Philippines Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on the Philippines, includ­ ing its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per­ sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their as­ signment to the Philippines. The Marine Corps Intel ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on the Philippines. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and gov­ ernment personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and desig­ nated for support of coalition operations. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include ex­ cerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS .................................................................... 1 U.S. MISSION ................................................................ 2 U.S. Embassy ............................................................. 2 U.S. Consulate ...................................................... 3 U.S. Military Facilities ........................................... 4 Travel Advisories ........................................................ 4 Entry Requirements .................................................... 5 Customs Restrictions ............................................. 5 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE ..................................... 6 Geography ................................................................... 6 Land Statistics ........................................................ 6 Boundaries ............................................................. 6 Border Disputes ..................................................... 8 Bodies of Water ...................................................... 9 Topography ............................................................ 10 Cross Country Movement ...................................... 15 Urban Geography ................................................... 16 Environment ........................................................... 17 Climate ........................................................................ 18 Climatic Patterns .................................................... 18 Climatic Phenomena .............................................. 18 Temperatures .......................................................... 19 Precipitation ........................................................... 19 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION .......... 22 Transportation ............................................................. 22 Roads ..................................................................... 24 Rail ......................................................................... 26 iii Contents (Continued) Air .......................................................................... 28 Maritime ................................................................ 31 Communication ........................................................... 33 Radio and Television .............................................. 34 Telecommunication ................................................ 35 Newspapers and Magazines .................................. 37 Postal Service ......................................................... 38 Telecommunication ................................................ 39 CULTURE ....................................................................... 40 Statistics ...................................................................... 40 Population Patterns ..................................................... 41 Society ........................................................................ 42 People .......................................................................... 43 Cultural Attitudes ........................................................ 47 Customs and Courtesies ......................................... 49 Languages ................................................................... 51 Education and Literacy Rate ....................................... 52 Religion ....................................................................... 55 Recreation ................................................................... 56 Cultural Considerations .............................................. 56 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT ............................................. 57 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ......................... 57 Medical Capabilities ................................................... 60 Key Medical Facilities ................................................ 64 HISTORY ......................................................................... 66 Early History .............................................................. 66 Modern History .......................................................... 67 Recent History ............................................................ 72 Chronology ........................................................... 72 iv Contents (Continued) GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS .................................. 75 Government ................................................................. 75 National Level ........................................................ 76 Key Government Officials ..................................... 80 Local Level ............................................................ 80 Politics ........................................................................ 82 Political Parties ..................................................... 83 Foreign Relations .................................................. 84 International Organizations ................................... 89 Corruption .............................................................. 91 ECONOMY ..................................................................... 92 Economic Aid ............................................................. 92 Economic Statistics ..................................................... 94 Resources ................................................................... 95 Industry ....................................................................... 96 Utilities ........................................................................ 97 Agriculture .................................................................. 99 Foreign Investment ...................................................... 100 Economic Outlook ...................................................... 101 THREAT .......................................................................... 101 Crime .......................................................................... 101 Travel Security ............................................................ 102 Terrorism ..................................................................... 103 Drug Trafficking ......................................................... 109 Major Intelligence Services ........................................ 110 ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES .................... 110 Organization ................................................................ 110 Mission ........................................................................ 112 Doctrine and Strategy ................................................. 112 v Contents (Continued) Key Defense Personnel ............................................... 112 Personnel ................................................................ 113 Army ........................................................................... 113 Mission .................................................................. 113 Organization ........................................................... 115 Facilities ................................................................. 116 Training .................................................................. 118 Equipment .............................................................. 118 Air Force ..................................................................... 120 Mission .................................................................. 120 Organization ........................................................... 121 Deployment ............................................................ 122 Equipment .............................................................. 125 Navy ............................................................................ 127 Mission .................................................................. 127 Organization ........................................................... 128 Deployment ............................................................ 128 Equipment .............................................................. 129 Outlook .................................................................. 131 Marine Corps .............................................................. 133 Mission .................................................................. 133 Organization ........................................................... 133 Personnel ...............................................................