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The Philippines' international relations are based on trade with other nations and the well-being of the 11 million overseas Filipinos living outside the country.[118] As a founding and active member of the United Nations, the Philippines has been elected several times into the Security Council. Carlos P. Romulo was a former President of the United Nations General Assembly. The country is an active participant in the Human Rights Council as well as in peacekeeping missions, particularly in East Timor.[119][120][121] In addition to membership in the United Nations, the country is also a founding and active member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), an organization designed to strengthen relations and promote economic and cultural growth among states in the Southeast Asian region.[122] It has hosted several summits and is an active contributor to the direction and policies of the bloc.[123] The Philippines values its relations with the United States.[118] It supported the United States during the Cold War and the War on Terror and is a major non-NATO ally. Despite this history of goodwill, controversies related to the presence of the now former U.S. military bases in Subic Bay and Clark and the current Visiting Forces Agreement have flared up from time to time.[118] Japan, the biggest contributor of official development assistance to the country,[124] is thought of as a friend. Although historical tensions still exist on issues such as the plight of comfort women, much of the animosity inspired by memories of World War II have faded.[125] Relations with other nations are generally positive. Shared democratic values ease relations with Western and European countries while similar economic concerns help in relations with other developing countries. Historical ties and cultural similarities also serve as a bridge in relations with Spain.[126][127][128] Despite issues such as domestic abuse and war affecting overseas Filipino workers,[129][130] relations with Middle Eastern countries are friendly as seen in the continuous employment of more than two million overseas Filipinos living there.[131] With communism no longer the threat it once was, once hostile relations in the 1950s between the Philippines and China have improved greatly. Issues involving Taiwan, the Spratly Islands, and concerns of expanding Chinese influence, however, still encourage a degree of caution.[125] Recent foreign policy has been mostly about economic relations with its Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific neighbors.[118] The Philippines is an active member of the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Latin Union, the Group of 24, and the Non-Aligned Movement.[117] It is also seeking to strengthen relations with Islamic countries by campaigning for observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.[132][133] Military Main articles: Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), a Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy. AgustaWestland AW109 of the Philippine Navy. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the military force of the Philippines that is responsible for national security and is composed of three branches: the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Army, and the Philippine Navy (includes the Marine Corps).[134][135][136] Currently, The Armed Forces of the Philippines' manpower is a voluntary force meaning it acquires its personnel from volunteers through recruitment however, according to the Section 4, Article II of the Constitution of the Philippines, conscription may be possible.[137] Civilian security is handled by Philippine National Police under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).[138][139] In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the largest separatist organization, the Moro National Liberation Front, is now engaging the government politically. Other more militant groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the communist New People's Army, and the Abu Sayyaf which have been reported of kidnappings of foreigners, where victims are held for ransom, particularly in the southern island of Mindanao,[140][141][142][143][144] but their presence has decreased in recent years due to successful security provided by the Philippine government.[145][146] The Philippines has been an ally of the United States since World War II. A mutual defense treaty between the two countries was signed in 1951. The Philippines supported American policies during the Cold War and participated in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It was a member of the now dissolved SEATO, a group that was intended to serve a role similar to NATO and that included Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[147] After the start of the War on Terror, the Philippines was part of the coalition that gave support to the United States in Iraq.[148] Administrative divisions Main article: Administrative divisions of the Philippines The Philippines is divided into three island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These are divided into 17 regions, 81 provinces, 144 cities, 1,491 municipalities, and 42,028 barangays.[149] In addition, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 5446 asserts that the definition of the territorial sea around the Philippine archipelago does not affect the claim over Sabah.[150] A clickable map of the Philippines exhibiting its 17 regions and 80 provinces. A clickable map of the Philippines exhibiting its 17 regions and 81 provinces. About this image Region Designation Regional Center Ilocos Region Region I San Fernando, La Union Cagayan Valley Region II Tuguegarao Central Luzon Region III San Fernando, Pampanga CALABARZON (Southern Tagalog Mainland) Region IV-A Calamba MIMAROPA (Southern Tagalog Islands) Region IV-B Calapan Bicol Region Region V Legazpi Western Visayas Region VI Iloilo City Central Visayas Region VII Cebu City Eastern Visayas Region VIII Tacloban Zamboanga Peninsula Region IX Pagadian[151][152] Northern Mindanao Region X Cagayan de Oro Davao Region Region XI Davao City SOCCSKSARGEN (Cotabato Region) Region XII Koronadal Caraga Region XIII Butuan Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ARMM Cotabato City Cordillera Administrative Region CAR Baguio National Capital Region NCR Manila Geography Main article: Geography of the Philippines The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands[117] with a total land area, including inland bodies of water, of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi).[153] Its 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) of coastline makes it the country with the 5th longest coastline in the world.[117][154] It is located between 116° 40', and 126° 34' E. longitude and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude and is bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The island of Borneo is located a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan is located directly to the north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are located to the south-southwest and Palau is located to the east of the islands.[117] Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin. The highest mountain is Mount Apo. It measures up to 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level and is located on the island of Mindanao.[155][156] The Galathea Depth in the Philippine Trench is the deepest point in the country and the third deepest in the world. The trench is located in the Philippine Sea.[157] The longest river is the Cagayan River in northern Luzon. Manila Bay, upon the shore of which the capital city of Manila lies, is connected to Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, by the Pasig River. Subic Bay, the Davao Gulf, and the Moro Gulf are other important bays. The San Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte but it is traversed by the San Juanico Bridge.[158] Ifugao/Igorot utilized terrace farming to grow crops in the steep mountainous regions of northern Philippines. Situated on the western fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The Benham Plateau to the east in the Philippine Sea is an undersea region active in tectonic subduction.[159] Around 20 earthquakes are registered daily, though most are too weak to be felt. The last major earthquake was the 1990 Luzon earthquake.[160] There are many active volcanoes such as the Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century.[161] Not all notable geographic features are so violent or destructive. A more serene legacy of the geological disturbances is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the area represents a habitat for biodiversity conservation, the site also contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.[162] Due to the volcanic nature of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. The country is estimated to have the second-largest gold deposits after South Africa and one of the largest copper deposits in the world.[163] It is also rich in nickel, chromite, and zinc. Despite this, poor management, high population density, and environmental consciousness have resulted in these mineral resources remaining largely untapped.[163] Geothermal energy, however, is another product of volcanic activity that the country has harnessed more successfully. The Philippines is the world's second-biggest geothermal producer behind the United States, with 18% of the country's electricity needs being met by geothermal power.[164] |
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