Philippines May Send Troops

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30741, 4 May 1965, Page 17

Philippines May Send Troops

(N.Z PA.- Reuter—Copyright > MANILA, May 3. President Diosdado Macapagal has hinted that Filipino combat troops may be sent to South Vietnam to help that country in its fight against Communism, the “Manila Chronicle” reported today.

The “News Chronicle” said “broad hints” of such action were given by the President last night in Cebu city, in the southern Philippines. It said the President had received a request for support from the South Vietnam Government. The request was re portedly contained in a Note delivered to the President by the American Ambassador, Mr Henry Cabot Lodge. Mr Lodge visited the Philipp:nes recently as President Lyndon Johnson’s personal representative in the course of a South-east Asia tour to explain America’s actions in Vietnam.

Earlier, the Presidential press secretary, Mr Virgillio Reyes, told A.A.P.-Beuter be was not aware that the President favoured sending Filipino combat troops to South Vietnam.

> He said reports, however, that Mr Macapagal favoured sending non-combatant civicaction troops to that country was “nothing new.” “Such an action is in har-

mony with the Administration’s policy of helping a friendly country in time of need,” he added.

The Philippines has already sent two teams of civic action groups to South Vietnam.