The Philippines agrees to send troops to South Vietnam
President Elect Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines states that he will send troops to South Vietnam in response to President Lyndon Johnsons call for more flags in Vietnam.Johnson hoped to enlist other nations to send military aid and troops to support the American cause in South Vietnam.The level of support was not the primary issue Johnson wanted to portray international solidarity and consensus for U.S.policies in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines sent a 1500-man civic action force in 1966 the United States paid for the groups operating costs and also provided additional military and economic aid to Marcos in return for sending his troops.Several other countriesincluding Australia New Zealand South Korea and Thailandresponded to Johnsons call and sent troops to South Vietnam.Collectively these troops were known as the Free World Military Forces and they fought alongside American and South Vietnamese troops.
