October 2, 1972

Monday

We are now watching the development of opposition among the clergy, possibly the nuns, the Free Farmers Federation and the Christian Socialist Movement.

So the opening of the schools in the high school and college levels have to be postponed. For there would be [an] opportunity to congregate and prepare for demonstrations.

But we must not arrest any of the bishops, although we must be firm in stopping ANY subversion that may crop up from abroad.

I have agreed to appear in the Meet the Press show of Larry [Lawrence] Spivak on October 8, 1972 at12:30 am New York time which will be about midnight Sunday here.

The [Tillman] Durdin story in the New York Times of the interview of Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Gen. [Romeo] Espino and [Fidel] Ramos to the effect that the military has not taken over but will continue to obey the civil authority; that the people are surrendering their guns, there is peace and order and they are supporting the president to a war because they are obeying the constitution.

And Lee Lescaze of the Washington Post has reversed himself and sent in a story that if a vote were taken today, an overwhelming majority of the Filipino people would support me in my decision proclaiming martial law.

The support from all quarters continues and I meet the Sulu Muslim leaders who have indicated support tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

I met the Think Tank for the first time today—[Vicente] Ting Paterno, Armand Fabella, [Gerardo] Gerry Sicat, [Apolinario] Naring Orosa, [Roberto] Bobby Benedicto, Leo[nides] Virata, Adrian Cristobal etc.

I attach the list of specific programs. Although we should postpone Nos. 1 and 2.

Signed the Oil Exploration (Service Contract) Decree, and the reduction of the Stock Transfer Tax of 2% to ¼%.

And I ordered the study of the suspension of the capital gains tax if the gains are invested in productive enterprise or deposited in a bank.

The realignment of banks and insurance companies must follow.

12:15 PM October 3, 1972[1]

Tuesday

The threat from the clergy specially the Jesuits is not as bad as it first seemed.

But I have ordered the release of all the clergy who have been detained to allow a review of their cases. In Greater Manila Fathers [Cornelio] Lagerway, [Constante] Floresca and [Santos] Rabang were released and have offered to help in the Reformation and the building of the New Society. In Mindanao I have ordered the release of Father Vincent Cullen in Bukidnon. Father Donelan calls him a true missionary. The same is true of the parish priest of Mons. Luis Gonzaga.

Today I increased the meal allowance of enlisted men of the Armed Forces from four pesos to five pesos a day.

And brought the Sulu leaders, both Nacionalista and Liberals, to pledge to support the New Society. And appeared before TV.

Worked on the questions for the [Lawrence] Spivak show next Sunday.

In the evening I met Father Jose Cruz, Father Rector of Ateneo [de Manila] University on the clergy.

And was interviewed by Jack ______ and Lee Lescaze of the Los Angeles Time[s] and Washington Post respectively.

10:35 PM October 4, 1972[2]

Wednesday

Met the priests who have been released Father [Cornelio] Lagerway, [Constante] Floresca and [Santos] Rabang. We agreed we were working for the same objectives but that they should now help us by being the liaison with the Philippine Priests Asso. for the last two and the foreign priests for the first who immediately wanted the government to finance the magazines he publishes “Ang Tao” on a propaganda campaign.

Fathers Floresca and Rabang both claimed they too were working for a radical change inside the church.

Then met the Asian Press Institute of which Chino [Joaquin] Roces is the President. I agreed to their meeting the detainees, working out a Press Consultative Panel to negotiate the normalization of relationship between the government and media—it being agreed that the Consultative Panel will be composed mostly of our men in government. Kits [Francisco] Tatad has issued a communique with them.

Approved the Bureau of Posts dismissal and the release of Cong. Carlos Imperial provided that he helps in the campaign to surrender the arms of his men. And the release of Labor Leader Vicente Rafael.

Tonight I was interviewed by Wall Street Journal’s Peter Kahn. And The U.S. World and News Reports Mack Chrysler. The first is a Pulitzer Price winner on his reporting on the Bangladesh war and the second is an old hand in Asia.

The New York Times editorial of Oct. 4, 1972 said for the genuine economic and social reforms “the Phil. President deserves open encouragement from the U.S. government. This could take the form of generous economic assistance for programs to help the majority of Filipinos who have profited little or not it all from 26 years of national independence.”

I attach cabled report on editorial.

