Philippines

Philippines

(Republic of the Philippines)

13 July 2005

Statistics [R1] Population: 87,857,473 (July 2005 est.) Malay 95.5% (Christian 91.5%), Chinese 2%, other 3% (including 2% of Mestizos-combination of ethnic Malay and other racial groups)   Religions (estimated): Roman Catholic 81%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, Buddhists 0.08%, indigenous & others 1.7%, none 0.5% (2000 census)   Government type: Republic Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain), 4 July 1946 (from US)   Chief of State: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 Jan. 2001) Head of Government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 Jan 2001) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments

 

The term Filipino, originally referring to the Spanish population in the Philippines, has been applied to majority "Christianised" Malay group during the nationalising movements and after the 1898 Spanish-American war.

Political and human rights development

Government type: Republic Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain)                            4 July 1946 (from US)   Chief of State: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 Jan. 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government Head of Government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 Jan 2001) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments Elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO) elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)

On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained independence from the United States. Ferdinand Marcos ruled the country until 1986 when a widespread public rebellion forced him into exile and installed Corazon Aquino as president. Aquino’s presidency was, however, hampered by several coup attempts that affected the nation’s political stability and economic development. Fidel Ramos was then elected president in 1992. There was greater stability and progress on economic reforms, and the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph Estrada was made the president in 1998, but later went through impeachment trial on corruption charges and was ousted by widespread demonstrations. His vice-president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, succeeded him in January 2001 and was re-elected to a six-year term in May 2004. Arroyo vowed to alleviate poverty, address unemployment and education, end the insurgencies by communist rebels and Muslim separatists through peace process.

The apparent lack of political maturity in the Philippines’ political development suggests two characteristics: (1) people power, (2) an inherently corrupt and uncertain political system.  Philippines ranked 102^nd in the International Corruption Perceptions Index 2004 (out of 146 countries) and scored 2.6 (with 10 as highly clean).  The culture of corruption, entrenched at all levels, contributes greatly to socio-economic inequity and injustice.  According to the most recent Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the richest 30% of families earned 66.3% of national income, while the poorest 30% received approximately 8% [R5]. About 40% of the population lived below the poverty line of USD255 per year [R1].

The Government itself respects human rights of its citizens and has made efforts to strengthen the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Credible reports, however, show that some security forces, police and local authorities are responsible for arbitrary, unlawful, and, in some cases, extrajudicial killings; disappearances; torture; and arbitrary arrest and detention [R2]. The physical abuse of suspects and detainees is still a problem. Amnesty International reports series of “vigilante” killings of criminal suspects [R4].  The Philippine National Police has been described as the worst abuser of human rights.

Violence against women and abuse of children remains problems. Societal discrimination against Muslims persists. The use of underage workers in domestic service is ongoing. Child prostitution as well as trafficking in women and children continues. Children are also used by insurgent groups as soldiers [R5].

Serious defects in the administration of justice perpetuate human rights violations. Corruption, lack of effective investigation and fair-trial safeguards, and personal ties undermine a person’s right to due process and fair trial.  There have been reports of judges being assaulted and killed in the line of duty [R2].

In practice, the freedom of speech and of the press is respected. The Government does not usually interfere with academic freedom.

There is no state religion although Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion.  Church and State are separate under the Constitution. There are no reports of religious detainees or prisoners, nor reports of forced religious conversion [R3].  However, long-term socio-economic disparity between the Christian majority and the Muslim minority contributes to persistent conflicts in certain provinces. For instance, the predominantly Muslim provinces in Mindanao lag far behind the rest of the country in most aspects of socio-economic development. As a result, some Muslims seek political autonomy, even to the point of violating human rights.

The small, terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), with 200-500 members, engages in kidnappings for ransom, bombings, killings of hostages and local residents, beheadings, assassinations, and extortion. Its goal is to promote an independent Islamic state in western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago but it has primarily used terror for financial profit [R7].

The 12,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the southern Philippines, was formed in 1977 under Hashim Salamat when the group split from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) [R6]. While MNLF seeks a conciliatory approach toward the government, MILF rejects compromise on the issue of independence and advocates self-reliance militarily, politically, and economically. Both aim at establishing an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines.  MILF is said to be responsible for a series of terrorist attacks in 1990s and bombings in recent years.  The peace talks with the Government have so far been unsuccessful.  Malaysia is presently involved in mediating peace talks.

There is also the long-standing, nation-wide Communist insurgency. The New People's Army (NPA), formed in March 1969, aims at overthrowing the Government through protracted guerrilla warfare, committed numerous human rights violations, including political assassinations, kidnappings, and torture. It is estimated to have 8,600 members [R8].

There are reports of Muslim discrimination against Christians in areas where Muslims are the majority [R3]. Animistic beliefs are part and parcel of daily living and greatly influence the lives of the majority Catholics.  Filipino Christians are seeking an identity of their own.

Suggested prayer items:

1.       For the present political turmoil in the country for an amicable solution and political maturity to handle crisis.

2.       For the people not to be reactive but willing to work towards building up their nation. 

3.       For a just and transparent government who put public interests above theirs

4.       For an efficient and corrupt-free judiciary; for honesty and integrity among the ruling officials.

5.       For godly and courageous Christians to be in positions of influence in making decisions on moral, social and economic issues.

6.       For relationship between Christians and Muslims.

7.       For the Church

-          be grounded in biblical values with adequate discipleship and accountability while seeking an identity of their own

-          outstanding leadership

-          unity across denominations

-          willing and able to respond to gross inequalities, corruption and moral failures in society

-          humility, sensitivity and safety for the foreign missionaries (they have been kidnapped and even killed by guerrillas, criminal gangs and religious extremists).

8.       For God to intervene in all matter relating to the conflicts between the Government and the insurgent groups. Protection for the civilians especially women and children. 

Reference:

1.       CIA Factbook, February 10 2005.

2.       Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, released February 2005

3.      International Religious Freedom Report September 2004

4.      Amnesty International December 2005, released January 2005

5.      Human Rights Watch 2004

6.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Front

7.      http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/asg.htm

8.       http://library.nps.navy.mil/home/tgp/CPP.htm