Why was Commodore George Dewey sent to the Philippines At the beginning of the Spanish-American War?

Commodore George Dewey was sent to the Philippines at the beginning of the Spanish-American War to engage the Spanish fleet and seize control of the strategically important archipelago. The U.S. aimed to weaken Spanish colonial power and support Filipino independence movements. Dewey's naval forces achieved a decisive victory in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, which significantly bolstered American military presence in the region and contributed to the eventual defeat of Spain.