Timeline of Philippine sovereignty

This article presents a timeline of the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, showing transitions of sovereignty over the Philippine archipelago. It also lists invasion attempts and insurgency movements from the pre-Hispanic period to the present.^{[nb 1]}

Timeline

Timeline of Philippine Sovereignty

Period	Sovereign Entity	Invasions and Insurgencies
Pre-Spanish	None Philippines as an entity was non-existent. Islands comparable to Greece composed of numerous sovereign and independent chiefdoms, several minor kingdoms, and thalassocracies such as the Maguindanao, Confederation of sultanates in Lanao and Sulu who were all already engaged in trading with the Chinese, Japanese, Malays and India. Considered by Western nations as territorium nullius (an expression deriving from Roman Law meaning "empty land", or "land belonging to no one").[1]	None
1521 – 1565	Spain Ferdinand Magellan claimed the islands for Spain in 1521.[2]	Lapu-Lapu, a local datu (chief) of a small island off Cebu, killed Magellan in the Battle of Mactan.
1565 – 1599	Spain Miguel López de Legazpi forced the Treaty of Cebu on Rajah Tupas, which effectively gave Spain suzerainty over Cebu.[3] From Cebu, Legaspi expanded Spanish rule across the Philippines, taking possession of Manila for Spain in 1571.[4]	Dagami Revolt (1567), Manila Revolt (1574), Pampangos Revolt (1585), Conspiracy of the Maharlikas (Luzon), Revolts Against the Tribute (1589), Magalat Revolt (1596)
1599 – 1762	Spain Referendum of 1599 legitimised Spain's sovereignty.[5]	Battles of La Naval de Manila, a series of five naval battles between Spanish and Dutch forces in 1646. Igorot Revolt (1601), Chinese revolt of 1602, Irraya Revolt (1621), Tamblot Revolt (1621-1622), Bankaw Revolt (1621–1622), Isneg Revolt (1625–1627), Cagayan Revolt (1639), Ladia Revolt (1643), Zambales Revolt (1645), Pampanga Revolt (1645), Sumuroy Revolt (1649–50), Pintados Revolt (1649–1650), Zambal Revolt (1660), Maniago Revolt (1660), Malong Revolt (1660–1661), Ilocano Revolt (1661), Chinese revolt of 1662, Panay Revolt (1663), Sambal Revolt (1681–1683), Tingco plot (1686), Rivera Revolt (1718), Magtanĝaga Revolt (1718), Caragay Revolt (1719), Dagohoy Rebellion (1744-1829), Agrarian Revolt (1745–1746)
1762 – 1764	In dispute between Britain and Spain. The British Occupation happened between 1762 and 1764 during the Seven Years' War. Only the colonial capital of Manila and the nearby principal port of Cavite were taken by the British.	Silang Revolt (1762–63), Palaris Revolt (1762-1765), Camarines Revolt (1762–1764), Cebu Revolt (1762–1764), Dabo and Marayac Revolt (1763), Isabela Revolt (1763)
1764 – 1872	Spain	Lagutao Revolt (1785), Ilocos Norte Revolt (1788), Magtanong and Malibiran Revolt (1787), Nueva Vizcaya Revolt (1805), Ambaristo Revolt (1807), Ilocos Norte Revolt (1811), Sarat Revolt (1815), Bayot Revolt (1822), Novales Mutiny (1823), Parang and Upay Revolt (1822–1835), Pule Revolt (1840–1841), Camerino Revolt (1865–1869), Labios Revolt (1870–1871), Cavite Mutiny (1872)
1872 – 1892	Spain	The Ilustrados "enlightened ones" constituted the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century. Mostly based outside the Philippines, they helped mold the flame of a united Filipino nationalism and identity in the islands. Almost all previous insurgencies were tribal, provincial and regional in nature.
August 1892 – November 1897	Spain	The Katipunan The group, formed in 1892, became an insurgent revolutionary movement in August. The exact date is disputed, held to be either on 13 August with the tearing of cedulas or on 24 August with the "Cry of Pugad Lawin".[6] This begins what is generally called the Philippine Revolution. January 1895 - Andrés Bonifacio assumes Supreme Presidency of the Katipunan. August 1896 - The Katipunan Supreme Council was reorganised into a "cabinet" of an insurgent revolutionary government. The Katipunan and its successor insurgent movements regarded themselves as legitimate governments from this point onwards.[7][8] 25 August - Andrés Bonifacio is elected Supremo/President of the Katipunan. March 1897 - Emilio Aguinaldo is elected President by Katipunan attendees of the Tejeros Convention. He was sworn in and assumed the office despite Bonifacio having annulled the convention proceedings.[9]
