Secret Service to Guard Marcos After He Leaves Hawaiian Base

WASHINGTON —  President Reagan has authorized Secret Service protection for deposed Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, White House spokesman Larry Speakes said Thursday.

The protection will begin once Marcos leaves Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, where he and his entourage are resting from their two-stage flight from the Philippines on Tuesday and Wednesday, Speakes said.

The spokesman also confirmed reports that Marcos’ wife, Imelda, telephoned First Lady Nancy Reagan at about the same time that the Philippine president was calling Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-Nev.) on Tuesday to measure the extent of U.S. support for his regime. Speakes said that Mrs. Marcos was seeking similar information and advice from Mrs. Reagan.

Time to Quit

Speakes would not say how Nancy Reagan responded to Imelda Marcos. Laxalt said he advised Marcos that it was time to quit, and several hours later Marcos abandoned his presidency, flying first to Clark Air Base, 50 miles north of Manila, then to Guam and on to Hawaii on Wednesday.

Speakes said he did not know what Marcos’ final destination would be.

Reagan’s offer of protection is only for Marcos himself, not for any members of his family or entourage, Speakes said. He added that the protection will not be indefinite, but the length of time it will continue has not been set.

As President, Reagan has the power to decide who will receive Secret Service protection, and can periodically renew Marcos’ coverage if he thinks it is necessary.

Speakes also reported that Marcos and his party have filled out customs forms reporting their cash assets. Under U.S. law, they can bring in an unlimited amount as long as they declare it. That information is then kept confidential unless there is some reason to believe they are breaking the law.

Marcos and his immediate family, numbering about 20 people, were exempt from a full baggage search on their arrival as a courtesy, Speakes said.

Another U.S. plane sent from the Philippines arrived in Hawaii late Wednesday, carrying personal effects and luggage of Marcos and his entourage. Speakes said that U.S. officials had helped in getting some of those belongings out of the Malacanang Palace in Manila.

Reagan has sent written messages to both Aquino and Marcos, he said, but the White House does not plan to release the text of those messages.