A Short History of Conflict in the Philippines

Archaeologists have uncovered ancient remains in the Philippines that proves the indigenous people arrived at least 30,000 years ago. These people more commonly now referred to as "Indios", are truly a fascinating tribe. The descendants today have retained much of their culture and are still allocated sizable reservations, in the same way as Native Americans today in the U.S. The Philippines has a long and distinguished history of fighting different colonial powers and invaders for the better part of the last millennium.

Land of Conflict

The Philippines strategic location caught the attention of various colonial and world powers, the country has had Spanish, British, Japanese and of course American rulers throughout its short History.

Spain

By far the most successful invasion was the longevity of the Spanish. 1542 was the year when a Spanish military party claims islands for Spain; named them "Philippines" after Prince Philip, who later became King Philip II of Spain; Philippines then officially becomes part of Spanish Empire. The Spanish did not leave until the year 1899.The Spanish invaders imposed a strict feudal system and Roman Catholicism, but were never able to bring the entire country under their full control, due to persistent resistance by Muslim and indigenous fighters.

Britain - The Accidental Takeover.

Spain's entry into the war in the European and North American greatly angered the UK. Britain retaliated by launching two surprise assaults to capture the Spanish colonies of the Philippines and Cuba. Using British troops in India. General Draper, initiated a plan for the invasion of the Philippines, and he was appointed in June 1762 to lead it. The plan was quickly put in motion with utmost secrecy to ensure to catch the Spanish unawares. Although, initially successful, the Philippines was given back to Spain by treaty and was only part of the British Empire for 7 years.

America - The Emerging Power Flexes it's Muscle

This was to be America's first true war as a world power that not only rivaled but defeated the old European world order. America swiftly defeated Spain in Cuba and in the Philippines in 1898. Following this victory the U.S. Legally purchased the Philippines, Puerto Rico and other Spanish territories. Unfortunately, the Filipinos had been fighting for their own freedom since 1896, and had no intention of becoming a colony of another imperialist power. In 1899, Fighting broke out between the American Army and the Filipino forces. This took 3 years to suppress the Philippine irregulars and was a very, very bloody war.

Japan - The Imperial Japanese Forces

The Philippines were an important target for the Imperial Japanese High Command. Japanese Navy and Army bombers from Formosa (Taiwan) attacked The Philippines on December 8, 1941 and achieved the same success and surprise their comrades were enjoying over Pearl Harbor. Although a general warning was given to US Army General Douglas MacArthur, the timing still caught the Americans and Filipinos by surprise. Most of the US Army plans were destroyed on the ground. Japaneses Bombers hit the Cavite Naval base particularly hard, the devastation almost matched the destruction of Pearl Harbor. The situation was desperate and MacArthur had to leave as the pace of the Japanese advance was overwhelming. Of course, before leaving the islands General Douglas MacArthur stated "I have come through, and I shall return".

The Reconquest.

Some parts of the Philippines were occupied by the Japanese until the end of the war, but true to his word MacArthur began the liberation in October 1944. Their has been no major conflict since the Second World War and America granted the Islands its hard won peace.