This is actually being written at 8:30 AM March 23 at the Mirador Retreat House. I could not write it last night as my papers including my diary had been left behind at The Mansion when we checked into the retreat house.
With me in retreat are Ramon Cojuangco, Daniel Vasquez, Vincent Recto, Manoling Revilla, Pepe Oledan, Gene Tanseco, Francisco Rabat, Benny [Bienvenido] Tantoco, Mundy Feliciano, Chito del Castillo, Col. Fabian Ver, Capt. Yoro.
I come into retreat with my prayer that God give me the grace of strength and insight so that I may save my people from suffering; that I may not decide in anger what has to be decided but that I may not hesitate in doubts and irresolution when the decision has to be taken; that I may have the grace of patience and understanding.
Official Gazette for March 22, 1970: President Marcos appealed to the nation for quiet and solemnity in keeping with the spirit of the Holy Week. The President made the appeal in an informal interview with newsmen shortly before going into retreat at Mirador Hill in Baguio City. He said: “Today is Palm Sunday, and we are entering the most solemn period in the Christian calendar. I appeal to those who are thinking of strikes, demonstrations and violence to reflect on the meaning of this period and think of our country. Let us take care of-our country because nobody else will.”
The President continued: “We are working on the things that cause us impatience, the reforms that some people want today we have been working for and advocating since the beginning of our first term, and even before that. I hope that as I go into retreat this afternoon, everybody including those who had in the past used and espoused violence to attain then-ends, think deeply of the principles on which the Christian faith is founded.”
The President was scheduled to end his spiritual retreat Tuesday evening. He arrived in Baguio City at 9 a.m., accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos and their children Imee, Bongbong and Irene. Upon arrival at the Loakan airport, the President’s party was met by a top group of welcomers headed by Baguio City Mayor Luis Lardizabal and Governor Ben Palispis of Benguet. Also on hand to meet him were officials of neighboring provinces, including Reps. Andres Cosalan, Jose D. Aspiras and Joaquin Ortega; Gov. Juvenal Guerrero of La Union and Mayor Lorenzo Dacanay of San Fernando.
The President flew to Baguio to address the graduation ceremonies of the Philippine Military Academy and to go into spiritual retreat.
The President had a conference with officials who met him, upon arrival at the Mansion House. In the afternoon, he went to Fort Del Pilar, where he was guest of honor at the commencement exercises of the PMA. Among those who joined the President in the summer capital were Vice President Fernando Lopez, Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and Secretary of Commerce and Industry Ernesto Maceda. At the PMA commencement, the President was introduced to the graduating cadets by Brig. Gen. Cesar M. Garcia, PMA superintendent. After addressing the cadets, the President proceeded to his retreat.
Meanwhile, Malacañang transmitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation 47 nominations to various posts, Leading the new list of nominees were Alejandro Melchor, Jr. as Executive Secretary, Placido Mapa, Jr. as chairman of the National Economic Council, and Brig. Gen. Florencio Medina (ret.) as chairman of the National Science Development Board. [Complete list of nominees not included in this note]
Played golf at the Mansion golf course 11:30-1:00 after arrival.
PMA graduation exercises where I predicted that the military confrontation with communism is inevitable. (Incidentally Chino Roces headlines this with “Marcos warns of Martial Law” in the Manila Times). Last Saturday when I persisted in asking about the information that he has on communists plans, after stating that I underestimate the communist strength and that they would strike this year or next, he asked me to assign a good intelligence officer to go to Hongkong and get the information from Peking contacts giving the impression that the activities of the radicals in the Philippines are planned and orders given from Peking.
Met with Joe and Ralph Friday night. Convinced Joe to update his diary and to then confirm his handwriting when a raid with search warrant seizes his diary with which he is confronted with the others who will also be searched and arrested simultaneously.
Headlines of the Chronicle March 23, 1970: “FM to declare Martial Law in Case of Red Crisis.” On March 24 Chronicle carried the page 2 story “Osmeña hist FM Martial Law plan” quoting Osmeña who warned: “By unduly alarming the people of the danger of a communist takeover, Mr. Marcos has again revealed his warrior mentality in dealing with the nationwide clamor for reforms and diverting the people’s attention from the socio-economic crisis he himself has spawned… Mr. Marcos latest speech just gives credence to widespread fears that he is deliberately building up the climate of unrest and inviting demonstrations so that he could curtail civil liberties and install himself as dictator.”