Philippines

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the Philippines}}
[[File:Diplomatic missions of the Philippines.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Color-coded world map|[[List of diplomatic missions of the Philippines|Philippine diplomatic missions worldwide]]]]

A [[Philippines and the United Nations|founding and active member]] of the United Nations,<ref name="Buhler-2001" />{{rp|pages={{plain link|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ty7NAG1Jl-8C&pg=PA37|name=37–38}}}} the Philippines has been a non-permanent member of the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=The Philippines and the UN Security Council |url=http://www.un.int/philippines/security_council/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030423092237/http://www.un.int/philippines/security_council/ |archive-date=April 23, 2003 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |publisher=Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations}}</ref> The country participates in [[peacekeeping]] missions, particularly in [[United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor|East Timor]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Morada |first1=Noel |title=Contributor Profile: The Philippines |url=https://www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ipi-pub-ppp-Philippines.pdf |publisher=[[International Peace Institute]]  |pages=1–4 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321073939/https://www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ipi-pub-ppp-Philippines.pdf |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |date=December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news||date=August 30, 2014 |title=In the know: Filipino peacekeepers |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/110218/in-the-know-filipino-peacekeepers |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831201046/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/110218/in-the-know-filipino-peacekeepers |archive-date=August 31, 2014}}</ref> The Philippines is a [[ASEAN Declaration|founding]] and active member of [[ASEAN]] (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=ASEAN Structure |url=http://www.summit99.ops.gov.ph/asean_structure.htm |website=3rd ASEAN Informal Summit |publisher=[[Office of the Press Secretary (Philippines)|Office of the Press Secretary]] |date=1999 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030109213038/http://www.summit99.ops.gov.ph/asean_structure.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Keyuan |editor-first1=Zou |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iWBCEAAAQBAJ |title=Routledge Handbook of the South China Sea |date=2021 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, England |isbn=978-1-000-39613-3 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=iWBCEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA337 337] |language=en |access-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407033455/https://books.google.com/books?id=iWBCEAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> and a member of the [[East Asia Summit]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=East Asia Summit (EAS) |url=https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/eas/Pages/east-asia-summit-eas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726165059/https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/eas/Pages/east-asia-summit-eas |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |access-date=July 26, 2020 |website=[[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] |publisher=[[Australian Government]]}}</ref> the [[Group of 24]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=International Economic Cooperation: Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G-24) |url=https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/AboutTheBank/WhoWeAre/MandateFunctionsAndResponsibilities/InternationalEconomicCooperation/InternationalEconomicCooperationIGTF.aspx |access-date=July 17, 2022 |publisher=[[Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229140058/https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/AboutTheBank/WhoWeAre/MandateFunctionsAndResponsibilities/InternationalEconomicCooperation/InternationalEconomicCooperationIGTF.aspx |archive-date=December 29, 2022}}</ref> and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=About NAM |url=http://cns.miis.edu/nam/index.php/site/about |website=Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Disarmament Database |publisher=[[James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies]], [[Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey]] |access-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928052527/http://cns.miis.edu/nam/index.php/site/about |archive-date=September 28, 2020}}</ref> The country has sought to obtain observer status in the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] since 2003,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Lee-Brago |first1=Pia |title=RP seeks observer status in OIC |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2003/05/30/208100/rp-seeks-observer-status-oic |access-date=March 22, 2023 |work=[[The Philippine Star]] |date=May 30, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322181401/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2003/05/30/208100/rp-seeks-observer-status-oic |archive-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Sevilla |first1=Henelito A. Jr. |title=The Philippines' Elusive Quest for Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Observer Status |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/philippines-elusive-quest-organization-islamic-conference-oic-observer-status |publisher=[[Middle East Institute]] |access-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121161216/https://www.mei.edu/publications/philippines-elusive-quest-organization-islamic-conference-oic-observer-status |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |language=en |date=May 20, 2013}}</ref> and was a member of [[SEATO]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-last1=Tucker |editor-first1=Spencer C. |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History |edition=Second |volume=I: A–G |title=Philippines |date=May 20, 2011 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |isbn=978-1-85109-961-0 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5lffww-KsC&pg=PA907 907] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5lffww-KsC |language=en |editor-link1=Spencer C. Tucker |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731183806/https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5lffww-KsC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Liow |first1=Joseph Chinyong |encyclopedia=Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia |edition=Fourth |title=SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) 1955–77 |date=November 20, 2014 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon, Oxon, England |isbn=978-1-317-62233-8 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=G5KLBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA334 334] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G5KLBQAAQBAJ |language=en |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319184926/https://books.google.com/books?id=G5KLBQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Over 10&nbsp;million Filipinos [[Overseas Filipinos|live]] and [[Overseas Filipino Worker|work in 200 countries]],<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Sahoo |editor-first1=Ajaya K. |title=Routledge Handbook of Asian Diaspora and Development |series=Routledge Handbooks |date=March 30, 2021 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon, Oxon, England |isbn=978-1-000-36686-0 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=7xsfEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA255 255] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xsfEAAAQBAJ |language=en |access-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318185509/https://books.google.com/books?id=7xsfEAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Stock Estimate of Filipinos Overseas As of December 2013 |url=http://www.cfo.gov.ph/images/stories/pdf/StockEstimate2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207092932/http://www.cfo.gov.ph/images/stories/pdf/StockEstimate2013.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |access-date=July 6, 2020 |publisher=[[Philippine Overseas Employment Administration]]}}</ref> giving the Philippines [[soft power]].<ref name="Thompson-Batalla-2018" />{{rp|page={{plain link|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmkPEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA207|name=207}}}}

During the 1990s, the Philippines began to seek [[economic liberalization]] and [[free trade]]<ref name="ILOOrg-2019">{{cite report|title=The Impact of Trade on Employment in the Philippines: Country Report |date=April 2019 |publisher=[[International Labour Organization]] |location=Makati, Philippines |isbn=978-92-2-133021-9 |url=https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_742567.pdf |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124055119/https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_742567.pdf |archive-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref>{{rp|pages=7–8}} to help spur [[foreign direct investment]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Venzon |first1=Cliff |title=Philippines eases Asia's toughest FDI rules with new retail entry law |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Retail/Philippines-eases-Asia-s-toughest-FDI-rules-with-new-retail-entry-law |access-date=April 2, 2023 |work=[[Nikkei Asia]] |date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117055231/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Retail/Philippines-eases-Asia-s-toughest-FDI-rules-with-new-retail-entry-law |archive-date=January 17, 2022}}</ref> It is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]]<ref name="ILOOrg-2019" />{{rp|page=8}} and the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Philippines |url=https://www.apec.org/groups/committee-on-trade-and-investment/market-access-group/ntm/philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717043955/https://www.apec.org/groups/committee-on-trade-and-investment/market-access-group/ntm/philippines |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |publisher=[[Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation]]}}</ref> The Philippines entered into the [[ASEAN Free Trade Area|ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement]] in 2010<ref>{{cite book|title=Impact of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on Intra-ASEAN Trade |date=August 2021 |publisher=[[Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia]] |location=Jakarta, Indonesia |isbn=978-602-5460-19-7 |url=https://www.eria.org/uploads/media/Books/2021-Impact-of-the-ATIGA-on-Intra-ASEAN-Trade/Impact-of-the-ATIGA-on-Intra-ASEAN-Trade.pdf |access-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824114701/https://www.eria.org/uploads/media/Books/2021-Impact-of-the-ATIGA-on-Intra-ASEAN-Trade/Impact-of-the-ATIGA-on-Intra-ASEAN-Trade.pdf |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |chapter=Chapter 2: Background and Objectives}}</ref> and the [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership]] [[free trade agreement]] (FTA) in 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Tan |first1=Alyssa Nicole O. |title=Senate concurs with Philippines' RCEP ratification |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/02/22/506166/senate-concurs-with-philippines-rcep-ratification/ |access-date=March 28, 2023 |work=[[BusinessWorld]] |date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223061750/https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/02/22/506166/senate-concurs-with-philippines-rcep-ratification/ |archive-date=February 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news||title=Philippines Ratifies RCEP Agreement: Opportunities for Businesses |url=https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/philippines-ratifies-rcep-agreement-opportunities-for-businesses/ |access-date=March 28, 2023 |work=ASEAN Briefing |publisher=Dezan Shira & Associates |date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322221610/https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/philippines-ratifies-rcep-agreement-opportunities-for-businesses/ |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Through ASEAN, the Philippines has signed FTAs with [[ASEAN–China Free Trade Area|China]], [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area|India]], Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.