The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain close ties stemming from the U.S. colonial period (1898-1946), the bilateral security alliance bound by the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, and common strategic and economic interests. In the past decade, the Philippines has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign assistance in Southeast Asia, including both military and development aid. Many observers say that U.S. public and private support to the Philippines following Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which struck the central part of the country on 8 November 2013, bolstered the already strong bilateral relationship. This book discusses the United States interests in the Republic of the Philippines. It also examines the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the central Philippines on 8 November 2013, and the U.S. and international response; the Philippines 2013 human rights report; the 2012 international religious freedom report; and the 2013 investment climate statement.