Cotabato has exploded in violence again. The 21st Bn. [Battalion] under Col. Tucay stumbled into an estimated 1,000 Muslim rebels (700 of them with firearms) in Bos. [Barrios] Biniruan and Balibud of Cotabato City (about 2 kilometers from the poblacion).
We suffered about 80 wounded and 9 KIA [killed in action] (Col. Tucay suffered a head bullet wound and had to be evacuated to V. Luna Hospital) but the enemy suffered an estimated 300 KIA with 150 definitely counted dead on the ground (body count).
I have allowed an air strike and the use of artillery and mortars.
Tonight the Cencom [Central Mindanao Command] commander, Gen. Fortunato Abat, to whom I talked by telephone twice, had to prepare Cotabato City against a threat of an attack on the city itself.
I have ordered CHDFs [Civilian Home Defense Force] to be armed in the neighboring provinces (the three Davaos and the two Lanaos). MGen. [Fidel] Ramos, the PC [Philippine Constabulary] chief is going to Davao City tomorrow to check the situation.
Upi, Cotobato has been partially occupied by rebels and the PLDT [Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company] relay station attacked but defended successfully by an army platoon.
Kalipayan July 26, 1974[1]
Ulot, Tolosa
Leyte
I talked to Gen. [Fortunato] Abat at 6:00 AM by long distance telephone from Manila to Cotabato. No attack on Cotabato City in the night.
At 10:00 AM when I talked to Col. ______ his Deputy from Ulot by long distance, he confirmed that the enemy had dispersed and our boys are pursuing them.
The enemy has also withdrawn from Upi.
Talked to MGen. [Fidel] Ramos in Davao City as well as BGen. Abat who flew there for the conference.
In Santa Cruz, Davao [del] Sur the attack of about 200 rebels on July 23rd, was repulsed by the local police and the CHDF [Civilian Home Defense Force] with only one casualty—an army man. Five more killed on the enemy side and nine captured. The enemy withdrew.
So I could just rest here in Ulot and I do not need to go to Mindanao.
I went water-skiing (I have never seen the water in Ulot so calm) at noon, napped, played golf and pelota.
Will play golf at 6:00 AM tomorrow.
Kalipayan— July 27, 1974[2]
Ulot, Tolosa, Leyte
Upi, Cotobato has been occupied by an estimated 500 Muslim rebels, the municipal building, elementary school and part of the public market burned. Mayor Sinsuat wanted to surrender with his men but his Vice Mayor fought back and escaped with 20 of the CHDF [Civilian Home Defense Force]. Mayor Sinsuat and his family followed suit and escaped with four of his policemen to one of Upi’s barrios.
I have ordered reinforcements to be sent to Cotabato.
All the other provinces are quite.
The main target seems to be Cotabato City. The attack at Upi may be a feint to draw away the government forces from Cotabato City.
The Miss Universe finalists are in Ulot. Skiing and pelota.
I ordered Sec. [Carlos] Romulo to protect the impounding of the PAL [Philippine Airlines] DC-10 by the USCAB [United States Civil Aeronautics Board].
The PAL DC-10 was impounded by USCAD [sic] for flying without permit.
I attach the messages to me.
[1] Official Gazette for July 26, 1973: THE PRESIDENT authorized, the Central Bank to build an international conference center and bring Manila a step closer to becoming the financial center of Asia. Under Presidential Decree No. 520, the CB will organize and capitalize an independent corporation to operate the conference complex to be named the Manila International Conference Center. The giant joint conference of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank scheduled in Manila in 1976 will be hosted by the center. A portion of the reclamation area near the Cultural Center of the Philippines is being eyed by the CB as site for the conference center which will be one of the most modern of its kind in the world. THE PRESIDENT hailed the 10 outstanding Ilocanos who received the “ Tawid ” (Heritage) awards for 1973 and said they reflected the “new achieving spirit” of the Filipino and the transformation of our moral and spiritual infrastructure under the New Society. The President’s speech was read for him by Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, Medicare chairman, before a distinguished Ilocano audience that gathered at the Cultural Center’s Little Theater for ceremonies held once every two years under the auspices of the Ilocano Heritage Foundation. The President pointed out that the key factors in the national drive for reforms are not only natural resources and capital wealth. “We have to strengthen our national character, firm up the collective backbone,” he said. He was happy to observe that the Ilocano pioneering spirit and habits of frugality and industry have become a part of the national character.
[2] Official Gazette for July 27, 1974: THE PRESIDENT authorized the payment of 10 percent salary increases to officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines effective July 1. Earlier, the President also authorized a 10 percent across-the-board salary increases to officials and employes of the national government to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living. He also urged private companies to follow the move taken by the government and on their own initiative grant salary increases to their employes . DEPARTMENT of Trade laid down a six-point program for the current year in an effort to further intensify government efforts to promote foreign trade. The six-point program, designed to provide the best framework for carrying out the promotional drive, included: 1) Encouraging the coming into the country of more trade missions and the sending of local trade missions in priority areas abroad; 2) Intensification of the market research program; 3) Stepped-up trade information both here and abroad on local products: 4) Expansion of foreign markets for traditional and non-traditional Philippine products; 5) Rationalization of export transport policy through the pooling of exports, bulk imports and shipping facilities; and 6) Establishment and support of Philippine Houses in key cities of the world to serve as display and sales centers for locally-made products. SECURITIES and Exchange Commission disclosed that 52 firms whose stocks are listed in the country’s stock exchanges declared a total of P948 million in cash, stock and property dividends last year. The declaration of dividends is pursuant to the government policy of diffusing inequability private ownership and profits. Based on the figures released by the SEC, there companies paid a total of P413 in cash dividends, P489 million in stock dividends and P25 million in property dividends. Of the 52 firms, the top 10 corporations declared cash stock dividends amounting to P831 million.