TANGGAPAN NG PANGULO NG PILIPINAS
(Office of the President of the Philippines)
11:20 PM
Nov. 23, 1972
Wednesday
The initial transmittal reports from Sulu of Malaysian trained Suluanos fighting the Marines, landings of rockets and AK-47 etc., copies of which I attach (From Rasac Director Col. Delloso) caused us to call an assessment meeting with ND, Alex Melchor, Gen. Rancudo, Commodore Ruiz, Gen. Ramos.
I directed the extension of Zamboanga Airport from its 5,200 feet to 7,500 feet with an initial 1,000 feet to take in the F-86 jets. This may take two months.
And to invite Amb. Byroade and tell him of the danger of Sabah trained or Malaysian trained Moslem infiltrating into Sulu. I suggested he talk to the Australian and British to dampen the Malaysian plans that may cause a border conflict.
I also asked him to help us in locating and the two American Larry Trackman and Bobby Pincus. Since Trackman is in Hongkong, he suggested that we get in touch with the British Embassy too.
The British Ambassador asked to see me tomorrow. I meet him at 11:00 AM.
I will furnish him extracts of the sworn statement of Lehman, Figueras and Crisologo.
Amb. Byroade seemed taken aback when I told him all those under detention had confessed to the crime.
Byroade also gave me the attached plan to use Clark Air Force Field Hospital facilities for the prisoners of war who may be released soon with the settlement of the Vietnam conflict.
We finished the amendments to the Internal Revenue Code at lunch.
Gen. Espino, Paz and Col. Bocanegra reported tonight after golf that the situation in Sulu is much better than we thought.
I ordered them to choose a concentration of enemy forces to destroy. But apparently the enemy has broken up into small bands of 10 or 20 men.
So we wait for the interpretation of the aerial photographs to see if there are any targets Then foreign a withdrawal and return in force.