12:00 PM October 5, 1972[3]

Thursday

Devoted time to Cotabato (Blah and Esther Sinsuat and Datu Puti their son). Dr. Charles Mosebrooke, the advance party of Larry [Lawrence] Spivak for the Meet the Press show, Com. [Baltazar] Aquino of the Com. on Highways on the highways program and the new decrees.

But I spent most of my time on the tax measures specially the reorganization of the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] and the amendments to the Internal Revenue Code.

Ordered the suspension of capital gains provided the gains provided the gains are invested in a productive enterprise or deposits it in a bank, rules to be issued by the Com. of Internal Revenue.

Met the leaders of the Concon [Constitutional Convention] delegates, Bibit [Gilberto] Duavit, Ding [Ricardo] Quintos and Ven [Venancio] Yaneza on the schedule of their activities and the Interim government.

The Concon through its officers and some members have requested P4.5 million for their expenses up to January which I granted. This means that even Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal recognizes the legality of my legislating by decree.

I notice some worry creeping into the voices of the children over the telephone and into their letters.

So I have sent them letters assuring them of the success of martial law and how safe it is here now, enclosing clippings from here and foreign sources.

Worked on an integrated approach to food prices with Sec. Bung [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] who was also concerned that he may be arrested as his wife has told him she heard the news from unimpeachable sources.

And worked on the organization of a Movement for a New Society.

11:30 PM October 6, 1972[4]

Friday

Worked on the outline of the whole program of reform:

Peace and Order

Criminality

Guns

Gangster

Private Armies

Judiciary

Investment, Production, Prices

Incentives

Taxes

Service Contract

Land Reform

Cooperatives

Financial support

Government Reorganization

Graft and Corruption

Inefficiency

Labor

Unemployment

Manpower Training

Public Finances

Taxes

Customs and Tariff Code

Code of internal Revenue

Social services

Social Security

Health

Housing

Education

Ex Sec. [Alejandro] Alex Melchor [Jr.], Sec. of Finance Cesar Virata and C.B. [Central Bank] Gov. Greg[orio] Licaros arrived today from the United States. I immediately put them to work on the Reform Program.

The ______ tonight raided a store which was the warehouse for stolen communications equipment (apparently from U.S. Bases) and arrested three persons.

We must trace the other conspirators.

The heroin manufacturers (another laboratory has been raided in Caloooan, still belonging to the Tan Su syndicate) must be tried by the Military Tribunal and if found guilty, executed publicly.

And the same thing must be done to the AFP personnel who participated in the manufacture of the bomb in Joe’s Dept. Store. (Sgt. Gacutan)

1:00 AM, Oct. 8th October 7, 1972[5]

Saturday

Have been busy finishing the Reform Program.

We have to revise the targets and the plans.

And the NBC people with Liz Tretta, the Singapore-based NBC correspondent and panelist in the [Lawrence] Spivak Meet the Press show tomorrow night, have been busy preparing my study for the interview at 12:30 PM.

But played golf this afternoon with [Herminio] Miniong Disini and Gen. [Romeo] Romy Espino to keep my weight down. I believe I have been able to bring it down to 132½ from 136 pds.

Time and Newsweek have better balanced stories this week. Time quotes Aquino (Sen. Benigno) from the Far Eastern Review to the effect that the country would be willing to have a Lee Kuan Yu or Chung Hee Park and some short-cuts.

3:30 AM Oct. 9th October 8, 1972[6]

Sunday

We are still in Euphoria because of [Lawrence] Spivak. Meet the Press show by Satellite in Washington and thru KBS [Kanlaon Broadcasting System] in my study in Malacañan.

Are you peacefully going to transfer authority in 1973?

How long will martial law be?

What have you done to narrow the gap of the rich and poor?

Are you one of the wealthiest men in the Philippine or Asia?

My only regret was “It was too short”—only 30 minutes—actually about 25 minutes.

11:50 PM October 9, 1972[7]

Monday

We are still in a state of rapture from the congratulations that I have received from abroad and in the Philippines for the TV Meet the Press show of [Lawrence] Spivak. An example of which is the which is the wire of Sec. [Carlos] Romulo which I attach.

Earl Mazo said over long distance that “The President threw them out of the ballpark.”

And Mr. Sharon said, “They did not touch him at all. He was too fast.”

And here “Talagang magaling.” This is from Gagalangin.

