Press Release
There will be no martial law for Ilocos Sur. But additional troops will be sent to identify, locate and apprehend for punishment whoever perpetrated the attacks on the eight towns of that province.
I ask the politicians of both parties, specially the present incumbents and the newly elected local officials not to inject politics into any incident of disorder in Ilocos Sur. The situation is complicated enough as it is.
It is quite clear that the subversives would profit from the violent quarrels and recriminations of the local executives.
I appeal to the national leaders of both parties not to fan the fires of hatred that have already engulfed portions of our society. Such flames may intensify to rage in uncontrollable fury and consume all of us.
F. E. Marcos [Signed]
10:30 AM December 21, 1971[1]
Tuesday
“Without the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Republic would have fallen and disintegrated before the evil forces that seek to destroy it by violence,” I said at the parade and review on the 36th anniversary of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] at Fort Aguinaldo.
“Beyond these ceremonies and formality is the comradeship that we have had—our trials, our battles, our defeats and victories. I hope you have gloried in them as I have. For behind all this facade of courtesy and respect, I feel the affection that must be felt by every right thinking Filipino for you.”
“History will judge us right. Receive the appreciation of your Commander-in-Chief and President as well as that of the Filipino people.”
“We cannot rest on our laurels x x We must listen to the critics—for no one is perfect. x x More than courage or resolution is needed x x the soldier needs patience and forbearance as we stand firm before unjust and unfounded calumny.”
The officers and men are in high spirits but of course such newspapers like The Daily Mirror are promoting discontent in the military. Thus its headline today speaks of grievances in the AFP for promotions given to officers on deep selection (of course these promotions are made on the basis of performance on combat and other missions).
I believe that we have been able to keep the loyalty of the AFP —with a few exceptions.
We will be needing this loyalty to flag and country in the next two years. I expect violence to erupt in a year.
Inducted the Peftek veterans headed this year by Gen. [Fidel] Ramos. They presented a resolution supporting the anti-communist stand I have taken. I attach the resolution.
Saw Chairman Ponciano Mathay of the Oil Industry Commission with Com. Luis Vera who has been charged by a commentator Rebueno with having used my name in the acquisition of shares of stock of a radio station. I have to appoint new commissioners so that the question of the oil prices may be resolved. I am certain that with the devaluation of the dollar 8.67% as announced yesterday and a revaluation of the German mark and the Japanese yen, the Opec [Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries] will demand an increase of oil prices throughout the world. This will farther trigger increase in prices throughout the world.
There are also fears of recession in the U.S., Europe, Japan and the other affluent countries.
We may not be too affected as our exports to them may fetch better prices but our imports from them in relation to the peso which is pegged to the dollar may cost more (except from the U.S.). This will mean more trade with the U.S.
We are busy trying to buy 500,000 tons of rice on a ten year, 3 year grace amortization from Japan and Thailand. Sec. Bung [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] has just called me up from Bangkok to tell me that he is having a difficult time and may be able to get only 250,000 tons on a five year amortization. I told him to see the Deputy Prime Minister Prapat.
The price of rice has not gone down in the Philippines notwithstanding the harvest in November. The shortage is exaggerated.
And the Christmas season has pushed up prices. The increase in salaries of government employees representing about P25 million and GSIS [Government Service Insurance System] dividends representing P30 million has caused some inflation.
1:45 AM December 22, 1971[2]
[1] Official Gazette for December 21, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS was guest of honor in a parade and review at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City in connection with the observance of Armed Forces Day. In his speech during the morning ceremonies, the President decried attempts to undermine the people’s confidence in the Supreme Court which, he said, “our Constitution has established as the court of last resort in our system of government.” The President said “it is unfortunate that partisan politics and blind zealotry have inveighed against even the high tribunal simply because its judgment ran counter to their own views and their own narrow objectives.” He was introduced by Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff. Accompanied by the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, and their daughter, Imee, the President left Malacañang about 9 a.m. He was met by an honor guard formed by a contingent of Philippine Military Academy cadets behind the reviewing stand. The anniversary rites was highlighted by the presentation of awards and decorations to two civilians and seven military men for distinguished services. The awardees were: 1. Maj. Jose P. Santos, Jr. of the PC—gold cross medal for gallantry in action in the face of heavily armed men during an encounter with dissidents; 2. First Lieutenants Roberto I. Sabularse and Conrado G. Tanabe (deceased), both of the PAF—gold cross medal for gallantry in action as pilots, who ferried the first wave of troops during combat operations of the Task Force Lawin in Tarlac. Tanabe’s award was received by his widow, Mrs. Josefina Reyes Tanabe. 