[Philippine's human rights violations] Martial Law Diaries, and other papers [corruption in the Philippines] #5/218

This was also the conclusion of no less than the chief of naval intelligence, CDR Bartolome, and other friends in HPN, Cavite Naval Base and Bonifacio Naval Station.

After about a week of self-imposed leave, I decided to take a chance and come out in the open. It was at this point where I made up my mind to quit the service. My controversial status plus the fact that Marcos had converted the AFP into his private army were enough reasons for me to call it quits.

1 JANUARY 1973

The New Year has brought about an entirely new way of life to the Filipino people. What are the salient features of what FM proudly proclaims as the “New Society?”

Never in the country’s history has there been so many decent Filipinos in confinement and behind bars. Politicians, newsmen, teachers, students, civic leaders, writers, priests, businessmen, and others whose crime was to reveal the truth and expose the rottenness and stink of this decaying society.

Never in our history has there been so many fugitives being hunted by the PC and AFP intelligence and special units all over the country. They have become fugitives because they dared express their convictions (a crime under the New Society!) at the risk of their lives. I can name some of them — Doc Prudente, Doc Simbulan, Tony Zumel, Pete Daroy, Satur Ocampo, and of course the young activists like Julius Fortuna, Eric Baculinao, Chito Sta. Romana, Temy Rivera, Oying Javate, Cris Aranda, Orly Mercado, and many others. These are the people who leave an indelible mark in a nation’s history.

2 JAN

The B-52 massive bombing of North Vietnam aims to bring Hanoi to its knees. But at a high cost. US sources admit as many as 17 B-52s shot down while Radio Peking reports as many as 40 have been brought down. Whether it is 17 or 40, the fact remains that this has appreciably affected the US strategic air delivery potential since the B-52s are its only controllable (in mid-flight) units of intercontinental range for delivery of nuclear warheads. And right now these aircraft are being destroyed at an alarming rate in the wrong kind of war!

It is clear by now that the US has not learned its lessons from past experiences.