This morning I met the oil corporation executives on oil exploration. We are going to open the government reserves and to the discoverer of oil the government collects only 12½% royalty and 50% tax on the net income and on all succeeding explorers 15% royalty and a 50% tax on the net income. No joint ventures. Took up the matter of copper smelters and taxes.

Tonight I directed the study of the possibility of declaring all rice and corn lands in excess of a required family lot to be owned by the tenants and to be paid with the 25% share every harvest of such tenant for a period of ten years.

This will certainly revolutionize our society and create an immediate impact on the economy.

7:50 PM October 10, 1972[8]

Tuesday

10 minutes interview by BBC’s Derek Wilson (London based in Singapore).

15 minutes TV interview by ABC’s Jim Giggans based in Saigon. He is colored and I like him.

Then 15 minutes TV interview by CBS’s Don Webster for the [Walter] Cronkite show.

And finally 20 minutes interview by correspondent Mr. Saito of the Asahi Shimbun.

Practically the same question on martial law.

ABC and CBS will mean millions more of listeners and viewers. I was able to put in the points. The landing in Palawan, invisible government, front organizations, urban guerrillas and better yet—that we have been fighting since the war—and our children will not fight the same battles all over again.

I attach a sample of letters and messages we are getting about these interviews—a letter from [Antonio] Tony Raquiza.

Asked [Sixto] Ting Roxas who arrived only yesterday to work in the Think Tank and start on the Housing program.

Then met the generals for the command conference for lunch.

Explained reform program.

The rise of criminality in the Greater Manila area. There was a hold-up of Equitable Bank of more than P100,000 yesterday by three men in uniform. And Rudy Martell reports his paymaster was robbed P800 last Saturday night by men in uniform at the clover leaf at Epifanio de los Santos riding in a bantam car with number 32-45.

We agreed to pick up all police characters and concentrate them. Increase strength of Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] by 150 men provided with tactical vehicles for immediate reaction to reports of crime.

And agent Chua of Metrocom, a former or retired master sergeant, was held up last night with the collusion of the taxi driver of the taxi he was riding in at about the same place by two men whom he had to shoot with his .45. He suffered a head wound from the taxi driver.

A carnap by three men in uniform took place the other day.

We agreed to push the clean up of the local police faster.

The trial by the military tribunals of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] personnel in gun running and the manufacturers of the bomb that was used in bombing Joe’s Dept. Store that killed one.

As well as the Chinese manufacturers and dealers in heroin.

Military operations—I suggested that we catch the leaders of the NPA [New People’s Army] in a commanders’ conference which I am sure they will call any day now. And since Isabela is now harvesting mountain rice if we stop the operations there all the leaders of the NPA will seek sanctuary there.

So all units will double operations (except those in Isabela). Then we dragnet Isabela.

I attach report on the assassination plot. The guns of [Sergio] Osmeña [Jr.] have been confiscated—his houses in Cebu and Manila have been raided; so has his apartment and hideout.

12:00 PM October 11, 1972[9]

Wednesday

The Cotabato (North) leaders, Moslem Tirurays and Christian alike, have pledged to keep the peace and support me in the proclamation of martial law and the reformation.

But since fighting has broken out in the Maganoy, Ampatuan, Pikit area. I have called them to Manila—(all the provincial and municipal officials). I personally asked Cong. Salipada Pendatun to come over the telephone when I talked to him after my opening appeal wherein I told the leaders that Mindanao is Moslem land and we, the Christians are there because of their tolerance and their invitation; that the Christians should therefore help their brother Moslems and other minorities who are less prepared for an exacting modern world; that the policies I have established favor the Moslem areas: most of the money we have borrowed from abroad go [sic] to Mindanao, the seaports and airports being developed are in Mindanao; the “Investments below the typhoon belt policy” means investments will pour in for Mindanao and Sulu, and the oil exploration program will favor Mindanao and Sulu; the number of schools being constructed now in these islands are double that of the Luzon and Visayas areas.

So I concluded “I am ready to wipe out all past records and start out with the slate clean provided that there will be no repetition of the past offenses.” And pointed out to how I had personally gone to Buldon to stop the Armed Forces of the Philippines from decimating that Moslem town under Mayor [Bangon] Aratuc (his son Tomatic had been sent by the father who was taken ill campaigning for the people’s support of martial law) with artillery fire notwithstanding the seven casualties suffered by the government troops.

