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Peoples Republic of China

Overview Brief

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Republic of the Philippines

Travel Time & Distances

China Japan

Okinawa to Luzon Islands

- Approx. 1.5 hr flight via C-130 - Approx. 18 hr float via LHD-6
Taiwan Okinawa

Okinawa to Manila
- Approx. 2.5 hr flight via C-130 - Approx. 30 hr float via LHD-6

Mainland Southeast Asia

South China Sea Manila

Philippine Sea

Indonesia

Orientation: Major Islands

Three major groups: Luzon Visayas Mindanao Hundreds of smaller islands make up multiple archipelagos throughout Philippines Spratly Island Claims

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Philippine Claims

Environmental Issues
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Cyclones, Hurricanes, volcanic eruptions

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Deforestation
The Philippines has a high rate of deforestation, 2 % annually. The government initiated reforms and regulations to slow the rate in the 1970s and 1990s, but illegal logging still depletes the forests.

Soil Erosion
The decreasing forest cover leads to greater soil erosion particularly during the monsoon season.

Air & Water Pollution

Metro Manila has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the world. Environmental laws regulate the quality of air and water, manage waste, and establish buffer zones within forests. Unfortunately authorities do not actively enforce these laws.

Weather & Climate

Seasons Wet & dry based upon the amount of rainfall as well as the location of the country with the seven warmest months of the year are from April to October. Coastline Primarily mangroves and palm swamps Territorial sea claims extend 285 nautical miles off the coastline all around the country. Averages Precipitation - 2,030 millimeters (80 inches) per year Temperature - Highs 31 C(88F) / Lows 24C (75F) - Sea rarely falls below 27C (81F) Climate Patterns The Philippines have a tropical climate, remaining hot and humid throughout the year Monsoons and rain-bearing winds strongly affect the islands The monsoons blow from the southwest from May to October and from the northeast from November to February
Type I Two pronounced seasons. Dry from Nov. to April, wet during remainder of the year. Type II No Dry seasons with a very pronounced rainfall from Nov. to April and wet during rest of the year. Type III Season are not very pronounced; relatively dry from Nov. to April; wet during rest of year.

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South China Sea

Manila

Type IV Rainfall I more or less evenly distributed through year.

Philippine Sea

Sulu Sea

Terrain
Luzon & Mindoro Visayan & Palawan Islands Mindanao & Sulu Archipelago

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Luzon
Largest island Three parallel mountain ranges running north to south Two major lowland Ares Central Plain Cagayan Valley

Visayan

Mindanao

Includes more than half Second largest island in the Philippine islands the country Only seven populated Extremely mountainous region Primarily a combination with few lowland areas or dense jungle forest, hilly terrain, and some Two large marshes mountainous areas

Mindoro
One major mountain range running north to south

Palawan Islands
Islands are made up of large plateaus

Sulu Archipelago
800 islands Tropical rainforest and monsoon forest

History
25,000 BC-People of African and Malayan descent form tribal societies on islands 1542-Spanish colonize islands 1941MacArthur s forces pushed back Philippines fall to Japanese

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July 1946Independence from US

1982-Current constitution in effect

2003Philippines major nonNATO US ally

Islam introduced in 14th century

1992-US withdraws military bases 1899Independence from Spain 1945-Japanese forces surrender to US forces 1969-Moro Islamic Liberation Front begins armed conflict lasts to present day

Present-Country fighting ins./terr. groups minimal progress with peace talks. Major cooperation w/ US forces in regards to training.

