Post-War Independence (1946-Present)

As we step into the modern era, our timeline guides us through the chapter of Post-War Independence in the Philippines. With the nation's newfound freedom in 1946, this period heralds a journey of self-determination, progress, and nation-building. Join us as we explore how the Philippines, having emerged from the crucible of war and occupation, forges its path forward in the complex landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries.

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Manuel Roxas wins in the Last Presidential Election under the Commonwealth

(April 23, 1946)

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The United States formally recognized the Independence of the Republic of the Philippines (July 04, 1946))

The Military Bases Agreement between the Philippines and the United States was signed (March 14, 1947)

The Military Bases Agreement, also known as the RP-US Military Bases Agreement, was an accord signed between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States in 1947. This agreement allowed the United States to maintain military bases in the Philippines after the country gained independence on July 4, 1946. The most significant bases were the Clark Air Base and the Subic Bay Naval Base.

President Roxas dies from a heart attack at Clark Air Field; Vice President Quirino assumes the Office of the President (April 15, 1946)

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President Quirino appoints Ramon Magsaysay as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (August 31, 1950)

September 19, 1950

The Philippines joined the Korean War, sending over 7,000 troops under the United Nations command.

November 10, 1953

Ramon Magsaysay is elected President of the Republic of the Philippines.

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September 08, 1954

SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) a sister organization to NATO, was created under the Manila Pact by Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty to stop communist spread in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). The United States, Australia, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Philippines, Pakistan and Thailand signed the mutual defense treaty.

March 17, 1957

President Magsaysay dies in a plane crash; Vice-President Carlos P. Garcia assumes the presidency.

December 07, 1961

Diosdado Macapagal elected President of the Republic of Philippines

May 12, 1962

Independence Day is changed to June 12 by Diosdado Macapagal

November 12, 1965

Ferdinand Marcos was elected president of the Philippines

December 17, 1965

Ending an Election campaign marked by bitterness and violence, Ferdinand Marcos was declared President of the Philippines

August 08, 1967

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was established.

December 26, 1968

The underground Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was formed as a Maoist group. Its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA) began waging guerrilla warfare in 1969

December 30, 1969

Ferdinand Marcos won an unprecedented second term as president.

September 21, 1972

President Marcos signs the Martial Law Edict and announced that the entire country is under martial law on September 23.

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July 07, 1975

Philippines' President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 742 and Letter of Instruction 290 creating Western and Central Mindanao regions in Mindanao and establishing the Office of the Regional Commissioner in both regions.

August 21, 1983

Philippine opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino Jr., ending a self-imposed exile in the United States, was shot dead moments after stepping off a plane at Manila International Airport.

EDSA Evolution (February 22, 1986)

The 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution gathered millions of Filipinos from all walks of life to march along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), the main artery of Metro Manila, to end the dictatorship of Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos and begin a new era marked by true freedom and democracy.

October 18, 1987

Canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint

June 30, 1992

Fidel Ramos was sworn in as the new president of the Philippines. Joseph Estrada was elected as vice- president with twice as many votes in a separate ways

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July 18, 1997

In the Philippines , the government signed a general cease-fire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country's 2nd Largest Muslim rebel group.

May 11, 1998

Elections for a new president were held. Joseph Ejercito Estrada led the polls. Estrada was declared winner on May 29

March 15, 2000

President Estrada's government declares an "all out war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
( The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is the largest militant organization in the Philippines and seeks autonomy for Filipino Muslims)

May 04, 2000

A computer virus is released by a student damaging around 45M computers worldwide

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Dos Palmas Resort Kidnapping (May 27, 2001)

The Dos Palmas kidnappings was a hostage crisis in southern Philippines that began with the seizing of twenty hostages from the affluent Dos Palmas Resort on a private island in Honda Bay, Palawan, by members of Abu Sayyaf on May 27, 2001, and resulted in the deaths of at least five of the original hostages.

Oakwood Mutiny : Magdali Group, led by Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala and Ltsg. Antonio Trillanes IV, takes mutiny at Oakwood Premier Apartments in Makati (July 27, 2003)

The Oakwood Mutiny highlighted the dissatisfaction of some members of the Philippine military with the government at the time. It also raised concerns about the state of the military and the need for reforms within the armed forces.

(November 16, 2004)

Hacienda Luisita Massacre took place

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Maguindanao Massacre (November 23, 2009)

58 persons were killed in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province. The victims included 32 journalists and media workers, two lawyers, six motorists passing the same route, and the wife and sisters of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, at that time the vice-mayor of Buluan town in Maguindanao

June 09, 2010

President Elect Benigno Aquino III won the presidential election, being the 15th president of the Philippines

October 15, 2012

Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is signed by the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) aiming to end war in the southern Philippines.

May 15, 2013

The Enhance Basic Education Act of 2013 , commonly known as the K-12 program was signed.

July 27, 2013

The United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republic declares its independence from the Philippines

October 15, 2013

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes Bohol province affecting Central Visayas.

November 08, 2013

Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) landfalls in Visayas. One of the strongest tropical cyclones to hit the country and the deadliest typhoon on record.

MAMASAPANO CLASH (January 25, 2015)

The Mamasapano clash was a shootout that took place during a police operation by the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on January 25, 2015, in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, then-undivided Maguindanao (which is now Maguindanao del Sur). The operation, codenamed Oplan Exodus, was intended to capture or kill wanted Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli Abdhir and other Malaysian terrorists or high-ranking members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

May 30, 2016

Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo were proclaimed as the new President and Vice-President of the Philippines

WAR ON DRUGS (June 30, 2016)

Refers to the controversial anti-drug campaign launched by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The campaign aimed to eliminate the illegal drug trade in the country and address drug-related issues.

November 18, 2016

The Controversial burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

February 24, 2017

Arrest of Leila de Lima for violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 )

May 23, 2017

Pres. Duterte declares a 60 day martial law in Mindanao (via Proclamation No. 216 ) following clashes between government forces and the Maute Group in Marawi City

Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (July, 2020)

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, officially known as Republic Act No. 11479, is a controversial law enacted in the Philippines on July 3, 2020. The law was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a response to perceived threats of terrorism and aims to strengthen the country's efforts against terrorism.

Covid-19 Pandemic (March, 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, emerged in late 2019 and quickly became a global health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The pandemic has led to widespread illness, loss of life, economic challenges, and changes in daily life across the world

May, 2022

President and vice-president Philippine elections. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won the election for President and Sara Duterte for vice-president

Republic Act No. 11954 otherwise known as Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) was approved by President Ferdinand Marcos

(July, 2023)

(President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines immediately signed into law the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill on July 18, 2023. The MIF will establish a diversified portfolio of investments in local and global financial markets, real estate, infrastructure projects, and other assets that promote its objectives. Investments may include cash, foreign currencies, fixed income instruments, equities, Islamic investments (Sukuk bonds), mutual funds, and joint ventures.)

As we reach the end of our journey through the "Post-War Independence" era, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in Philippine history. From the struggles of the post-war years to the challenges and triumphs of the modern era, the Philippines has continued to evolve and adapt. As we conclude this chapter, let us recognize the resilience, creativity, and determination that define the Filipino spirit. The story continues as the nation moves forward, shaping its future and contributing to the global community. Join us as we explore the ongoing narrative of the Philippines in the 21st century.

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