While the Tydings-McDuffie Act did not compel the United States to use its bases in the Philippines for our defence, the joint resolution of the U.S. Congress of June 1944 became aware of our war association and promised the use of U.S. military facilities in the Philippines for our mutual protection. For us, it was the decisive part of all this development. This was a historic abandonment of the policy pursued so far, as defined by the Independence Act. The current basic agreement is a welcome result of this change. “The U.S. government has solemnly guaranteed the Filipino people the right to be totally free and independent . . . . and because of the long and uninterrupted record of loyalty of the Filipino people, both for the cause of total independence for themselves and for the sovereignty of the United States, while they were under our flag, and because they have amply demonstrated their desire for independence. .

and because they can demonstrate abundantly their ability to educate themselves, to govern in a progressive and democratic way. The Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America have decided that the President of the United States, after negotiating with the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines or the President of the Philippine Republic, will be authorized, with whatever means it deems appropriate, to retain or retain and retain the required states on these bases, and the rights attached to them. , in addition to the rights provided by the law of 24 March 1934 (Philippine Independence). as he can imagine necessary for the mutual protection of the Philippines and the United States.” The issue of jurisdiction was one of the problems we faced. This is a fundamental lesson in the armed forces that a commander must fully control his troops, especially on the issue of discipline. The existence of an armed force depends on this general requirement. Nevertheless, we were faced with a situation where these American troops had to be deployed on Philippine soil. The jurisdiction of our courts and our laws had to be preserved. After long and intensive studies, a formula has been developed which, in my opinion, will be extremely satisfactory both for military requirements and for the essential dignity of our own sovereign jurisdiction. I believe that the agreements we have reached on this subject are a welcome compromise to meet the most important requirements that needed to be met. This agreement contains a definitive list of all territories used by the United States for military purposes.

All other areas of the pre-war U.S. military and naval reserves are now returning to the Philippine government. The U.S. government developed a proposed draft agreement, based on what military experts at the time considered essential requirements for the mutual protection of the Philippines and the United States. The American maritime and military power was of course well established throughout the Pacific.