Bongbong’s Birthday. Right now they have converted Suite I into a nightclub complete with strobe lights and blown-up pictures of Bongbong.
And there are more girls than boys. In fact there are only a handful of boys and about five times of girls.
At the rate the tension and hysteria in Manila continues, I may have to declare martial law soon. Many people are not leaving their homes.
Threats to bomb and blackmail is rampant. KBS [Kanlaon Broadcasting System] and Daily Express were told to raise P200,000 otherwise there would be a bomb for them. This was conveyed by a certain Policarpio, a KBS labor leader. He probably cooked it up.
So I met with Johnny [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Gen. Tom [Tomas] Diaz, Col. [Alfredo] Montoya, Col. Romy [Romeo] Gatan and Danding [Eduardo] Cojuangco [Jr.] this evening at [Bahay] Pangarap and we agreed to set the 21st of this month as the deadline.
In the meantime Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] in a privilege speech, today, claims we have an OPLAN Sagittarius, which allegedly includes a placing of Greater Manila under PC [Philippine Constabulary] control preparatory to proclaiming martial law.
This is nothing but the contingency plan for the coordination of the local police forces and the Armed Forces in case of insurgency.
It is ridiculous to ascribe to it the plan of martial law since it refers to calling out the troops to quell a disorder.
Official Gazette for September 13, 1972: THE PRESIDENT received former Ambassador Saburo Ohba, chairman of the Pacific Area Travel Association and president of the Japanese National Trade Organization, who called on him to pay his respects following his arrival in Manila.
During their brief meeting, the President expressed the hope that the Philippines and Japan would continue to cooperate in the development of the tourist trade.
Mr. Ohba and his party, including H. Suzuki and K. Kobata, directors of the Japanese National Trade Organization in Tokyo and Hongkong, respectively, were accompanied to Malacañang by Jose Cobarrubias, president-general manager of Hotel Filipinas and PTTA vice-president; and Salvador Peña, PTTA executive director.
The President also received Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Brooks of the Brethren Missionaries, and their children. The Brooks called on the President to extend birthday wishes.
The President congratulated them and expressed the wish that they would complete another 50 years stay among the Filipino people.
Early in the evening, the President was interviewed by newsmen covering Malacañang
Plan drawn up by AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Espino in August 1972. Scalice, 748/
But of course the media will give it all kinds of meaning.
But, again, perhaps it is best that the political opposition start a debate that will get the people used to the idea of emergency powers.