First Philippine Military Rocket was launched in 1972

Six months before Martial Law was declared, the first Philippine Military Rocket was successfully launched on March 12, 1972. The said rocket was developed under administration of President Ferdinand Marcos and was named after his son, Bongbong Marcos.

The rockets were fired 9.6 to 12 km into the South China Sea and were successfully retrieved.

Marcos said in an interview: “The defense of the Philippines cannot be left to alliance with other countries. We must assume that there will be contingencies where even the United States may not be ready to come to our assistance.”