Conversations on Military Bases with Amb. R. [Richard] Murphy. What is meant by “external attack?” We raised this with the mutual defense board in 197______ at the beginning of the [William] Sullivan-[Eduardo] Romualdez negotiations. Does it include infusion of...

Seaside At 9:00 AM Ambassador [Richard] Murphy came to my home at 21, 2nd Street, Paranaque (Seaside) to deliver to me the text of a letter of President [James] Carter informing me of his projected announcement 9 PM Washington time, which would be 10 AM Manila time...

My assessment is that we need martial law to bring about a successful termination of the secessionist movement of the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Movement]. If martial law is now lifted even partially, the MNLF will not be under any pressure to negotiate a...

Today is a day of crucial decisions. Not only the Metro Manila primary but the last day for filing the certificates of candidacy for the April 7 election but now I shall remember it as the day the American government tried to pressure me to change the National...

We have hit oil on Christmas Day. This was the news we were tensely waiting for the result of the drilling by City Services at West Nido. Now it is “most positive.” Oil shows in the mud started at 6,867 feet although gas shows were not even before 6,470 ft. I pray it...

I have decided to order Sec. J. [Juan] Ponce Enrile to bring about a reopening of the trial of Ex. Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. to give all the accused a chance to submit whatever arguments and evidence they may desire. I attach copy of my letter-instruction and the...

I prepared a statement on the [Diosdado] Macapagal charges. I attach copy. And the New York Times biased editorial and reporting. I met Gen. Delfin Argao who was the Constabulary (Japanese sponsored) commander in Bulacan when Gen. Alfredo Santos and Col. Fidel Cruz...

The William Buckley column on my war activities has revived some of the trauma I left in the war. And so I ended my personal war without any sense of victory but weighed down by the tears that could not flow. My hope was that I could hear the scars of my spirit, more...

I have decided to add interest to the referendum campaign by picking Ex-Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal as the best strawman and issuing an answer to his charges before the Manila Lions Club under Cesar Lucero on the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front] having been...

I have just received this morning the credentials of the first Vietnamese ambassador. We hope to have the Vietnamese foreign minister as a state guest soon. We are moving along in the implementation of the policy of friendship with the Vietnamese. Working on the bases...