Philippines Transnational Issues - 2005

https://allcountries.org/wfb2005/philippines/philippines_issues.html
SOURCE: 2005 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

Disputes - international:
The Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; 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 on his behalf

Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 150,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2004)

Illicit drugs:
exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetamine; domestic methamphetamine production is a growing problem; remains on Financial Action Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime

NOTE: The information regarding Philippines on this page is re-published from the 2005 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Philippines Transnational Issues 2005 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Philippines Transnational Issues 2005 should be addressed to the CIA.