Earth

March 15th, 2012, Pasay City, south of Manila, Philippines. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use around the world kills 5.4 million people annually and more than 80% of tobacco smokers live in low- and middle-income countries. 90% of the Philippines tobacco market is controlled by the New York based Philip Morris corporation (1, 2). Meanwhile the U.S. conducts a so-called “War on Drugs” (supposedly) to stop cocaine and marijuana from entering the U.S. from Central and South America. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

February 19th, 2012, a migratory Egret waits for its prey at the reclaimed area in Manila Bay known as “Freedom Island” near the city of Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. People are trying to save the only bird sanctuary in the capital following a proposal by the city government to develop the area into a commercial complex. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

March 2nd, 2012, Manila, Philippines, a girl collects pieces of charcoal to sell at a market.
(Photo REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco)

“You know, you take a look at Taiwan, South Korea, even Indonesia and so on, there’s been a lot of economic development. Not the Philippines. It’s the one part of the region that we still run.” - Noam Chomsky in 2010

March 2nd, 2012, Manila, Philippines, children gather wood that will be made into charcoal to sell.
(Photo REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco)

“You know, you take a look at Taiwan, South Korea, even Indonesia and so on, there’s been a lot of economic development. Not the Philippines. It’s the one part of the region that we still run.” - Noam Chomsky in 2010

“U.S. NATO HANDS OFF SYRIA!”
February 16th, 2012, outside the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines.
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Near the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines, on February 10th, 2012.
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Near the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines, on February 10th, 2012.
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Outside the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines, on February 10th, 2012. On January 5th, U.S. President Obama announced his intention to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the Asia Pacific.
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Manila, Philippines, on February 4th, 2012, people observed the 113th anniversary of the start of the Philippine–American War with a march in front of the U.S. embassy. On January 5th, U.S. President Obama stated his intention of strengthening the U.S. military presence in the Asia Pacific.
(AP Photo/Pat Roque)

January 28th, 2012, Manila, Philippines.
(AP Photo/Pat Roque)

January 28th, 2012, in front of the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines, people denounced plans to put more U.S. troops and ships in the Philippines.
(Photo REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco)

January 28th, 2012, near the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines.
(AP Photo/Pat Roque)

October 15th, 2011, in front of the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines, people demonstrated in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.
(Photo REUTERS / Cheryl Ravelo)

September 16th, 2011, in Manila, Philippines, people protested against the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.
(Photo REUTERS/John Javellana)

Manila, Philippines, on July 4th, 2011 (‘Filipino-American Friendship Day’), people marched in protest toward the US embassy.
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

See also: VIDEO about the history of U.S./Philippines relations