September 19, 1972

Tuesday

Released the report of Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile of Sept. 8, 1972 wherein he reported that Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] had met with Jose Maria Sison of the Communist Party and had talked about a link-up of the Liberal Party and the Communist Party.

I attach copy of the report.

Sen. [Gerardo] Roxas had written that they were not attending the meeting.

I attach copy of the letter.

So since I invited Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat, Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal, (Sen. [Jose] Roy did not come) Cong. [Nicanor] Yñiguez [Jr.] came I explained to the media which was covering us that when I invited ten leaders of the Liberal Party I had wanted a private conference where we could, as Filipinos and for the welfare of our people, agree that neither party (Nacionalista or Liberal) would “link-up” with the Communist Party but their refusal to attend indicated that the Liberals were in on the deal to “link-up”’ with the Communists through Sen. Aquino.

We also prepared affidavits of the NPA [New People’s Army] surrenderees and captured personnel implicating Sen. Aquino.

I also attach all these papers.

This morning the Defense Establishment through the Executive Committee of the National Security Council gave a briefing on OPLAN SAGITARRIUS.

This noon 1 talked to Mr. [Robert] Wales, Pres. of the American Chamber of Commerce on their problems of parity, the Lusteveco [Luzon Stevedoring Corporation] and retail trade cases.

Amended Civil Service Rules, signed.

Midwifery.

Delegate [Infante] Calaycay with mayor and councilors of Luna, Kalinga-Apayao.

The tension and apprehension are still high.

I had to state during this afternoon’s interview that:

The link-up of the Liberal Party and the Communist Party would constitute a threat that we would have to assess in a new light[1]

The Communists have attempted to infiltrate the office of the SND [Secretary of National Defense] and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines].

The Communists have doubled their armed strength in the last six months.

10:40 PM September 20, 1972[2]

The two Americans paid to assassinate me were supposed to do the job this morning but when they tried out the guns (even the .22 caliber) they were too loud. This was explained by our penetration man, Talastas.

They have prepared a Comby wagon, put a hole in the back and have tried to park it between the press and the Maharlika or the boathouse and they can snipe at me at the [Bahay] Pangarap boat landing or the golf course.

I declassified two documents which contain reports of Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] to Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and Gen. [Fidel] Ramos July 27th and 29th, this year which show his propensity as a blabber mouth.

I attach copies of the documents in Envelope No. XXXV-A. The original reports were in my diary.

Then I wrote Sen. G[erardo] Roxas to inform him that what I wanted to do in the conference was not to blame anyone but to break up a “link-up” of the Liberal Party and the Communist Party if any. I attach copy of this letter in XXXV-A.

I sent a copy of the letter to all senators because of the expected privilege speech of Aquino copy of which I attach in XXXV-A.

Sen. [Leonardo] Perez put my letter on the record.

Sec. Ponce Enrile dared Aquino who had denied his report, to a confrontation which the latter refused.

Sen. [Ernesto] Maceda filed a motion to investigate Aquino but he withdrew it when Roxas objected.

I also sent copies of the affidavits of other witnesses against Aquino to seven senators–Perez, Maceda, [Alejandro] Almendras, [Emmanuel] Pelaez, [Lorenzo] Teves, [Arturo] Tolentino, copy in XXXV-A.

This afternoon, the General Staff with the SND [Secretary of National Defense] and the Chiefs of the major services came to see me to submit the Assessment of Public Order wherein they recommend the use of “other forms of countering subversion/insurgency should be considered.” This means they recommend the use of Emergency Powers including Martial Law, formally. Envelope No. XXXV-B.

Then I gave an interview where we kept silent on Emergency Powers but spoke of listing Criminal syndicates in the Order of Battle of the communist armed elements, the Self-Reliant Defense Posture as it relates to internal threats, expenditures, additional armaments and personnel etc.

I was surprised to hear Sec. [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] say he was now in favor of Martial Law although he was against it a year and a half ago.

And all Sec. [Vicente] Abad Santos said was, Let us not talk about it publicly.

I asked Sec. Melchor to submit a study and recommendation in writing and to prepare to use his American contacts to see the U.S. does not oppose us.

Johnny and I again reviewed the proclamation which we again amended. He wrote out the orders on carrying firearms and on control of shipping.

While we were working on the list of target personalities, Amb. [Henry] Byroade called to see me on the conversation I had with Robert Wales, President of the American community. I see him tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

I could not sign the proclamation and orders because they have to be re-typed.