Culture & Beliefs

Family Family plays an important role in society and the social structure and often rely heavily on their family as a source of strength and stability A typical household may include the immediate and extended family Relatives live near each other and children typically do not leave the home until marriage Customs & Courtesies Do s - Greet with handshake and smile; eldest first - Visitors are expected to bring a gift to their host and the receiver does not open the gift until after the giver has left - Tipping is expected in restaurants Don'ts - Pointing at someone, beckoning with the index finger, and making direct eye contact are considered rude - Shorts and swimwear are not appropriate in public outside of swimming pools Society Most Filipinos trust the United States and welcome its military presence in the Philippines A few Filipinos resent their country s dependence on U.S. economic and military aid, and some conduct anti-American protests

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Economy
The Philippine economy has not grown as rapidly as its neighbors economies have and since the 1970s the Philippines have been surpassed in development by Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. The Philippines is one of the poorest countries in the region, despite its significant natural resources. The Philippine economy is based primarily on the service industry, industrial production, and agriculture. Personal consumption is the main economic driver. The Philippines receives USD $1.1 billion in foreign economic aid from Japan United States Australia Germany China Asian Development Bank The World Bank United Nations

1 USD = 42.8683 PHP

Imports Electronics, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic

Exports Semiconductors and electronics, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits

Cost of Living
United States 1BR Apartment Milk (regular), 1 liter Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) Eggs (12) Fresh Cheese (1kg) Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) $901.91/mo $1.14 $2.31 $2.08 $9.25 $7.31 Philippines $215.52/mo $1.61 $1.09 $1.49 $5.94 $3.35 Difference -76.10% +41.48 % -52.65 % -28.28 % -35.80 % -54.23 %

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All dollar amounts in USD

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Government
The Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth protected by the United States in 1935 and then a fully independent nation in 1946. Current Constitution: February 2, 1987 Democratic government It is a constitutional republic with a presidential system and is governed as a unitary state The president functions as both head-of-state and head of government and is the commander in chief of the armed forces The president is elected by popular vote for a single six-year term, during which he or she appoints and presides over the cabinet *Common/Islamic law likely used in underdeveloped areas with less government representation/outreach Universal Suffrage: 18 years old Future Elections: Legislative: May 2013 Executive: May 2016 US Embassador Harry K. Thomas Jr.

Preseident Benigno Aquino III

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Key Dates
National Holidays: Day of Valor/Bataan & Corregidor Dray: 9 April Labor Day: 1 May Independence Day (from Spain): 12 June Independence Day (from US): 4 July National Hero s Day: 27 August Bonifacio Day: 30 November Rizal Day: 30 December Future Dates: Legislative elections: May 2013 Executive elections: May 2016 Al Hijira: 4 November - Islamic New Year Ashura: 13 November - Islamic Holy Day Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan): 8 August - The end of Ramadan Eid al Adha : 15 October - Festival of Sacrifice marking the day after Arafat Milad un Nabi (Shia): 29 January - Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Shia) Ramadan (start): 9 July - Muslim month of fasting Islamic Holy Dates (2013) Milad un Nabi: 24 January - Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Sunni)

Transportation & Infrastructure

Road Network: Thousands of miles of multilane express highways have been constructed in and around the largest cities, and older two-lane roads have been widened to accommodate multiple lanes of traffic. In addition, a large proportion of China s road network is either unpaved or badly in need of reconstruction. Traffic: Right hand side of road as in United States roads handle most passenger and freight traffic Most expressways charge tolls. Rail: Rail Comprised of 91,000+ km of track ; Primary source of transport. High-speed Rail Daily ridership of approx. 800,000 China's high speed rail network consists of upgraded conventional railways, newly built highspeed passenger designated lines (PDLs), and the world's first high-speed commercial magnetic levitation (MAGLIV) line.

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Thousands of miles of multilane expr have been constructed in and around cities, and older two-lane roads have to accommodate multiple lanes of tra addition, a large proportion of Chinas is either unpaved or badly in need of reconstruction. Manila

Pan-Philippine Highway

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Ports
2,000 ports ; 130 open to foreign ships and 16 major ports and terminals including Shanghai, the worlds busiest port in terms of cargo turnover.

