4. “The Philippines communicates normal standards to the United States of America, for
example, opportunity, popular government, free undertaking and regard for human rights.
Throughout the years, the two nations sustained the relationship including authentic, political,
financial and socio-social perspectives. The Philippines battled one next to the other with America
amid the Spanish-American War, against the Japanese amid the Second World War, in the Korean and
Vietnam Wars, and the most recent US drove Global War on Terrorism. Since 1946 to date, the United
States and the Philippines keep up a current understanding entitled Mutual Defense Treaty. Be that as
it may, the US - Philippine Military Bases Agreement of 1947 was ended in 1991 and in the end US
powers were hauled out of the Philippines. From that point forward, the two nations kept up a
relaxed cooperation. After the September 11 fear based oppressor assault in the United States, the US
- Philippine security collusion was indeed revived by the Global War on Terrorism. The Philippines was
the primary ASEAN nation to straightforwardly bolster the American drove crusade against
psychological warfare. The pullout of the Philippine compassionate unexpected in Iraq last July 2004,
caused pressure in US – Philippine relations. It is of shared enthusiasm for the two nations to
investigate the security challenges keeping in mind the end goal to figure out what duty the
Philippines can make and what US ought to reasonably anticipate.”
5. Philippine- US Security Relations
“Our soldiers fought and died together in
places like Bataan and Corregidor. And on this
foundation of common sacrifice, America and
the Philippines built an alliance that remains
strong, an alliance that is essential to the
peace of the Pacific.”
- US President George W. Bush
May 20, 2003
6. “US – Philippine relations depend on shared history, normal qualities, a
guarantee to flexibility and majority rules system and energetic military ties.1
For the Philippines, the connection with the U.S. keeps on being its single most
essential respective relationship. The US holds a unique association with the
Philippines because of the accompanying: common guard settlement, the way
that it is one of its best financial specialists and suppliers of advancement help,
and the US is home to more than two million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans.
This one of a kind relationship follows its beginnings from the Spanish-American
War where Filipinos and Americans battled one next to the other against
Spanish powers to free the Philippines from Spanish control. With the
annihilation of Spain, the Philippines was surrendered to the US under the
terms of the Treaty of Paris.”
7. “Indeed, even before American power could be completely settled,
occasions took sensational turns that further characterized the character of the
Philippine-US relationship. These incorporated the foundation of a
Commonwealth government, battling the Japanese powers amid the Second
World War, allowing of autonomy to the Philippines in 1946, and the
manufacturing of a vital partnership amid the Cold War under the terms of the
two-sided Philippine-US 1947 Military Bases Agreement (MBA) and the 1951
Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). After the Philippine Senate ended the MBA in
1991, the Philippine-American connections took a downturn finishing just about
a time of US military nearness. The Philippine confirmation of the Visiting
Forces Agreement with the US in 1999 implied a bounce back in security ties
between the two nations. “
8. “It was after the September 11 fear based oppressor assaults, in any case, that
the Philippine-US security collusion was really resuscitated. By and by, the two nations
wound up battling a typical foe in fear mongering. Be that as it may, not long after,
the Philippines' dedication as a security accomplice to the US and subsequently to the
Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), was put to a test when the Philippine government
hauled out its troops from Iraq, bringing about the failure of the US. With later
improvements, for example, the reelection of President George Bush and the
assignment of the Philippines as seat of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force amid the
November 2004 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, the Philippine-
US security relationship really faces vital difficulties and different openings. It is to the
shared advantage of the two nations to inspect these open doors with regards to
changing security situations, yet tied down on their profound verifiable, financial and
social ties.”
13. Post War
Environment
“Regardless of the MDT staying in drive, the Philippine-US security relations
melted away after the pullout of the US bases from the Philippines. This was expected not
exclusively to the conditions in which the pullout was made, yet in addition to the new
difficulties postured by the unpredictable security condition. The end of the MBA came at
the time that the US and whatever is left of the world were acclimating to the post-Soviet
period. With the finish of the Cold War, the global group saw new patterns and dangers to
security that required less military power. Developing contemporary dangers took the types
of outskirt and regional debate, transnational wrongdoings, territorial administration and
fear mongering. Given these advancements, the US didn't see much requirement for
forward organization of powers and the upkeep of significant US bases in the district.