We ended up with Cong. Salipada Pendatun reiterating support for my program and agreeing to head a mission to contact Ex-Gov. Udtog Matalam whose MIM [Mindanao Independence Movement] forces have started the fighting to come to see me in Manila. But we have to stop the operations of the AFP against his band in the meantime.

And Datu Akilan Ampatuan will contact the two Sangki brothers, Abdullah and Balacat and son A… to also come and see me. So too with the old man Datu Kudanding [Camsa] who have apparently joined Datu Udtog Matalam.

The Disumimba band which threatens Dinaig is composed of outlaws and will have to be destroyed.

Met Congs. Armando Gustilo of Negros and Eduardo Cojuangco of Tarlac. They report 105 armed men have gone up the mountains in Negros and their transit point to Panay where they have contact with some other subversives is through Guimaras through a certain Jayme.

We will mount a special intelligence and search and destroy operations.

They also showed a telegram of Sugar Administrator Jose Unson for all sugar people or planters and millers to pass their sugar through the Producers Cooperative controlled by Ex Sec. Alfredo Montelibano by a voting trust agreement who is apparently trying to corner the sugar market.

I met Justice Fred Ruiz Castro. He has told the Chief Justice of my request that there be no direct confrontation between me and the Supreme Court. Justice Castro called attention to the fact that in all the cases they have studied, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the cases after martial law was over. I believe they will do this.

I have asked the Justices to help in preparing a list of CFI [Court of First Instance] and CAR [Court of Agrarian Relations] judges whose resignations should be accepted.

And reforms in the judiciary—or for that matter the whole society.

But I believe we still should look into how the Lopez interests (Meralco [Manila Electric Company]) have been paying the children and relatives of the justices.

And the payrolls are in the Meralco offices of the comptroller, the treasurer and personal secretaries of Mr. Eugenio Lopez.

The last article of Richard Critchfield in the Washington Star is most laudatory. It is about the book (my book) calling it the best analysis of why I imposed martial law. “It is a brilliantly-reasoned manifesto calling for a government-led, non-violent revolution to fundamentally remake Philippine Society x x x The book provides the political theory and the blue-print of what Marcos is doing now x x x”

“It is perhaps one of the most extraordinary theoretical documents ever produced by a contemporary non-communist head of state.”[10]

x x x

“Marcos book, taken together with all he has been saying and doing since he declared martial law, puts the present crisis into an altogether different perspective. Far from being a short-term emergency or a routine power play, it is a far greater and more dangerous enterprise.”

“Marcos is putting himself, the Army, the technocrats and other modernizing forces against the entrenched oligarchy, the communists, the radical left and the Philippine criminal underworld in a prolonged struggle to decide whether this country can afford to remain an open society.”

9:40 PM October 12, 1972[11]

Thursday

Met with about 2,000 Land Reform or Dept. Agrarian Reform Field Technicians. I have directed the DAR to generate 3,000 Field Technicians and the APC [Agricultural Productivity Commission] and BPI [Bureau of Plant Industry] to generate 6,000 Field Technicians so that there would be 9,000 technicians for the 715,000 tenants to be serviced.

I have about P50 million for the organization of cooperatives and loans to them. Sec. [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] told me this morning before the conference that the AID [Agency for International Development] is ready to raise $50 million for land reform. I would put it into the Land Ownership financing.

So I have set the guidelines for acquisition of land for the tenants.

Then I met the Catholic bishops who explained the second letter which expressed reservations about martial law and my decrees was signed by 17 bishops most of whom were misled into thinking they signed the first resolution of support.

Tonight I met Sec. [Vicente] Abad Santos and Sol. Gen. Estelito Mendoza on the dismissal of CFI [Court of First Instance] and CAR [Court of Agrarian Relations] judges. They also took up the attitude of the Supreme Court justices which has turned for the better.

And authorized the new newspaper—Herald Tribune, the conversion of the Government Report into a weekly magazine.

11:00 PM October 13, 1972[12]

Friday

All quiet despite rumours of a suicide attempt to hold a demonstration or even attempt to assassinate both Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and me.

Awarded the Sikatuna (Datu) to the Ambassadress of Brazil, Zahil [sic] [Zilah] Mafra Peixoto as she is leaving Monday for reassignment.

Then the German TV took shots of Imelda and me on the reservation of the Tasadays in Cotabato del Sur.

[Vicente] Ting Paterno and Chairman Pons[ciano] Mathay reported.

