Page last updated on January 31, 2014
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
total: 300,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 73
land: 298,170 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
slightly larger than Arizona
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 17.33%
other: 64.67% (2011)
total: 81.56 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%)
per capita: 859.9 cu m/yr (2009)
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo and Ragang
uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
105,720,644 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
0-14 years: 34% (male 18,339,398/female 17,607,472)
15-24 years: 19.1% (male 10,259,385/female 9,896,090)
25-54 years: 36.8% (male 19,550,257/female 19,369,177)
55-64 years: 5.7% (male 2,772,003/female 3,239,659)
65 years and over: 4.4% (male 2,023,118/female 2,664,085) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 61.4 %
youth dependency ratio: 55.1 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 %
potential support ratio: 15.9 (2013)
total: 23.3 years
male: 22.8 years
female: 23.8 years (2013 est.)
1.84% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
24.62 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
-1.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
urban population: 48.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.16% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
MANILA (capital) 11.449 million; Davao 1.48 million; Cebu City 845,000; Zamboanga 827,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 75
total: 18.19 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 99
male: 20.59 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 72.21 years
country comparison to the world: 135
male: 69.26 years
female: 75.31 years (2013 est.)
3.1 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
4.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 159
1.15 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
8,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2013)
6.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 148
20.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 30
2.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 151
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.4%
male: 95%
female: 95.8% (2008 est.)
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2009)
total: 16.3%
country comparison to the world: 79
male: 15.2%
female: 18.3% (2011)
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
name: Manila
geographic coordinates: 14 36 N, 120 58 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
80 provinces and 39 chartered cities
provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
chartered cities: Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga (2012)
12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US
several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 (2013)
mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010); Vice President Jejomar BINAY (since 30 June 2010); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election held on 10 May 2010 (next election to be held in May 2016)
election results: Benigno AQUINO elected president; percent of vote - Benigno AQUINO 42.1%, Joseph ESTRADA 26.3%, seven others 31.6%; Jejomar BINAY elected vice president; percent of vote Jejomar BINAY 41.6%, Manuel ROXAS 39.6%, six others 18.8%
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan (287 seats - 230 members in one tier representing districts and 57 sectoral party-list members in a second tier representing special minorities elected on the basis of one seat for every 2% of the total vote but with each party limited to three seats); a party represented in one tier may not hold seats in the other tier; all House members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms
note: the constitution limits the House of Representatives to 250 members; the number of members allowed was increased, however, through legislation when in April 2009 the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that additional party members could sit in the House of Representatives if they received the required number of votes
elections: Senate - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016); House of Representatives - elections last held on 13 May 2013 (next to be held in May 2016)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party for 2013 election - UNA 26.94%, NP 15.3%, LP 11.32%, NPC 10.15%, LDP 5.38%, PDP-Laban 4.95%, others 9.72%, independents 16.24%; seats by party after 2013 election - UNA 5, NP 5, LP 4, Lakas 2, NPC 2, LDP 1, PDP-Laban 1, PRP 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 38.3%, NPC 17.4%, UNA 11.4%, NUP 8.7%, NP 8.5%, Lakas 5.3%, independents 6.0%, others 4.4%; seats by party - LP 110, NPC 43, NUP 24, NP 17, Lakas 14, UNA 8, independents 6, others 12; party-list 57
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices)
judge selection and term of office: justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally-created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]
note: United Nationalist Alliance or [UNA] - PDP-Laban and PMP coalition for the 2013 election
Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Jose L. CUISIA Jr. (since 7 April 2011)
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
chief of mission: Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 21 November 2013)
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
FAX: [63] (2) 301-2017
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897
note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top
name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)
lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE
note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used
Philippine GDP growth, which cooled from 7.6% in 2010 to 3.9% in 2011, expanded to 6.6% in 2012 - meeting the government's targeted 6%-7% growth range. The 2012 expansion partly reflected a rebound from depressed 2011 export and public sector spending levels. The economy has weathered global economic and financial downturns better than its regional peers due to minimal exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from four- to five-million overseas Filipino workers, and a rapidly expanding business process outsourcing industry. The current account balance had recorded consecutive surpluses since 2003; international reserves are at record highs; the banking system is stable; and the stock market was Asia's second best-performer in 2012. Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditure management have helped ease the Philippines' tight fiscal situation and reduce high debt levels. The Philippines received several credit rating upgrades on its sovereign debt in 2012, and has had little difficulty tapping domestic and international markets to finance its deficits. Achieving a higher growth path nevertheless remains a pressing challenge. Economic growth in the Philippines averaged 4.5% during the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO administration but poverty worsened during her term. Growth has accelerated under the AQUINO government, but with limited progress thus far in bringing down unemployment, which hovers around 7%, and improving the quality of jobs. Underemployment is nearly 20% and more than 40% of the employed are estimated to be working in the informal sector. The AQUINO administration has been working to boost the budgets for education, health, cash transfers to the poor, and other social spending programs, and is relying on the private sector to help fund major infrastructure projects under its Public-Private Partnership program. Long term challenges include reforming governance and the judicial system, building infrastructure, improving regulatory predictability, and the ease of doing business, attracting higher levels of local and foreign investments. The Philippine Constitution and the other laws continue to restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors (such as land ownership and public utilities).