Subsequently, it embraced another technique that included arrangement of littler bases,
respective and multilateral protection bargains, and joint and consolidated preparing
practices and infrequent organization of US Navy inside the area. Essentially, the
Philippines around then did not see a squeezing security intrigue that would incite it to
fortify its security collusion with the US, until the supposed "China challenge" rose. Despite
China's sneaking occupation in the debated islands in the South China Sea and its revealed
arms modernization and military develop that concerned the Philippines and the US,
individually, the two nations saw the need to restore their security relations. The
Philippines understood the significance of US nearness to safeguard the adjust of energy in
the district while the US thought that it was important to examine on its security relations
to counter endeavors that would surprise such adjust of energy. Against this foundation,
the Philippines and US reassessed their security collusion and in the end sought after
approaches to resuscitate it.”
14. Visiting Forces Agreement
“The point of interest of the reestablished Philippine-US
relations amid the post-Cold War period was the approval by the
Philippine Senate in 1999 of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement
(VFA). With this understanding, the once apparently compulsory
military activities under the terms of the MDT soon discovered
restored quality and hugeness. The Agreement made ready for the
conduct of more steady and customary military activities between the
Philippines and the US in satisfaction of their strategic defense
objectives.”
15. “The VFA is an assention that gave the lawful system to the
treatment of US staff going to the Philippines as endorsed by the
Philippine government. In light of the reactions against the VFA, advocates
of the Agreement focused on that "the major and indisputable structure of
the VFA is that every military exercise to be led in the Philippines and any
exercises of US barrier and military work force in the nation are constantly
subject to the earlier endorsement of the Philippine Government. The
Philippine Government won't permit any visit by the US work force in
whatever shape or frame to be directed in disparagement of Philippine
sway." Likewise, in opposition to numerous faultfinders' impression, the
VFA does not constitute the perpetual positioning of US powers in the
Philippines, as the US troop visits are simply brief. “
16. “The two nations regard the consent to be critical in managing the soul of the
Philippine-US "exceptional relations". For the Philippines, exertion will be given to
reconstructed respective relations with US in the political-security field, to create a political
domain helpful for nearer safeguard collaboration. Such exertion would profit the
Philippines, to support its outer protection pose as well as to add to local security and
steadiness. Philippine guard authorities considered China's development in the challenged
South China Sea as a security danger to the nation. Thusly, the Philippine government
understood the significance of American military nearness in keeping up, adjust of energy in
the locale. In the meantime, US protection authorities and investigators see a danger to
American premiums if China somehow happened to irritate the provincial adjust of power.
These territorial occasions turned into the solid reason for the two nations to reassess their
organization together and security collaboration. Thomas Hubbard, Assistant Secretary of
State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, expressed that the security relations between "U.S. -
R.P. bounced back with the confirmation of the VFA." This understanding enabled the two
nations to continue typical military contacts and occasional joint activities and joint periodic
joint exercise.”
17. “In November 2002, the Philippines and the US marked the
Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), a "complementary
strategic help" between the military powers of the two nations for
the term of an "affirmed action, for example, "joined activities and
preparing, tasks and different organizations. Like the assentions of
the US with 56 different nations, the MLSA plans to bring down the
cost of security collaboration by limiting authoritative expenses and
wastage.”
Mutual Logistic Support Agreement
18. “Likewise with alternate assentions between the
Philippines and the US, the MLSA additionally turned
into the focal point of examination of patriot
commentators, contending about the excessively
careful way that the Agreement was produced, and the
fundamental substance of the Agreement that may
convey genuine national security suggestions.”
19. “A standout amongst the most vocal commentators
of MLSA was previous Philippine Senator and
constitution expert Jovito Salonga, who opined that not
one or the other "the US Embassy nor Malacañang can
usurp the right of the Senate by expressing that the
MLSA is an official understanding and, in this way,
needs Senate endorsement or simultaneousness.”
