The critical question of a bold and strong leadership to meet the threat of anarchy and a daring attempt to create a revolutionary situation has come up again. This was triggered by the bold raid by Lt. [Victor] Corpus of the PMA [Philippine Military Academy] armory and ammo dump.
The intelligence reports indicate a massive demonstration on the 26th or 30th of January 1971 with a dry run on the 17th and an increasing tempo of militancy by the radical groups up to June when there would be riots just before or during the sessions of the constitutional convention.
Gov. Carmeling Crisologo reports the existence of sanctuary or training areas in Ilocos Sur—Alilem, Cabugao, etc.
Organization is going on in Isabela. Manila is in ferment in the student and labor elements.
It is now believed that the killing of Cong. [Floro] Crisologo was an NPA [New People’s Army] project directed by Sen. Benigno Aquino whose ties to the Mao-Mao’s is a public secret which he does not deny but brags about.
I have ordered that the 1st PC [Philippine Constabulary] Zone and Intelligence slowly leak out the fact that the Corpus raid of PMA is an intelligence project and that Corpus is a penetration agent.
But all the radicals are reported preparing determinedly for my assassination and that of my loyal followers.
The Corpus operations in PMA denotes the boldness and determination of this group of subversives. This is the significance of the Corpus raid. It could lead to farther operations of the same sort.
And the Armed Forces has to be screened well now. Commodore [Remo] Lavadia of the [National Defense College] is another vocal critic of the administration and of democracy. I have ordered him relieved and his deputy, a civilian [Jose G.] Syjuico, to take his place.
This reminds me of the guerilla days when our closest relatives and friends anxious for our survival warned against risking extermination by going to the hills. But
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
somebody had to do it. And since nobody else would stick out his neck, we had to do it and do it without much heroics. The ultimate test of what was right was what was best for the country. Some guerillas became power-mad. This was a warning to many of us.
And I must remember this always.
Undoubtedly our society is sick and the government muddles on compromises. The legislature wants to arrogate executive and even judicial powers to itself (foreign policy and tariff duties)—arrogant and vain. The city people are more interested in gossip than in achievements. The media is sensationalist and deliberately distorts and even falsifies news in order to raise a headline. The businessmen are not interested in the plight of the common people but are obsessed with amassing wealth. The oligarchs are at their favorite pastime to get to the levers of power. The opposition party is irresponsible and didn’t care less whether what they do would prejudice the people provided it enhances their chances to return to power.
All our attempts to progress are deliberately blocked.
Even the radicals seek nothing but power for power’s sake