The counter attacks have been successful in Cotabato.
I attach the self-explanatory reports.
The PC [Philippine Constabulary] organization ties it down to garrison duty. It has the most number of men in the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] but the least capable of organizing strike forces. We must change this.
This is partly true of the other service commands.
Official Gazette for March 7, 1973: THE PRESIDENT ruled out publicity-making and image-building from the national pattern under the New Society. Addressing the new officers of the National Press Club of the Philippines following their induction in Malacañang, the President said he would like to see the media set its own guidelines and standards and for government to stay away from its “self-regulating activities.” The President asked them to avoid publicity and image-building which are not part of the New Society, but to write about positive things with excellence as their only guideline. The President said that the standards for those writing commentaries are that what they write should be interesting and excellent, and should portray accurately what they-’write about. Inducted by the President were: Primitive Mijares of the Daily Express, president; Laurencio Zabala Jr., of Bulletin Today; Vicente Tañedo of Times Journal; Miguel Genovea of Daily Express, vice presidents; Sol Villa of Metropolitan Newsweek, secretary; Ernesto Singson of Bulletin Today, treasurer; Neal H. Cruz, Teresita Orendain and Roberto Cuevas of Daily Express, Roy Acosta and Reynaldo Naval of Times Journal, Cresencio Marquez of Balitang Maynila Estrella Alfon of Bituin Magazine, and Benjamin Peñaranda of United Daily, directors.
SECRETARY OF LABOR Bias F. Ople announced that Presidential Decree No. 143, amending the Blue Sunday Law, will become effective 15 days after the issuance of the implementing rules by the Department of Labor. The labor chief said the Bureau of Labor Standards is now preparing the rules which may issue within this week. The main features of the decree, Sec. Ople said, are the following: 1) The economy has gained one more productive day a week or 52 more productive days a year; 2) The Decree will make possible the employment of more workers as a result of the increase of working days; 3) The opening of retail, service and other establishments on Sundays will benefit the public, especially those in the rural areas who go to the poblacion on Sundays to sell their products and buy their provisions for the week; 4) The decree eliminates what used to be the source of graft in connection with the enforcement of the Blue Sunday Law, especially the issuance of permits for establishments to operate on Sundays; 5) The decree is indicative of the development of new labor and social policies; and 6) All these benefits are made possible without sacrificing any of the old-established rights and benefits of the workers, including the right to one rest day a week, the right not to work on Sundays on religious grounds, and the right to at least 25 per cent per premium pay for work on a rest day.
SIX-MONTH GRACE period from October 19, 1972, granted under Presidential Decree No. 24, concerning the condonation of the three per cent penalty per month for the late payment of Social Security System contributions by delinquent SSS member-firms will end on April 19, 1973. Failure to remit contributions with the corresponding collection list on or before April 19 will subject the delinquent employer to payment of the three per cent penalty per month. The employer shall also be liable to criminal prosecution under Sec. 28 of the SSS law.
CIVIL SERVICE Commissioner Epi Rey Pangramuyen warned the public anew against unscrupulous persons out to make money on civil service exams after receiving reports that some people have been offering assistance for a fee to applicant for re-rating in the career service, second grade, and teacher examinations. He said that the application period for re-rating in these examinations ended last Dec. 29, 1972. The CSC has stopped accepting applications for re-rating in any examination given previously, the commissioner explained.
I need some brilliant operations officer who can plan the counter-moves of the AFP against the secessionist movement in Mindanao and Sulu.
We keep reacting to situations. We do not create them.
The Dept. of Foreign Affairs has the same deficiency. Sec. [Carlos] Romulo is getting old.
Gen. Abad has taken command of Cotabato which now has been placed under Condition III of Oplan Saggitarius [sic]. But the Chief of Staff retains operational control.
The Cotabato area may become the death of the secessionist. For they are beginning to take and hold territory or real estate. And this means conventional war not guerilla war. Our heavy weapons, navy, armor and air force will spell the difference.
So we must entice the rebels to group and mass for the ultimate blow that should eradicate them, block their routes of escape and allow the hammer to hit them on the anvil.
After we have taught them this lesson it will be time enough to implement our economic and social development plans and help in the religious field.