Imelda is at the house of Imelda Cojuangco celebrating the latter’s birthday.

1:45 AM Sept. 22nd September 21, 1972[3]

Thursday

Delayed by the hurried visit of [Jose] Joe Aspiras and [Carmelo] Meling Barbero who came from the Northern bloc of congressmen and senators who want to know if there is going to be Martial Law in 48 hours as predicted by Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.].

Of course Imelda and I denied it.

But Johnny [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Gen. [Ignacio] Paz, Gen. [Tagumpay] Nanadiego, Kits [Francisco] Tatad and I with Piciong Taguiam doing the typing finished all the papers, (the proclamation and the orders) today at 8:00 PM.

Amb. [Henry] Byroade came to see me at 11:15 AM and was apparently interested to know whether there would be Martial Law. He seemed to favor it when I explained it is intended to primarily reform our society and eliminate the communist threat. But he suggested that a proclamation before the American elections may be used by [George] McGovern, the Democratic presidential candidate, as proof of the failure of the foreign policy of the present president.

I told him I did not want it said that he was intervening in internal matters of the Philippine government. And that no decision has been arrived at but that I was under pressure and there seemed to be no other solution. He agreed that there seemed to be no other solution but he told Gov. [Benjamin] Romualdez later this day when Kokoy went to see him that his impression was that Martial Law would be proclaimed after the elections. How he came to arrive at this conclusion I can only guess. But this man cannot make logical deductions. I must be wary.

He wanted Kokoy to go ahead and work in California for [Richard] Nixon. There are 200,000 Filipino votes and California is crucial.

This morning I told him I was for:

The government adopting the position on parity that the title of Americans over private land was final private parties but not to the government, so that Americans could dispose of their property.

On the Lusteveco [Luzon Stevedoring Corporation] case, that Americans holding equity in corporations could become directors or executive managers only if the area of investment is highly technical and no qualified Filipinos are available.

On the retail trade of sales of oil in bulk to industrial consumers, mandatory and clarificatory legislation is necessary.

There seems to be a pipeline to Ninoy Aquino as he seems to know that the proclamation will be made this week end.

We have to check this. It is dangerous. Even the Concon [Constitutional Convention] is agog with the speculation.

9:55 PM September 22, 1972[4]

Friday

Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile was ambushed near Wack Wack at about 8:00 PM tonight. It was a good thing he was riding in his security car as a protective measure. His first car which he usually uses was the one riddled by bullets from a car parked in ambush.

He is now at his DND [Department of National Defense] office. I have advised him to stay there.

And I have doubled the security of Imelda in the Nayon Pilipino where she is giving dinner to the UPI [United Press International] and AP [Associated Press] as well as other wire services.

This makes the martial law proclamation a necessity.

Imelda arrived at 11:35 PM in my Electra bullet proof car to be told that Johnny had been ambushed. It is all over the radio.

Congress is not adjourning tonight as the conference committee on the Tariff and Customs Code could not agree on a common version. They adjourn tomorrow.

I conferred with Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal, [Chino?] Roces, [Nicanor] Yñiguez [Jr.] and [Carmelo] Barbero who are going to Moscow and they are ready to leave on Sunday. So they are decided to finish the session soon.

Senate President Gil Puyat insists that the next special session be early January.

And they will not be able to pass the urgent bills like the rehabilitation bill.

12:20: PM September 23, 1972[5]

Saturday

Things have moved according to plan although out of the total 200 target personalities in the plan only 52 have been arrested, including the three senators, [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.], [Jose] Diokno and [Ramon] Mitra and Chino [Joaquin] Roces and Teddy [Teodoro] Locsin [Sr.].

At 7:15 PM I finally appeared on a nationwide TV and Radio broadcast to announce the proclamation of martial law, the general orders and instructions.

I place them in Envelope XXXV-C.

I was supposed to broadcast at 12:00 AM but technical difficulties prevented it. We had closed all TV stations. We had to clear KBS [Kanlaon Broadcasting System] which broadcast it live. VOP [Voice of the Philippines] and PBS [Philippine Broadcasting Service] broadcast it by radio nationwide.

The broadcast turned out rather well. And Mons. [Mariano] Gaviola as well as the usual friends liked it. But my most exacting critic, Imelda, found it impressing. I watched the replay at 9:00 PM.

I have amended curfew from 8-6 to 12-4.

Arms bearing outside residence without permit punishable by death.

