History

Southern city of Marawai declared liberated from jihadist fighters who held it for almost five months.

Martial law imposed on the island of Mindanao after fighting erupts between security forces and Islamic State-linked militants of the Maute group and Isnilon Hapilon.

Government welcomes the ruling in a case it brought before an international tribunal which concluded that China's claim to much of the resources in the South China Sea had no legal basis.

The so-called Islamic State (IS) group acknowledges its operations in the Philippines in an official video, having recognised Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf leader, as "emir" there.

Populist former mayor Rodrigo Duterte elected president, announces hard-line crackdown on drugs and suggests he might pivot from the US to China.

Hundreds of Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines register to vote in 2016 elections under peace deal designed to end four decades of conflict.

Forty-four police commandos are killed in clashes with Muslim rebels on the southern island of Mindanao, the largest loss of life for the security forces in recent memory.

Supreme Court approves a birth control law, which requires government health centres to distribute free contraceptives. The bill marks a defeat for the Catholic Church, which campaigned strongly against it.

The MILF rebel group signs a peace deal with the government that brings an end to one of Asia's longest and deadliest conflicts.

Typhoon Haiyan sweeps across central areas of the country leaving devastation and thousands of dead in its wake. A major international aid effort is organised to help more than four million people affected.

Stand-off between the army and rebel remnants of Moro National Liberation Front in southern city of Zamboanga prompts 75,000 residents to flee.

Major diplomatic row erupts between Taiwan and the Philippines after Filipino coastguards kill a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters.

Armed followers of a self-proclaimed sultan invade Sabah state on Malaysian Borneo, sparking several days of fighting with Malaysian forces. More than 60 people are killed.

Parliament defies the Catholic Church to vote for state-funded contraception, approving a bill that has been debated for 13 years.

The government signs a framework peace plan with the Muslim rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front, ending a 40-year conflict that has cost an estimated 120,000 lives.

Philippines and Chinese naval vessels confront one another off the Scarborough Shoal reef in the South China Sea. Both countries claim the reef, which may have significant reserves of oil and gas.

Manila and Maoist NPA agree to work towards a peace deal by 2012 at talks in Oslo, their first negotiations since the previous round broke down in 2004. Troops arrested prominent NPA member Tirso Alcantara the previous month.

Andal Ampatuan junior, a member of the powerful Ampatuan clan, goes on trial on charges of organising the Maguindanao mass killings.

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino becomes president.

The army captures Abu Sayyaf leader Mujibar Alih Amon, suspected of a kidnapping raid on a Malaysian resort in 2000 and the killing of Christian missionaries in 2001.

Prosecutors charge 196 more people with murder over the Maguindanao massacre in November, including Andal Ampatuan Snr, a former provincial governor and ally of President Arroyo.

Peace talks between Manila and MILF resume in Malaysia, after breaking down 16 months ago.

An attack on group of people travelling to file election nomination papers on Mindanao leaves 57 dead. Victims' relatives blame the rival Ampatuan clan.

Army announces capture of leading MILF figure Camarudin Hadji Ali.

Norwegian-brokered peace talks with Maoist guerrillas of the New People's Army (NPA) break down; NPA attacks army patrol on Mindanao.

Government negotiators say they have reached an agreement with MILF rebels on the expansion of a Muslim autonomous region in the south. Deal collapses after Christian communities raise objections and renewed fighting on the southern island of Mindanao leaves at least 30 people dead.

Renegade soldiers make failed coup bid at luxury hotel in Manila after breaking out of court where they were standing trial for failed 2003 mutiny.

Government report accuses military of being behind the killings of hundreds of mainly left-wing activists since 2001.

Death of Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy Janjalani in 2006 confirmed.

More than 1,000 people are killed by a mudslide which engulfs a village on the central island of Leyte.

President Arroyo declares a week-long state of emergency after the army says it has foiled a planned coup.

Influential Cardinal Jaime Sin, who led the two peaceful revolts that toppled Presidents Marcos and Estrada, dies aged 76.

Breakthrough achieved on contentious issue of ancestral land achieved at peace talks in Malaysia between government and MILF rebels.

Heavy fighting between troops and MILF rebels breaks July 2003 ceasefire.

Gloria Arroyo wins May's presidential elections.

Peace talks between government and Maoist rebel New People's Army start in Norway, but are called off by the rebels in August.

Government signs another ceasefire with MILF ahead of planned talks in Malaysia.

Army mutiny in Manila as some 300 soldiers seize shopping centre, but surrender peacefully following negotiations.

Ceasefire between MILF and government breaks down. Planned talks called off in May after rebel attack on Mindanao kills 30 people.

Series of deadly bomb blasts on Manila bus and three locations in Zamboanga city blamed on Islamist militants.

US and Filipino armies hold joint counter-terror exercises take place near stronghold of Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

Joseph Estrada is charged with plundering more than $80m from state funds while in office. Eventually found guilty and jailed for life. although he wins pardon.

MILF declares ceasefire, says ready to hold talks with government.

Suspension of impeachment causes mass street protests. Military withdraws support and President Estrada stands down. Vice-President Gloria Arroyo sworn in as president.

Impeachment proceedings start against President Estrada on allegations of corruption, betrayal of public trust, and violation of the constitution.

Former film star Joseph Estrada elected president.

Peace agreement reached with Muslim separatist group, Moro National Liberation Front. Another group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), fights on.

Aquino's defence minister Fidel Ramos wins presidency. US closes Subic Bay Naval Station.

US abandons Clark Air Base after volcanic eruption smothers it with ash.

Military officials convicted of murder of Benigno Aquino.

US jets assist Philippine government forces suppress attempted coup.

Presidential elections see Marcos opposed by Aquino's widow Corazon. Marcos declares himself the winner, but Aquino disputes result. Mass protests, dubbed "people power", in Manila see military abandon Marcos, who flees to Hawaii. New government says Marcos looted billions of dollars during his rule.

Aquino returns to Philippines, but is shot dead as he leaves plane amid suspicions of official military involvement.

Martial law lifted. Marcos wins presidential elections.

Aquino allowed to travel to US for medical treatment.

Opposition leader Benigno Aquino sentenced to death, but Marcos delays execution.

New constitution gives Marcos absolute powers.

Marcos declares martial law. Parliament suspended, opposition politicians arrested, censorship imposed.

Marcos re-elected amidst allegations of electoral fraud. Supports US policy in Vietnam. Muslim separatists in south begin guerrilla war.

Ferdinand Marcos becomes president.

Peace treaty signed with Japan. The Philippines eventually receive $800m in reparations payments.

The US is awarded military bases on the islands.

Islands granted full independence and renamed Republic of the Philippines.

US forces retake islands.

Japan seizes Philippines.

A plebiscite approves establishment of Commonwealth of Philippines. Manuel Quezon is its first president. Philippines promised full independence within 10 years.

Elected Philippine assembly inaugurated under US rule. 1916 - US government promises Philippines greater autonomy, leading to independence.

Philippine-American War formally ends as US civil government replaces military rule. Some independence forces fight on until defeat of Moro resistance in south in 1913.

Emilio Aguinaldo captured.

Revolutionaries refuse to recognise US takeover, proclaim First Philippine Republic with General Aguinaldo as president, launch armed struggle against US forces known as Philippine-American War.

During brief Spanish-American War, US Navy destroys Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Spain cedes Philippines to US, which proclaims military rule.

Revolutionary forces under Emilio Aguinaldo proclaim independence.

 Civil and armed campaign for independence from Spanish rule begins.

Spanish expedition claims the islands and names them the Philippines after the heir to the Spanish throne.