After 1946 U.S. under no obligation to defend Philippines, Senate Committee told. Washington, D.C., Feb. 21. When independence is granted the Philippines in 1946 the United States will be absolved from defending the islands from foreign aggression, general Charles Burnett, Chief of the War Department Bureau of Insular Affairs, told the Senate Territories and Insular Affairs Committee today. As Philippine Vice President Sergio Osmena, right, and his two aides, Benito Razon and Camilo Osias listen intently General Burnett stated "the policy of the War Department is to get out of the Philippines after independence," 2-21-39