Country Profile for PHILIPPINES

Alert for Philippines

 

Taiwan carries out military drills amid Philippine row - 16 May 2013:

Taiwan's military has carried out a series out a naval drills in the Bashi channel, close to where a Philippine coast guard shot dead a Taiwanese fisherman last week.  The issues has caused a serious diplomatic row between the two countries, with Taiwan rejecting an apology by the Philippine president yesterday, calling it "unacceptable".

Philippine mayor wounded in deadly ambush - 26 April 2013:

Gunmen have killed at least 10 people in a deadly ambush on a mayor in the southern Philippines.  Abdulmalik Manamparan, mayor of Nunungan town, survived the attack although a number of his close relatives were reportedly killed.

Nine killed in Negros ambush - 27 January 2013:

At least nine people have been killed in an ambush by suspected communist militants on the central island of Negros.  The group of police and village guards were travelling from a local festival when around 30 gunmen opened fire on them.

Gunman kills seven in northern town of Kawit - 04 January 2013:

A gunman has shot dead seven people and wounded six others in the northern town of Kawit, located 40 km south of the capital Manila.  The suspect, who formerly ran for office in local elections, was later shot dead by police.

Bopha death toll passes 1,000 - 16 December 2012:

More than 1,000 people are now confirmed dead in the wake of Typhoon Bopha, according to the country's Civil Defence Chief.  Benito Ramos said that with around 850 people still missing the toll is expected to rise even further.

NPA declare Mindanao ceasefire - 15 December 2012:

The communist rebel group the New People's Army (NPA) have declared a month-long ceasefire on the southern island of Mindanao to allow relief organisations to reach those affected by Typhoon Bopha.  The NPA announced that the ceasefire will run from 5 December to 3 January.

Typhoon death toll rises in south - 05 December 2012:

At least 270 people are estimated to have been killed by Typhoon Bopha across the southern Philippines.  The worst-affected province has been Compostela where at least 156 people have been killed.  

Typhoon Bopha forces 40,000 to evacuate - 04 December 2012:

Around 40,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the southern provinces of the Philippines.  The storm made landfall on Mindanao on Tuesday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds of 130mph.

Seven soldiers killed in NPA clashes - 17 November 2012:

Seven Philippine soldiers have been killed and eight others have been wounded in clashes with New People's Army (NPA) rebels.  The fighting took place in a remote area of Isabela province on the island of Luzon.

Tropical storm leaves 24 dead across Philippines - 27 October 2012:

At least 24 people have been killed after tropical storm Son-Tinh caused widespread damage across the southern and central Philippines.  More than 15,000 people have been forced to take shelter in government evacuation centres. 

Six killed in clashes between troops and NPA rebels - 09 October 2012:

Six people have been killed during a series of clashes between government troops and members of the left-wing guerrilla group, the New People's Army (NPA).  Three rebel fighters, two police officers and a soldiers during the fighting in the parts of north-east Mindanao.

Government reaches peace deal with rebels - 07 October 2012:

The Philippine government has reached a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest rebel group.  The agreement provides a new autonomous region in the south and an expansion of Sharia courts, in exchange for the decommission of MILF forces.

US embassy issues warning to US citizens - 28 September 2012:

The US embassy in the Philippines has issued a warning of a threat against American citizens in metropolitan Manila, specifically the Pasay City neighbourhood.  The threat remains in effect until 10 October, 2012.  The full message is available here.

Grenade attack wounds 41 in Davao City - 02 September 2012:

At least 41 people have been wounded after a grenade exploded in the Paquibato District of Davao City.  Five of the victims were critically wounded in the blast, which appeared to target the 69th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Two killed during rebel attacks in Maguindanao - 13 August 2012:

Two people have been killed and four others wounded after suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked a banana plantation in the southern province of Maguindanao.  

Manila paralysed by flooding - 07 August 2012:

The Philippine capital Manila has been paralysed after torrential rain caused flooding in more than half of the city.  Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, while offices, schools and the stock exchange have all closed.

Islamic rebels kill three in Maguindanao attacks - 06 August 2012:

At least three people have been killed after members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) carried a series of attacks in the southern province of Maguindanao.  The rebels cut down electricity pylons before opening fire on security forces.  Hundreds of civilians are reported to have fled the fighting.

Typhoon Saola leaves 23 dead in Philippines - 01 August 2012:

At least 23 people have been killed after Typhoon Saola brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Philippines.  Another 129 people, mostly fishermen, needed to be rescued.

