Philippines: History

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

Filipino revolutionary forces announce independence from Spain. During the Spanish-American War, Spain's fleet in Manila Bay is defeated and cedes the Philippines to the US. 

Revolutionaries refuse to recognize US takeover and proclaim the First Philippine Republic, causing an armed struggle against US forces known as the Philippine-American War.

Philippine-American War formally ends as US civil government replaces military rule.

The US begins to grant the Philippines greater autonomy, which would lead to independence.

The Commonwealth of Philippines is established and is promised full independence in 10 years. 

The US forces retake the islands after Japan seized them during World War II. 

The Philippines is finally granted full autonomy and renamed Republic of the Philippines. 

A peace treaty was signed with Japan following the conclusion of WWII. The Philippines eventually receives $800 million in reparations payments. 

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

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel group signs a peace deal with the government, ending one of Asia's longest and deadliest conflicts. 

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

Qatar announces that it will withdraw from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in January, citing its greater reliance of gas exports, although many regional analysts see it as a symbolic move away from Saudi influence.