Minister Hamilton came to inform me:
Official Gazette for February 3, 1973: PRESIDENT MARCOS has issued an administrative order creating three commissions charged with the function of carrying out the provisions of the amnesty granted to certain members of the subversive organizations as provided for under Presidential Decree No. 124. The administrative order provides for the composition of three Amnesty Commissions and their respective territorial jurisdiction, as follows: 1) First Commission for Luzon and Palawan, all provinces, cities and islands traditionally belonging to Luzon and Palawan: the judge advocate general, Armed Forces of the Philippines, chairman; and two judges of courts of first instance to be designated by the secretary of justice, members. 2) Second. Commission for Visayas, all islands traditionally comprising the said group, and all provinces and cities within the said group of islands: the commander, Third PC Zone, chairman; and two judges of the courts of first instance to be designated by the secretary of justice, members. 3) Third Commission for the islands of Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago, all islands traditionally belonging to the said group, all provinces and cities situated therein: the commander, Fourth PC Zone, chairman; and two judges of the courts of first instance to be designated by the secretary of justice, members.
NATIONAL GRAINS Authority Administrator Jesus Tanchangco said there are enough rice stocks from certain areas that have recovered from the recent calamities and the government has authorized importation to avert any shortage of the cereal. The NGA administrator likewise reported that the price of rice and palay have been stabilized due to several factors; among them: the imposition of Martial Law that prevented hoarders and profiteers from practicing their illegal activities; the elimination of the “tong” system in bringing the cereal to the consumers; the much-improved peace and order conditions that enable farmers to work peacefully, and the good harvests in certain areas which have recovered from the ravages of the recent calamities. According to Mr. Tanchangco, the powers of the NGA have been enlarged after it took over the functions of the former Rice and Corn Administration, Rice and Corn Board, Bureau of Commerce.
MANILA INTERNATIONAL Airport customhouse reported that it collected P5,833,736.37 for the month of January this year, representing a 64 per cent jump over its collections for the same month last year, which totaled P3,555,928.20. The increase in collections was attributed to the support and cooperation of all customs personnel at the airport and to help given by military authorities in maintaining discipline and order. Customs procedure have also been streamlined with strict pass control regulations.
MILITARY AUTHORITIES pledged to put more teeth in the government’s peace and order drive following reports of a slight resurgence of criminality in the country. The pledge was made after a two-day Command Conference among the military and police authorities at Camp Crame. It was the consensus of the meeting that people might fall back to their old ways if not checked and that the military, especially the Metrocom, is fully capable of keeping down criminality “within a tolerable, if not negligible, level.”
GUIDELINES for the Administration of Detainees (CAD) were issued for all CAD detention camps, reception centers, and confinement facilities in admitting persons desiring to visit detainees. Henceforth, visiting hours will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. everyday with each visit not to exceed one hour. The detainees are allowed only three visits a week with not more than five visitors at any time. Persons authorized to visit detainees include the immediate members of their families (husband/wife/children) if the detainee is married; and/or parents, brothers and sisters if detainee is single; and relatives within the first degree of consanguinity. Friends and other visitors will be allowed on a case to case basis after they have been screened by the detention camp commander. Visitors must comply with all the security measures adopted in the detention camps, such as the inspection of belongings and accomplishment of information sheets. A legal counsel may visit his client during visiting hours, while private physicians may consult with their clients at the local station hospital and in the presence of a military physician. Conjugal quarters and visits are strictly prohibited. Visiting privileges may be canceled or suspended during red alert when local security or emergency conditions dictate it, or when the guidelines are violated.
It is unknown where this text comes from, because this entry is missing.
- That Pres. [Richard] Nixon has decided no high political officer will meet the American POW’s [prisoner of war] in Clark Air Force Base. But that I would be welcome in Clark without meeting the POW’s.
- That VPres. [Spiro] Agnew would like to visit with me on Friday. I am giving him lunch on that day. I am sure this is because of our protest.
I would like to meet the 3 Filipino POW’s.
And I have issued a statement about our welcome to the American POW’s.
The Americans as usual forget that Clark Air Force Base is still Philippine territory!