1.
SV Mrs. Marcos (right of picture) shakes hands with man wearing white jacket
0.06

2.
SV (SAME SHOT) Man wearing dark suit walks onto platform taking knife from sleeve and lunging at Mrs. Marcos who falls to ground. Man continues slashing at her
0.17

3.
SV (SAME SHOT) Shots fired and man falls to ground and is held by security men
0.34

4.
SV Mrs. Marcos being assisted from the platform
0.47



Initials BB/2213 PK/MR/BB/2204


SATELLITE-TELERECORDING
We apologise for intermittent sound loss on the early scenes of this Satellite film, believe to have been caused by microphones being bumped during the struggle.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: An attempt was made to assassinate Mrs. Imelda Marcos, wife of the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, at an award presentation ceremony on Thursday (7 December).

During a few moments of horror before live television cameras, an unknown assailant lunged at her with a razor-sharp machete and tried to stab her to death.

He was shot dead by security guards.

Thousands of Filipinos were watching the first lady hand out the awards to civic leaders who had taken part in a campaign to beautify cities and towns throughout the country.

Suddenly a man in a dark suit stepped on to the platform and lunged at Mrs. Marcos's stomach with the knife. The 42-year-old former beauty queen warded off the blows with her hands and then kicked at her assailant.

She was rushed to hospital by helicopter with wounds of her right and left arms, but she was reported to be recovering, despite loss of blood.

Security agents have begun inquiries into the identity of the assailant.