As part of the “End to Naivete” I have issued the order to inquire into the basic strategy of the United States in the defense of the Western Pacific, other than the deterrence of war by its mere presence in the area, as a part of the negotiations on the military bases.
I attach copy of my letter to Sec. [Carlos] Romulo, Sec. J. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and Amb. E. [Eduardo] Romualdez.
This is a letter from FM addressed to Eduardo Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States.
MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
TOP SECRET
June 17, 1976
Sec. Carlos P. Romulo
Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile
Amb. Eduardo Romualdez
I am directing the Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo Espino, to prepare a letter inquiring from the American government panel:
What is the basic strategy of the United States, other than the deterrence to war by its mere presence in the area, in the defense of the Western Pacific, specially the Philippines?
Who is the prospective enemy? And under what circumstances are hostilities expected?
What are the commitments to our neighbors, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia? Or what are American policies towards them?
What would be the specific mission of American forces stationed in the Philippine bases? Components of such forces? Capabilities?
Cannot this mission be accomplished by more limited facilities with capability for expansion in case of need?
Our information on these is sketchy and the American panel has not attempted to explain them to us.
For our own purpose of protecting the national interest, it will be necessary to insure the bases and facilities not becoming a magnet that would attract missile and nuclear strikes, specially pre-emptive ones, from a prospective enemy.
The agreement should, therefore, openly prohibit the installation of such facilities which would make the bases such a magnet, such as nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and their launching pads, chemical or other mass destruction weapons, etc.
I would like to be informed on these matters as soon as possible.
F. E. Marcos [Signed]
This letter from FM is addressed to Carlos P. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Juan Ponce Enrile, Secretary of National Defense; and Eduardo Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States