How did the US establish a military presence in the Philippines?

The United States first established its military presence in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War in 1898. 1898 turned out to be a watershed year in American Foreign Policy. 

The United States first entered into the Spanish-American war hoping to extend its reach beyond the concept of Manifest Destiny, or owning land from sea to shining sea. Once Manifest Destiny was reached, the nation wanted to spread its wings and become a colonial power, like England and Spain. The U.S. turned its sights on Cuba to try and free the nation from Spain. 

The Spanish also occupied the Philippines. General Dewey was sent there to destroy the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay before it reached Cuba. In the Phillipines, insurgents were also attempting to drive out the Spanish. Through Aguinaldo, the U.S. and the Philippines became allies, and they were able to defeat the Spanish forces. The U.S. was able to capture the city of Manila in August 1898. The U.S. maintained occupation of the Philippines throughout the remainder of the Spanish-American War. However, when signing the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the United States gave Cuba its dependence and decided to continue to occupy the Philippines.