Cotabato has exploded in violence again. The 21st Bn. [Battalion] under Col. Tucay stumbled into an estimated 1,000 Muslim rebels (700 of them with firearms) in Bos. [Barrios] Biniruan and Balibud of Cotabato City (about 2 kilometers from the poblacion).
We suffered about 80 wounded and 9 KIA [killed in action] (Col. Tucay suffered a head bullet wound and had to be evacuated to V. Luna Hospital) but the enemy suffered an estimated 300 KIA with 150 definitely counted dead on the ground (body count).
I have allowed an air strike and the use of artillery and mortars.
Tonight the Cencom [Central Mindanao Command] commander, Gen. Fortunato Abat, to whom I talked by telephone twice, had to prepare Cotabato City against a threat of an attack on the city itself.
I have ordered CHDFs [Civilian Home Defense Force] to be armed in the neighboring
Official Gazette for July 25, 1974: THE PRESIDENT directed department secretaries to prepare guidelines that would upgrade government management, particularly in the field of planning and implementation of development projects. Reviewing the existing process of project implementation, the President pinpointed deficiencies which consist mainly of unwieldy methods and lack of comprehension among many implementing officers. The President directed department secretaries to submit an updated proposed cash flow for their projects.
HASHIN Abubakar was appointed by the President as commissioner of the Commission on Elections as part of the on-going effort to strengthen and render more effective the political participation of Muslim Filipinos in the government. Following the induction of Abubakar, the President announced the appointment of Hussin Loong as presidential assistant and Sulu development officer. He also announced the appointment of vice governors and members of the provincial boards of Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, as well as the mayors of the towns of Luuk, Panamao and Parang in Sulu.
DEPARTMENT of Trade announced the exportation of Apitong round logs valued at US$105,000 to the People’s Republic of China, bringing the total trade between the two countries to $66,139,422. Figures released by Department of Trade Secretary Troadio T. Quiazon Jr. show that the Philippine exports amounted to $39,576,050 against its imports of 26,563,372 or a total trade balance in favor of the Philippines totalling 13, 012,677. In addition to logs, other Philippine products previously exported to China include crude coconut oil, portland cement, plywood, veneer, abaca and buri fiber. Philippine imports consisted mostly of cuttlefish, rice, raw tung oil, resins, agricultural handtools and diesel engines.
DEPARTMENT of Local Government and Community Development and the Department of Education and Culture launched a nationwide move to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the September 1 “Pulong ng mga Barangay.” The DEC and the DLGCD fielded teams to provincial capitals and chartered cities to conduct orientation seminars for local officials and school teachers. The DLGCD said the seminars would be completed before September 1.
DEPARTMENT of Education and Culture acted on the question regarding the required number of books in pre-school and elementary levels by issuing a memorandum setting the number of nine prescribed books in the public school elementary level. Bureau of Private Schools Director Julian Yballe earlier proposed that required reading materials for private elementary schools should follow the standards set by the Bureau of Public Schools. DEC Secretary Juan L. Manuel also directed Director Yballe to issue a memorandum prescribing the use of drawing and coloring books among pre-schoolers.
provinces (the three Davaos and the two Lanaos). MGen. [Fidel] Ramos, the PC [Philippine Constabulary] chief is going to Davao City tomorrow to check the situation.
Upi, Cotobato has been partially occupied by rebels and the PLDT [Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company] relay station attacked but defended successfully by an army platoon.