“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
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.
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.