Army clashes with Abu Sayyaf fighters - 26 July 2012:

At least 12 people have been killed after Philippine soldiers clashed with Abu Sayyaf fighters on Basilan Island.  An army spokesman has said that the operation in Sumisip township was in response to an attack by Abu Sayyaf fighters on a rubber plantation two weeks ago.

Militants kill six in Basilan island - 11 July 2012:

Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have killed at least six people and wounded 22 others in an ambush on the southern island of Basilan.  Around 10 gunmen attacked a convoy along a major road in Sumisip town at around 0600 local time.

Communist rebels killed in clashes - 30 June 2012:

At least 13 members of the New People's Army (NPA) have been killed in two separate clashes with Philippine soldiers.  A military spokesman said that the military operation was a result of information provided from local civilians.

School official kidnapped in south Philippines - 20 June 2012:

A school official has been kidnapped in the southern province of Misamis Oriental.  Police said that the victim was abducted outside a school in Hinigdaanm, El Salvador City, and taken in the direction of Cagayan de Oro.

Foreign nationals warned of kidnap threat in S. Philippines - 17 June 2012:

Foreign nationals have been warned of the high-risk of kidnapping in the southern Philippines by a military commander.  The warning came after it was reported that a Jordanian journalist was abducted along with his crew from Jolo on the southern province of Sulu. 

Chinese nationals kidnapped in Mindanao - 06 June 2012:

Two Chinese businessmen have been kidnapped from the volatile island of Mindanao.  Police reported that six heavily armed men posing as government agents carried out the abduction in Zambonga Sibugay. 

NPA rebels kill 10 soldier in north Philippines - 25 April 2012:

Members of the New People's Army (NPA) rebel group have killed at least 10 Filipino soldiers  in the northern Ifugao province.  Peace talks between the NPA and the government broke down in 2011 and the group are believed to have around 4,700 fighters in its ranks.

Four killed in Paranaque City clashes - 24 April 2012:

At least four people have been killed and 36 others wounded after riot police clashed with protesters in Paranaque City, a slum area of Manila.  Around 10,000 people took part in the demonstrations, which were aimed at preventing the demolition of shanty areas.

Military targets al-Qaeda linked militants - 02 February 2012:

The Philippine military have targeted a group of al-Qaeda affiliated militants in the restive southern province of Sulu.  At least three members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) were killed in the operation in the town of Parang.

Two Europeans kidnapped from southern Philippines - 01 February 2012:

Two European nationals have been kidnapped from the remote southern Tawi-Tawi achipelago by unknown gunmen.  No group has taken responsibility for the abduction, however local sources suggest that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are involved.

Gunmen kill 15 in southern Philippines - 24 January 2012:

At least 15 people have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a group of fishing boats in the southern Philippines.  The attacks were carried out off Sibago Island in Basilan, and police believe that the killings were the result of a turf war.

Sulu province under red alert following terrorist attacks - 11 January 2012:

The Sulu province has been placed under red alert by Philippine police following a number of terrorist attacks by the Aby Sayyaf Group.  The group have bombed a number of bridges on the island in recent weeks.

Australian national kidnapped on island of Mindanao - 06 December 2011:

An Australian national has been kidnapped at gunpoint from his home on the island of Mindanao.  Six armed men are reported to have taken him away from the island by speedboat.  No group has taken responsibility for the attack.

Three South Koreans kidnapped in restive south - 07 November 2011:

Three South Korean nationals have been kidnapped from the city of Cagayan de Oro in the restive southern Philippines.  Police believe that the three were being held around Lanao del Sur.

Army battles MILF rebels in southern Philippines - 19 October 2011:

Fighting has broken out between the Philippine army and rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the island province of Basilan.  At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in the fighting and the army is searching for 10 missing soldiers.

Abu Sayyaf blamed for Mindanao bomb blasts - 10 October 2011:

The Philippine military have blamed the Aby Sayyaf extremist group for two bomb blasts which have left 13 people wounded.  The attacks took place in the villages of San Roque and Guiwan in the city of Zamboanga.

Bus attack leaves two dead in southern Philippines - 07 October 2011:

Two people have been killed and more than 20 others wounded after gunmen attacked two buses in the restive south of the country.  The attack took place in the province of Maguindanao and police have said it could have been a failed robbery or kidnap attempt.