And finally met with the Mindanao leaders led by Sens. [Emmanuel] Pelaez and [Mamintal] Tamano, Congs. [Salipada] Pendatun and Macacuna Dimaporo, Govs. [Carlos] Cajelo and Tarhata Alonto Lucman and [Arsenio] Quibranza and Mayors [Camilo] Cabili and Omar Dianalan.

Tonight I checked on the Committee on Land Reform, Secs. [Juan] Manuel and Bong [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.].

11:20 PM October 14, 1972[13]

Saturday

I have finally decided that in the Land Reform Program we should keep the government out of the transaction for the transfer of ownership of the land to the tenant. It would be a direct transaction between landowner and tenant choosing one of two schemes:

Payment in 14 years of 25% of the decided rent. This would be guaranteed by the cooperative that would have to be organized before ownership can be transferred to the tenant.

The organization of a corporation 25% of which shall belong to the landowner.

And there will be 0-retention by the landowner—except where the landowner tills the land himself—so he retains 6 hectares for each member of the family.

I attach the notes on our conference.

The use of bonds I rejected as this involves P7.5 billion at P5,000 per hectare.

Met Amb. [Henry] Byroade at 9:45 AM who congratulated me. I asked him to inform his government I am asking for help in Land Reform. He feels that he can obtain such help from the U.S. Congress.

But the doctors in Clark Air Force Base have discovered a quarter size whitish spot inside his mouth under his tongue due to his smoking. So he is supposed to stop smoking as the spot is pre-malignant.

Was at Fort Bonifacio 10:30-11:45 PM inspecting the troops beyond the target range in training for attack. NBC took shots of me on the radio and the heliborne troops taking a hill.

Then worked on new school to be opened, the amendments to the orders on suspension and dismissal of policemen, the take over of IISMI [Iligan Integrated Steel Mills Inc.] and Elirol [Elizalde Rolling Mills, Inc.], the exclusion of clearance requirements of certain groups of persons.

Tonight I viewed the media presentations of two groups—the APAA [Association of Philippine Advertising Agencies] and the Tony Cantero groups.

I met Eraño Manalo of the Iglesia ni Cristo. He is worried that he may be picked up. And the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] just notified him his books of accounts would be examined. Of course I accepted the resignation of Judge Herminio Mariano, married to his sister.

And in the early morning of Saturday, Sept. 22nd, shooting erupted in the Central Building of the Iglesia in Quezon City, beside the U.P. [University of the Philippines] resulting in the death of one Iglesia guard and the wounding of three more while on the government side three [marines?] were wounded. And he claims it was due to the fact that the Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] team head who was asked what they wanted by an Iglesia men, Ka Esguerra (a Lt. Ilagan who was apparently nervous) did not show his written orders nor did he explain his mission. Only the call of Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile stopped the shooting.

He claims that now the NPA [New People’s Army] would be trying to win their men to their side. But that they could not join a Godless organization.

I believe he is scared of being picked up.

12:50 PM October 15, 1972[14]

Sunday

Spent the whole day from noon to midnight in the boat. Had a two hour nap after lunch and finished four books on [Jawaharlal] Nehru, [Gamal Abdel] Nasser, Indo China and some histories.

Quite a relief from the routine of the palace. And the moldy decaying air replaced by the fresh ocean breeze.

This morning Gen. [Fabian] Ver called up from the home of Cong. [Salipada] Pendatun in Cotabato City to inform me that they might not be able to return today as they would like to pick up the Alontos in Lanao as well as the other Moslem leaders other than Ex-Gov. Udtog Matalam, Datu Kudanding [Camsa], the Sangki brothers, Abdullah and Balacat as well as Abdullah’s son. So I will wait for them tomorrow.

My impression of Nehru and Nasser was that they belong to the improvising leaders like [Manuel] Quezon and [Sergio] Osmeña to whom we ascribe many of our present day problems.

1:00 AM Oct. 17th October 16, 1972[15]

Monday

Worked on the establishment of new settlements for the squatters who will be displaced upon the destruction of their houses.

And the proclamation transferring ownership of the rice and corn lands to the tenants paying 25% of the average yield for 15 years—this payment shall include 6% interest.

Then met South Cotabato Gov. [Sergio] Morales, Cong. James Chiongbian and some mayors, the mayors of the two Lanaos led by the President of the mayors league of Lanao del Sur, Mayor Palawan Disomimba who were accompanied by the Sec. of National Defense, the military and other leaders. I attach the list.