November 1897 – December 1897	Spain	The Republic of Biak-na-Bato Established as an insurgent constitutional republic on November 2, 1897, with Aguinaldo as President. This insurgent government had a constitution, President, Vice President, etc., and succeeded the Katipunan Insurgency.
December 1897 – April 1898	Spain	None 14 December 1897 - Signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, suspending the insurgency. Aguinaldo and other insurgent leaders went into voluntary overseas exile.
April 1898 – May 1898	Spain	Central Executive Committee April 1898 - General Francisco Makabulos forms the insurgent General Executive Committee of Northern Luzon, intended to be a provisional government "until a general government of the Republic in these islands shall again be established." This insurgent government had a constitution, President, Vice President, etc.[10][11]
May 1898 – June 18, 1898	Spain	Unofficial dictatorial government headed by Aguinaldo 1 May 1898 - Hostilities between the U.S. and Spain commenced in the Philippines.[12] 19 May - Aguinaldo returns to the Philippines.[13] 24 May - Aguinaldo announces in Cavite, "... I return to assume command of all the forces for the attainment of our lofty aspirations, establishing a dictatorial government which will set forth decrees under my sole responsibility, ..."[14]
June 18, 1898 – June 23, 1898	Spain	Official dictatorial government headed by Aguinaldo 12 June 1898 - Independence is proclaimed in Kawit by the Dictatorial Government of the Philippines.[15] 18 June - Aguinaldo proclaims dictatorial government.[16]
June 23, 1898 – August 14, 1898	Spain	Revolutionary government headed by Aguinaldo 23 June 1899 - Aguinaldo issues proclamation replacing his dictatorial government with a revolutionary one.[17]
August 14, 1898 – December 10, 1898	In dispute between the U.S. and Spain 14 August 1898 - The day after the surrender of Manila to their forces, General Wesley Merritt established a military government over portions of the country under American control.[18]	Revolutionary government headed by Aguinaldo
December 10, 1898 – January 22, 1899	United States 10 December 1898 - Spain cedes the Philippines to the United States.[19] 1/2 January 1899 - Acting Spanish Governor-General Diego de los Ríos returns to Manila from Zamboanga.[20] 4 January - U.S. General Elwell Otis issues proclamation announcing the United States as having obtained possession and control of all of the Philippines from the Spanish.[21]	Armed activities temporarily halted by the Filipino revolutionary forces.
January 22, 1899 – April 11, 1899	United States	Malolos Republic 22 January 1899 - Promulgation of the Malolos Constitution. Replaces Aguinaldo's insurgent revolutionary government with the Malolos Republic, also known as the First Philippine Republic, with Aguinaldo as President.[22] Although the republic never received foreign recognition, Filipinos consider Aguinaldo to be the first president.[23]
April 11, 1899 – June 2, 1899	United States 6 February 1899 - Treaty of Paris is ratified by the U.S. Senate.[24] 19 March - Treaty of Paris is ratified by the Queen-Regent of Spain.[24] 11 April - Following exchange of treaty ratifications between the U.S. and Spain, the Philippines became an Unincorporated Territory of the United States.[24]	Malolos Republic otherwise known as the First Philippine Republic
June 2, 1899 – April 19, 1901	In dispute between United States and the Malolos Republic On June 2, 1899, undeclared general hostilities between U.S. and Philippine forces having been ongoing since February 4, the Malolos Republic promulgated a Declaration of War against the United States,[25] thereby officially beginning the Philippine–American War. Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the Malolos Republic, was captured by U.S. Forces on March 23, 1901. Aguinaldo signed a formal surrender document on April 19, 1901, acknowledging and accepting the sovereignty of the United States throughout the entire archipelago.[26]	Malolos or the First Philippine Republic
