Reagan Authorizes Secret Service Guards for Marcos : Honolulu’s Mayor Says Let Him Pay

President Reagan has authorized Secret Service protection for deposed Philippine leader Ferdinand E. Marcos, the White House announced today.

At the same time, presidential spokesman Larry Speakes said a “planeload of stuff”--personal effects of Marcos, his family and followers--is en route to Hawaii from the Philippines.

Speakes said Secret Service protection will be authorized for “a limited time” after Marcos leaves Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, where he arrived Wednesday.

He also said, “We expect all security elements, federal, state and local, to discharge their duties in a responsible fashion.” Some officials in Hawaii have balked at providing protection for Marcos.

Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi said today that the Secret Service had asked him to provide security for Marcos for up to six weeks, “as a favor.” Fasi turned down the request and said the federal government or Marcos should pay for his protection.

“I think he’s wealthy enough,” Fasi said.

Properties in New York

Marcos and his wife, Imelda, reportedly own $379 million worth of real estate in New York, including four choice properties in Manhattan and an estate on Long Island.

Speakes said that all 90 members of Marcos’ party filled out baggage declaration forms and that all of them, except for about 20 members of Marcos’ immediate family, went through a Customs Service examination.

The exception was made as a courtesy, he added.

Speakes noted that federal law requires a reporting form to be filled out by people bringing more than $10,000 in cash or negotiable instruments into the United States.

Without saying how many members of Marcos’ party may have filled out the forms, Speakes said, “Any amount may be declared so long as the form is filled out.

“We do not release that information unless we find that U.S. law has been violated. At this time, it does not appear that any U.S. law has been violated,” he added.

Personal Effects on Way

Speakes said a plane is due to arrive in Honolulu this afternoon with “the personal effects of the Marcos family and the other people accompanying them.” He said he assumed that the shipment is coming from Marcos’ former palace.

“We assisted with bringing out a number of items that they needed,” he said. “Clearly, we got a plane-load of stuff coming. Customs will perform a thorough examination of all contents of that aircraft.”

Secretary of State George P. Shultz, asked on NBC’s “Today” show whether Marcos will be allowed full access to his assets, replied, “We don’t have any exact plan, but, obviously, things that are his are his.”

Asked further what the response might be if the Philippines’ new leader, Corazon Aquino, asked that Marcos’ assets be seized, the secretary said, “Undoubtedly, whatever proper and legal steps should be taken will be taken and, obviously, we are a law-abiding country and will go along with that.”

Speakes also said there was nothing improper in the past acceptance of gifts by Reagan and Vice President George Bush from Marcos. All the gifts have been duly recorded and the only one retained by Reagan for his personal use is a vibrating chair, Speakes said.

The chair reportedly was valued at $476.

The spokesman said he does not know whether Reagan ever received campaign contributions from Marcos, but he said he is certain that “anything that was received by the campaign was properly handled.”