Military Philippines
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Coast
Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force
Military manpower - military age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 22,435,982 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 15,780,602 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 851,009 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$995 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.5% (FY98)
Transnational Issues Philippines
Disputes - international:
involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam
and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands, known locally as the
Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions but falls short
of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the
disputants; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah
State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting
the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty
claim