Why were the Philippines involved in World War 2?

Answer 1

The Philippine Commonwealth Army was created by Philippine Commonwealth Act Number 1, approved December 21, 1935. With the threat of war with Japan imminent, on July 26, 1941, a new command in the Far East was created known as the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) and the Far East Air Force (FEAF). On the same date the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, issued Presidential Order 6 Fed. Reg. 3825 which called the Philippine Commonwealth Army into the service of the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Presidential Order of July 26, 1941, did not order all the military forces of the Philippine government into the service of the United States Armed Forces. Only those units and personnel indicated on orders issued by a general officer of the United States Army were mobilized and made an integral part of the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE). Only those members of a unit who physically reported for duty were inducted.

The Japanese saw the Philippine islands as being vital because of their Natural Resources and great strategic location. The United States ultimately had to liberate the islands forcibly with the first assault at Leyte beach in the province island of Tacloban. This was the largest amphibious operation mounted by American troops at that time.