There are fresh attacks in other parts of Mindanao like Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur and Sulu. But the garrisons have been able to repel them.
We must concentrate on Cotabato where it was quiet as the armor (2 tanks, four APC’s [armored personnel carriers]) and artillery arrived by the LST [Landing Ship, Tank] 40 at Kao Sio. We are sending more reinforcements (Two companies from Basilan to Lebak, the 22nd IB [Infantry Battalion] from Magsaysay to Cotabato).
Official Gazette for March 13, 1973: BRIG. GEN. Fortunato U. Abat, chief of the Central Mindanao Command (CEMCQM), announced that the situation in Cotabato is “quite well in hand” and that operations, to stabilize effective government control over the: entire province were proceeding “satisfactorily.” At a briefing held at PC Hill, headquarters of the CEMCOM in Cotabato City, Gen. Abat, who had been flown from Cebu to take over-all command of the operations, said government troopers were up against several thousand well-armed insurgents. The rebels, who appeared to have received military training, are made up of secessionist Muslims and Christians identified with Maoist-oriented organizations, principally factions of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas and the Kabataang Makabayan, Secessionist Muslims and certain factions of the PKP and KM appeared to have entered into a temporary alliance to achieve a common objective; the overthrow of the government. It was also noted that the insurgents appeared to have a foreign assistance. It was based from the modern weapons captured by the troopers. Field commanders often hear foreign language: communications coming in their radio frequencies. But the nationality, of the foreign language is yet to be determined and a foreign adviser has yet to be captured.
PHILIPPINE exports last month registered a total of $120,791,088.75 indicating a favorable trade balance for the country this year. The country’s exports last February totalled $22,083,945.36 or 22.4 per cent higher than the export value receipts for February last year and $12,383,-383.70 better than last January’s total of $108,460,705.75, according to Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina, who released the export figures. Total exports for the months of January and February have reached $229,251,793.80 while government collection or wharfage dues alone is P2,674,607.36. The bulk of the registered value came from provincial export loadings with $103,485,063.48; followed by Manila with $12,546,800.57 and by the Board of Investments certified exports with $4,753,224.70.
BRIG. GEN. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief, issued an order prohibiting all military personnel from displaying their firearms while in civilian attire. The PC chief’s order was spurred by reports that some military personnel are flagrantly displaying their firearms while in civilian attire. He said that regardless of whether these military personnel are on actual mission or not, there is no valid reason for carrying their firearms in indiscreet manner. This malpractice has served not only as bad example to good civilians but also constitutes a violation of General Oder No. 7 if the military personnel concerned is not in actual performance of official duties, Gen. Ramos said. Gen. Ramos held all unit commanders responsible in seeing to it that all military personnel under them comply with this order.
GROUP of Japanese businessmen is coming to Manila to team up with a Filipino company and engage in a deep sea fishing and eel culture, it was learned from the Commission on Immigration and Deportation. The one-week stay in Manila of the Japanese businessmen, scheduled to arrive on March 20, had been approved by the immigration commission. The visiting Japanese businessmen are Senator Saburo Oca, chairman of the Board of Daisho Bussan Co. Ltd. of Yokohama; H. Matsumura and Kyuji Iura, president and managing director of the same trading company; Mitsuyoshi Gohara, managing director of the Gadeco Schlage Co., Ltd. of Tokyo; and U. Namada, executive director of the Japan Eel Culture Association of Kochi City. Eel culture is a capital-intensive and long-range venture but highly profit-oriented and its introduction will redound to the economic benefit of the country through the long-range capital outlay and the know-how which foreign experts would impart to local groups.
But apparently my telegram to Dr. Alunan Glang in Cotabato asking the insurgents from attacking the military garrisons has been headed.
It is still my hope that we can negotiate a peaceful settlement with the insurgents.
Tony [Antonio] Raquiza, whom Commodore [Gil] Fernandez of SOWESCOM [Southwest Command] wanted to arrest because he has contacted the insurgents for a peaceful settlement, has just arrived and is optimistic about terminating the conflict without farther bloodshed. He has swallowed the line of the Muslims that the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is helpless against the Muslim rebels and that the AFP has used the Ilagas against the Muslims and the AFP caused the shooting by forcibly taking away the weapons of the Muslims.
So we have to be cautious with him. But the mere fact that he was able to meet the insurgent leaders in Jolo and Tongkil means he risked his life for a peaceful settlement.
And I have confirmed the fact that Pres. Suharto, after receiving my personal letter to him delivered by Amb. [Modesto] Farolan, has taken steps to invite Tun Mustapha of Sabah and even Tun Abdul Razak to settle the conflict peacefully.
I attach the notes I have taken of the military situation and the papers on Tony Raquiza.