3. Second Lt. Arsenio L, Tecson of the PA, platoon leader of ‘A’ company, 26th Infantry Battalion—gold cross medal for successfully defending Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte when attacked by outlaw bands; 4. Vero Perfecto of the Voice of the Philippines—Legion of Honor Award for having been instrumental in the surrender of Lapiang Malaya Supremo Valentin de los Santos in 1967; 5. M/Sgt. Carlos Rodriguez of the PAF, as Enlisted Man of the Year; 6. Seawoman First Class Arabella O. Diangson of the PN, as Enlisted Woman of the Year; 7. Cdt. Lt. Col. Mariano A. Angeles of the UP Army ROTC, as ROTC Cadet of the Year; and 8. Dominador A. Nuñez, as Civilian Employee of the Year. Following the President’s speech, contingents from all the major AFP services, including the Women’s Auxiliary Corps, PMA and ROTC cadets, marched in review as Philippine Air Force jet fighter planes made a fly-by. Then the First Lady, assisted by daughter Imee, distributed “Maligayang Pasko” gift bags to hundreds of children of enlisted men. After the ceremony, the guests repaired to the nearby Officers’ Club where the President inducted the new set of officers of the PEFTOK Veterans Association, headed by Brig. Gen. Fidel Ramos, president. Back in Malacañang shortly before noon, the President received scheduled callers, including Guillaume Georges Picot, president of the French Far East Committee on Organization of Employers and Industrial Firms, who paid a courtesy call following his arrival on a business survey. The President also received a delegation from Ilocos Sur composed of municipal mayors, who had signified their desire to resign because of threats against their lives. During his meeting with the group led by Acting Gov. Antonio Villanueva and Vincent Crisologo, the President ordered the Criminal Investigation Service of the PC to submit its findings on the peace and order situation in Ilocos Sur. Those who called at Malacañang to confirm the reports of NPA activities in the province were acting Board Member Juanito Tolentino, Mayon Gonzalo P. Lazo and Councilor Elias Laureta of Tagudin, Mayors Roberto Pati of San Idefonso, Benjamin Sanidad of Sto. Domingo, Antonio Cabaldon of Caoayan, Maria Porte of Bantay, and Canuto Fariñas of Magsingal; Vice Mayor Pablo Arde and Councilor Jack Aquino of Vigan.
[2] Official Gazette for December 22, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS worked at his desk as usual and received visitors according to schedule. Notable among the callers who trooped to the President’s study were: 1. Washington Sycip and Dr. Daniel Vasquez, who had a private audience with the President. 2. Caltex executive John I. Wolahan and Francis Ablan, who discussed business matters. 3. Gov. Antonio Villanueva of Ilocos Sur who led other leaders of the province in threshing out with the President the disruptions in the region. During the two-hour confrontation meeting between the Villanueva-Crisologo faction, on one hand, and the group of Governor-elect Luis “Chavit” Singson and his brother Evaristo, mayor-elect of Vigan, on the other, the President forged an agreement and prevailed upon the contending political factions of the province to join hands in the fight against communisms and in the preservation of peace and order in Ilocos Sur. The two factions agreed to the President’s proposals that: A. They would help in fighting communism by putting their own men side by side with the Philippine Constabulary units against the NPA; B. They would cooperate in the investigation of violent incidents by trained intelligence investigators; and C. The municipal police forces would be screened, trained and then armed by the PC in order to be able to help preserve peace and order. At the same time the President directed Brig. Gen. Eduardo M. Garcia, PC chief, to submit a report on which police forces would be given priority in training and arming, and to replace the original PC unit in the province with fresh officers and men. He also told Gen. Garcia to assign Lt. Col. Honorio Balanon as provincial commander, and to provide him with a good deputy. D. Senators Mamintal Tamano and Ambrosio Padilla; Reps. Marcelino Veloso, the House majority floorleader; Godofredo Tan of Quezon, Emerito Calderon of Cebu, Antonio Villar of Pangasinan; and Governors Ignacio Santiago of Bulacan and Tito Primicias of Pangasinan. They discussed problems of their constituencies with the President. In the course of his desk work, the President signed an executive order redefining the functions and powers of the Medical Assistance Program Task Force, which was created under Executive Order No. 337 issued on September 1, 1971. He redefined the task force’s function to obviate the duplication of functions of the Philippine Medical Care Commission created by virtue of Republic Act No. 6111, approved on August 4, 1969. As redefined, the functions and powers of the task force are: 1. To advice the Commission on policies that would lay the groundwork for Program II of Republic Act No. 6111; 2. To suggest ways and means of providing medical care benefits to non-beneficiaries of Program I of the same republic act; 3. To advice the Commission on factual conditions in the rural areas relevant to the evolvement of Program II; 4. To recommend to the Commission the implementation of policies, plans, and action programs as formulated from the time or organization; and 5. To advice the Commission on pertinent changes and revisions of action programs as may be deemed necessary. In the evening, the President and the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, honored cabinet members and other ranking officials at dinner.