April 19, 1901 – 1902	United States	Gen. Miguel Malvar, successor of Aguinaldo continued the fight until he surrendered in 1902. Several groups collectively known as Irreconcilables continued fighting the United States military, the Philippine Scouts, or the Philippine Constabulary. These included remnants of the Katipunan and other resistance groups.
1902 – 1907	United States	Tagalog Republic In 1902, General Macario Sakay, a veteran Katipunan member, established his own Tagalog Republic (Tagalog: Repúbliká ng̃ Katagalugan), and held the presidency with Francisco Carreón as vice president. In April 1904, Sakay issued a manifesto declaring Filipino right to self-determination at a time when support for independence was considered a crime by the American occupation forces in the Philippines.[27] The republic ended in 1907 when Sakay and his leading followers were arrested and executed by the American authorities as bandits.[28]
1907 – 1913	United States	No organized insurgency Scattered resistance to U.S. rule continued. Moro rebellion erupted mostly in Mindanao, Sulu and Basilan.
1913 – 1935	United States	No organized mass resistance but small pockets of defiance still persisted coming mostly from various religious sects, sakdalistas and die-hard republikanos.
1935 – 1941	United States The Commonwealth of the Philippines, still under U.S. sovereignty, was inaugurated on November 15, 1935. The enabling legislation, the Tydings–McDuffie Act, provided for a ten-year period of transition to full independence.	Small segments of opposition continued from a new front, mainly from the legal nationalist and labor groups.
1941 – March 29, 1942	In dispute between the United States/Commonwealth of the Philippines and Japan/Republic of the Philippines Japan invaded the Philippines on 8 December 1941. Philippine Executive Commission, provisional government
March 29, 1942 – September 2, 1945	In dispute between the United States/Commonwealth of the Philippines and Japan/Republic of the Philippines Japanese forces occupied the country between 1942 and 1945. During the occupation period, the Philippines Commonwealth maintained a Government in Exile in Australia and, later, in Washington, D.C.[29] There was a Second Philippine Republic, which was declared independent in 1942. An Allied campaign to defeat Japanese forces commenced on October 20, 1944, and hostilities continued until the war's end with the Japanese surrender in August 1945.	Hukbalahap On March 29, 1942, peasant leaders determined to oppose the Japanese invasion met in a forest clearing at the junction of the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija to organize a resistance movement against the Japanese invaders. The movement was designated Hukbó ng Bayan Laban sa Hapón (People's Army Against Japan) or Hukbalahap.[30]
September 2, 1945 – July 4, 1946	United States On September 2, 1945, representatives of the Empire of Japan signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. The instrument contained language explicitly accepting the Potsdam Declaration, which contained language limiting Japanese sovereignty to the four main Japanese islands and other minor islands as might be determined.	Hukbalahap and the short lived/progressive political party, Democratic Alliance (DA).
July 4, 1946 – 1954	Republic of the Philippines On July 4, 1946, the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of the Philippines as a separate self-governing nation.[31]	Hukbalahap[32] which later changed its name to "Hukbong Magpapalaya ng Bayan" (People's Liberation Army) or simply "Huks". On May 17, 1954, Luis Taruc, leader of the Hukbalahap/Huk movement, surrendered unconditionally and announced that he "unreservedly recognized the authority of president Magsaysay and the sovereignty of the republic of the Philippines."[33]
1954 – Present	Republic of the Philippines	None, or See Notes

