America's Broken Promise to the Philippines
1892 – Present
The Untold Story
Two nations—the United States and the Philippines—fighting under one flag.
Filipinos struggle for independence, first against the Spanish, then the United States.
1892 – 1898
Building a Nation
After centuries as colonial subjects of the Spanish Empire, Filipinos began to challenge that authority during the nineteenth century.
1898 – 1913
Philippine-American War
Fililpinos' hopes for independence were dashed when the United States claimed the Philippines as its own.
1902 – 1930s
Colonial Period
The U.S. colonial presence in the Philippines is shifted to a civilian colonization.
Filipinos and Americans fight together against the Japanese. When U.S. forces surrender, Filipino guerrillas risk everything to liberate their homeland.
1934 – 1941
The Road to War
With the global Great Depression and military tensions rising, war was coming.
December 7, 1941 – January, 1942
Attack and Invasion
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was followed by another on U.S. bases in the Philippines.
January – May, 1942
Bataan and Corregidor
After a fierce battle to hold off the invasion, the Philippines falls and forces surrender.
1941 – 1945
Occupation
Occupation transformed daily life, with Japanese forces keeping a close eye on civilians.
Guerrillas
From grassroots efforts to large, well-organized forces, guerrilla groups formed to resist Japanese rule.
October, 1944
Liberation
MacArthur and his forces returned to liberate his former home.
October, 1944 – September, 1945
Devastation and Victory
Filipino guerrillas joined U.S. soldiers to defeat Japan and liberate the U.S. colony of the Philippines.
After the war, promises made by the U.S. government to Filipino veterans were rescinded, denying their service.
July 6, 1946
Independence Day
The promise of independence first made by the U.S. in 1916 was finally fulfilled.
1945 – 1946
Promises Made
Like soldiers and sailors everywhere who fought under the American flag, Filipinos earned the benefits they were promised. Or so they believed.
1946
Promises Broken
While servicemembers from 60+ nations fought under the U.S. flag in WWII, Filipinos alone were singled out to be denied benefits.
Filipino Veterans fight in the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress for recognition, benefits, and citizenship denied.
1946 – 1985
An Ongoing Struggle
In the decades after the Philippines won its independence, the two countries remained close allies, while veterans’ issue remained “unfinished business.”
1965 – 1980s
A New Community
Emerging Filipino American communities gathered power, found allies, and educated the public about the ongoing denial of citizenship and veterans benefits.
1990s
Early Legislative Efforts
Filipino Americans took their fight to Congress, ensuring that immigration laws reflected veterans’ rights.
1997 – 2008
Taking to the Streets
The battle for equity continued, with Filipino veterans and their supporters taking action through protests and demonstration.
2009
Bittersweet Victory
An Equity Fund would provide some benefits for thousands of living veterans, but it left the Rescission Act on the books.
2017
Congressional Gold Medal
A new national effort was launched to award Filipino veterans with the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. government.
As the last living veterans of World War II pass away, their sacrifice and struggles must not be forgotten.
The Fight Continues
Experience the stories of veterans and activists brought to life through short animations, ranging from firefights in the jungle to protests in Congress.
Learn the roles played by key people in this story by browsing their profile cards, featuring illustrated portraits and short biographies.
Witness significant moments across this history brought to life through the richly detailed illustrations crafted by artist Aria Villafranca.
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On the many islands of the Philippines, war breaks out between the Spanish and the people they seek to rule.
American soldiers fire on Filipino sentries in what would be the opening shots of a brutal and devastating war.
Shortly after defeating Spain alongside revolutionary forces, America brings it's devastating military to bear on their former allies in the Philippines.
America imports itself to the Philippines, establishing schools, churches and government branches, all under tight control from the States
Manuel Quezon and Sergio Osmeña shepherd independence for the Philippines, although it came with many strings attached from many different American interests.
The Japanese sun rises over the pacific as China, Vietnam and other regions fall to the Imperial Empire. American forces in the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii prepare themselves for war.
USAFFE forces struggle to hold the Japanese assault, falling back and fighting until there was nowhere left to retreat to.
Near simultaneous devastating strikes hit U.S. military bases at Hawai'i, Guam, the Philippines and more.
Thousands of USAFFE soldiers, American and Filipino, died on the long brutal march to the prison camps.
The people of Manila anxiously survey the Japanese occupational forces, arriving after the declaration of Manila as an "open city".
USAFFE forces confer with guerrilla bands as they plan the liberation. Troops hand out supplies while MacArthur lands in the background.
Thousands of Japanese soldiers surrender to a few dozen guerrillas during the closing days of the war.
The flag of the Philippines is raised and the US flag lowered, as independence is finally granted to the Philippine people. Yet American economic ties, and naval bases, would remain.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signs the Tidings-McDuffy Act in 1934, guaranteeing Philippine Independence. The promise of independence was first made by the U.S. Congress in the Jones Act of 1916.
The Rescission Act of 1946 stripped rights and benefits from Filipino Soldiers and guerrillas.
The tide began to turn as more and more Americans became aware of the broken promise. Some of their staunchest allies were Daniel Inouye, Daneil Akaka, and Patsy Mink.
Many Filipinos face different journeys when arriving to America. Some with support networks thrive and find a new home. Others face poverty, intolerance and misfortune.
Almost a half century after World War II Veterans continue to demonstrate across the country as they finally begin to see legislative victories.
The Congressional Gold Medal was officially awarded to Filipino Veterans on October 25, 2017, at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Veterans, several of them over 100 years old, were honored at the event.
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