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Philippines
Capital - Manila
Chief of State - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (since 1/20/01)
Head of Government - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (since 1/20/01)
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- CNN's "US
Military in the Philippines"
- Training mission begins, marking the beginning
of US's anti-terror mission here. 1/31/02
- The first visibly armed US
soldiers arrive at Edwin Andrews Air Base in the Zamboanga area.
US will not be allowed in combat, but only as support for
Philippine forces. Objective: to rescue American and Filipino
hostages held on Basilan island by the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf, notorious for kidnappings and
beheadings. 1/24/02
- US
military trainers arrive to work with Philippine military in
operation "Balanced Piston", which involves teaching jungle warfare and survival
techniques. The "goal of the program is to root out the
Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, who operate in the southern Philippines and took dozens of hostages last
year, including an American couple." US has earmarked
over $70 million for the Philippine military aid program this year.
1/9/02
- There is a large group of Bin Laden followers here.
- Travel
warning issued by the US Dept of State warns American citizens
from traveling in Philippines. 10/5/01
- Rebel
groups in the Philippines include: Abu Sayyaf, Moro National
Liberation Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, New People's
Army.
- Office of the President
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- US Embassy in
Manilla
- Member of APEC
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