<ref name="ILOOrg-2019" />{{rp|page=15}} The country has bilateral FTAs with [[Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement|Japan]], South Korea,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Mangaluz |first1=Jean |title=PH signs free trade agreement with South Korea |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1828353/ph-signs-free-trade-agreement-with-sokor |access-date=September 20, 2023 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907140509/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1828353/ph-signs-free-trade-agreement-with-sokor |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> and [[European Free Trade Association|four European states]]: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.<ref name="ILOOrg-2019" />{{rp|pages=9–10, 15}}

The Philippines has a long [[Philippines–United States relations|relationship with the United States]], involving economics, security, and interpersonal relations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||date=December 15, 2016 |title=U.S. Relations With the Philippines |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122194536/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |access-date=July 6, 2020 |publisher=[[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]]. [[Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs]]}}</ref> The Philippines' location [[First island chain|serves an important role]] in the United States' [[island chain strategy]] in the West Pacific;<ref>{{cite book |author1=[[United States Department of State]] |title=Foreign Relations of the United States: 1950 |volume=VI: East Asia and the Pacific |date=1976 |publisher=[[U.S. Government Printing Office]] |isbn=<!-- ISBN unspecified --> |location=Washington, D.C. |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=DeUtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1516 1516] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DeUtAAAAYAAJ |language=en |oclc=7165200 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504064117/https://books.google.com/books?id=DeUtAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cronin |first1=Patrick M. |title=Rethinking Asian Alliances |journal=Joint Force Quarterly: JFQ |date=September 1993 |issue=2 |publisher=Institute for National Strategic Studies, [[National Defense University]] |page=121 |url=https://ndupress.ndu.edu/portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-2.pdf |access-date=April 14, 2023 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410212247/https://ndupress.ndu.edu/portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-2.pdf |archive-date=April 10, 2014}}</ref> a [[Mutual Defense Treaty (United States–Philippines)|Mutual Defense Treaty]] between the two countries was signed in 1951, and was supplemented with the [[Philippines–United States Visiting Forces Agreement|1999 Visiting Forces Agreement]] and the 2016 [[Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Advincula-Lopez |first1=Leslie V. |title=Challenges and Gains in Military Relations between the Philippines and the United States |journal=Asia Pacific Bulletin |date=June 13, 2022 |issue=586 |url=https://www.eastwestcenter.org/sites/default/files/private/586.1030-al-pdf.pdf |publisher=[[East–West Center]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430123136/https://www.eastwestcenter.org/sites/default/files/private/586.1030-al-pdf.pdf |archive-date=April 30, 2023}}</ref> The country supported American policies during the [[Cold War]] and participated in the [[Korean War|Korean]] and [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] wars.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jagel |first1=Matthew |title="Showing Its Flag": The United States, The Philippines, and the Vietnam War |journal=Past Tense: Graduate Review of History |date=July 11, 2013 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=18, 28–38 |url=https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/91307/1/showing%20its%20flag_19836-Article%20Text-46661-1-10-20130711.pdf |access-date=May 9, 2023 |publisher=[[University of Toronto]] |language=en-ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731043832/https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/91307/1/showing%20its%20flag_19836-Article%20Text-46661-1-10-20130711.pdf |archive-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Sanders |first=Vivienne |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YOQqCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT44 |title=The Cold War in Asia 1945–93 |edition=Second |series=Access to History |date=2015 |publisher=[[Hodder Education]] |location=London, England |isbn=978-1-4718-3880-4}}</ref> In 2003, the Philippines was designated a major non-NATO ally.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Garamone |first=Jim |date=May 19, 2003 |title=Philippines to Become Major non-NATO Ally, Bush Says |work=[[American Forces Press Service]] |publisher=[[United States Department of Defense]] |url=https://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=28968 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809092207/https://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=28968 |archive-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> [[Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte|Under President Duterte]], ties with the United States weakened in favor of improved relations with China and [[Philippines–Russia relations|Russia]].