388. Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense’s Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric)0
SUBJECT
- Visit to the Philippines
Macario Peralta, Secretary of National Defense, Republic of the Philippines, has sent me a personal note urging that I visit the Philippines.1 A Filipino journalist, Mario Chanco, hand-carried the note and said that Secretary Peralta would send a more formal invitation, if I indicated there was a probability that I could accept it.
I asked Mr. Chanco for the real reasons underlying the invitation at this time, since he had had a long talk with his friend Secretary Peralta about it. Mr. Chanco outlined it about as follows:
- a.
- On the surface, the Philippines appear to be making great progress socially and economically. Just below the surface, however, there seems to be almost blind hatred building up—class against class, financial group against financial group, nationals against foreigners (including U.S.), news media against the Administration (and its reforms)—coupled with the fever to “make a fast buck.”
- b.
- Secretary Peralta, as an old guerrilla leader and trusted supporter of President Macapagal, senses that real trouble is brewing. President Macapagal is striving hard to give leadership in improving the situation, but nearly each of his actions seems to arouse tremendous controversy and end in frustration. The “academic proletariat” (many college graduates are unemployed, a prey to Communist attractions in the “parliamentary struggle”) is restive. New legislative bills seem to be more and more towards radical socialism. The Chinese community seems to be turning towards Mao Tse-tung. Yet, it’s hard to get a “fix” on root causes, let alone get a good start towards licking the problems so they stay licked.
- c.
- Thus, Secretary Peralta wants me to take a hard look at the Philippines scene, analyze it, tell them what is wrong, and suggest some constructive lines of action. Presumably, I would do this for the U.S. Government, but make results of the study and further counsel available to the Philippine Government.
(Comment: The request is not too strange. Although Peralta was in the opposing camp in 1953, he was one of a group of Filipino Senators and Congressmen who subsequently thanked me for saving the Philippine Constitution. On his visit to Washington, as Secretary of National Defense, he made a point of visiting me to reassure me that he was still a dedicated man and a friend.)
I noted for Mr. Chanco that such a study in the Philippines would go considerably beyond military matters and that I would have to take it up with you and Secretary McNamara. In turn, we probably would want to discuss it with appropriate officials outside Defense. Also, I said that it was unlikely that the U.S. would want me present in the Philippines just prior to an election, since my name still has considerable currency among Philippine political groups. (There is a national by-election this November for governors, mayors, and certain Senate seats.) Mr. Chanco said that this was understood and that the needs went far beyond the 1963 elections; it was the fundamentals of national security which were causing Secretary Peralta’s concern.
If you believe there is merit in this proposal to make use of my experience and close relationships across many Philippine sectors, then I suggest that it be brought to the attention of Secretary Rusk.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 7 PHIL–US. Confidential. A copy was sent to McNamara. The source text is a copy sent to Alexis Johnson; see Document 389.↩
- Not found.↩