The Philippines was released from Spanish colonization 127 years ago, but are Filipinos truly independent today?

Photo credit: BBC

The Philippines commemorates its 127th Independence Day on June 12, 2025, a day that honors the “historic” declaration of independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1898. 

While this day symbolizes Filipino courage, unity, and the long struggle for freedom, a deeper reflection reveals that the legacy of imperialism, particularly American colonial influence, continues to shape the nation’s sovereignty and development even more than a century after independence was declared.

‘Independence’ and Continued Colonial Rule

The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, led by revolutionary heroes who envisioned a free and sovereign nation. However, this independence was not genuine and short-lived.

Following the Spanish-American War, the Treaty of Paris (1898) transferred control of the Philippines from colonialist Spain to the colonialist United States, ushering in nearly five decades of American colonial rule. Filipinos who fought against the Spanish saw this as an opportunistic move by Filipino elites who favored the Americans over the Spaniards. Filipino revolutionaries immediately continued fighting against a new colonialist. From 1899 to 1902, Filipino revolutionaries who did not align with the US fought against them in Filipino-American War.

During this period, an estimated 20,000 Filipino combatants, along with 200,000 to 1,000,000 Filipino civilians, were killed by the invading Americans. United States forces also burned villages, implemented civilian reconcentration policies, and tortured suspected guerrillas. 

Several massacres were also recorded during this time. Some of the most well-known are the following:

The US colonial machine remained in full throttle up until the Japanese occupation in 1944. Similar to how factions of Filipino elites sided with the Americans during the Spanish colonization era, some Filipinos sided with the Japanese in the hopes of liberation from their current American masters. 

On the other hand, the Filipino revolutionary spirit never died out. During this time of both Japanese and American imperialism both existing in the country, the Communist Party of the Philippines which was in its infancy established the HUKBALAHAP or Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon.

The HUKBALAHAP recruited from all walks of life, but mostly farmers and workers. These guerilla warriors maximized their knowledge of terrain in the jungles of the Philippines to strike against the Japanese, effectively weakening the Japanese forces on the ground.

The U.S. formally recognized Philippine independence only on July 4, 1946, a date chosen to coincide with the American Independence Day, symbolizing the transfer of sovereignty under American terms.

Despite formal independence, the Philippines remained deeply entangled in American economic, military, and political interests. The 1946 Treaty of Manila and subsequent agreements allowed the U.S. to maintain military bases, control key economic sectors, and influence Philippine governance. This arrangement exemplifies a form of neocolonialism, where political sovereignty exists on paper, but economic and strategic control remains heavily influenced by a former colonial power.

Imperialism’s Grip on the Philippines

Even today, the shadow of U.S. imperialism looms large over the Philippines. American military presence persists through Visiting Forces Agreements and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreements, which allow U.S. troops to operate on Philippine soil. These arrangements often limit the country’s full exercise of sovereignty and embroil it in broader geopolitical conflicts.

Economically, the Philippines remains dependent on foreign investment and remittances, with multinational corporations, many American-based, dominating key industries. Trade policies and economic frameworks are frequently shaped by international institutions and agreements that reflect Western interests more than Filipino welfare.

Politically, the influence of the U.S. is evident in the Philippines’ democratic institutions and foreign policy alignments. The country’s leadership often balances between asserting national interests and maintaining favorable relations with the U.S., sometimes at the expense of independent decision-making.

The Struggle for True Independence

The 127th Independence Day is not only a celebration but also a call to critically examine the incomplete nature of Philippine sovereignty. Filipino activists, scholars, and communities emphasize that true independence requires dismantling the vestiges of imperialism that continue to restrict the country’s self-determination.

This includes advocating for the removal of foreign military bases, asserting economic policies that prioritize Filipino industries and workers, and reclaiming cultural and political autonomy free from external pressures. The ongoing celebrations serve as a reminder of the resilience of the Filipino people and their enduring quest to achieve genuine freedom beyond symbolic declarations.

As the Philippines marks 127 years since its historic declaration of independence, the nation stands at a crossroads. The legacy of imperialism, rooted in American colonization and sustained through modern political and economic ties, remains a significant barrier to full sovereignty. Recognizing and addressing this reality is essential for the Philippines to truly honor the spirit of independence envisioned by the revolutionaries, past and present. The annual Independence Day celebrations thus carry not only pride and festivity but also the imperative to challenge ongoing imperialist influences and work toward a future of genuine freedom and self-determination.