Appendix A
Leaflet Addressed To The Vietnamese People
TO THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE:
The Filipino people, in response to the request of the Vietnamese people for civic action assistance as expressed by the Government of Vietnam, have sent the 1st Philippine Civic Action Group, RVN (1st PHILCAGV) to extend that assistance in all sincerity though humble it maybe.
We, the members of 1st PHILCAGV therefore, are pledged to carry out the mandate of our people to the best of our ability and to the fullest extent of our capacity. We ask the Vietnamese people to understand that we are here to help build and not to destroy, to bring the Vietnamese people happiness and not sorrow, to develop good will and not hatred. We further ask the Vietnamese people cooperation in whatever manner they think best so that we can accomplish our civic: action projects with the least obstacle and interference by some individuals or groups of individuals who are against the idea of the Vietnamese people being able to enjoy happiness and a better way of life.
Within the pages of this leaflet is the Vietnamese translation of the law passed by the representatives of our people, The Congress of the Philippines, and approved by the Chief Executive, President Ferdinand E Marcos. This law reflects the sentiments of the people of the Philippines and provides the basis for our being here with you today.
As our late President Magsaysay, the father of civic action in the Philippines said, "Ano po ba ang kailangan natin?" -meaning, "What sir, would you want me to do for you?" Like our late President Magsaysay, we ask the Vietnamese the same question. Please do not hesitate to tell us where we
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can be most useful to you, and where you think we are not doing well as you expected. Undoubtedly, you and we can attain greater achievements if we do them together.
Sixth Congress
of the
Republic of the Philippines
Second Special Session
Begun and held in the City of Manila on Friday, the twentieth day of May, nineteen hundred and sixty-six
(REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4664)
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF PHILIPPINE
ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TO SOUTH VIETNAM.
WHEREAS, on July 21, 1964, upon request of the Government of South Vietnam, and in consonance with the stand taken by the Philippine Delegation in the Ninth SEATO Council Meeting held in Manila from April 13 to 15, 1964, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act Numbered Forty-one hundred sixty-two, authorizing the President of the Philippines to send economic and technical assistance to South Vietnam;
WHEREAS, THE Government of South Vietnam has requested the Philippine Government for more assistance with a view to carrying out socio-economic projects calculated to improve the living conditions of the people in the areas recovered from Communist control;
WHEREAS, the Government of the Philippines views the said request for more assistance with the utmost sympathy and, in consonance with the stand taken by the Philippine Delegation in the Tenth SEATO Council Meeting held in London from May 3 to 5, 1965, is ready within the limits of its capability to continue extending economic and technical assistance to South Vietnam: Now, therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. The President of the Republic of the Philippines is hereby authorized to increase Philippine economic and technical assistance to South Vietnam as provided for under Republic Act Numbered Forty-one hundred sixty-two by sending to that country a Civic Action Group consisting of engineer construction, medical, and rural community development teams which shall undertake socioeconomic projects mutually agreed upon by the Government of the Philippines and the Government of South Vietnam. The said Civic Action Group shall be provided with its own security support.
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All personnel sent to South Vietnam under the authority of this Act shall be drawn from volunteers and shall at all times be under a Philippine command. No person shall be included in the Civic Action Group and the security support herein provided unless he signs a sworn statement that he has volunteered to join said group.
SEC. 2. It shall be unlawful for any person to compel, induce, or allow anyone to go to South Vietnam under this Act without the sworn statement provided for in Section one hereof. Any violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years.
SEC. 3. To carry out the purpose of this Act, the sum of thirty five million pesos, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved.
| ARTURO M. TOLENTINO President of the Senate |
CORNELIO T. VILLAREAL Speaker of the House of Representatives |
This Act, which is a substitution by consolidation of H. No.3411 and S. No.391, was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 9,1966.
| REGINOS EUSTAQUlO Secretary of the Senate |
INOCENCIO B. PAREJA Secretary of the House of Representatives |
Approved: June 18, 1966.
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
Copies of this leaflet were originally trade in the Vietnamese language and distributed by air and by hand in Vietnam.
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page created 18 December 2002