Philippines

Flag of the Philippines

The **Philippines,** Officially, the **Republic of the Philippines**, is a country in South-East Asia. The country is a Unitary Parliamentary democracy currently underneath the conservative leadership of president Eulogio Rodriguez who has led the nation since the last election in 1946. The Philippines declared independence in the wake of the Second American Civil War and despite initial fears the democracy on the isles survived. The Philippines doesn't provide much to the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere aside from it's large agricultural market. The Philippines was officially founded in 1935 as an American puppet state only to become independent only 2 years later. The Philippines participated in the Second Weltkrieg as one of the allies of the Japanese Empire as it used its naval power in the war in the Pacific. The Philippines is a member of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere however unlike most other members does not hold much love to the Entente. This is due to the Pacific States who the Philippines do not particularly like given the colonial history of the United States on the Isles. Despite this the Philippines situation is currently stable and should be a loyal member of the G.E.A.C.P.S for the foreseeable decades.

## History

In 1936 the Philippines was being dragged down by the sinking ship of the United States of America and was suffering because of the Great Depression over 11 years. And with another election on the horizon it looked like the Philippines was to become similarly unstable. And as the situation in America got worse so did the situation in the Philippines. And in November of 1936 it happened, the five way election occurred and all heck broke loose in the mainland. Manuel Quezon and his government decided that in the case of an American collapse the Philippines should not drag itself down with it and would secede with little issue. While this was intended as a last resort the Philippines would end up having to use to the plan as in February of 1936 the United States imploded into civil war. The secession of the Philippines from the United States would end up being the correct decision as none of the factions wished to deal with a rebellious colony. A similar process would occur in Hawaii and later Puerto Rico. In 1938 however the rising global crises would begin to cause the economic situation of the Philippines to stagnate and this is when the Japanese sent out a demand for the nation to join the G.E.A.C.P.S. Despite Japanese intentions this was in fact a godsend for the Philippines who gladly accepted resuscitating the economy. For the next few years the Philippines would industrialize hoping to become an economic beating heart of the alliance. But in 1942 the calls for help from Insulindia couldn't be ignored. The Philippines was given the task of securing the German Possessions in the Pacific Ocean but not Papua as fears of Entente intervention over that were felt. Philippines troops would land on the Caroline Isles and would use its navy against the limited German Forces on the isles who were quickly overcome by the end of 1943. This would be all the more combat Hawaii and the Philippines would participate in as their forces would have to operate too far away from home to the point they could not be repaired as the parts needed were only manufactured in those countries as they were American designs. In 1944 the president Quezon would die and an election would be held where the liberal candidate would win. However this caused tension with the Japanese and after a crushing defeat by a lone German Task Force in former French Polynesia he would lose the election of 1946 to the Conservative candidate Eulogio Rodriguez. Despite this the people still see the Liberals fairly well given their want for change of the social order on the isles that has existed for many years. In 1947 the Treaty of Singapore ended the Second Weltkrieg in the Asian Theater allowing the Philippines to begin its ongoing transition into a Civilian economy. The Modern Philippines is a growing economic power in the region despite being further behind than Insulindia. This rising power may begin to effect the leadership of the G.E.A.C.P.S

## Military

The military of the Philippines is considered to be the middle in terms of power of the G.E.A.C.P.S. With Hawaii, Insulindia, Siam, and Japan being stronger than the Philippines and all other members being weaker than it. The Army of the Philippines is small and mostly made for garrisoning far away islands. This has given it good logistics but a lack of military experience in battle. The Philippine Navy has most of the power projection of the Philippines and thus is far stronger than its army. This is despite the Battle at Tahiti where the only Battlecruiser left over from America was destroyed. The Philippine air force is growing in strength and is beginning to be adapted for usage on Japanese Air Craft Carriers. Most of this air force is left over from the American garrisons and thus still requires modernization.