Met the generals on OPLANS ISMA and ENFORCER. They are all eager to implement them. Gen. [Rafael] Ileto opined that there must be a series of overt acts which can be considered as an acceptable cause by the people for proclaiming martial law. Such acts would be the burning of Manila or destruction of public utilities or blasting of government buildings or installations.
But he suggested that the Armed Forces itself could bring this about. I turned down the idea but agreed to the radicals being stimulated into violence they must perform themselves.
Gen. [Fidel] Ramos called attention to the cases of Turkey (where they have proclaimed martial law for the kidnapping of four U.S. Airmen, lifted and then re-imposed when the daughter of a diplomatic official was kidnapped by radicals, to allow 10,000 soldiers to search the houses). Egypt (when [Anwar] Sadat dismissed his V President and some cabinet members for conspiring to depose him) and Ceylon where Prime Minister Bandaranaike imposed martial law when she discovered that the “Che Guevaraists” were plotting to take over her government. This notwithstanding the fact that she was a leftist.
Gen. Ramos then suggested that we wait for the increase of the price of oil products which will result in strikes and demonstrations—that any development could come out of it which would justify the proclamation of martial law.
Official Gazette for June 2, 1971: President Marcos conferred with leaders of Congress headed by Senate President Gil J. Puyat and Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, to insure the passage of four vital measures which he had certified to Congress for consideration in the coming special session.In his proclamation calling Congress to a special session for a period of 30 days or less starting on June 14, the President certified for inclusion in the agenda, the following:
1) H. No. 3443, otherwise known as the General Appropriations Act; 2) H. No. 184, otherwise known as the Electoral Reform Bill; 3) H. No. 1919, calling for a New Election Code; and 4) H. No. 3453 (S. No. 478), otherwise known as the Land Reform Act; The President, however, emphasized that the agenda may be expanded to include other pending bills which the leaders of Congress might consider of vital importance and urgency.
In today’s meeting, the President and the leaders of Congress took up the pending measures and agreed to limit the agenda to as few bills as possible.
Present at the conference were Speaker Protempore Jose Aldeguer, House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso, Reps, Jose D. Aspiras and Joaquin Ortega of La Union, Emerito Calderon of Cebu, James L. Chiongbian of South Cotabato, Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Rafael B. Legaspi of Aklan, Jose J. Leido, Jr. of Oriental Mindoro, Lamberto L. Macias of Negros Oriental, Pablo Malasarte of Bohol, Pedro C. Medalla of Occ. Mindoro, Constantino Navarro of Surigao del Norte, Pablo R. Roman of Bataan, Roberto Sabido of Albay, Lorenzo Sarmiento of Davao del Norte and Nicanor E. Yñiguez of Southern Leyte.
We do not know which of the many meetings on the “Contingency Plan” this occurred but in an interview published in Sunday Inquirer Magazine March 3, 1986 Ileto said that after Malacañang was attacked in January 1970 a “shaken, mad, angry” Marcos asked the generals at the height of student unrest in 1970 their opinion on declaring Martial Law:”Gen. Yan said,’Yes sir,’ and so did Espino and Raval…when my turn came I told the President ‘No sir.’ And he asked why not? And I said,’The Army is not ready, Sir.’
“Rocky smiles:’Actually, it was my polite way of saying martial law is not the answer to the country’s problems. The problem was political, but how could a military man say that to the President’s face? I didn’t want him to think I was meddling.’ Anyway Rocky insisted for reconsideration. The Philippine Army, he told Marcos, was under reorganization.
“Marcos did not declare martial law the next day. Rocky’s star would wane from then on.”
Met the congressman on their choice of Cons. Con. [Constitutional Convention] president. They seem to be all for Ex Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.
Then had luncheon with Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal and Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat.
Directed that we now try to take over the Filoil provided we do not advance any cash.
We leave for Fuga tomorrow at 7:00 AM with the ambassadors of the US & England and their wives.