Philippine Diplomacy (1935-1945)

Pre-World War II Diplomacy (1935-1941)

• During the Commonwealth period, the Philippines had limited diplomatic powers under U.S. colonial rule
• The Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 allowed for 10 years of Commonwealth rule before independence
• Laws limited foreign ownership and resource exploitation via restrictions on foreign land ownership and immigration quotas, especially for Chinese and Japanese nationals
• The U.S. controlled foreign relations, so the Philippines did not have an independent foreign policy

Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

• In 1942, Japanese forces invaded the Philippines, disrupting diplomatic relations
• The Second Philippine Republic was established in 1943 under Japanese sponsorship
• Filipino leaders were forced to host delegations from Japan, Burma, and India and attend international conferences in China and Japan
• They were also forced to express support for Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, although many resisted
• Philippine independence was delayed because of World War II and the Japanese occupation

Post-War Independence and Early Foreign Policy (1946-1950s)

• The Philippines gained full independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946
• Formal diplomatic relations were established with multiple countries, but it remained heavily aligned with the U.S.
• Key treaties and agreements include the Bell Trade Act of 1946 and the Military Bases Agreement of 1947
• The Bell Trade Act allowed U.S. businesses parity rights, giving them the same access as Filipinos to natural resources, pegged the Philippine peso to the U.S. dollar and it required free trade between the U.S. and the Philippines
• The Military Bases Agreement allowed the U.S. to maintain military bases in the Philippines for 99 years.
• Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base were major military bases
• The Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951 established U.S.-Philippines military cooperation
• It stated that an attack on either country would be considered an attack on both
• The Philippines became a founding member of the United Nations (UN) in 1946

Cold War and Regional Involvement (1950s-1970s)

• The Philippines aligned with the U.S. against communism
• The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was forged in 1954
• SEATO was a U.S.-led military alliance to contain communism and its members included the Philippines, U.S., U.K., France, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand
• Diplomatic relations were limited to pro-Western countries in order to avoid communist states
• Continued strong economic and military dependence on the U.S.
• Limited engagement with newly independent Southeast Asian nations beyond SEATO

Marcos Era and Foreign Policy Shifts (1965-1986)

• President Ferdinand Marcos sought a more independent foreign policy while maintaining ties with the U.S.
• Diplomatic relations with China and the Soviet Union were established in 1973
• Economic diplomacy and self-reliance was emphasized during this period
• Key foreign policy changes included normalization of relations with socialist countries, support for ASEAN’s regional economic and security initiatives and negotiations with the U.S. for higher rent payments for military bases
• The Tripoli Agreement in 1976 was an attempted peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and it sought to establish an autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao

Post-EDSA Revolution and Modern Philippine Diplomacy (1986-Present)

• In 1986, President Corazon Aquino restored a pro-democracy foreign policy
• Diplomatic ties with ASEAN and Western allies were strengthened
• In 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected the renewal of the U.S. Bases Agreement, leading to the closure of Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base in 1992 and a shift toward a more self-reliant defense policy
• From 1995 onward, major diplomatic strategies include strengthening ASEAN economic and security ties, balancing relations with the U.S., China, and other global powers
• Asserting Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and participation in UN peacekeeping missions and international organizations are also strategies

Conclusion

• Philippine external relations evolved from U.S. dependency to a more diversified and independent foreign policy
• The country remains active in ASEAN, the UN, and regional security dialogues
• Ongoing challenges include territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, balancing relations between China, the U.S., and ASEAN, and economic partnerships and trade diplomacy