Collecting the Medals of the Philippine Commonwealth and Republic

Collectors often find medals associated with the Philippines for service of United States military serving in the Pacific theater during WWII. In the period before the SpanishAmerican War, the Philippines was a possession of Spain. This discussion of the medals of the Philippines deliberately avoids medals issued by Spain as well as campaign medals issued during the Spanish American War to United States Forces. Even during the Insular period (1901-1935), when the Philippines was ceded to the United States, the Philippines Constabulary was led by American offcers. In this period medals were issued since U.S. awards could not be issued to Philippine military, these medals will not be discussed.

We will start our discussion when the Philippines became a Commonwealth and then given the ability to self govern. This would allow the Philippine Commonwealth a 10-year transition period to full independence. Manuel Quezon would be elected president of the Commonwealth on Sept. 17, 1935. By early 1936, the Philippine Constabulary was transferred to the PhilippineArmy to become the first regular division of the army.