$419.6 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$246.8 billion (2012 est.)
6.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$4,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
21.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
household consumption: 74.2%
government consumption: 10.5%
investment in fixed capital: 19.4%
investment in inventories: -0.9%
exports of goods and services: 30.8%
imports of goods and services: -34%
agriculture: 11.8%
industry: 31.1%
services: 57.1% (2012 est.)
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
6.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
40.43 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
agriculture: 32%
industry: 15%
services: 53% (2012 est.)
7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 33.6% (2009 est.)
44.8 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
revenues: $36.35 billion
expenditures: $42.1 billion (2012 est.)
14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
-2.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
51.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
note: data cover debt issued by the national government, and excludes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by social security institutions, government-owned and controlled corporations, the Central Bank, and local government units
3.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
5.3% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
5.68% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$39.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$132.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$129.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$266.3 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 35
$7.126 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$46.28 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
Japan 19%, US 14.2%, China 11.8%, Singapore 9.3%, Hong Kong 9.2%, South Korea 5.5%, Thailand 4.7% (2012)
$61.49 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic
US 11.5%, China 10.8%, Japan 10.4%, South Korea 7.3%, Singapore 7.1%, Thailand 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%, Indonesia 4.4%, Malaysia 4% (2012)
$83.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$74.88 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$30.38 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$8.435 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar -
67.45 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
56.84 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
16.36 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
66.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
20.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
12.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
25,240 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
20,090 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
182,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
138.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 67
181,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
315,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
17,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
147,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
3.91 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
2.86 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 54
81.15 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
3.939 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 43
103 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic: telecommunications infrastructure includes the following platforms: fixed-line, mobile cellular, cable TV, over-the-air TV, radio and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), fiber-optic cable, and satellite; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry
international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2011)
multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 350 TV stations - 4 major TV networks operating nationwide with 1 being government-owned; some 1100 cable TV providers and some 1,200 radio stations broadcasting; the Philippines is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2015 (2012)
425,812 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 52
8.278 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
247 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 24
total: 89
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 33
914 to 1,523 m: 34
under 914 m: 10 (2013)
total: 158
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 56
under 914 m:
gas 567 km; oil 138 km; refined products 185 km (2013)
total: 995 km
country comparison to the world: 88
narrow gauge: 995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in operation) (2010)
total: 213,151 km
country comparison to the world: 23
paved: 54,481 km
unpaved: 158,670 km (2009)
3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 31
total: 446
country comparison to the world: 23
by type: bulk carrier 76, cargo 152, carrier 12, chemical tanker 27, container 17, liquefied gas 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum tanker 44, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 10
foreign-owned: 159 (Bermuda 47, China 4, Denmark 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Japan 77, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 17, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)
registered in other countries: 7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 5, unknown 1) (2010)
major seaport(s): Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila
container port(s) (TEUs): Manila (3,342,200)
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2013)
17-23 years of age (officers 20-24) for voluntary military service; no conscription; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens with either 72 college credit hours (enlisted) or a baccalaureate degree (officers) (2013)
males age 16-49: 25,614,135
females age 16-49: 25,035,061 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 20,142,940
females age 16-49: 21,427,792 (2010 est.)
male: 1,060,319
female: 1,021,069 (2010 est.)
1.19% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 254
Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef (also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau
IDPs: about 4.5 million (government troops fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the New People's Army; clan feuds; natural disasters including typhoon Bopha (December 2012), the Bohol earthquake (October 2013), and typhoon Haiyan (November 2013)) (2013)
stateless persons: 6,015 (2012)