Met Gov. [Dominador] Camerino of Cavite, S. P. [Salvador] Lopez of the U.P. [University of the Philippines] inducted Under Sec. Jose Drilon as the Under Sec. of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Received Datu Mafalen of the Ubos, Mai Juan of the T’boli. Datu ______ of the ______ and the Moslems of Palawan ______ covered by TV.

In the afternoon I met the Chief of Police (about 1,000) at 4:00 PM and explained the objectives of our cause.

Then met the Greater Manila mayors and chiefs of Police.

11:00 PM October 17, 1972[16]

Tuesday

I have had to postpone the proclamation of ownership of the land they till by the tenants because of my desire to prevent any dislocation of production if small farmers owning only 6 hectares are dispossessed by their land and merely transferred to what may be a less efficient tenant.

So I have asked for more statistics on how many landowners there are owning five hectares or less.

I was interviewed by Tony Clifton of Newsweek and H. Okada of the Japan Economics Review.

Before lunch I listened to the Philharmonic and the governments choral group rendition of the Bagong Pagsilang (A Rebirth)[17], a march, and Bagong Lipunan, (New Society) a hymn. Inspiring and moving.

Imelda, who asked composer Felipe de Leon to compose them, is also thinking of plays in the Cultural Center and a movie on the New Society.

12:00 October 18, 1972[18]

Wednesday

Yesterday, I was informed, Pres. Park Chung Hee of Korea placed South Korea under martial law since 6:00 PM.

Ex-Foreign Minister Kiichi Aichi, personal representative of Prime Minister [Kakuei] Tanaka of Japan arrived yesterday and conferred with me on the Japan-People’s Republic of China normalization of diplomatic relations, this morning.

I emphasized the security aspect more than the economic aspect. Since the agreement is similar to the U.S.-Red China communique in that it considers the question of Taiwan interval to China to be decided between Red China and Nationalist China, Taiwan would probably become a port of Red China and so our next door neighbor. Red China like Nationalist China would then claim the Spratly Islands and farther raise a source of quarrel with the Philippines.

I asked Japan to support our position that the Spratly Islands are Trust Territories and that Taiwan should be defended by American Forces if force is used by Red China to settle the question.

I attach my notes.

Interview by [Henry S.] Hayward of the Christian Science Monitor.

Then met the sugar planters and millers who were up in arms against Ex-Sec. Alfredo Montelibano for illegal exactions of two pesos allegedly for lobby in the US and ConCon [Constitutional Convention].

I created the Sugar Commission.

Met the Cotabato leaders, Datu Kudanding [Camsa], Abdullah Sangki brought by Datu Akilan [Ampatuan], mayor of Maganoy.

12:30 PM October 19, 1972[19]

Thursday

We have been sleeping in Suite I since two nights ago because the allergist, Dr. Kua Lim discovered molds and bacteria in our bedroom and gymnasium below and they are now being cleaned completely.

I have been able to placate the hill tribes, the Palawan Tausogs, the Manobos, the Higaonons, the T’oboli [sic], the Mansakas etc. as well as the Moslems.

We met with the Alontos (Domocao, the delegate, Madki and Gov. Tarhata Alonto Lucman) and the Cotabato Datus, the Sinsuats, the Ampatuans, Kudanding etc.

And started operations PARE [Program of Assistance for Returning Evacuees] under Gen. [Teodorico] Almuete and Chairman [Ernesto] Aboitiz of the MDA [Mindanao Development Authority].

Interview by [Michael] Richardson of the Australian paper The Age.

And met the delegations led by Gov. [Moises] Espinosa of Masbate, Gov. [Jose Tecson] and Congressman [Vicente] Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur and Cong. [Armando] Gustilo of Negros Occidental.

Talked to Kokoy [Benjamin Romualdez] on the U.S. situation. Washington [is] apparently for my martial law but not that of Pres. Park Chung Hee of Korea. He does not seem to have any reason for it as he is now negotiating the union of North and South Korea.

Am now working on the labor intensive investments like garments, embroideries and cottage industries.

And the impact infrastructure like the roads and destroyed dikes, irrigation, electric and power projects etc.

Finalizing land reform (ownership phase) on the basis of transfer of ownership over land in excess of six hectares.