USec. [Carmelo] Barbero called me up at 5:00 AM Manila time to inform me they have signed the ceasefire communique and are about to initial the agreement in general.
I told him to befriend Nur Misuari and to establish a line of communication with him so that we can confer with him or his representatives without the Libyans.
It is my intention to organize a Commission on Muslim Affairs and appoint him one of the commissioners or if necessary give him a cabinet rank without portfolio to handle the aid coming from Muslim countries. I want his cooperation.
At 10:30 AM I called a conference with DND [Department of National Defense], DLGCD [Department of Local Government and Community Development], the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and J-2 [Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence] (Maj. Gen. [Ignacio] Paz), J-3 [Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations], Chief of Constabulary, Army Chief, Southern Command Chief, Dir. Gen. of NISA [National Intelligence and Security Authority] and DPI [Department of Public Information] to order a ceasefire and cessation of military operations against the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front].
This order of ceasefire does not cover operations against the NPA [New People’s Army] and CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] or their front organizations.
But I also ordered intelligence operations to be intensified including penetration of MNLF higher leadership through both armed bands and civilian administrators.
And the finalization of a local government code.
Clarification of the status of local security units like CHDF [Civilian Home Defense Force], Strike Forces, Police etc. as parts of the Armed Forces and therefore under the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] which means me. This is necessary because of the ambiguity in the inclusion of Point No. 8 which reads: “Special regional security forces are to be set up for the area of the autonomy for the Muslims in the South of the Philippines. The relationship between these forces and the central security forces shall be fixed later.” This awards the agreement that local security forces will be under the APP chain of command.
Preparation for the appointment of the Joint Committee on the Ceasefire.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.