Tag: Romeo Espino

October 30,1972

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11:00 PM

Oct. 30, 1972

Monday

Malacañan Palace

Manila

Conference on prices 10:00-12:30 AM. Tariff Code amendments –Sec. of Agri. recommendations

Reassignments in the AFP –Sec. Ponce Enrile and Gen. Espino.

Luncheon with the original group –Sec. Ponce Enrile, Gen. Espino, the major service commanders, Gens. Zagala, Ramos, Rancudo and Commodore Ruiz, Gen. Paz, J-2, Gen. Ver, Gen. Montoya, Gen. Paramis, Col. Romeo Gatan and Cong. Eduardo Cojuangco. Gen. Picarbe who was not in the group was also invited.

This is the group in the last two meetings

I spoke of my plans on the constitution –its scheduled approval November and a plebiscite Jan. 15, 1973. So the need for an information drive even among the troops. And an AFP newspaper.

Reviewed appropriations for the AFP.

October 7, 1972

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1:00 AM, Oct 8th

Oct. 7, 1972

Saturday

Malacañan Palace

Manila

Have been busy finishing the Reform Program.

We have to revise the targets and the plans.

And the NBC people with Liz Trotta, the Singapore-based NBC correspondent and panelist in the Spivak Meet the Press show tomorrow night, have been busy preparing my study for the interview at 12:30 PM.

But played golf this afternoon with Miniong Disini and Gen. Romy Espino to keep my weight down. I believe I have been able to bring it down to 132 1/2 from 136 pds.

Time and Newsweek have better balanced stories this week. Time quote Aquino (Sen. Benigno) from the Far Eastern Review to the effect that the country would be willing to have a Lee Kwan Yu or Chung Hee Park and some short-cuts.

October 2, 1972

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11:30 PM

Oct. 2, 1972

Monday

Malacañan Palace

Manila

 

We are now watching the development of opposition among the clergy, possibly the nuns the Free Farmers Federation and the Christian Socialist Movement.

So the opening of the schools in the high school and college levels have to be postponed. For there would be an opportunity to congregate and prepare for demonstrations.

But we must not arrest any of the bishops, although we must be firm in stopping any subversion that may crop up.

From abroad —

I have agreed to appear in the Meet the Press show of Larry Spivak on Oct. 8, 1972 at 12:30 AM New York time which will be about midnight Sunday here.

The Durdin story in the New York Times of the inrerview of Sec. Ponce Enrile, Gens.

 

2

Oct. 2nd (Con’t)

Malacañan Palace

Manila

Espino and Ramos to the effect that the military has not taken over but will continue to obey the civil authority; that the people are surrendering their guns, there is peace and order and they are supporting the president to a man because they are obeying the constitution.

And Lee Lescaze of the Washington Post has reversed himself and sent in a story that if a vote were taken today, an overwhelming majority of the Filipino people would support me in my decision proclaiming martial law.

The support from all quarters continues and I meet the Sulu Moslem leaders who have indicated support, tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

I met the Think Tank for the first time today –Ting Paterno, Armand Fabella, Gerry Sicat, Naring Orosa, Bobby Benedicto, Leo Virata, Adrian Cristobal etc.

 

3

Oct. 2nd (Con’t)

Malacañan Palace

Manila

I attach the list of specific programs. Although we should postpone Nos. 1 and 2.

Signed the Oil Exploration (Service Contract) Decree, and the reduction of the Stock Transfer Tax of 2% to 1/4%.

And I ordered the study of the suspension of the capital gains tax if the gains are invested in productive enterprise or deposited in a bank.

The realignment of banks and insurance companies must follow.

 

September 20, 1972

 

 

(1)

1040 PM

Sept, 20, 1972

Malacañan Palace

Manila

The two Americans paid to assassinate me were supposed to do the job this morning but when they tried out the guns (even the .22 caliber) they were too loud.  This was explained by our penetration man, Talastas.

They have prepared a Comby wagon, put a hole in the back and have tried to park it between the press and the Maharlika or the boathouse and they can swipe at me at the Pangarap boat landing on the golf course.

I declassified two documents which contain reports of Sen. Aquino to Sec. Ponce Enrile and Gen. Ramos July 27th and 29th, this year which show his propensity as a blubber mouth.

I attach copies of the documents in Envelope No. XXXV-A.  The original reports were in my diary.  Then I wrote Sen A. Roxas to inform him that what I wanted to do in the conference was

 

(2)

 

Sept 20th (Con’t)

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Malacañan Palace

Manila

not to blame anyone but to break up a “link-up” of the Liberal Party to the Communist Party if any.  I attach this letter in XXXV-A.

