulo] Rodriguez of Gingoog City as official candidates.
Imelda’s rallies are a roaring success. Sen. [Gerardo] Roxas, LP [Liberal Party] president claimed that the crowds were there to see the “artistas.” The media men testify otherwise. So in the interview by the Vigillantes tonight 6:00-7:30 PM the media men from Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Cotabato were all praises for her.
She is an experienced trooper. She will probably tilt the balance in Mindanao and the Visayas for the Nacionalista candidates.
And if she ever runs for public office she will swamp any opponent.
Talked to her by long distance at Davao at 6:00 AM.
Dame Margot Fontaine [Fonteyn] the [ballet] prima don[n]a arrived at MIA [Manila International Airport] at 8:13 PM went to the Savoy for a press interview, then to the Cultural Center. She is our house guest. I will formally receive her tomorrow.
Imelda touched down in Tacloban at 5:20 PM. She is now at Rizal Park for the rally.
Johnny Perez reported on their project to put up a newspaper of 40 pages tabloid size—a popular type of newspaper.
Before that an interview from 8:30 PM to 10:00 by F. Mack Chrysler of U.S. World and News Report.
This morning I was able to contact Cong. Almazan of Kalinga Apayao who reported a big group of armed men at Liwan Rizal sighted by Mayor B. Jambero; as well as Gen. Tom Diaz on the Isabela situation and the arrival threat of about 200 reinforcements.
I attach in Envelope XI-D the papers for today including the Free Press which has my interview.
As well as the [Carlos] Romulo Reports from UN [United Nations] on the China and Muslim questions.
And various notes to me of the day.
1:00 AM November 5, 1971[3]
[1] Official Gazette for November 3, 1971: The President had another day devoted mostly to desk work and important matters of state. The only scheduled callers received by the President were two ranking Indonesian military officers, who made a courtesy call following their arrival for a round of talks with their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Those who called on the President were Major Gen. Tjokropranolo and Brig. Gen. Sofjar, chairman and manager, respectively, of the Indon Union Army Foundation which looks after the welfare of veterans, their widows and orphans. The two generals, who were accompanied to Malacañang by Ambassador Modesto Farolan, had conferred earlier with Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff. Early in the afternoon, the President flew to Pangasinan and La Union to assess the political situation with NP leaders of the two provinces. He was back in Malacañang before sundown.
[2] Official Gazette for November 4, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS continued concentrating on desk work and important state business. He was closeted in his private study after breakfast at 9 a.m., working on state papers and going over progress reports from the different agencies of the government. The President followed the same work scheduled in the afternoon and early evening.
[3] Official Gazette for November 5, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS reviewed with defense and military officials the peace and order situation in the country. Present at the conference were Acting Secretary of National Defense Efren I. Plana, Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Rafael Ileto, Philippine Army commander; Brig. Gen. Jesus Z. Singson PAF commander; Brig. Gen. Eduardo M. Garcia, PC chief; Brig. Gen. Felizardo Tanabe, First PC Zone commander; and Commodore Dioscoro Papa, Flag Officer-in-command, Philippine Navy. During the conference, the President gave the military officers guidelines to observe and follow in connection with the November 8 elections, to wit: To put themselves at the disposal of the Commission on Elections, and give the COMELEC all possible support it needs to ensure a clean, orderly, peaceful elections; and To prevent any disorder that may disrupt the voting. Among other actions, the President promoted 1st Lt. Ramon P. Maddela to the rank of captain for the capture of Silvestre Mate y Abad, a Forbes Park kidnapper, less than 24 hours after the airbone escape of the latter. Lt. Maddela was head of a team of jungle fighters of Task Force “Lawin” who tracked down and cornered Mate in Sitio Paitan, Maguisguis, Botolan, Zambales. In promoting the PC officer, the President waived the provision of Circular No. 2 of GHQ which requires that a commissioned officer should have one year time in grade in the rank he is occupying prior to the promotion. The President himself placed the shoulder board of a captain on Maddela in the presence of Gen. Manual T. Yan, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Eduardo M. Garcia PC Chiefs, and Brig. Gen. Felizardo Tanabe, First PC Zone commander. Earlier in the morning, the President received Dame Margot Fonteyn, prima ballerina, who made a courtesy call. The President also issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, November 6, and Tuesday, November 9, special public holidays. Under the Election Code of 1971, the day of the election has been moved from the second Tuesday to the second Monday of November of the election year. The proclamation was issued by the President to give personnel of the government and of private firms the opportunity to return to their respective provinces and exercise their sovereign right of suffrage. Reports received by the President during the day included one on the capture by the PC of a commander of the National People’s Army operating in Northern Luzon. Captured was one commander Abrino Aydinan, who reportedly confessed to being the head of the organization department of the NPA in Northern Luzon. Captain Santos Tutaan of the Ifugao PC, who reported the capture to the President, described Aydinan as half Ifugao and half Tarlakeño, and 20, years old.