[Francisco] Kits Tatad read the proclamation, the orders and the instructions after my talk.

Have started checking on Zone Commanders. Gen. [Wilfredo] Encarnacion of the IV does not seem to have been systematic. He still talks of some people like Major Cabili criticizing the proclamation of martial law as premature although grudgingly extending cooperation under Gen. Order No. 3 for all offices to continue functioning.

Talked to Imee and Bongbong. London newspaper had it I arrested the opposition. No mention of communists.

And called up Sec. [Carlos] Romulo and Amb. [Eduardo] Romualdez before them. New York Times at least was even handed and spoke of martial law after the attempt of assassination of my Secretary of National Defense.

Ordered all wire services and embassies to be furnished the speech, proclamation, orders and instructions.

1:25 AM Sept. 25th September 24, 1972[6]

Sunday

[Jose] Diokno, Chino [Joaquin] Roces, Max [Maximo] Soliven etc. have filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus before the Supreme Court.

I asked Justice Claudio Teehankee, Antonio Barredo, Felix Makasiar and Felix Antonio to see me. They insisted that the government should submit to the Supreme Court for the Court to review the constitutionality of the proclamation of martial law, Proclamation No. 1081.

So I told them in the presence of Secs. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and Vicente Abad Santos as well as Sol. Gen. Estellito Mendoza that if necessary I would formally declare the establishment of a revolutionary government so that I can formally disregard the actions of the Supreme Court.

They insisted that we retain a color of constitutionality for everything that we do.

But I feel that they are still image-building and do not understand that a new day has dawned. While they claim to be for a reformed society, they are not too motivated but are too bound by technical legalism.

I have amended both Gen. Orders Nos. 1 and 3 to assume all powers of government including legislation and judicial and clearly excluded cases involving the constitutionality of my acts from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

I met the cabinet to emphasize the program to reform our society.

And I signed the decree (No. 1) to promulgate the Law on the Reorganization of the Government

Tomorrow I will sign the decrees promulgating the new Civil Service Rules, the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Law, the Land Reform Funding and dismiss some judges, the CIR [Court of Industrial Relations] judges, Public Service Commission.

We have impressed everybody with our fairness by the arrest of Cong. Roque Ablan, Rafael Aquino and Gov. Luis Bocalan.

I have ordered profiteers to be arrested.

And the ROTC [Reserve Officers’ Training Corps] boys have cleaned up the streets of Graffiti.

Only KBS [Kanlaon Broadcasting System] and The Daily Express are operational.

I just talked to Earl Mazo, the biographer and adviser of [Richard] Nixon, and his first advice is to immediately meet the press (as soon as possible and explain that this is not a dictatorship).

Sec. C. P. [Carlos] Romulo, whom I talked to again by long distance, has done a good job of holding press interviews and issuing press releases.[7]

12:15 PM September 25, 1972[8]

Monday

Gen. [Fabian] Ver’s men have apprehended Lehman the American triggerman and Manny Crisologo the explosives and electronics man. But they have not caught Eddie Figueras, Tony Arevalo, [Sergio] Osmeña [Jr.], Larry Truckman and others involved.

The two have involved the other men and apparently there was an agreement that the Vice President would have to take over if I were assassinated so as to prevent anarchy.

But we have to check the involvement of CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] or the U.S. Embassy, Vice Pres. [Fernando] Lopez or other important personalities.

Apparently they have been trying to assassinate me since Baguio (in Camp John Hay) in December 1971, the Rural Bankers Convention in the Euries Hotel, the SSS [Social Security System] Convention of Labor in May 1st.

The Comby car that was prepared for the plot is indeed alarming.

I have dismissed some judges and punished some fiscals.

Met all the generals this morning to commend them and issue instructions on:

The clean-up in Isabela, the Cagayan Valley and Mt. Province.

The policy in Mindanao and Sulu—we delay action there until we can concentrate our troops.

The Mayantoc, Tarlac concentration of NPA’s [New People’s Army].

To prepare for the regrouping of the armed gangs, criminal or not, and the Communists.

Employment of the ROTC [Reserve Officers’ Training Corps] in civic action.

Reward for the Armed Forces.

Met Justices Fred Ruiz Castro and Salvador Esguerra on a consulta.

I told them frankly that I needed their help and counsel because we must keep all the actuations within constitutional limits.

Justice Castro asked permission to ask a blunt question, “Is this a coup de’tat [sic]?” and I told him that it is not but it is the exercise of an extraordinary power by the president for a situation anticipated by the constitution.