20. “Accordingly, at that point Philippine Foreign Affairs
Secretary Blas Ople brought up that the MLSA "would only
encourage the execution of existing understandings and does
not include changes in national approach. It makes
modifications of detail in completing our set up national
approach, as reflected in the standards contained in our
settlement commitments." Ople included that the MLSA does
not contain a legitimate commitment to concede
coordination’s bolster yet rather an instance of "best
endeavors" commitment to do as such.”
21. midst of feedback, the MLSA, which
“In the
conjured the two other fundamental assertions
overseeing the Philippine-US security relations – the
1951 MDT and the 1999 VFA – was actualized,
additionally maintaining and reinforcing the revived RP-
US strategic Alliance.”
22. “Reassessment by the US of its respective organizations together with the
East and Southeast Asian countries proceeded in the later 1990s in the wake of
new dangers and difficulties in the local security condition. It was not until the
point when the fear based oppressor assaults in the US on September 11, 2001
that the desperation of producing participation with nations in the area
surfaced. The Al-Qaeda organize, designer of the slippery assaults, apparently
kept up joins with other global psychological oppressor bunches situated in
Southeast Asia, for example, the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) in the Philippines and
the Jamaah Islamiyah in Indonesia. “
Philippine- US Alliance and theGlobal War Terrorism
23. “After the 9/11 occurrence, the Philippine government was the primary Asian state to
proclaim full help to the worldwide coalition against psychological warfare drove by the
United States of America. President Gloria Arroyo offered the utilization of previous U.S.
bases in the nation as travel focuses for the worldwide coalition battling in Afghanistan.
President Arroyo immediately declared a fourteen-column way to deal with battle fear
mongering. The Philippines battled fear mongering and transparently bolstered the US
GWOT. After the fall of the Saddam Regime in Iraq, the Philippines sent a philanthropic
unforeseen made out of military, policemen, therapeutic and wellbeing specialists to aid the
reproduction exertion. Before this, Pres. Arroyo encouraged the lead of Joint RP-US Military
activities against psychological warfare in Mindanao, south of the Philippines, focusing on
the associated nearby and territorial systems with AL-Qaeda in the nation. In the area, the
Philippine government started the shared trade of data with Malaysia and Indonesia, a
territorial counter-fear based oppression measure settled upon. Resolved to battle
psychological warfare inside and outside the nation, the Philippines maintained its long
standing association with the US as a partner in the district.”
24. “In acknowledgment of the Philippines' commitment to
worldwide steadiness, President Bush assigned the Philippines
as a noteworthy non-NATO partner, joining the rundown of
nations, for example, Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Japan,
Jordan, Argentina, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
Moreover, President Arroyo was compensated with a broad
bundle of military guide and monetary help and was educated
of the possibility of more prominent US contribution in the
administration battle against the ASG.”
25. “The September 11 episode additionally stressed the requirement for extraordinary
provincial participation to overcome psychological oppression and other comparable
dangers that could annoy the soundness of the area. As Admiral Thomas Fargo, Commander
of the US Pacific Command, brought up: "Local unions and associations are basic to
accomplishing both on here and now objective of killing territorial fear based oppressor
gatherings and long haul objective of building up a security situation all through the Asia
Pacific area that rejects psychological warfare and addresses hidden components that breed
psychological militants. Toward this end, the Philippines and the US heightened their push to
improve their security organization. The US again observed the significance of improving the
capacities and joint interoperability of the Philippine powers to accomplish effect on counter-
psychological oppression endeavors. Reciprocal military activities were to be the essential
apparatus by which these targets would be accomplished. “
BALIKATAN 2002-1 EXERCISES
26. “Therefore, Balikatan 2002-1 was directed in 2002. Balikatan 2002-1, while in fact a piece of
the yearly Balikatan military activities, was viewed as a remarkable preparing exercise. It was
particularly custom fitted to contribute straightforwardly to the Philippine military counter-
psychological oppression endeavors in the Southern Philippines. All things considered, the half year
practices were led in the island of Basilan and Zamboanga, took an interest in by 660 US troops and
3,800 Filipino officers. The goals of the counter-fear based oppression practices were to enhance the
interoperability of Philippine and US powers against fear mongers, to improve the battle ability of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command or infantry regiments situated in Mindanao, to
guarantee quality in insight handling, and to update Philippine-US capacities to wage successful
common, military, and mental operations. The US troop sending in the Philippines was a piece of the
second period of America's war on psychological warfare, coordinated at denying Al-Qaeda another
home base and access to human and material assets. The two nations saw the activity as a military
and political achievement and talked about methods for changing it into a supported program of
security collaboration and counter-psychological oppression preparing and help.”
