June 9, 1972

Friday

National Security Council meeting at 8:00 AM. Woke up to 8:00 AM. Sta. Mesa was flooded. So I was late, arrived at 8:40 AM. And we started at 8:45 AM up to 11:45 AM.

Not much questioning on the Moscow agreements and the [Richard] Nixon-[Leonid] Brezhnev conferences.

But discussions of the negotiations on the Bases Agreements. Sen. [Gerardo] Roxas, speaking for the opposition reserved time to consult his party on my proposal to negotiate all the military agreements (Bases agreements, Military Assistance, Mutual Defense as well as the Laurel-Langley Agreement) simultaneously so that we can use our strength in one to make up for any weaknesses in the other.

Cong. [Carmelo] Barbero suggested that we give Russia some refueling stations to their ships.

Cong. [Jose] de Venecia [Jr.] suggested that we have a joint inspection team to check the existence of ballistic missiles in the American bases and that bases be placed under [our] commanders.

We agreed to postpone action on the organization of the panel to negotiate the agreements. But we decided to include congressional members, one from each house for each party.

And another meeting on the 29th, at 9:00 AM for a presentation of the options that are open to us in the bases agreements as well as the other amendments.

I attach the transcript of the interview of Delegate [Eduardo] Quintero by the Vigilantes.

No additional news on the assassination plot. But Cong. [Moises] Escueta and Gen. [Fabian] Ver are working on it,

I plan to send somebody else in the Independence Day celebration.

12:00 PM June 10, 1972[1][2]

Saturday

Am feeling a little heavy and weak. Slight nasal congestion. Must be a cold. Muscle coordination below normal in golf game this morning at 8:30 AM instead of 7:00 AM as agreed.

So slept a long nap 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Woke up still feeling woozy. But went to P. Guevara to attend the transfer of mother from Calixto Dyco to the new house near our old house at P. Guevara.

Have just arrived from there, the Chinese lauriat after the mass and tour of the house that has mother’s bedroom, two guest rooms, one game room, dining room, small interior garden, kitchen, garage and swimming pool.

She is quite happy about it. Nothing of the nouveau riche about it which we all dislike.

She invited her friends and contemporaries who are looking forward to using the game room for mahjong.

Met the Director of the Chinese National Security Bureau, Lt. Gen. Chow Chung Fung and his deputy, Lt. Gen. Huang Te Mei.

They revealed that the U.S. furnished the armament and equipment for half a million troops while the Chinese Nationalists united and equipped their Local Security Forces that are similar to our Constabulary; that there are no long range ballistic missiles in Taiwan but only tactical surface to air missiles like the Hercules; that no bases are given to the Americans but only the use of Chinese national bases for common defense; no long range bombers (B-52’s) are based in Taiwan, but only air-refueling facilities (like KS130); that they are confident about repelling any invasion from the Red Chinese; that the Red Chinese have the capability of launching an attack on Quemoy and Natsu but not Taiwan itself because they do not have the offensive capability, even if the U.S. were to desist from defending Taiwan with the 7th fleet and the 13th Air Force.

I asked for copies of military agreements and the value of military [and?] to it by the U.S.

The Ambassador gave me some answers to question which I asked of him some time ago. I attach these answers.

The U.S. has sent an answer to the note verbal on the bases. I attach the answer to the effect that there are no long range ballistic missiles in American bases nor do they intend to install any and they would like to stay in the bases for an indefinite period of time.

The Phil.-U.S. Air agreement negotiations have not arrived at any settlement also enclose a report on it.

11:00 PM June 11, 1972[3][4]

Sunday

The assassination plot reported by Feliciano Batario alias Dading resulted in a CIS [Criminal Investigation Service] raid on a warrant at [0300 11?] June 72 (Issued by Judge Paredes) of the house of Jose (Peping) Caluag of Barrio Obrero, Tondo and confiscation of seven firearms.

The recruiter of the informant a certain “Totoy” was picked up for interrogation. The contact-man for the NPA [New People’s Army], a certain Odiet apparently joined the march of the KM’s [Kabataang Makabayan] and the SDK’s [Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan] from Angeles City but may be picked up anytime.

I attach the report of Gen. [Fabian] Ver.

Calaris, the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] man of the U.S. Embassy reports another plot in which Lito Villar, President of the PSMG. This armed group is supposed to be riding in two jeeps loaded with explosives, one of the drivers being Arsenio Henson. They will try to get as close as possible with two automobile passes.

I attach the report of Gen. Ver on this.

I have the symptoms of influenza—sore muscles and joints, heavy head, painful eyes and general malaise with fever.

So I have asked the Vice-President to replace me in the Independence Day ceremonies at the Rizal Park.

This morning the Senate President represented me in the CAWP [Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines] ceremonies.

I have been resting and reading in bed. Imelda has been keeping me company. Kokoy [Benjamin Romualdez], Juliet and their four children visited us in the afternoon. We talked to Bongbong and Irene in London by long distance telephone.

The Express carried the picture of the KM’s and the SDK’s being accused in placards carried by the MPKP [Malayang Pagkakaisa ng Kabataan Pilipino] in the march from the north—as CIA tutas.

I enclose the copy of the Express.

There may be some truth to this as the CIA would be in with some of the radical groups or financing them for a purpose. They have information inside which we sometimes do not have.

And this coincides with their policy of being allied with all groups.

It is a cause for concern.