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The Philippines in Crisis

Robert A. Manning
Winter 1984/85
Summary: 

The Philippines is enmeshed in the most severe political and economic crisis it has faced since gaining independence from the United States in 1946. In retrospect, the bullet that killed opposition leader Benigno Aquino on August 21, 1983, marked the beginning of the end of the Marcos era and the onset of a difficult and uncertain transition period. The aftermath of the Aquino affair has been a protracted crisis of confidence that has dovetailed with a financial crisis of Latin American proportions, a deteriorating economy, and the growth of a nationwide communist insurgency.

Robert A. Manning writes on international affairs for the Far Eastern Economic Review and other publications. He visited the Philippines in April and May 1984. Copyright (c) 1984 by Robert A. Manning.

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