27. “In help of coalition endeavors after the fall of the Saddam
administration, the Philippines sent a compassionate unexpected made out of
military, policemen, restorative and wellbeing specialists to aid the recreation
endeavors. While these advancements were occurring universally; locally,
occupant Philippine President Arroyo had quite recently accepted
administration in June 2004 and was uniting her political hang on control after
a challenged constituent outcome. She needed to start reconciliatory moves to
bind together the general population after the races and to take care of
squeezing household issues like spending shortfall and joblessness.”
PHILIPPINE TROOP PULLOUT FROM IRAQ
28. “With the local plan in a fragile adjust, an occasion in Iraq
would increase global consideration and request the quick reaction of
President Arroyo. In June 2004, a Filipino vagrant laborer in Iraq was
kidnapped, with the pullout of the Philippine troops as the condition
set by the Iraqi psychological militants for his discharge. The
Philippine government confronted an issue, spare one life yet chance
losing its validity to the global group or reject the requests of the
Iraqi fear mongers and lose one life yet expect the anger of the
enthusiastic Filipino masses, a significant number of whom have
transient relatives. The legislature needed to choose either to look
after its global responsibility or rule for residential dependability. “
29. “As ahead of schedule as November 18, 2003, the Philippine government
suggested that the philanthropic mission would be hauled out if the
circumstance debilitated their wellbeing. President Arroyo expressed, "We need
to adjust our global duty against the security of our peacekeepers and
philanthropic workers. One of the three primary mainstays of Philippine outside
approach is the assurance of the rights and advancement of the welfare and
enthusiasm of Filipino overseas.48 During the inaugural discourse, President
Arroyo referred to that, "yielding Angelo De La Cruz (Filipino prisoner) was a
futile incitement as it would put the lives of one million and a half Filipinos in
Middle East in danger (4,000 in Iraq), by influencing them to some portion of
the war. The presence of this immense work power and its insurance weighed
intensely in the administration's choice to review its unforeseen. “
30. “In July 2004, the Philippines, referring to national
intrigue, pulled back its 52 part compassionate unexpected
from Iraq a month in front of calendar. The episode drew
different responses from both neighborhood and universal
media, and solid reactions from countries of the "coalition of
the ready". The US, Australia, and other coalition nations
were extremely vocal in communicating frustration over the
choice of the Philippine government. Comparative ominous
remarks and dissatisfactions were communicated in other
neighborhood and remote daily papers. “
31. ”On account of South Korea and Bulgaria, some of
their nationals were
administrations did not
held prisoner, yet their
agree to the psychological
oppressor requests of pulling back from Iraq. In the
interim, because of various reasons, Spain, Honduras
and the Dominican Republic additionally pulled back
their troops in front of timetable, however not at the
request of the fear mongers.”
33. “President Bush emphasized the US want to keep its companionship with the
Philippines and its solid organization together with the locale amid an official supper at the
as of late finished up APEC gathering in Santiago, Chile last November 2004. Further, Bush
communicated fulfillment that the insight collaboration between the two nations had killed
the critical figures in the Abu Sayaff and the Jemaah Islamiyah gatherings, yielding 100
captures and 17 court feelings. President Bush's certainty on the Philippines even went
similarly as assigning the Philippines as seat of the APEC Counter-Terrorism Task Force (CTTF)
for the year, which the Philippines promptly accepted by a consistent vote. The CTTF, made in
February 2003, helps economies in recognizing and surveying counter-fear mongering needs,
arranges limit building and specialized help programs, participates with worldwide and
territorial associations and encourages collaboration among APEC individuals on counter-
psychological oppression issues.”
