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Marcos,
"People Power" and Current Politics
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"The
Strongman"
AsiaWeek presents a profile of former Philippine
president Ferdinand Marcos, who is still reviled and revered
more than a decade after his death. Supporters say he
developed the country and strengthened Filipinos' sense
of national identity. Opponents say he stole millions
while suppressing dissent.
"Never
Again"
This Web site seeks to "keep alive the dark memory of
martial rule" under President Ferdinand Marcos, who assumed
dictatorial powers during his 21-year rule. It includes
information on the Marcos years and the enduring impact
of its repressive policies.
"People
Power Redux"
Philippine president Joseph Estrada was forced out of
office in the wake of a corruption scandal in January
2001. This article, published in TIME Asia, looks
at how "People Power II" and frantic backroom dealing
led to his impeachment and downfall.
Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo
Gloria Arroyo is the 14th president of the Philippines,
the second woman to hold the office, and the daughter of
the late former president Diosdado Macapagal. The official
Web site of this politician, who suddenly became president
in January 2001, includes a biographical sketch, some
recent speeches and a photo gallery.
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U.S.
Presence in the Philippines
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The
Early Years
The American presence in the Philippines began with the
1898 Spanish-American War. After a quick victory, the
United States assumed control of Spanish colonial possessions,
including the Philippines. This Library of Congress Web
site presents a chronology of the early days of U.S. occupation,
a chronology of the Philippine-American War and photographs
of early Filipino nationalists.
"The
Fight in the Philippines"
PBS's American Experience presents the story of
the 1942 Japanese invasion of the Philippines, with firsthand
accounts from Filipino anti-Japanese guerillas and American
survivors of the Bataan Death March. This section is part
of a larger Web site about General Douglas MacArthur,
who commanded U.S. forces in the Philippines before and
during World War II.
Balikatan 2002
This military exercise, whose name means "shoulder to shoulder," brought together 5,400 American and
Philippine soldiers. According to the military,
this was the 18th such exercise and a demonstration of
"U.S. resolve to support the Philippines against external
aggression." Globalsecurity.org provides an overview of the operation.
An
Interview With Gloria Arroyo
In this November 2001 interview on PBS's NewsHour With
Jim Lehrer, President Arroyo talks about her government's
ongoing fight against Muslim rebels and its relationship
with the United States. Arroyo says that the Philippines
welcomes U.S. military aid and training, but at the same
time she insists that Philippine troops do not need American
reinforcements. "Our armed forces are quite good in what
they're doing."
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Muslim
Rebels and the War on Terrorism
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The
War in the Southern Philippines
Published in 1999 by the Institute for Popular Democracy,
Rebels, Warlords and Ulama: A Reader on Muslim Separatism
and the War in Southern Philippines,edited by Kristina
Gaerlan and Mara Stankovitch, examines the three-decade-long
Moro separatist struggle in Mindanao. Going beyond the
headlines, the essays collected here look at the individuals
and social dynamics that have shaped the conflict.
Guide
to the Philippines Conflict
Rebel groups are nothing new in the Philippines. This
BBC News Web site presents facts and history about the
four major Islamic and communist groups currently operating
in the southern Philippines.
Peace
Talks
The Philippine government has sat down for peace talks
with several rebel groups over the years, with varying
degrees of success. This Web site keeps track of the status
of negotiations with the left-wing New People's Army,
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other groups.
An
Interview With Salamat Hashim
In this 1998 interview conducted by an Australian Muslim
magazine, Salamat Hashim, chairman of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), explains his group's goals and
philosophy. The MILF is fighting against the "illegal
and immoral" oppression of the Bangsamoro Muslims in Mindanao,
he explains. He also denies that his group has committed
atrocities: "The Bangsamoro Mujahideen are strictly following
the teachings of Islam."
An
Interview With Professor Thomas McKenna
In this interview with AsiaSource, Professor Thomas McKenna
discusses the origins and history of Abu Sayyaf, the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front and other Muslim rebel groups.
Filipino Christians and Muslims have long coexisted peacefully,
he says. To understand the current conflict, we should
look at its roots in the Spanish and American colonial
eras as well as at the modern animosities that fuel it.
The
Philippines and the War on Terrorism
After September 11, the United States announced that it
would target foreign groups with alleged links to al Qaeda.
One of the groups specifically mentioned was Abu Sayyaf,
the Philippine Muslim rebel group. This interactive Washington
Post Web site looks at the United States' new role
in the Philippines and the campaign against Abu Sayyaf.
Widening
the War on Terror
PBS's NewsHour With Jim Lehrer looks at the expanded
American war on terror and the new role of U.S. military
in the Philippines. In an interview, Philippine ambassador
to the United States Albert del Rosario urges Americans
not to see the Philippines as a source of terrorism. "We
are not harboring terrorism; we are fighting terrorism,"
he says.
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