Justice Esguerra said immediately that he feels that it is a legitimate exercise of martial law.

And apparently reading my mind, he said, in the [John] Merryman case, Justice [Roger] Taney had issued a writ habeas corpus for a man who was detained on orders of President [Abraham] Lincoln. And President Lincoln just disregarded the judicial order. And Justice Taney said, “What can we do, we are confronted by superior authority?”

I then concluded that there must be no conflict between the two separate departments of Justice and Executive for it would be embarrassing to both.

I believe that they are both of this persuasion.

The public reaction throughout the Philippines is a welcome to martial law because of the smooth, peaceful re-establishment of peace and order and the hope of a reformed society. In fact most everyone now says, this should have been done earlier.[9]

I attach the report of Boni Isip about the same result of a survey conducted by Liberal Party Leader Gerry [Gerardo] Roxas.

It is indeed gratifying that everyone now finds or discovers I am some kind of a hero!

There is nothing as successful as success!

11:55 PM September 26, 1972[10]

Tuesday

The second day without any reported crime. And an almost unanimous endorsement of the proclamation of martial law.

Amended Proclamation No. 1081 and Gen. Order No. 2. And issued a statement on the validity of obligations and past contracts.

I attach copies.

Spoke to the separate unit commanders and the major service commanders at the ceremonial hall: The proclamation of martial law is a constitutional exercise of power; it is not a coup de’tat [sic] nor a military take over; being a legitimate exercise of power, the government is a constitutional government; the reforms are necessary to win the battle because this battle is not just the battle with guns but for the minds and the hearts of our people; that reforms will counteract subversion which is the bigger battle; that the use of media is a legitimate necessity.

Then finished the decrees of reform and the abolition of the PSC [Public Service Commission] and removal of GAB [Games and Amusement Board] Chairman [Justiniano] Montano.

In the afternoon I gave the first interview to Tilman Durdin of the New York Times and later to the UPI [United Press International] Vic Maliwanag and Pat Killen.

They asked how long it will last—I will keep it only as long as it is necessary—“To dismantle the communist apparatus” and this includes the reforms I envision.

For a corrupt government cannot long last—nor a sick and criminally infested society.

“I hope before the end of any term.”

The Concon [Constitutional Convention] and Congress continue. The power of the President merely augments the deficiencies.

1:30 AM Sept. 28th September 27, 1972[11]

Wednesday

Met the Bishops Council’s Executive Committee of Mons. [Mariano] Gaviola, Alberto, Mons Dieu[?] and Fr. ______. They promised to help in the reform program and wanted to publish a resolution.[12]

They confidentially gave me information on Carlos Selles who is supposedly being paid to assassinate me. He is supposedly to be a Panamanian, like a Negro and has suddenly become affluent as he is opening deposit accounts in different banks.

Gen. [Fabian] Ver has traced his residence in Pasay and we will apprehend him for questioning.

Sec. [Vicente] Abad Santos has prepared a plan to ask the judges to voluntarily resign.

And we will do the same in the Bureau of Customs and the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue], LTC [Land Transportation Commission], CIR [Court of Industrial Relations] and other offices.

I was interviewed by John Nance and Gil Santos of AP [Associated Press].

Traced the study of martial law to the writing of the book “Todays Revolution – Democracy” and my revolution from the top or the center.

How the present peaceful revolution is a legal exercise of force to attain revolutionary objectives.

The setting and justification of a proclamation of martial law—the awakening of the threat in the Digoyo, Palanan landings, the rise in uncontrolled criminality both petty and syndicated, the paralization [sic] of government and business in the wake of the bombings, ambushes and the kidnappings—then the review of the captured documents and their reassessment showing that all that was happening had been planned a long time ago although the criminals were taking advantage of the confusion.

And the fundamental requisite of peace and order and reform for a New Society to be created out of the chaos and the helplessness that governed everyone.

Jo[s]e de Venecia [Jr.] suggests a meeting with [Gerardo] Gerry Roxas so that the Liberals may cooperate on the reforms. He suggested I invite Gerry to a conference tomorrow. But this may involve a compromise of our strong no-exception stance.

So I have not accepted the suggestions.

Everybody is saying how neatly the peaceful revolution was accomplished. John Nance told Imelda, “You did not expect it to be so neatly done.”

Will it be said by history that the communist threat was just a legal justification for a legal use of force?