Counter Terrorism Task Force
34. “The chairmanship of the CTTF was in acknowledgment
of the part that the Philippines played in the war against fear
mongering, first inside the nation and inside the district. To
show, President Arroyo refered to the Philippine involvement
in effectively lessening the quality of the AbuSayaff, utilizing
its own assets and coordinating with different partners. As
the new seat of the CTTF, the Philippines reaffirmed its sense
of duty regarding vanquishing fear mongering in both the
nearby and territorial fronts.”
35. “In the last ten years, the Philippine-US security alliance has gone through a process of
breakdown, impasse, revival, and revitalization in its attempt to constantly adapt to the changes and
to confront new challenges in the volatile security environment. A pivotal development in the
Philippine-US security relationship was the pullout of the US bases from the Philippines that caused
the relations to become essentially moribund in the early 1990s. However, in the face of China’s arms
modernization and perceived hegemonic tendencies, as well as the emergence of equally serious non-
traditional security threats, the two countries recognized the need to again enhance their
cooperation. Consequently, the spirit of the 1951 MDT was revived amid national sentiments, with the
resumption of Philippine-US bilateral military exercises that were eventually complemented by the
VFA and the MLSA. The revitalization of the Philippine-US security partnership was further sustained
by the US campaign against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. For the Philippines,
contributing to the US cause was an opportunity to once again be considered by the US as a
significant strategic partner in Southeast Asia and by the international community as a vital player in
preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the region. As such, the Philippines stood up to be
counted, the first in Southeast Asia that openly declared its support for the US cause, to the dismay of
some nationalists.
36. On a seeming reversal of fate, the same nationalists were
later appeased with the decision of the Philippine government to
withdraw its troops from the US-led campaign to restore peace in
Iraq. On the downside, the Bush administration and most of the
international community criticized this decision because it would
not only set a bad precedent but more importantly, would boost
terrorist confidence thereby putting the credibility of the GWOT in
jeopardy. Despite this, there is not much of a logical action to
take for the Philippines and the US but to move past this incident,
considering the following:
37. First, the interest of the Philippines and the US converged in the GWOT, with
both countries having the objective of defeating local terrorist networks aligned
with the Al-Qaeda. The defeat of the Mindanao-based ASG is of mutual concern of
both countries and could be successfully carried out through mutual military
support and cooperation.
Second, the Philippines and the US already have standing security agreements in
place to provide the framework, guidelines and terms of reference for their defense
relationship. Both countries have the benefit of having such legal bases for their
security alliance. Initiatives to further curb terrorist activity could easily be
advanced under the terms of these agreements.
38. Third, there are clear indications that President Arroyo was able to
solidify her relationship with President Bush in her appeal for US support
and assistance against local terrorist groups. President Bush’s reelection
may be considered as an opportune development for President Arroyo as
they have been, from the very start, jointly fighting the terrorist threat.
President Bush himself saw the strong support and commitment of the
Arroyo administration to champion the US cause, and would have
sustained such had the international commitment versus domestic
stability dilemma not happened. Indeed, the Philippine contribution to Iraq
may have been minimal, but President Arroyo’s support for GWOT was
valuable and important to the US.
39. Finally, the nomination by President Bush for the Philippines to chair the
APEC CTTF
Manifests his recognition of the Philippines’ strategic value as well as its
capability to contribute in the GWOT and in regional peace and stability. Even
the other heads of APEC member-states expressed their confidence on the
Philippines’ capability to assume such crucial responsibility.
Given the above as bases for enhancing Philippine – US security alliance, it is
very important for the Philippines to review its bilateral commitment and
relationship with the United States. The Philippines should clearly define what
its national interests are and further analyze the extent of its commitment.
Since it is a developing nation, its options are limited; hopefully, the US will
understand the vulnerabilities of the country to intense domestic pressures.”
