796.001/6–1551
The Chargé in the Philippines (Harrington) to the Department of State
No. 1802
Ref: Embdesp 1194 Feb 15, 1951;1 Depts instr 186 Apr 25, 19512
Subject: Countermoves Against Philippine Communist Party
The Embassy has read with great interest the Department’s instruction 186 of April 25, 1951 commencing on Embassy’s despatch 1194 of February 15, 1951, and has the following observations to make on the various numbered proposals presented in the Embassy’s despatch and the Department’s instruction.
I—Honest and Peaceful Holding of November 1951 Elections. The Embassy agrees that the Philippine Government and people must be [Page 1547] made to realize that the United States will be watching very closely the 1951 and 1953 elections and that a repetition of the fraud and coercion practiced in the 1949 elections might have serious consequences in respect of American economic and military aid to the Philippines. The Embassy believes that to convey this idea by means of discreet conversations with editors of local newspapers would not in itself aid materially in the prevention of coercion and fraud. Although as yet there has been very little mention in the press of the necessity for honest elections, we believe this is due to the fact that the elections are still five months off and that the political parties have not yet held their conventions. When the campaign actively gets underway, we believe all newspapers will emphasize the necessity for honest elections. At that time, the Embassy will individually, informally and discreetly inform editors of local newspapers that we consider the honesty of the elections of utmost importance and that the conduct of the elections might well influence our attitude toward military and economic aid. At a meeting of provincial Public Affairs Officers in Manila last week, it was decided that USIS should actively work towards free and honest elections by consulting with and giving aid and advice to civic organizations and the press. However, despite President Quirino’s sensitiveness to press criticism, we believe that a direct approach to the highest Government leaders on this question is not only desirable but, in the final analysis, is the only way by which any substantial results can be hoped for. A leading member of the Senate group known as the Democratic Bloc recently told an Embassy officer that the November elections would be free and honest only if President Quirino wanted them to be so, and that the only hope that the President would take this point of view rested with the American Embassy. The Senator said that the American Ambassador should go to Malacañan and demand that there be no fraud or coercion during the elections.
Secretary of National Defense Magsaysay told city officials at Bacolod on May 13 that the Armed Forces of the Philippines would give equal protection to all political parties in order to insure free and democratic elections. The following day, answering an inquiry by a newspaperman as to whether the Armed Forces would interfere in the elections, president Quirino stated “absolutely not”. Despite these assurances, it is our view that the elections will be honest only if Quirino sincerely wishes them to be. We also believe that the United States should unequivocally make its views known to Quirino.
II—Philippine Government Should, in so far as Possible, Be Influenced To Follow More Enlightened Policies. No further comment.
III—Land Redistribution. The Agricultural Attaché is of the opinion that the problem of land distribution in the Philippines differs from the problem in Korea and Japan which are sometimes cited as [Page 1548] examples that should be copied here. He points out that there is a large public domain in Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Palawan, Mindoro and northern Luzon waiting for settlement. Rather than embark on an expensive program of acquiring and redistributing privately-owned estates in central Luzon, thorough consideration should first be given to alleviation of the land problem by resettlement in areas where land is now available without cost to the Government. The report and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Large Estates Problems was forwarded to the Department under cover of Embassy despatch 1526 of April 24, 1951.3 The report of the Special Committee on Land Settlement and Title Issuance and Clearance was forwarded to the Department under cover of despatch 1718 of May 28, 1951.3 These two reports contain information which should be of value in the formulation of policy in regard to land distribution.
The Agricultural Attaché estimates that the market value of small lots of irrigated land in central Luzon will range from 3,000 to 4,000 pesos per hectare. Large blocks of land, from 2,500 hectares and up, could be purchased for 1,000 to 1,200 pesos per hectare. Non-irrigated land brings about one-half the prices quoted above. Land values in Huk-infested areas are greatly depreciated now because some landowners are willing to sell at a sacrifice in order to rescue some of their capital.
IV—Land Reclamation. About two months ago in a conversation with Vincent Checchi of ECA and an Embassy officer, President Quirino stated that he was very interested in the possibility of converting the Candaba Swamps into an economic and social asset. ECA requested the Philippine Council for United States (PHILCUSA) to report on the possibility of the development of an ECA project for the Candaba Swamps. PHILCUSA has not yet made its recommendations. As soon as some decision on this matter is reached, the Embassy will inform the Department. The Agricultural Attaché believes that this project would be a mammoth undertaking requiring a huge dollar investment and that United States aid could be used to better advantage on other projects.
V—Labor. The Labor Attaché has just returned to this post after an absence of two months. Comment on this subject will be forwarded at a later date.
VI—Reforms of Principally Financial Character. No further comment.
VII—Military and Quasi-Military Suggestions.
1. Although the Communists undoubtedly wish to infiltrate and propagandize the Philippine Armed Forces, there have been no indications [Page 1549] in recent months that they have succeeded in doing so to any appreciable extent. JUSMAG is cognizant of this problem and is working with the section of the Philippine Armed Forces which is responsible for such matters.
2. The Embassy understands that appropriate efforts are being made to prevent increased Huk activities in the so-called “expancionista” areas.
3. The Embassy believes that the disinclination of some Philippine Ground Force units to come into close combat with the Huks is gradually disappearing and that in recent months a somewhat more aggressive spirit has been shown by the various battalion combat teams in the field. It is understood that JUSMAG opposes direct assignment of American officers to Philippine combat units. However, a large proportion of JUSMAG’s officers are at any given time in the field conducting inspections of field units.
4. There is a difference of opinion as to the effects of clearing people out of interior and mountainous areas. Apparently JUSMAG does not feel strongly that this operation was mishandled in Iloilo or that a large number of people were involved. On the other hand, the Governor of Iloilo requested the aid of the President’s Action Committee on Social Amelioration in caring for people brought into barrios from the mountains. Also, operators of USIS mobile motion picture units reported that hundreds of families were camped along the roads leading into barrios near Iloilo without shelter or proper care. Other operations of a similar nature have not been undertaken recently.
5. We have no information on the purchase of loose arms.
VIII—Use of Mass Media. No further comment.