See also

• History of the Philippines
• List of unofficial Presidents of the Philippines
• Communist insurgency in the Philippines

Notes

1. The article may be incomplete, lacking in particular information regarding the MNLF, MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups which should possibly be included.

References

1. Bautista 2009, p. 13.
2. Noland 1990, p. 79.
3. Scott 1992, pp. 50–53, notes 24 and 25 on pp. 62–63.
4. Zaide 1994, pp. 89–91.
5. Villarroel 2009, pp. 93–133.
6. Agoncillo 1990, p. 172.
7. Zaide 1968, pp. 238, 285.
8. Ricarte 1926, p. 27.
9. Agoncillo 1990, pp. 177–178.
10. Constantino 1975, pp. 202–203.
11. Agoncillo 1990, pp. 185–186.
12. Agoncillo 1990, pp. 189–190.
13. Agoncillo 1990, p. 192.
14. Titherington 1900, pp. 357–358.
15. Kalaw 1927, pp. 413–417.
16. Guevara 1972, pp. 7–12.
17. Guevara 1972, pp. 28–40.
18. Zaide 1994, p. 279.
19. Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898, Yale, 2009, retrieved 2010-10-01.
20. Peterson 2007, pp. 10–11.
21. Worcester 1914, p. 167.
22. Guevara 1972, pp. 88–119.
23. Tucker 2009, p. 8.
24. Randolph 2009, p. 197.
25. Kalaw 1927, pp. 199–200.
26. Worcester 1914, pp. 175–176.
27. Constantino 1975, pp. 261–266.
28. Constantino 1975, pp. 266–267.
29. Rodell 2002, p. 18.
30. Agoncillo 1990, pp. 447–449.
31. TREATY OF GENERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. SIGNED AT MANILA, ON 4 JULY 1946 (pdf), United Nations, retrieved 2007-12-10.
32. Agoncillo 1990, pp. 451–460.
33. Agoncillo 1990, p. 458.

Bibliography

• Agoncillo, Teodoro A. (1990), History of the Filipino People (Eighth ed.), University of the Philippines, ISBN 971-8711-06-6.
• Bautista, Lowell B. (3 September 2009), "The Historical Context and Legal Basis of the Philippine Treaty Limits" (PDF), Aegean Review of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law 1: 111–139, doi:10.1007/s12180-009-0003-5, ISSN 1864-9610.
• Constantino, Renato (1975), The Philippines: A Past Revisited I, Renato Constantino, ISBN 978-971-8958-00-1.
• Guevara, Sulpico, ed. (2005), The laws of the first Philippine Republic (the laws of Malolos) 1898-1899, Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Library (published 1972) (English translation by Sulpicio Guevara).
• Kalaw, Maximo M. (1927), The development of Philippine politics, Oriental commercial.
• Kalaw, Maximo Manguiat (1921), The Present Government of the Philippines, Oriental commercial (published 2007), ISBN 1-4067-4636-3. (Note: 1. The book cover incorrectly lists author as "Maximo M Lalaw", 2. Originally published in 1921 by The McCullough Printing Co., Manila.)
• Noland, Marcus (1990), Pacific Basin developing countries: prospects for the future, Peterson Institute, ISBN 978-0-88132-081-7.
• Peterson, Don (2007), 1898: Five Philippine Governors-General Serve Rapid Fire Terms (PDF), Philippine Philatelic Journal.
• Ricarte, Artemio (1926), The Hispano-Philippine Revolution, Yokohama This book was published by Ricarte himself, includes his memoirs on the Philippine Revolution.
• Rodell, Paul A. (2002), "Culture and customs of the Philippines", Culture and customs of Asia (Greenwood Publishing Group), ISBN 978-0-313-30415-6.
• Scott, William Henry (1992), Looking for the Prehispanic Filipino: and other essays in Philippine history, New Day Publishers, ISBN 978-971-10-0524-5.
• Titherington, Richard Handfield (1900), A history of the Spanish–American War of 1898, D. Appleton and Company.
• Tucker, Spencer C. (2009), The encyclopedia of the Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars: a political, social, and military history, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 978-1-85109-951-1.
• Villarroel, Fidel (2009), "Philip II and the "Philippine Referendum" of 1599", in Ramírez, Dámaso de Lario, Re-shaping the World: Philip II of Spain and His Time (illustrated ed.), Ateneo de Manila University Press, ISBN 978-971-550-556-7.
• Randolph, Carman Fitz (2009), The Law and Policy of Annexation, BiblioBazaar, LLC, ISBN 978-1-103-32481-1.
• Worcester, Dean Conant (1914), The Philippines: Past and Present (vol. 1 of 2), Macmillan, ISBN 1-4191-7715-X.
• Zaide, Gregorio F. (1968), The Philippine revolution, Modern Book Co.
• Zaide, Sonia M. (1994), The Philippines: A Unique Nation, All-Nations Publishing Co., ISBN 971-642-071-4.