The initial transmittal reports from Sulu of Malaysian trained Suluanon fighting the Marines, landings of rockets and AK-47 etc., copies of which I attach (From Rasac [Regional Anti-Smuggling Action Center] Director Col. Delloso) caused us to call an assessment meeting with SND [Secretary of National Defense], Alex [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr,], Gen. [Jose] Rancudo, Commodore [Hilario] Ruiz, Gen. [Fidel] Ramos.
I directed the extension of Zamboanga Airport from its 5,200 feet to 7,500 feet with an initial 1,000 feet to take in the F-86 jets. This may take two months.
And to invite Amb. [Henry] Byroade and tell him of the danger of Sabah trained or Malaysian trained Moslems infiltrating into Sulu. I suggested he talk to the Australian and British to dampen the Malaysian plans that may cause a border conflict.
I also asked him to help us in locating and the two Americans Larry Trackman and Bobby Pincus. Since Trackman is in Hongkong, he suggested that we get in touch with the British Embassy too.
The British Ambassador asked to see me tomorrow. I meet him at 11:00 AM.
I will furnish him extracts of the sworn statement of Lehman, [Eddie] Figueras and [Manny] Crisologo.
Amb. Byroade seemed taken aback when I told him all those under detention had confessed to the crime.
Byroade also gave me the attached plan to use Clark Air Force Field Hospital facilities for the prisoners of war who may be released soon with the settlement of the Vietnam conflict.
We finished the amendments to the Internal Revenue Code at lunch.
Gen. Espino, [Ignacio] Paz and Col. [Mamerto] Bocanegra reported tonight after golf that the situation in Sulu is much better than we thought.
I ordered them to choose a concentration of enemy forces to destroy. But apparently the enemy has broken up into small bands of 10 or 20 men.
Entry is misdated as November 23.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
It is unknown where this and preceding passages come from, because the first page is missing from PCGG.
So we wait for the interpretation of the aerial photographs to see if there are any targets.
Then feign a withdrawal and return in force.