What Happens, When It Happens? Philippines - Good Relations and Logistical Partners! (PART 13)
Today I shall take a look at one of our friendly nations just to the north of Australia.
I say friendly because the relations between Australia and the Philippines has been stable and quite positive for many years now.
"Australia seeks to strengthen its significant economic ties with the Philippines and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. ... Australia's trade relationship with the Philippines is also supported by the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)."
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia%E2%80%93Philippines_relations
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (Filipino: Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas; Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de las Filipinas) are composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy (including Philippine Marine Corps) and Philippine Air Force. Military service is entirely voluntary.
Manpower
Military age 18–56 years old
Conscription None enforced, optional through ROTC
Available for military service 25,614,135 (2010 est.) males, age 15–49, 25,035,061 (2010 est.) females, age 15–49
Fit for military service 20,142,940 (2010 est.) males, age 15–49, 2,427,792 (2010 est.) females, age 15–49
Active personnel 272,500 (2017)
Reserve personnel 525,750 (2017)
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_the_Philippines
The Philippines has also excellent relations with our ally The USA,
Likewise over half a century of excellent relations with our ally New Zealand,
The Philippines may not be one of the richest countries of this world, but it is however a nation that we have lived and worked with for many years now, helping them build their country and improve everything from education, hospitals and their defence forces.
This long term friendship with The Philippines is extremely important for Australia, as The Philippines are tactically and logistically one of the most important countries in our region.
In short, we know that we can depend upon them and they know that they can depend upon us.
Might sound too straight forwards and simplified, but why complicate this post with drawn our micro details, when the general facts are as listed.
When we take a closer look at the map, we can see why and how both of our nations have good reason to ensure good relations, especially if one takes into account the military forces that lie within minutes from both The Philippines and Australia.
Sometimes I feel as if many Australians do not have a real feel for just how close these nations are to Australia.
Likewise just how important they are to our regions safety and security.
I hope that now after reading all the posts in this series it is becoming clearer as to where things stand within our region and what all information is out there.
I sincerely hope that readers from Australia are getting a feel for the numbers that are being presented here in this series, as they are rather alarming and there is sound reason for concern.
Likewise, the fact that these numbers do not mean much if the people listed are not trained in the basics of self defence and the general know how in the field of defence.
For those who have not yet read up on this series of posts:
The series of posts so far:
"WHAT HAPPENS, WHEN IT HAPPENS"
Links to the posts in this series:
What Happens, When It Happens? PNG - Logistical Partner and Neighbour! (PART 12)
https://steemit.com/australia/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-png-logistical-partner-and-neighbour-part-12
What Happens, When It Happens? JAPAN - The Return Of The Samurai And/Or Kamikaze (PART 11)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-japan-the-return-of-the-samurai-and-or-kamikaze-part-11
What Happens, When It Happens? THE USA & AUSTRALIA (PART 10)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-the-usa-and-australia-part-10
What Happens, When It Happens? Brothers In Arms - The ANZAC Tradition! (PART 9)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-brothers-in-arms-the-anzac-tradition-part-9
What Happens, When It Happens? Just A Short Boat Trip Away From Australia (PART 8)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-just-a-short-boat-trip-away-from-australia-part-8
What Happens, When It Happens? The Unpredictable (PART 7)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-the-unpredictable-part-7
What Happens, When It Happens? Do We Know The Facts and Figures? (PART 6)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-do-we-know-the-facts-and-figures-part-6
What Happens, When It Happens? HOWS IT GOING, NEIGHBOUR! (PART 5)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-hows-it-going-neighbour-part-5
What Happens, When It Happens? "SHE'll BE RIGHT MATE?" (PART 4)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-she-ll-be-right-mate-part-4
What Happens, When It Happens? READY OR NOT! (PART 3)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-ready-or-not-part-3
What Happens, When It Happens? It Almost Did Happen! (PART 2)
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens-it-almost-did-happen-part-2
What Happens, When It Happens?
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/what-happens-when-it-happens
Related Topics:
The End of The World As We Know it - EUROPE and it's inevitable future!
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-europe-and-it-s-inevitable-future
The End of The World As We Know It - PART 2.
https://steemit.com/politics/@jackmiller/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-part-2
AGAIN I HAVE TO HIGHLIGHT THE FOLLOWING:
The topic that I am addressing here is a “WAKE UP CALL”, a “REALITY CHECK”.
I love this series Jack.
It's totally unique on the platform.
The Philppines is indeed a great country and full of great people. It's current leader is a very controversial character however whatever people feel about Duterte I applaud him for trying to get out from under the yoke of the USA. Hopefully the Australian government will look to forge closer ties with him regardless of his desire to forge closer ties with Russia and China. I believe Oz in sitting on a precipice right now now both economically and socially, if they stay tied to the 'economic titanic' that is the US they will sink with them. If they move in the direction of the emerging markets and do what's right for Aussies rather than the pricks in DC and London they will have a chance of coming through the fast approaching economic cataclysm that is inevitable.
There is another factor that we should not forget, both of our nations, no matter how different in cultures we may be, have the same moral foundation.
We both have what most people could and would refer to as "Christian values" as a foundation to our societies.
Hence, we can always have this moral foundation as a common aspect upon which we shall build further ties, as in this region of the world there are societies of very different moral foundations.
When we look ahead at what the world could look like, very soon in fact, as what is 40 or 50 years in comparison to the noted history of mankind, then we can see the need to build stronger relationships among peoples/nations that share common values in life.
I totally agree mate, you have a great grasp of the politics in play and the cultural beliefs that affect them.