40. (Estados Unidos) are bilateral relations between the United States of America and its
previous settlement, the Republic of the Philippines. The connection between the United States and
the Philippines has verifiably been solid and has been depicted as a Special Relationship. The present
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, in any case, is steady of a remote strategy that is less subject to
the United States, favoring one that organizes nearer relations with China. The Philippines is one of
the most seasoned Asian accomplices of the U.S. also, a deliberately major non-NATO partner. The
United States was reliably positioned as one of the Philippines' most loved countries on the planet,
with 90% of Filipinos seeing the U.S. what's more, 91% review Americans positively in 2002, 90% of
Filipinos seeing U.S. impact emphatically in 2011,85% of Filipinos seeing the U.S. what's more,
Americans positively in 2013, and 92% of Filipinos seeing the U.S. positively in 2015, and 94%
believing in United States president, Barack Obama, making the Philippines the most ace American
nation on the planet. On October 20, 2016, the President of the Philippines reported a "partition"
from the United States, both militarily and monetarily, for cooperation’s with China and Russia.
Philippines–UnitedStatesrelationstoday
41. This article examines Philippine– American relations
after Philippine freedom from the United States in 1946,
while the article History of the Philippines (1898– 1946)
depicts the historical backdrop of the Philippines amid
American pilgrim run the show.
The information in this module coming from works and
excerpt from the different text of the notable authors you
learn more and determine the different events from the
previous history that has a significance today.
42. References and Supplementary Materials
Books and Journals
1. Agoncillo, Teodoro and Milagros Guerrero. History of the Filipino People. 7th ed. Quezon City, Philippines:R.P. Garcia Publishing Co, 1987.
2. Albert, Delia Domingo. “Relevance and Change: Foreign Policy Under the Arroyo Administration.” 23 February 2004. Available from
<http://www.dfa.gov.ph/archive/speech/ albert/lecture.htm>. Internet. Accessed 29 September 2004.
3. Almonte, Jose T. “New Directionsand Prioritiesin Philippine Foreign Relations.” 1998.
4. Available <http://www.ciaonet.org/book/ass01/ass01_e.html>. Internet. Accessed 20 January 2005
5. Asia Intelligence. “The Implications for Asia of a Second Bush Term.” November 2004. Available <http://www.asiaint.com/arl/arl4762.asp>.
Internet. Accessed 26 January 2005.
6. Balana, Cynthia D. “GMA, Bush Hold One-On-One Over Dinner.”Philippine Daily Inquirer. 22 November2004, sec.A,p.21.
7. Defensor Named APEC Anti-TerrorForce Chief,” Philippine Daily Inquirer; 22 November 2004, sec.A,p.2.
8. Banlaoi, Rommel. “The Role of Philippine-American Relations in the Global Campaign against Terrorism: Implications for Regional Security.”Singapore:
Contemporary Southeast Asia (August 2002): 294. Database on-line. Available from ProQuest. Accessed 29 September 17, 2004.
2004. Available from
2004. Available from
9. Cabacungan, GilC.,Jr. “Bush Reaches Out To Arroyo: ‘Let Us Keep Our Friendship Strong.’” 15 November
<http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index =1&col=&story_id=18144>. Internet. Accessed 11 December 2004.
10. Caballero-Anthony, Mely. “Beyond the Iraq Hostage Crisis: Re-Assessing US-Philippine Relations.” 28 July
<http://www.ntu.edu.sg/idss/Perspective/ IDSS302004.pdf>. Internet. Accessed 22 September 2004.
11. Dalangin-Fernandez, Lina. “RP-US Ties Have Nowhere to Go but ‘Further up ‘- Envoy. 4 November 2004. Available from
<http://news.inq7.net/common/print.php?index= 1&story_id=17086&site_id=39>.Internet. Accessed 11 December 2004.
12. De Castro, Renato Cruz. “The Revitalized Philippine-US Security Relations: A Ghost from the Cold War or an Alliance for the 21st Century.”Asian Survey
(November/December 2003): 971-988.
13. Ellings , Richard J. and Aaron L. Friedberg. Strategic Asia 2003-04:Fragility and Crisis. Seattle, Washington: The National Bureau of Asian Research, 2003.
14. Federal Research Division,Libraryof Congress. Philippines: A Country Study. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993.
