Have just came back from the live Vigilantes program at the DMHM [Debate, Mabuhay, Philippines Herald, Monday Mail] program from 5:30 PM to 7:15 PM tonight.
This noon at 1:30 PM I conferred with Gen. [Manuel] Yan, [Fidel] Ramos and Col. [Ignacio] Paz, Dir. Jolly Bugarin of the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation], Chief of Police G. [Gerardo] Tamayo of Manila and CIS [Criminal Investigation Service] Chief Col. P. [Prospero] Olivas on the detention of Antolin Oreta.
The detention was authorized by Col. [Tagumpay] Nananiego Judge Advocate General on the basis of the request of Col. Olivas based on the sworn statements of Magsino and Manalaysay on Aug. 24th. There was no third degree and a physical examination of Magsino when turned over to the CIS shows negative on the recent application of trauma. And he has not complaint [complainted] of 3rd degree.
According to Chief of Police Tamayo a certain Arturo Ramos de la Cruz, wanted for
Official Gazette for October 22, 1971: President Marcos summoned the heads of the government investigating agencies looking into the Plaza Miranda rally bombing incident of August 21 to clarify news reports that the arrest and detention of Antolin Oreta, brother-in-law of Senator Aquino, was a frame-up, that he was implicated by a witness who was third degreed by the Manila police, and that he was not allowed to confront witnesses against him.
Summoned to Malacañang were General Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff, who was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Fidel Ramos and Col. I. I. Paz; Col. Prospero Olivas, chief of the PC Criminal Investigation Service; Col. Jolly Bugarin, director of the National Bureau of Investigation; and Col. Gerardo Tamayo, chief of the Manila Police Department. Col. Tamayo reported that immediately after the Plaza Miranda bombing, the MPD picked up a man who, when investigated, admitted having sold hand grenades to a certain person connected with an official from Central Luzon. Further investigation, he said, showed that the person who had entered allegedly into the transaction on the sale of Armalites, hand grenades, explosives and other firearms had these weapons delivered to subversive elements in Central Luzon and Laguna.
“Since this had something to do with, subversion and rebellion and is covered by Proclamation No. 889,” Tamayo said, “we turned him over to the national government investigating agencies.” He also said that the MPD did not employ third degree methods, but used the normal method of police interrogation and investigation. The President told the officials to inform him of the developments because he was sometimes caught by surprise by newspaper reports, adding that “it would be to the interest of everybody if we are informed of the results of the investigation.”
In a statement he issued after the conference, the President said that the government was determined to solve the bombing incident in accordance with due process and without trampling upon the civil rights of anyone.
He, however, pointed out that nobody, whether the relative of a politician or not, should be exempt from investigation if the evidence indicates that such person has committed the crime, of subversion, insurrection or rebellion. “But”, the President said, “I assure everyone, whether Liberal or Nacionalista, that fairness and justice will reign in all investigations and I shall see to it that the investigating agencies will not frame anyone or employ third degree or intimidate witnesses.”
Earlier in the day, the President received callers, among whom were Don Manalo Elizalde, Jose Africa, and Mrs. Chito Serrano.
He also had a video-taping session with Bob Stewart and Leon O. Ty of Channel 7
kidnapping and murder was apprehended early this morning at the office of Lin Oreta at Makati. Ramos looks like one of the sketches of the two grenade bombers drawn from the description of eyewitnesses.
I attach the papers.
The conference was called by me because of the allegation of Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] that he is being smeared and framed-up in the Plaza Miranda case and that Magsino was 3rd degreed.
Met Mayor Velez and Jose Marie Locsin during golf. Joe Marie wanted help on his polythenil project with a loan of P4 million from the PNB [Philippine National Bank]. I requested that he help on the Free Press which should print both sides of the political questions.
Don Manolo Elizalde assured me that their media would help. He has asked Andy [Andres] Soriano [Jr.] who has agreed to help in the putting up of an anti-communist paper.