The principal suspect is missing or hiding: This was the lead of the answered of the investigating agencies (The MPD [Manila Police District], the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] and the CIS [Criminal Investigation Service]) whom I called to a conference at 8:00 PM covered by media because of the repeated impatience of the opposition and the media for the refusal of these agencies to disclose their evidence.
But as MPD chief, Gen. [Gerardo] Tamayo and NBI Director Jolly Bugarin said, premature revelations may prejudice the solution of the case.
And they admitted that they have the evidence with respect to the principal suspect.
Of course they are referring to Lyn Oreta, the brother-in-law of Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.].
They also admitted that while some witnesses were arrested by the MPD under the ordinary powers of the police (since they cannot or are not authorized to arrest under the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus) those same witnesses were turned over to the CIS inasmuch as they made admissions which showed the probability that the crime of rebellion was committed. The MPD chief was referring to [Rogelio] Magsino and [Leoncio] Manalaysay.
Official Gazette for September 15, 1971: President Marcos conferred in the evening with the heads of the investigating agencies of the government working on the Plaza Miranda bombing incident. In reporting on the progress of the investigation, the chiefs of the investigating agencies assured the President and the general public that they were doing everything within their capacities and capabilities to solve the case, contrary to speculations that they had failed and were not doing anything about it. Among those who met with the President were NBI Director Jolly Bugarin, Brig. Gen. Gerardo Tamayo, MPD chief; Col. Prospero Olivas, CIS chief; and Col. Enrique Morales, MPD Detective Bureau chief.
The President-had other conferences earlier in the day, mostly with local executive on local development projects. He also received the officers of two organizations—the Lawyers League for Better Philippines led by Victor G. Nituda, and the District and City Engineers League (DACEL) led by Augusto F. Perez who presented resolutions reiterating their support of the President’s decision suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
The President, however, vowed not to curtail freedom of speech but to let all speak out their minds so that the democratic dialogue would continue since “the suspension of the privilege of the writ does not alter the democratic atmosphere but only the relations between the rebels and traitors, who are few and far between, and the great majority who believe in democracy and freedom.” In accepting the resolutions, the President said “these strengthen my will and resolve that, over and above anything, we must continue to take all steps necessary to protect our democratic way of life.”
Earlier, the President inducted into office the officers of the DACEL, in the presence of the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, Senators Rene Espina, Lorenzo Teves and Mamintal Tamano, and Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino. Inducted by the President were Augusto F. Perez, president; Felino C. Manalo and Pacifico T. Aranas, vice presidents; Fernando C. Montes, secretary; Laureano S. Mendiola, treasurer; Alfredo P. Torres, auditor; Romulo M. del Rosario, PRO; and the members of the board of directors.
Justice Fred Ruiz Castro, taking lunch with Sen. [Jose] Roy at the request of the former, suggested that I successively lift the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus first in the Visayas then in Mindanao. He believes that this will make the decision in the Supreme Court unanimous. While he insisted that this was his own idea, Sen. Roy is of the belief and I agree with him that this is the idea of the justices as a whole.
Anyway, he says that the court is convinced there is a rebellion but not in the entire Philippines. And while it is true that the 18 hours rule of detention would prevail over the areas in which the suspension is lifted, the detained persons can be brought to an area where the suspension has not been lifted, namely Luzon.
A survey of the Manila area shows only 25% are in favor of the suspension, 50% are against but only 13 know that the suspension is limited to rebellion and does not cover other crimes.
62% believe that the tensions are due to the manner of reporting of media.
I attach the report from the Executive Secretary in Envelope IX-D with other papers.
And another of Princeton Poll.