Philippines tests missiles

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 15

Philippines tests missiles

(N.Z. Press Assn —Copyright; MANILA.

President Ferdinand Marcos has disclosed that the Philippines is undertaking an experiment in the local production of ballistic missiles in line with the Government’s self-reliance defence programme, the Government news agency says. President Marcos witnessed the test-firing of locally-produced missiles in an undisclosed northern coast of the main Luzon Island. The agency described the test-firing as “successful.”

“The defence of the Philippines cannot be left to alliance with other countries,” the agency quoted President Marcos as saying.

“We must assume that there will be contingencies where even the United States may not be ready to come to our assistance.”

The agency said that four missiles, dubbed as “Bongbong” rockets, were fired some 10 to 12 kilometres into the sea from launches mounted on a military vehicle along the shoreline. It added that the unit constituted part of a mobile defence system against possible invasion from the sea or from the air. “There are other weapons and armaments we are testing.” President Marcos said. “This is just one of a series.”