Have just finished the dry run on the briefing of the military for the Supreme Court on the suspension of the privilege of the writ.
I attach copies of the briefing paper with my notes in Envelope XI-A—we will simplify the briefing to show that the suspension was not arbitrary or whimsical and that the ordinary powers of government have failed so the used [sic] for extraordinary powers.
The Peoples Republic of China has just unseated Nationalist China from the UN [United Nations] membership and the Security Council.
I attach the report of Sec. [Carlos] Romulo in Envelope XI-A.
The whole world is agog on this but specially Southeast Asia. For Red China may still be our next door neighbor.
Official Gazette for October 26, 1971: President Marcos ordered the Philippine Army to take over the job of maintaining peace and order in Lanao del Norte, even as he sent Brig. Gen. Rafael Ileto to the province to assess the situation. “If necessary, I will bring the army strength in the province to division level to maintain peace and order there,” the President said. The President had been informed that four armed bands operating in the province had been identified and that operations were being conducted against them.
Because of the pressure of work, which necessitated his presence in the Palace, the President was not able to attend the Second Regional Convention of the Asian and Australia Hotel and Restaurant Association, held at the Hotel International in the morning. He asked Tourism Commissioner Gregorio Araneta II to read for him his prepared speech for the occasion.
In the afternoon, the President had an interview with Teddy Locsin, Jr. of the Philippines Free Press. He also met briefly with Malacañang newsmen. The President’s interview with Locsin centered mostly on fiscal and economic matters, while his talks with the Malacañang newsmen focused on the entry of Red China into the United Nations and the peace and order condition in Mindanao, particularly in Lanao del Norte.
In connection with the admission of the People’s Republic of China into the U.N. and the expulsion of the Republic of China (Taipei) from the world organization, the President made the following statement: “The Philippines will continue to have fruitful and friendly relations with Nationalist China, which is recognized by 59 other states, 56 of whom are members of the United Nations. At the same time, we will now have to study in greater depth the prospects, opportunities and problems of increased contacts with the People’s Republic of China.
“If Communist China accepts membership in the United Nations and enters it with a conciliatory and cooperative attitude, the prospects of solving certain vital problems before the U.N. would be greatly enhanced. International cooperation for economic and social development could likewise benefit from the contributions and experience of Communist China. Furthermore, Communist China could provide a constructive and effective leadership to the so-called third world.”
And India and Pakistan are girding for war.