What we have fearing about the fast developing international events in Asia spawning
Official Gazette for July 12, 1971: President Marcos called upon the world’s institutions of learning to take the initiative in the promotion of “human brotherhood and peace among nations.”
In a speech at the opening of the week-long World Congress of University Presidents at the Philamlife Auditorium in the morning, the President said that the world has moved from one crisis to another in an era described as “a permanent state of undeclared.” The President said that while it is all very well to hope that men would soon come to their senses and that the dream of One World would become a reality, “we cannot wait for the millenium to happen a decade or a century from now.”
He warned: “The odds against us are too great and the margin of safety has become too narrow. With thermonuclear weapons being stockpiled in the arsenals of an increasing number of states, we are truly running a race with catastrophe and doom.” He expressed gratification over the dialogue initiated by men of learning and without regard for race, creed or ideology. (Full text of Speech in OG).
Earlier in the morning, the President presented the Bronze Cross to five officers and enlisted men of the Philippine Air Force for “exceptional heroism” in saving two men from certain death during the fire which destroyed the FGU building in Makati, Rizal. Decorated by the President were: First Lt. Felix A. Enriquez, pilot; Second Lt. Gabriel I. Mainit, co-pilot; M/Sgt. Percival Dornonila ere chief; M/Sgt. Andres G. Sison, PARAMEDIC, PAF; and Sgt. Evaristo Ruiz, also a PARAMEDIC. The President said that by their courage and bravery they helped enhance the prestige of the Philippine Air Force.
In the afternoon, the President, among others, issued an administrative order creating the Rural Improvement Committee to take charge of the government’s integrated rural improvement program.
In another order, the President amended Executive Order No. 213 creating the Cottage Industry Development Council and a Cottage Industry Development Enterprise, so as to include the director of the Cooperatives Administration Office as a member of the Council. The President made the amendment to emphasize the role of cooperatives m the development of cottage industries in the country.
danger to our country may come about this year.
First the Americans are withdrawing from Vietnam. Ultimately the Communists may take over all of South Vietnam. Exported war by the Chinese may bring Thailand, then Malaysia and Singapore under Red China rule. Thus Sabah would become Red Chinese territory. Since it is so close to us, it may become a staging ground for infiltration for subversion into our country.
The same thing is true of Nationalist China. The United States, according to the dispatch from their State Department shown me by Ambassador [Henry] Byroade, is convinced that Red China would be allowed entry in the United Nations this year even if such entry is considered an Important Question which requires a 2/3 vote for approval. So the United States is probably going to work for both Chinas to be recognized although this may objected to by both.
Thus if for some reason, Red China should now claim the Spratley Islands group and occupy it, we would be endangered to our southwest.
In both instances if the Phil-American Mutual Defense Pact is still in force, the United States would be involved if there is external aggression against us. What may happen is more infiltration and/or subversion. Then the U.S. would not be involved. We would be left to our own devices.
The Foreign Minister of China who arrived this morning, allegedly claimed that China owns the Spratley Islands specially Itu Aba or as we know it, Ligao Island.
I have asked Sec. [Carlos] Romulo to meet with him tomorrow.
Spoke before the First World Conference of University Presidents this morning. Then gave them a reception 6:00-7:00 PM this morning.
Worked on the financing of calamities and self-employment projects.
P39 million—calamity fund
P45 million—Highway fund including Contingent and Discretionary
P40 million—General fund for public works
This July:
P64 million for rural improvement—For barrio self-employment
P100 million—for public works in general
Then work out the highway projects for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.
The ASPAC [Asian and Pacific Council] meets next Wednesday. And Bongbong arrives on that day at 7:45 PM.
The two girls, of course, kept us up to early this morning with their stories and their gifts. I do not know where they got their money (they say that they saved up all their allowances for our pasalubong) but I got some great books (Churchill’s a History of the English Speaking Peoples, Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy and Dupuy, The War in the Far East by Collier etc. Ambassador Jaime Zobel [de Ayala] sent me some books too) and some mod clothes. So did Imelda. She actually got a lot of clothes and things to wear.
This morning when I arrived at the Phil-Am Bldg. for the University Presidents conference, some demonstrators (about a 100) carrying the usual placards and led by Edgar Jopson of the supposed moderate groups of NUSP [National Union of Students of the Philippines] started to shout obscenities at me like “Marcos Puppet” “Marcos fascist” “Education fascist” “Colonial education” and on my way out, they added “Marcos Magnanakaw”.
As Father [Jose] Cruz our retreat master had said, because the alleged moderates do not have any well knit ideology to rally about, in the long run they join the communists.
This seems to be true of Jopson’s group. They seem to have joined the radical and Maoist KM’s [Kabataang Makabayan].
Jopson was reported to have been in Sulu last April in the company of Voltaire Garcia distributing subversive KM propaganda.