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Air
403 airports with paved runway 46 int l airports

Utilities 65% of electricity coal & oil powered three major private electric companies Geographic barriers prevent supplying everyone with utilities Half of consumed water is groundwater from rain and river seepage 1/3 of illnesses from water 90% of waste untreated

China Railways CRH2C

Port of Shanghai

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Military & Police Forces

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ~120,000 Army Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard) -7,000 Marines Air Force ~120,000 service members in AFP Exercises Operation Balakataan US/RP multifaceted exercise with multiple service components from both countries air rescue, amphibious ops, weapons/fire support training Current Operations Air Force modernization program focusing on fixed wing Domestic stability in southern half of country Limited anti-piracy and counter narcotics missions

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines

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Philippine Marine Corps

Philippine Marine Corps Conventional-special warfare, internal-external defense, direct actions, naval combat & Support Garrison/HQ: Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps: Major General Rustico Rusty Guerrero Current Issues with Philippine Marine Corps Reduction to 10 from 12 battalions will occur over the next year, one battalion remain domestic Philippine Marine Corps Table of Equipment 43 light armored vehicles (V150 & V300) 10 gun trucks 5 LVTs operational 20 Kennedy jeeps Unknown number of HMMWVs Battalion Table of Equipment (Fire Support) x4 M67 90mm recoilless rifles-organic x4 M29A1 81mm mortars-organic x6 M19 60mm mortars (2 per company)-organic

Major General Rustico Guerrero 25th Commandant

V150

V300

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Insurgencies
New People s Army Militant wing of the Communist People s Party rural based with active urban sparrow cells Leadership: Unknown Manpower: 10,000-15,000 Goal: Overthrow Philippine government Past Attacks/TTPs: Terrorist and guerilla style attacks targeting armed forces, government officials, politicians, judges and former NPA members. Consider US personnel legitimate targets protested US bases, killed several personnel: US Army Col. James Rowe in April 1989 minimal activity since Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 1969- Present Most active in the Bangsamoro region of Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago, Palawan, Basilan and other neighboring islands Leadership: Murad Ibrahim Manpower: approx. 2,900 Goal: to establish a Muslim-dominated independent state Past Attacks/TTPs: bombings, kidnappings , and assassinations

New People s Army MILF

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Trans-National Terrorist Groups

Jemaah Islamiyah 1993 Present (Indonesia based) Leadership: Para Wijayanto and Hadi Surya (poss. candidates) Manpower: approx. 500-1000 Goal: establish a pan-Islamic state across the Philippines Past Attacks/TTPs: Bali nightclub bombings (2002 Singapore), JW Marriott (2003 Jakarta), Australian Embassy (2004)

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) 1991- Present Militant organization based in the southern Philippines and Malaysia formed with funds from al-Qaeda Leadership: Unknown Manpower: approx. 200-500 Goal: seeks a separate Islamic state for the country's Muslim minority in Western Mindanao and the Sulu Past Attacks/TTPs: bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion. Use boats that can outrun and outmaneuver AFP vessels.

Jemaah Islamiya Abu Sayyaf Group

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Current Events & Common Issues

Domestic
Natural Disasters -Flooding from heavy rains and typhoons in low lying areas have washed away villages that are built on sandbars in dry riverbeds recent flooding on Mindanao Island have left almost half a million residents displaced, 54,000 in shelters and over 1,200 dead Rebel Opposition -MILF expects minimal results from talks with government -In December 2011, 50 fighters of the New People s Army attack Philippine Army base on Jolo Island. On the same day their parent organization, the Communist Party of the Philippines, demanded the release of rebel leaders

Regional
South China Sea Territorial Dispute -The Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam all claim territory - Spratly Islands a point of contention since Chinese build up on islands on 11 & 12 December three Chinese vessels spotted by Philippine patrol ship and plane near Sabin Atoll, approximately 225km west of Palawan Island, Philippines Drug Trade - Marijuana and high-grade methamphetamine most abused drugs in the Philippines -Western African based drug syndicates largely contribute to drug trade in the region - Use Filipinos as drug mules - Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur urging closer cooperation with SE Asian law enforcement agencies

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Republic of the Philippines

Questions