Commander Sumulong (Faustino del Mundo) the head of the military arm of the Hukbo Mangpapalaya Ng Bayan was captured at the house of his common-in-law [sic] wife, Mang Sumang Gaña, at Hensonville, Angeles City at 6:00 o’clock this morning by the 10th BCT [Battalion Combat Team] and Pampanga PC [Philippine Constabulary] troopers personally led by Gen. [Felizardo] Tanabe.
Commander Sumulong accompanied by Commanders Zaragoza [Avelino Bagsik] and Legaspi were brought to Malacañan. They promised to help bring about the surrender of their men still in the field. This brings peace to Pampanga.
But we must go after Commander Dante [Bernabe Buscayno] and the New People’s Army. He is confirmed to have been wounded in the left hip in the battle at Baluarte between Magalang and ______. He is on the run and so are his men. We must now press our advantage.
Official Gazette for September 16, 1970: President Marcos restated the government policy toward dissidence, saying that economic development and social amelioration are still the best weapons against Huk subversion in Central Luzon. In an informal meeting with newsmen following his conversations with captured Huk Commanders Sumulong, Zaragosa and Legaspi who were brought to Malacañang at noon, the President said that with the recent capture or surrender of more Huks and arms, he looked forward to the early stabilization of peace and order in Central Luzon. The President stated that the recent capture of Huk chieftains, including top dissident leaders, shows the determination of the armed forces in restoring normalcy to the region.
Devoting most of his working hours on official papers and other state business brought to him as he worked in his study, the President broke from this routine only three times. The first was when he conferred an award on departing Argentine Ambassador Marco Aurelio Benitez the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Lakan. The award was conferred on Ambassador Benitez for his contributions to the strengthening of international relations, particularly between the Philippines and Argentina. Specifically, the President pointed to Ambassador Benitez’s efforts to win his government’s support for Philippine proposals in the United Nations and other international conferences, thus rendering this country a great service.
Following the award ceremonies, the President received a group of mayors and other local officials of Davao del Norte, during which he enjoined local executives to listen to valid grievances from the people but cautioned them against abdicating their authorities, particularly to radical elements.
His last break from his desk work came when he interrogated three ranking Huks captured by the army, including No. 2 Huk Commander Sumulong.
From there and all through the day, the President continued to work on state papers. He issued a proclamation declaring all watersheds and lakes within water reservations as game refuge and bird sanctuaries. Consistent with the proclamation, the hunting, taking or killing of wildlife within said watersheds, lakes and inland waters, specified in Republic Act, 2590, as amended, are prohibited.
The President also submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation of 52 nominations to posts in the foreign service. (List of nominees in OG.)
At the same time we must attend to the more sophisticated enemies of our liberal democracy. They are led by the younger elements, students and professionals who while not engaged in guerilla fighting are engaged in vicious propaganda.
We have just had a Japanese dinner for Irene’s birthday which she celebrated with her cousins with a movie, “Charlie Brown,” a cartoon after dinner.
Gave her P10,000 for her bank deposit, a pearl seal brooch (rather cute and she told Imee confidentially, it was her best gift), some artists paint and brushes.
She is quite happy.
The Congress is still wrestling with the bills and moving at a snail pace. One week and a half since Sept. 7th and no bill approved up to now.
Everybody has been congratulating me for the capture of Commander Sumulong.