08 September, 1954

TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY:

The eight-member Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), intended primarily to deter the further spread of communism in Southeast Asia, was founded in Manila. Also known as the Manila Pact, its founding members were the Philippines, the United States, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Pakistan and Thailand.

The civil and military organizations established under the treaty had their headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. SEATO relied on the military forces of member nations and joint maneuvers were held annually. SEATO had no standing forces, but its members engaged in combined military exercises. Pakistan withdrew in 1968, and France suspended financial support in 1975. The organization was disbanded officially on June 30, 1977.

(Ref: Philippine News Agency)