Gov. Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur reports that he has had a conference, the other might, with Abulkayr Alonto, the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front] Vice-Chairman. He was willing to join the government forces provided his uncle, Ex Sec. Domocao Alonto says so. The latter, contacted by USec. Carmelo Barbero, says he is willing to accompany USec. Barbero to meet with Abulkayr.
I am skeptical. They (the Alontos) are a slippery and deceitful clan.
So I have instructed USec. Barbero and Ali to first negotiate the surrender of the Alonto supporters, strip the Alonto’s naked of any appreciable armed followers, then negotiate with the Alontos.
Abulkayr was willing to negotiate through his uncle only when Ali told him that if he did not surrender Ali would be forced to uphold the law and go after him with all the forces at his command.
The Alontos want to have Domocao appointed as Supreme Court Justice and an Alonto as Governor of Lanao del Sur. Pure and simple blackmail.
The sugar contracts are causing confusion to the sugar brokers of the world. I attach a cabled report on the Asahi Evening News. By H. J. Maidenburg, the New York Times Service.
Sto. Domingo which has a big surplus of sugar is desperate wants us to stop any more deals of this nature. I have wired Pres. [Joaquin] Balaguer of that country that we have the right of recission of the contract if the participation of the Philippines is less than the world market price and/or it is less than a price set in the contract which is above our cost of production.