Difficult to wrench one’s self away from the languorous beauty and peace of Ulot, Tolosa, Leyte.
But after an early morning skiing in a calm sea left on the new BAC 1-11 for Manila. Arrived 12:40 to the problems:
Mindanao—MGen. [Fidel] Ramos reported that his PC [Philippine Constabulary] forces and CHDF [Civilian Home Defense Force] could handle the situation in the three Davaos and two Lanaos.
But we must acquire more arms—M-16, machine guns, mortars as well as grenade launchers and more communications equipment for the reserves, police and CHDF.
Cotabato is the problem area. Upi is still in rebel hands and Cotabato City is still threatened from Balibad and Biniruan Barrios.
All other provinces are quiet.
The Samar most of subversives has been wiped out by the Third PC Zone under BGen. [Luis] Amor.
Inflation—The 44% increase in the cost of living index threatens to wipe out our gains.
Food production is still the primary target. Plus more exports.
But the prices of our exports—logs and copper ore—have gone down. Although sugar has gone up. Copra is steady with slight decreases.
I have to watch the government expenditures. There is a tendency to wipe out our last year’s 3 billion peso surplus with non-productive expenditures.
The Communist Party Build-up.
We must soon release to the people the Kalayaan, Operations Sell Hawk and various propaganda efforts.
It is now time to warn the people again of our enemies.
Specifically the schools have to be told to police themselves.
The DC-10 of PAL [Philippine Airlines]—I attach the reports on the situation.
Preparations for the trip of Imelda to Peking.