I sent a  copy of the letter to all senators because of the expected privelege speech of Aquino copy of which I attach in XXXV-A.

Sen. Perez put my letter on the record.

Sec. Ponce Enrile dared Aquino who had denied his report, to a confrontation which the latter refused.

Sen. Maceda filed a motion to investigate Aquino but he withdrew it when Roxas objected.

I also sent copies of the affidavits of the other witnesses against Aquino to seven senators — Perez, Maceda, Almendras, Pelaez, Tevez, Tolentino, copy in XXXV-A.

 

(3)

 

Sept. 20th (Con’t)

Malacañan Palace

Manila

This afternoon General Staff with the SND and the Chiefs of the major services came to see us to submit the Assessment of Public Order wherein they recommend the use of  “other forms of countering subversion/insurgency should be considered.” This means they recommend the use of Emergency Powers including Martial Law, formally.  Envelope No. XXXV-B.

Then we gave an interview where we kept silent on Emergency Powers but spoke of listing Arrival (?) syndicates in the Order of Battle of the communist armed elements, the Self-Reliant Defense Posture as it relates to internal threats, expenditures, additional armaments and personnel etc.

I was surprised to hear Sec. Melchor say he was now in favor of Martial Law although he was against it a year and a half ago.  And all Sec. Abad Santos said was, Let us not talk about it publicly.

I asked Sec. Melchor to submit a study and recommendation in writing and to prepare to use his American contacts to see the U.S. does not oppose us.

 

(4)

 

Sept 20th (Con’t)

Malacañan Palace

Manila

 

Johnny and I again reviewed the proclamation which we again amended.  He wrote out the orders on carrying firearms and on control of shipping.

While we were working on the list of target personalities, Amb. Byroade called to see me on the conversation I had with Robert Wales, President of the American community.  I see him at 11.00 AM.

I could not sign the proclamation and orders because they have to be re-typed.

Imelda is at the house of Imelda Cojuangco celebrating the latter’s birthday.

September 18, 1972, Monday

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(1)

12:50 PM

Sept. 18, 1972

Monday

Malacañan Palace

Manila

 

The Concon and the sala of Judge Lustre of Quezon City trying the subversives were bombed by unidentified person this afternoon at 3:40 PM. It caused extensive damage and injured about thirty people.

Two of the subversives were almost able to escape.

This is apparently the answer of the subversives to the raids on their headquarters in Manila, Quezon and Pasay last Sunday morning at 4:30 where about 48 were arrested including Cabardo, a former PMA cadet who is tagged as the Visayan NPA head.

Ex Sec. Peding Montelibano, after bringing the problems of the PNB and the sugar industry, pledged that he and his family (one governor and one congressman) were behind me and Imelda even if I proclaimed martial law.

One thing about this man, he has a good nose for survival.

(2)

Sept. 18th (Con’t)

Malacañan Palace

Manila

We finalized the plans for the proclamation of martial law at 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm with the SND, the Chief of Staff, major service commanders, J-2, Gen. Paz, 1st PC Zone Commander, Gen. Diaz and Metrocom commander, Co. Montoya, with Gen. Ver in attendance.

They all agreed the earlier we do it the better because the media is waging a propaganda campaign that distorts and twists the facts and they may succeed in weakening our support among the people if it is allowed to continue.

So after the bombing of the Concon, we agreed on the 21st without any postponement.

We finalized the target personalities, the assignments, and the procedures.

Our communications network will center in Malacañan as before.

September 5, 1972

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[Note: the first part of this entry is missing]

Sept 5th (Con’t)

Malacañan Palace

Manila

 

Conference with Gen. Ver and others on contingency plans. I place Gen. Espino [&] Sec. Ponce Enrile’s report in Envelope XXXIV-U

The Pomeroy article on Phil. Maoists [   ] Sen. Aquino is helping organize the NPA, Lopezes and Roces helping the Maoists with [     ] and propaganda, the participation of the [    ] Brothers up to the printing of the Maoist paper “Ang Bayan” ; the Manglapus [  ] Socialist Movement — is an eye opener in the same envelope.

May 8, 1972 Monday 11:25 pm

… After the meeting I directed Sec. Ponce Enrile, the Chief of Staff, Gen. Espino, Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Ileto, PC Chief, Gen. Ramos, PA Chief, Gen. Zagala, Air Force Chief, Gen. Rancudo, 1st PC Zone Commander, Gen. Tomas Diaz, IV PC Zone Commander, Gen. Encarnacion, Asst. Chief of Staff, J-2, Col. Paz, to update the contingency plans and the list of target personalities in the event of the use of emergency powers.

I directed Sec. Ponce Enrile to finalize all documentation for the contingency plans, including the orders and implementation.

