Today I decided to lift the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. This decision I conveyed to Sec. Vicente Abad Santos of Justice who asked for time to think of it although it seems that the Supreme Court Justices are in favor of it according to Sol. Gen. Felix Antonio.
Gen. [Fidel] Ramos felt it would demoralize the armed forces.
But I feel that if the charges should be filed against those against whom there is evidence, there would be no demoralization.
I did not inform the general staff whom I called to a conference:
To pull out the Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] from Metropolitan area of Gen. [Mariano] Ordoñez to train in urban guerilla war in Ft. Magsaysay.
To start retraining the troops in Isabela as they have lost the goodwill of the civilians because of abuses.
To assign Moslem officers and men in the Moslem areas.
To prepare the retirement of all extended officers before the end of the year.
I feel that the 10th BCT [Battalion Combat Team] in Isabela which is now in Isabela should be replaced by the 20th BCT.
With the lifting of the suspension, I am certain that the communists will become over-confident and will start violence all over again.
Then we will have proved our point. But we might have an urban guerilla war in our hands. So we have to prepare. I estimate this to happen in the middle of next year at the latest.
It could happen when oil prices are raised. This would be followed by paralyzing [sic] strikes and violence.
But apparently there is no way out of our dilemma.
We are preparing the briefings for the [Robert] McNamara visit.
And the projects for the Japanese commodity loan agreement which will be signed by Gov. [Gregorio] Licaros in Japan on the 19th.
Last night I approved the 16th year Reparations schedule.
Today I instructed Gen. [Manuel] Yan to prepare the briefing for the congressional leaders on the new plans for a unilateral defense posture of the Philippines.
And sent written instructions to Sec. [Jose] Ingles to prepare an in-depth study of the neutralization of Southeast Asia to be taken up in the Minister’s Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 25. I attach copy of the instructions.
I consider these matters of the utmost priority.
I also ordered a reorganization of the RCA [Rice and Corn Administration] which failed us in the last several months.
1:00 AM November 12, 1971[1]
[1] No Official Gazette entry for this day.