Philippines

A Brief History MIDN 1/C Connor MIDN 1/C Teal

Origins of the Philippines

• • • • • Inhabited for more than 30,000 years Chinese settle islands in the 10 th Century 14 th Century Muslim traders bring their religion and culture to the islands Portuguese Explore Ferdinand Magellan arrives March 15, 1521 and brings the first exposure to Western culture Magellan killed one month after arriving in a dispute with a local tribe

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP):

• • • Army Navy: – Coast Guard – Marine Corps Air Force

Military Power Today

•

Military branches:

Army: 73,000 Navy (includes Marine Corps) 24,000 Air Force: 16,500 Paramilitary: 44,000 active •

Primary military equipment

65 tanks 42 combat aircraft 97 armed helicopters

Military Power Today

• Military expenditures: $995 million •

Military manpower

Age of service: 20

Military manpower, availability:

– – Males ages 15-49 21,220,191

Philippines Today:

• • • • Population: 87,857,473 (July 2005 est.) GDP: $451.3 billion (2005 est.) Industries: – electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing Naural Resources: – timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Religion

(2000 census)

:

• • • • • • • Roman Catholic 80.9% Evangelical 2.8% Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3% Aglipayan 2% Other Christian 4.5% Muslim 5%, other 1.8% Unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%

Languages:

• • • Two Official Languages: Filipino: eight major dialects – Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan English

Terrain of the Philippines

• • mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands The Climate is: – – tropical marine northeast monsoon – (Nov to Apr) southwest monsoon (May to October)

Major Cities of Philippines

History

• • The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century Given to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War

Unrest among the Filipinos

• • • Revolutionary Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo takes steps for independence June 12, 1898 Declaration of Independence September 15, 1898 convening of a revolutionary congress and proposal for a new constitution

America takes control

• • • • December 10, 1898 Treaty of Paris is signed Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico are given over to the United States Cuba was granted independence February 4, 1899 hostilities breakout as a result of the actions of two American privates

War

• • • • Fighting broke out for more than 2 years Around 125,000 American soldiers committed to the effort Estimated 16,000 Filipino casualties 4,234 American casualties

End of War

• • • • • Aguinaldo captured on March 23, 1901 Forced to swear allegiance to the United States Insurgent activities continued until 1903 Replacement of the Sharia or Islamic law with United States rule Non-Muslim curriculum schools established

20

th

Century

• In 1934, United States Congress passed a law granting Philippine Independence • In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. – Manuel QUEZON was elected President

20

th

Century

• • In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

• • • • • October 23-26 1944 Largest naval battle in history Last use of “ship of the line” tactics First appearance of kamikaze attacks Philippines a vital island chain maintaining the supply line for the Japanese

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

• • • • • 4 Distinct engagements Battle of the Sibuyan Sea- carrier air attack Battle of Surigao Strait- Japanese Battleships meet with American battlegroup Battle off Cape Engaño- Carrier battle, Japan loses 4 carriers Battle off Samar- American destroyers used torpedo and air attacks to run off the Japanese

World War II: Fledgling Filipino Navy

• It consisted highly maneuverable motor torpedo boats known as Q-boats • • The squadron was nicknamed the “Mosquito Fleet” 65% of its men were awarded the Silver Star Medal and other awards

20

th

Century

• • • On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence Newly elected President Quezon hired retired US Army Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur to prepare the Philippines’ Defense System The defense system was patterned so that there would be: – 200,000 citizen army – – 250 planes of the Philippine Army Air Corps 50 Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB)

International security issues:

• The Philippines is involved in a dispute over the Spratly Islands with: – – – – – China Malaysia Taiwan Vietnam possibly Brunei

Sources of Instability:

•

Separatist activities

•

Moro Islamic Liberation Front

•

Abu Sayyaf

•

Moro National Liberation Front

•

Human Rights

Current Status

• • • • Democracy led by their 14 th president elected Constitution and government similar to our own Muslim Separtist group, Abu Sayyaf, operating out of the Southern Philippines American forces supporting the search and capture of Abu Sayyaf members

So What?

• • • • • Vital shipping lanes Chain of Islands Exposed coast with mountainous interior Basis for Muslim extremist groups Unconstitutional for foreign militaries to conduct operations on the islands

References

• • • • • • • http://www.msnbc.com/modules/new_battlefield/phi lippines.asp?cp1=1 http://www.navy.mil.ph/gallery/ships/index5.html

http://www.gov.ph/ http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/r p.html#Military http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/philippine s.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2002/02021 0-attack01.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf