Imelda left at 6:45 AM for Mindanao and Visayas for three days, while I attended to Luzon. I attach her itinerary.
Jess [Jesus] Villamor came back—dead from cancer. We gave him honors at 7:00 AM.
Yesterday the PC [Philippine Constabulary] through Lt. Ramon Maddela who also killed Commander Fanting apprehended the Forbes Park kidnapper and hold-upper of Nov. 1st Silvestre Mate y Abad at 3:30 PM yesterday at Barrio Maguisguis, Sitio Paitan, Botolan, Zambales.
The newspapers of Nov. 2nd are in Envelope XI-A, while the newspapers of Nov. 3rd (today) are in Envelope XI-B. Foreign press comments on the China Question are in XI-C.
Called up Sen. [Carlos] Romulo to follow up my instructions on his meeting with the Red China delegation which is supposed to go to the UN [United Nations] although they are secretive about it. I directed him in addition to my original instructions to find out their reaction to the proposal of neutralization of the Southeast Asia with the guarantees of the super powers as well as the proposal of non-aggressive among the powers.
Of course I directed him not to make any commitments nor to show too much interest but to establish a means of a continuing dialogue, establish a basis for trade and seek Red China’s reappraisal of its support for local Philippine Maoists.
Received letters from Irene and Bongbong.
Official Gazette for November 3, 1971: The President had another day devoted mostly to desk work and important matters of state.
The only scheduled callers received by the President were two ranking Indonesian military officers, who made a courtesy call following their arrival for a round of talks with their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Those who called on the President were Major Gen. Tjokropranolo and Brig. Gen. Sofjar, chairman and manager, respectively, of the Indon Union Army Foundation which looks after the welfare of veterans, their widows and orphans.
The two generals, who were accompanied to Malacañang by Ambassador Modesto Farolan, had conferred earlier with Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff.
Early in the afternoon, the President flew to Pangasinan and La Union to assess the political situation with NP leaders of the two provinces. He was back in Malacañang before sundown.