At the beginning of the spanish-american war, why was commodore george dewey sent to the philippines? to protect american business interests there to assist the spanish against the filipinos to take on the spanish fleet at manila bay to protect the capital from hostile nations

At the beginning of the Spanish-American War, Commodore George Dewey was sent to the Philippines to take on the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay.

Explanation:

Ten days after the explosion of the USS Maine (February 15, 1898), Commodore Dewey, in charge of the Asian Squadron in Yokohama, was ordered to go to Hong Kong and there prepare to attack the Philippines in case of the outbreak of war with Spain.

Once arrived there -2 March-, he instructed his crews, leaving the bay of Hong Kong to practice shooting every few days.

On April 22, substantial reinforcements arrived with spare ammunition for the rest of the squadron, the protected cruiser Baltimore. On the same day he received the telegram that he was ready to sail immediately, since the war was imminent.

On the following day the war broke out, having 48 hours of time to leave Hong Kong according to the laws of British neutrality. Dewey's squad left Hong Kong on April 25 and went to the neighboring bay of Mirs, where he completed his enlistment for another two days, receiving news from the US Consulate on Spanish preparations until finally, on April 27, he set sail for Philippines.

Finally, the battle was held on May 1, 1898 in the Manila Bay. Dewey's fleet  engaged the Spanish fleet commanded by Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasaron and destroyed it by losing only one man, victim of a heart attack.

it is either spain or cuba

hope this u out