Troops clash with militants on island of Jolo - 25 September 2011:

At least 15 people are reported to have been killed after suspected Islamic militants ambushed a group of army marines on the southern island of Jolo.  Two soldiers were killed while at least 13 militants also died in the clashes. 

Indian national kidnapped in Sulu province - 24 June 2011:

An Indian national has been kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants from Patikul in Sulu province.  The hostage is reportedly an operations manager for the Kuwait Bronze Al-Tawooz Company and was visiting family in the town when he was captured.

Maoists killed in Philippines - 21 June 2011:

At least seven members of the New People's Army (NPA) have been killed and another dozen injured following clashes with government forces in the central Philippines.  A military commander has said that the clashes took place in the town of Pamplona in Negros Oriental province.

Four wounded in explosion in Sultan Kudarat - 19 June 2011:

Four people were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in a karaoke bar in the southern Sultan Kudarat province.  Local police have responded by increasing their security operations in the region. 

Malaysian businessman kidnapped in Sulu - 10 May 2011:

An armed gang have kidnapped a Malaysian businessman from Indanan town in Sulu over the weekend.  No group have taken responsibility for the attack, however the local terrorist group Abu Sayyaf have carried out a number of similar attacks in the past.

Tropical storms kill 11 people in northeast - 09 May 2011:

At least 11 people have been killed after a tropical storm Aere hit the northeast of the country, bringing heavy rain and high winds.  The storm has caused landslides and flooding and more than 100,000 people are believed to have been displaced.

Moro rebels killed in Zamboanga City - 09 April 2011:

Nine suspected members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been killed following clashes with police in Zamboanga City.  Two police officers are reported to have been injured in the incident.

Gunmen hold 16 hostage in southern Philippines - 03 April 2011:

Gunmen have kidnapped 16 people, including two children, from a school in Agusan del Sur province in the southern Philippines.  The gunmen have threatened to kill the hostages and demanded the release of tribesmen jailed in 2009 for their involvement in a mass hostage taking.

Five killed in Jolo bomb blast - 10 March 2011:

At least five people have been killed after a bomb exploded outside of a primary school on the southern island of Jolo.  Al Qaeda linked militants, such as the Abu Sayyaf group, are suspected of being behind the attack.

Floods kill four in the southern Philippines - 02 February 2011:

Widespread flooding caused by heavy rain has killed at least four people dead and affected more than 250,000 in the southern Philippines.  Five days of heavy rainfall has flooded entire towns and caused landslides throughout the region.

Troops clash with Ampatuan militants - 08 Devember 2010:

Philippine security forces have clashed with dozens of Ampatuan militants in the southern province of Maguindanao.  The group are suspected of taking part in the worst political massacre in the country's history.

New People's Army clash with Philippine military - 02 December 2010:

Four civilians were killed during fighting between New People's Army rebels and government forces in Catanauan in the central province of Quezon.

Government troops clash with Muslim rebels - 02 December 2010:

Fighting erupted between government troops and Muslim separatist revels in southern Philippines, leaving two village guards dead.

Explosives found near US embassy - 18 November 2010:

Philippine officials have discovered a grenade and live ammunition near the US embassy in Manilla.  This incident comes after the foreign embassies of a number of countries, including the US and the UK, issues a travel warning due to an elevated terrorist threat in the Philippines.

Travellers warned of increased terrorism threat - 04 November 2010:

The governments of Australia, the UK, the US, Canada and New Zealand have all issued travel warnings to their citizens in relation to a perceived terrorist threat in the Philippine capital of Manilla. The country's security forces have been placed on heightened alert and additional troops have been placed in sensitive areas.

 

Philippines Data Sheet

 

Population: 97.7 million

Major Religion/s: : Christianity (80% Roman Catholic), Islam

International dialling code: +63

International dialling prefix: 00

Emergency services: 117

Drives: Right

Voltage: 220V

Climate: Tropical

Other Major Cities: Quezon City, Caloocan, Davao City

Borders: none

Mobile Networks:

For more information visit:

 

Orange:

http://business.orange.co.uk/home/soletrader/plans/roaming-and-international-plans/international-cost-checker

 

Vodafone:

 http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=templateCClamp&pageID=OS_1110

 

O2:

 http://www.o2international.co.uk/

 

T-Mobile:

 http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/going-abroad/

Journalists Under Attack

Media Safety

Security News