<ref name="DeCastro-2022">{{cite journal|last1=De Castro |first1=Renato Cruz |title=Caught Between Appeasement and Limited Hard Balancing: The Philippines' Changing Relations With the Eagle and the Dragon |journal=[[Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs]] |date=August 2022 |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=262–272 |doi=10.1177/18681034221081143 |issn=1868-1034 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Chang |first1=Felix K. |title=Hot and Cold: The Philippines' Relations with China (and the United States) |url=https://www.fpri.org/article/2021/07/hot-and-cold-the-philippines-relations-with-china-and-the-united-states/ |website=Policy Commons |publisher=[[Foreign Policy Research Institute]] |access-date=April 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430125452/https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1805035/hot-and-cold/2537128/ |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |date=July 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Heydarian |first1=Richard Javad |title=Duterte's Pivot to Russia |url=https://amti.csis.org/dutertes-pivot-to-russia/ |website=Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative |publisher=[[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] |access-date=April 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019023259/https://amti.csis.org/dutertes-pivot-to-russia/ |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> The Philippines relies heavily on the United States for its external defense;<ref name="Lum-Dolven-2014" />{{rp|page=11}} the U.S. has made regular assurances to defend the Philippines,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Ismael |first1=Javier Joe |last2=Baroña |first2=Franco Jose C. |last3=Mendoza |first3=Red |title=US to 'invoke' defense pact in attack on PH |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/10/01/news/national/us-to-invoke-defense-pact-in-attack-on-ph/1912561 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |work=[[The Manila Times]] |date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001012654/https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/10/01/news/national/us-to-invoke-defense-pact-in-attack-on-ph/1912561 |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> including the [[South China Sea]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Moriyasu |first=Ken |date=January 29, 2021 |title=US vows to defend Philippines, including in South China Sea |work=[[Nikkei Asia]] |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/US-vows-to-defend-Philippines-including-in-South-China-Sea |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128202512/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/US-vows-to-defend-Philippines-including-in-South-China-Sea |archive-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref>

Since 1975, the Philippines has valued its [[China–Philippines relations|relations with China]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Banlaoi |first1=Rommel C. |author1-link=Rommel Banlaoi |title=Security Aspects of Philippines-China Relations: Bilateral Issues and Concerns in the Age of Global Terrorism |date=2007 |publisher=[[REX Book Store, Inc.]] |location=Manila, Philippines |isbn=978-971-23-4929-4 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgmV5quo0UMC&pg=PA53 53–55] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgmV5quo0UMC  |language=en}}</ref>—its top trading partner,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Cacho |first1=Katlene O. |title=China leads PH export, import market; envoy vows to deepen ties with Cebu |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/china-leads-ph-export-import-market-envoy-vows-to-deepen-ties-with-cebu |access-date=November 2, 2023 |work=[[SunStar]] |date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102194950/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/china-leads-ph-export-import-market-envoy-vows-to-deepen-ties-with-cebu |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> and cooperates significantly with the country.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Storey |first1=Ian |title=Southeast Asia and the Rise of China: The Search for Security |series=Routledge Security in Asia Series |date=August 21, 2013 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London, England |isbn=978-1-136-72297-4 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=WO59snyW0HIC&pg=PA251 251] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WO59snyW0HIC  |language=en}}</ref><ref name="DeCastro-2022" /> Japan is the biggest bilateral contributor of [[official development assistance]] to the Philippines;<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Brutas |first=Ma Karen |date=November 18, 2016 |title=Top development aid donors to the Philippines 2015 |work=[[Devex]] |url=https://www.devex.com/news/top-development-aid-donors-to-the-philippines-2015-89091 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119112216/https://www.devex.com/news/top-development-aid-donors-to-the-philippines-2015-89091 |archive-date=November 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sigit |last2=Lo |first2=Shyntia |last3=Setiawan |first3=Theofilus Jose |title=Japanese Official Development Assistance as International Bribery for the Comfort Woman Issue in the Philippines |journal=Thai Journal of East Asian Studies |date=June 30, 2022 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=89–95 |url=https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/easttu/article/view/251724/172850 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=Institute of East Asian Studies, [[Thammasat University]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207191123/https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/easttu/article/view/251724/172850 |archive-date=December 7, 2022}}</ref> although some tension exists because of [[World War II]], much animosity has faded.