CIA activities in the Philippines

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The Central Intelligence Agency has been active in the Philippines almost since the agency's creation in the 1940s. The Philippines were frequently of great value to the CIA's operations in the second half of the 20th century. The United States has long had a clandestine intelligence apparatus in the Philippines. The Philippines have always been considered an important asset to the United States. There was a strong American influence until 1992.^[1]

The CIA's main headquarters for Southeast Asia is located in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The CIA was founded in 1947 and soon began to play a major role in Philippine affairs.^[2] The presence of U.S. military bases in the Philippines, originally conceived through the 1947 Military Bases Agreement giving the United States authorization to utilize Clark Field and Subic Bay,^[3] made it highly accessible to the agency.

During this time, the CIA ran many covert operations in the country and employed it as a base to launch actions against other countries. The agency had supply, training, and logistical centers on multiple Philippine islands. After their successful counterinsurgency against the Hukbalahap, the CIA reused this model in both Vietnam and Latin America.The Hukbalahap rebellion provided the agency with valuable information and strategies that were later applied in the previously stated places.

The Philippines also served as a laboratory for refining counterinsurgency tactics, showcasing the global influence of the CIA's operations. The CIA also deployed psychological warfare in the Philippines which went beyond conventional intelligence tactics. The agency attempted to create an environment that supported its strategic objectives by influencing social dynamics and public perceptions. This meant influencing attitudes within the country as well as pursuing international threats. The Philippines served as a testing ground for innovative psychological warfare techniques, reflecting the CIA's adaptability in information and influence to operations.The CIA also engaged in violent action in order to advance its agenda.^[4]

The establishment of a military base in the Philippines serves a dual-purpose beneficial to both the United States and the Philippines. Strategically, it functions as a deterrent against Soviet and Communist influences in the region. Economically, it fosters growth among U.S. allies without imposing significant strains on their defense budgets. Additionally, it provides the United States with a strategic point for rapid military deployment and power projection in the Pacific. This partnership enhances the security and defense capabilities of both nations, ensuring mutual protection and support.^[5]

The Philippines, formally titled the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelago nation in Southeast Asia between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea to the east of Vietnam.^[6] It is the main "US imperial power [base] in Southeast Asia," according to Roland G. Simbulan of the University of the Philippines.^[7] Credible allegations exist revealing that the CIA has operated in support of the pro-American for big businesses such as Coca-Cola which is called Crony capitalism oligarchy in the Philippines, and uses its resources to advance the interests of American corporations such as Ford, Nike, and Coca-Cola. The CIA and the United States have consistently played a role in political and economic life of the Philippines. The Filipino counterpart to the CIA is the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), with which it cooperates.^{[citation needed]} The Central Intelligence Agency has long undergone major political involvement within the Philippines. Throughout the history of the agency, they have been influencing and organizing by blackmail, brute force, or funds to engage in political intervention. While covert operation and sabotage for American gain may be more limited to date, the CIA demonstrated their ability to influence by engaging with the political powers in the Philippines.^[8]