A 1st Lt. Victor Corpus, a PMA [Philippine Military Academy] graduate but a leftist who had been under the influence of [Dante C.] Simbulan (another PMA graduate but a Red) at 1725 hrs. while incoming as officer of the day at PMA hogtied the armorer and two guards and with the aid of about ten men riding in two Mustangs, one green and the other cream colored, forcibly opened the armory and ammo dump and ran away with six .30 cal. aircooled machine guns, 20 MI carbines, 20 BAR’s (possibly more) and nine boxes of ammo of 800 rds. each. He left a letter of resignation from the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] addressed to me to join the NPA [New People’s Army] as he claims he can no longer be a tool of exploitation by the feudal lords and greedy capitalists.
Checkpoints and roadblocks have been set up by 1st PC [Philippine Constabulary] Zone. All efforts are being exerted to apprehend him and his accomplices.
My suspicion is that these are men of Chavit [Luis] Singson who are suspected to have joined Dante’s [Bernabe Buscayno] NPA through Jose Maria Sison. They may be the same men who killed Cong. Floro Crisologo.
Arrived by boat at Pier 5 Manila at about 8:30 AM passed through Malacañang to receive reports from the Executive Secretary, [Juan] Johnny Ponce Enrile, [Francisco] Kits Tatad and others.
Left by plane at about 10:40 AM for San Fernando where I held a conference after lunch with Gens. [Felizardo] Tanabe, [Rafael] Zagala, [Cesar] Jazmin, Cols. Tom Diaz and Clemente. Col. ______, new Prov. [Provincial] Commander of Ilocos Sur arrived later.
I directed the replacement of all the officers and men of the La Union PC command. Some of the enlisted men here have been stationed here in San Fernando for twenty years. The officers and men have begun to fraternize with the crooked elements in this province.
Gen. Zagala’s transport is only 60% efficient while that of Gen. Tanabe is 40% and this is true of the PC everywhere. So I ordered improvement. Communications from company hq. to detachments still bad or non-existent in PC. Old equipment in Army stalls communications. I ordered improvement.
I attach my orders.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
Held a meeting with the La Union provincial and municipal officials and barrio captains where we distributed advices, checks and credit cards.
Imelda’s distribution of Maligayang Pasko gifts and medical kits was happily applauded. Even before that you could see the adoration for her in the eyes of many people.