I have told Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Chief of Staff Gen. [Romeo] Espino and PC [Philippine Constabulary] Chief Gen. [Fidel] Ramos that I have reason to believe that the U.S. has long range missiles and nuclear weapons in Clark Air Force Base.
So I have directed Sec. Ponce Enrile and Sec. [Carlos] Romulo to make studies of the necessity of missiles and nuclear weapons in the American bases and the legal aspects of the Bohlen-Serrano agreement which requires consultation with our government before the missiles and nuclear weapons can be installed.
I dictated a letter to Gen. [Fabian] Ver, the draft of which I attach, addressed to Amb. [Henry] Byroade informing him that previous notice and consent is necessary for the installation of the missiles and nuclear weapons.
It is my intention to give the letter to Amb. Byroade after my conference with Secs. Romulo and Ponce Enrile tomorrow at 9:30 AM.
I met the Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] and MPD [Manila Police District] on the violence of the demonstration last Saturday and it was quite clear that the violence was started by the demonstrators. The Metrocom suffered 22 injured out of 56. The MPD—one. I attach reports of the Metrocom CG [Commanding General] and Chief of Staff.
On the Concon [Constitutional Convention] [Eduardo] Quintero alleged “expose” Delegate Domingo Veloso’s statement saying he had given some amounts to Quintero who requested money from him as he (Quintero) was financially hard up.
Cong. Nicanor Yñiguez came to see me this noon. He was agitated and wanted to deliver a privilege speech and demand his investigation. But I convinced him that the mere fact that his name was in the envelopes that were given to Quintero should prove that he had no intention of bribing him for anything. So when Aying [Gabriel Yñiguez], his son, talked to me over the
Official Gazette for May 22, 1972: THE President summoned to Malacañang officials of the department of national defense and the Manila Metropolitan Police who reported on the demonstration against the Vietnam war, held in the vicinity of the U.S. embassy, in which scores were wounded, including many of the Metrocom men.
During the meeting, the President cautioned law enforcing agencies to be “patient but firm” in dealing with demonstrations and to employ the minimum force required in quelling similar civil disturbances. At the same time, he appealed to demonstrators to refrain from resorting to provocation and acts of violence, in order to avoid unnecessary risk to life and property.
Present at the conference were Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, General Romeo Espino, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief; Brig. Gen. Mariano G. Ordonez, Metrocom chief; and Cols. Gerardo Tamayo and James Barbers, MMP chief and deputy chief, respectively.
telephone, he told me that they (father and son) had agreed to wait till their names are involved or revealed before they say anything.
Quintero sent a wire through PNS [Philippine News Service] from Leyte naming Jimmy [Jaime] Opinion as the giver of the envelopes. Opinion may say that the source of the money was Abe [Abraham] Sarmiento who ran and won as Vice-President.
And yet at the first impact of the news the Palace was blamed for everything.
MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
______ would then have the opportunity of previous consultation with his advisers as well as subsequent consultation with the duly anthologized American officers. The Head of State can then formally give consent in writing if such be the decision, before the installation of such missiles and/or nuclear weapons.
We have demonstrated in the past that we are ready to help and support the United States of America in her policy of protecting freedom, maintaining the integrity of small states and providing for the continuance of democratic institutions. You are well aware to what extent we have gone to give such aid and support.
So I am confident this question should not present too serious a problem to our two governments.
Only this handwritten copy of this letter has left my hands.
Sincerely,
F. E. Marcos [Signed]
The first page of this letter from Marcos to US Ambassador Henry Byroade is missing.