Jan. 4, 1971 Monday 10:00 pm

…Today (this morning 11:00 am up to lunch at 2:00 pm) in a conference with Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile, Sec. Alex Melchor and Gen. Yan, I ordered the setting up of a Special War Center, an Internal Security Agency, a Psy-War Branch all under the DND as well as the creation of a new command, the Metropolitan Command, that will cover the provinces of Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, Bataan, the Pasig Task Force and the PGB under Col. Ver.

I ordered the transfer of Gen. Fidel Ramos from the 3rd Brigade to the 2nd PC Zone vice Gen. Zosimo Paredes whom I am retiring. Col. Palacios the CO of the 1st Brigade goes to the 3rd Brigade vice Gen. Ramos.

The Special War Center personnel may also be placed as a component unit of the command of Col. Ver’s, as Metropolitan Command CO. It integrates all the special forces of the major services, the special forces and rangers of the Army and Constabulary, the air commanders of the Air Force and the Navy’s marines and other teams. They will be retrained under chosen officers for special missions.

As I plan it, in the event of violence in the city, the Metrocom under Gen. Ordonez will seek to hold back the mass of rioters with his 1,400 men. If theyt are unequal to the task or special task forces are necessary, the Metropolitan Command comes in. If still unable to contain the violence, then the entire Internal Security Forces under Maj. Gen. Romeo Espino, Vice-Chief of Staff under whom both Gen. Ordonez and Col. Ver will be subordinated comes into the metropolitan area.

In the meantime outside of the NBI-Metrocom teams that will be fielded, Col. Ver will have special teams to arrest target personnel or take target areas. This will assure performance in the event that NBI and Metrocom are committed prematurely to the routine of maintaining order.

I have ordered the PC and 1st Infantry Division at Fort Magsaysay as well as the 51st Engineer Brigade brought up to full strength.

The P3 million needed for the procurement of 3,000 Armalites for the PC, I have ordered to be released and the guns delivered not later than the end of February.

The engineers should be ready to take over the public utilties like Nawasa, Meralco, PLDT, Butel, PNR, PAL, Air Manila, Fairways, land transport as well as shipping.

But the media which according to Sec. Melchor Ambassador Byroade calls a serious threat to security, calls for a separate operation. We have to take them over immediately.

The Psy-War Branch should use them for the purposes of the military administration.

The framework of government and present officials should be kept and all laws except those I suspend kept in force unless changed by edict by me.

But a new plan of government and society must be worked out…

While private property will be recognized and respected, they should be run for the state. Their profits should go to a fund for investment and development…

All able-bodied men must be put to work. There must be total exploitation of natural resources.

This must be a complete revolution.

February 22, 1970 Sunday

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PAGE 91

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

 

 

February 22, 1970

Sunday

 

 

12:05 AM

 

Spent practically the whole afternoon (4:00 PM) up to about 8:00 PM with the military, Gens. Yan, Espino, Ileto, Garcia, Tanabe, Sabalones, Ordoñez, Col. Ver and Diaz. Gov. Nepomuceno with Eric Mendoza who is a former jet pilot resigned because of hazing and helping in the location of Dante and Arthur Garcia whom he confirms he met after the claim that he (Garcia) was killed by Dante, were also here. Gov. Nepomuceno is disturbed by my statement to him that his bodyguards are Dante’s men. So he is helping through Mendoza in the campaign to locate Dante.

We mapped out the plans in the event of the massive sabotage of the city and the public utilities. Transferred some of the armor to Central Luzon. They missed Dante by a few hours in Capas the other day.

But we have five companies [of] reserves for the Metrocom which has 1,339 men – one company each from the major services and one from GHQ. Then there are two HDF in Malacañang, two in Camp Crame and one in [Fort] Bonifacio. The different brigades are forming up. In the event of an emergency, the PA can organize two more complete battalions with equipment in Fort Magsaysay and Cebu for the April training.

Our unanimous assessment is that the subversives have no capability of mounting an attack of company proportion and probably will not but are capable of small unit harassment, sabotage and liquidation which capability should also be eradicated.

 

PAGE 92

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

 

 

Cocoy reports that the people have faith in my capability to solve the problems we face.

Ablan Jr. claims Vic Villafranca whom he says is in his payroll will be the publisher of the Catholic newspaper for which a million dollars worth of printing machinery has been ordered. Villafranca is looking for an editor.

Benny Toda of PAL is allegedly organizing an intelligence team under Col. Hernandez, former J-2, to research on the administration – in retaliation for my open skies policy.

These rich people are back to their old tricks to protect their profits.

The new monetary policy seems to be received well. We will see how the market is tomorrow.