Then let it also be said that it was a constitutional revolution. And that it was necessary to reform society—to convert a “sick society” into the “New Society.”

12:55 PM September 28, 1972[13]

Thursday

The legitimate use of force on chosen targets is the incontestable secret of the reform movement.

Restrained force will bring about the New Society.

And the Reformation in coming about without any obstacle.

Gerry [Gerardo] Roxas wanted to be invited to meet with me. But the Liberal leaders all want to join up now that martial law is a success.

For that matter, everyone now wants to be identified with the Reform Movement.

Freddie Elizalde who has been a critic has come (brought by Adrian Cristobal) to offer a plan of indoctrination of the masses.

But we already have such a plan. And this must be indoctrination by participation—inflexible justice and actual involvement.

The reasons for change can be articulated later.

I have asked Armand Fabella to organize a Think Tank.

Then I will organize a group of men to follow up projects.

Johnny Gatbonton and T. S. J. [sic] [T. J. S.] George of Far East Review interviewed me at 11:00-1:20 [P]M.

We do not want another Vietnam nor another mainland China. If the Communists did not succeed in its plot to overthrow the Republic, the economy would have collapsed anyway because of the paral[y]zation of the government and business.

Received the lists of the Customs and BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] men to be dismissed tomorrow. Prepared the request for the judges to resign.

I am preparing the Educational Reform Act.

October will be the crucial month. The Communists and criminals may be able to regroup.

We have to attend to criminality (keep it down) and food prices, repair the roads up to October.

12:25 PM September 29, 1972[14]

Friday

Sec. Vicente Abad Santos on the removal of judges. He is against the outright dismissal of civil service employees.

But I have decided to amend the civil service rules so as to add two new categories of punishment without going through a formal hearing in addition to dismissal by an investigator. These are removal of those against whom charges are pending in which the evidence of graft is strong and those that are notoriously undesirable so that it can be taken judicial notice of.

CIR [Court of Industrial Relations] judges have been removed except Judges [Alberto] Veloso and [Ansberto] Paredes.

All Public Service Commissioners except Asst. Com. de Guzman also reorganized out.

I have asked Dr. Guimo de Vega to request Judges Walfrido Angeles of Quezon City, Vinencio Ruiz of Makati, Herminio Mariano of Pasig ______ to resign.

And I have dismissed 200 Customs men and 190 BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] men.

Kokoy [Benjamin Romualdez] reports that the International Press has become favorable.

Increased the allowances of the officers and men of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippienes].

Provided P13 million for the equipment of three new PA [Philippine Army] battalions.

Imelda working on the commissary for the AFP.

Prices have gone down except sugar which is not available.

[Antonio] Tony Roxas Chua, the principal sugar trader has been arrested with others for price fixing.

Am writing Pres. [Richard] Nixon on the reasons for Martial Law.

11:15 PM September 30, 1972[15]

Saturday

Tillman Durdin of New York Times has now reported favorably on the developments in Manila contrary to his initial reports. I attach cabled report on his story and other stories.

Since the New York Times is the bell weather of American newspaper sentiment, this should mark the generally favorable reaction to martial law.

This morning at 9:30 I met all the generals at Camp Aguinaldo. I cautioned them against complacency arising out of the euphoria of easy victory; to watch October as it may be the crucial month; that the reform movement and the creation of the New Society is our principal objective but keeping down criminality and prices is the urgent and immediate objective; that it is easier to win a war or a revolution (for no matter how peaceful or constitutional it is, it is a revolution) than it is to run a government; but that I am confident in their capacity to continue the excellent performance.

Increased allowances of enlisted men and pay of officers.

Decreased the rates of Meralco [Manila Electric Company] to 20.9% from 36%. This is the crying need of the people. I attach the order as well as other orders I signed today.

Antonio Roxas Chua and the other sugar dealers and traders were apprehended for hoarding and profiteering. They were also getting P10 a bag of sugar sold to industrial users.

He has offered to sell all his sugar at controlled prices. So have the others.

I attach his offer through Ralph Nubla whom I authorized to see him.

The Meralco oligarchs are trying to see me. The head of the clan, Eugenio Lopez Sr., has been trying to get me by telephone. Now the son (Junior) has asked to meet with Gov. Kokoy [Benjamin] Romualdez. They sent [Antonio] Tony Ayala. They are also going to use [Roberto] Bobby Benedicto who has arrived.

I am sure it is about the rates.

Now the old man is due to arrive Monday.

I intend to review all power rates throughout the Philippines.