<ref name="Dolan-1991" />{{rp|loc={{plain link|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927161330/http://countrystudies.us/philippines/93.htm|name=93}}}} Historical and cultural ties continue to affect [[Philippines–Spain relations|relations with Spain]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Santos |first=Matikas |date=September 15, 2014 |title=PH-Spain bilateral relations in a nutshell |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/111122/ph-spain-bilateral-relations-in-a-nutshell-2 |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917001506/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/111122/ph-spain-bilateral-relations-in-a-nutshell-2 |archive-date=September 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news||title=Madrid Embassy commemorates PHL-Spain relations' anniversary |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/11/17/madrid-embassy-commemorates-phl-spain-relations-anniversary/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |work=[[BusinessMirror]] |date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116165209/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/11/17/madrid-embassy-commemorates-phl-spain-relations-anniversary/ |archive-date=November 16, 2022}}</ref> Relations with Middle Eastern countries are shaped by the high number of Filipinos working in those countries,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Berlinger |first1=Joshua |last2=Sharma |first2=Akanksha |date=January 7, 2020 |title=The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to any Middle Eastern conflict. Here's why |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/07/asia/philippines-middle-east-tensions-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107090831/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/07/asia/philippines-middle-east-tensions-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref> and by issues related to the Muslim minority in the Philippines;<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sevilla |first=Henelito A. Jr. |date=June 2011 |title=Middle East Security Issues and Implications for the Philippines |journal=Indian Journal of Asian Affairs |volume=24 |issue=1/2 |issn=0970-6402 |pages=49–61 |jstor=41950511}}</ref> concerns have been raised about domestic abuse and war affecting<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Olea |first=Ronalyn |date=October 25, 2008 |title=Middle East is 'Most Distressing OFW Destination' – Migrant Group |work=[[Bulatlat]] |url=http://bulatlat.com/main/2008/10/25/middle-east-is-%E2%80%98most-distressing-ofw-destination%E2%80%99-migrant-group/ |access-date=January 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027224209/http://bulatlat.com/main/2008/10/25/middle-east-is-%E2%80%98most-distressing-ofw-destination%E2%80%99-migrant-group/ |archive-date=October 27, 2008}}</ref> the approximately 2.5&nbsp;million overseas Filipino workers in the region.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Tarrazona |first=Noel T. |date=October 17, 2018 |title=For skilled Filipinos, Middle East remains a career destination |work=[[Al Arabiya]] |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2018/10/17/For-skilled-Filipinos-Middle-East-continues-to-remain-a-career-destination |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002122006/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2018/10/17/For-skilled-Filipinos-Middle-East-continues-to-remain-a-career-destination |archive-date=October 2, 2020}}</ref>

The Philippines [[Spratly Islands dispute|has claims]] in the [[Spratly Islands]] which overlap with claims by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.<ref>{{cite report|last1=Joyner |first1=Christopher C. |editor-last1=Singh |editor-first1=Ranjeet K. |title=Investigating Confidence-Building Measures in the Asia-Pacific Region |date=1999 |publisher=[[Stimson Center]] |page=56 |chapter=The Spratly Islands Dispute in the South China Sea: Problems, Policies, and Prospects for Diplomatic Accommodation |author-link1=Christopher C. Joyner |jstor=resrep10935.8 |jstor-access=free}}</ref> The largest of [[Philippines and the Spratly Islands|its controlled islands]] is [[Thitu Island]], which contains the [[Kalayaan, Palawan|Philippines' smallest town]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Pitlo |first=Lucio Blanco III |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Philippines bolsters posture in South China Sea after navy ship docks at new Spratly Islands port |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3086253/philippines-bolsters-posture-south-china-sea-after-navy-ship |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527030224/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3086253/philippines-bolsters-posture-south-china-sea-after-navy-ship |archive-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> The 2012 [[Scarborough Shoal standoff]], after China seized the shoal from the Philippines, led to an [[Philippines v. China|international arbitration case]]<ref>{{cite journal|last1=De Castro |first1=Renato Cruz |title=The Limits of Intergovernmentalism: The Philippines' Changing Strategy in the South China Sea Dispute and Its Impact on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) |journal=[[Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs]] |date=December 2020 |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=338–346 |doi=10.1177/1868103420935562 |publisher=[[SAGE Publishing]] |doi-access=free}}</ref> which the Philippines eventually won;<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||date=July 12, 2016 |title=PH wins maritime arbitration case vs. China |work=[[CNN Philippines]] |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/12/PH-wins-maritime-arbitration-case-vs-China.html |access-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713171115/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/12/PH-wins-maritime-arbitration-case-vs-China.html |archive-date=July 13, 2016}}</ref> China rejected the result,<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |last2=Holmes |first2=Oliver |last3=Bowcott |first3=Owen |date=July 12, 2016 |title=Beijing rejects tribunal's ruling in South China Sea case |language=en |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case-against-china |access-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712120247/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case-against-china |archive-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> and made the shoal a prominent symbol of the broader dispute.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Carpio |first=Antonio T. |author-link=Antonio Carpio |date=July 23, 2020 |title=Scarborough Shoal – a redline |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/132035/scarborough-shoal-a-redline |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724111626/https://opinion.inquirer.net/132035/scarborough-shoal-a-redline |archive-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>