Lecture 5: The Filipino-American War and the Continuing “Insurgency” (1899 – 1913) •Stewart A. Young, Ph.D.•History 166•Philippine History

Conditions of War•The exclusion the Filipinos from the Mock Battle for Manila •The Filipinos’ non-participation in the surrender of Spain•The Filipinos were denied from the Treaty of Paris negotiations•The growing distrust of America’s intentions in the Philippines•The McKinley Declaration of Dec. 21, 1898 – Proclaimed by Gen. Otis on Jan. 4, 1899 aggevated the situation

First Shots Fired on San Juan Bridge (Feb. 4, 1899)•American soldier, Private Robert W. Grayson (1st Nebraska Volunteers) shot and killed a Filipino soldier•The incident took place on February 4, 1899 at 8PM on a bridge in San Juan del Monte

Aguinaldo’s Reaction•Filipino troops retaliated and returned fire•Aguinaldo sent an emissary from Malolos to Gen. Otis declaring that the firing back was against his instructions•Gen. Otis replied: "Fighting having begun, must go on to the grim end."

Aguinaldo Declares War on the United States "It is my duty to maintain the integrity of our national honor, and that of the army so unjustly attacked by those, who posing as our friends, attempt to dominate us in place of the Spaniards.Therefore, for the defense of the nation entrusted to me, I hereby order and command: Peace and friendly relations between the Philippine Republic and the American army of occupation are broken—and the latter will be treated as enemies with the limits prescribed by the laws of War."

Retaliation and the Outbreak of War•The 16 mile battle line from San Juan through La Loma and Caloocan was drawn •Positions were set up along the Santa Mesa Ridge as troops dug in (Feb. 4 – 5, 1899)•Gens. Thomas Anderson and Arthur McArthur called in to lead the American charge

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•The First Battles•By February 5, full fledge war had erupted as the American warships bombard Filipino positions in and around Manila •Over 2,000 Filipinos were killed; Major Jose Torres Bugallon killed in action in La Loma•Americans captured many parts of Manila including San Juan, Pandacan, Guadalupe and Pateros

The First Battles•Filipino troops were forced to retreat to Caloocan•Regrouped in Polo (Valenzuela) then fought the Americans under Antonio Luna (Feb. 22 – 24, 1899)•The Genius of Gen. Luna: Late Night Street Fighting in Sta. Cruz, Tondo and Binondo, Manila (Feb. 22, 1899)

Gen. Antonio Luna•While Antonio Luna was training to be a Pharmacist in Europe, he became an avid reader of military science•During the outbreak of War against the Americans he began to emerge as one of most able strategist on the Filipino side•Among his most memorable engagements against the Americans was his Guerilla style campaign in Manila

The Fall of Malolos (Mar. 31, 1899)•General Arthur McArthur began to move northward towards the capitol city of Malolos, Bulacan•On March 31, 1899 – McArthur captured Malolos•Aguinaldo and his Cabinet moved to San Fernando, Pampanga•Thinking that the Filipino resistance has been broken, Gen. Otis rejoiced•Instead the Filipino resistance became more intensified•The American Campaign Moves North•Following the capture of Malolos, McArthur and Colonel Fredrick Funston led the American troops northward against the Filipino resistance•But superior arms of the Americans brought them quick success despite a spirited Filipino resistance –April 26, 1899 – Calumpit, Bulacan fell–May 4, 1899 – Santo Tomas, Pampanga fell (Antonio Luna wounded)–May 5, 1899 – San Fernando, Pampanga fell (Aguinaldo moves his capitol to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija

The First Philippine Commission Quest for A Peaceful Solution•They called for the cessation of fighting and the needless shedding of blood

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•Gen. Otis and the members of the Commission sought to meet with the Filipino•Mabini sent two emissaries to request for a short armistice

The Reaction of the Filipinos•Mabini did not believe that the Americans were in the position to grant the Filipinos autonomy since he believed their presence was not legitimate to begin with•The Americans in turn demanded the unconditional surrender from the Filipinos•Mabini resigned from his position as the Cabinet President because of his staunch anti-American stand and because of the American’s refusal to grant them an armistice•Paterno’s Attempt to Make Peace with the Americans•P. Paterno took over “Peace Cabinet” on May 9, 1899 and proposes that the Philippines becomes an American Protectorate•He sent a committee to meet the Americans–Garcio Gonzaga–Alberto Baretto–Gen. Gregorio H. del Pilar–Captain Lorenzo Zailcita

No Peace But War•Paterno’s peace proposal failed •Because Gen. Otis’ prerequisite was for the Filipinos to lay down their arms before peace may be discussed •Paterno issued a War Manifesto on June 2, 1899 to urged the Filipino to fight on!

The Death of General Antonio Luna•Antonio Luna was a man of many talents•He was a doctor of pharmacy, a brilliant writer, master swordsman, a great military strategist and fearless patriot•But he was a poor politician•He lacked patience and tack in dealing with people•He had a fiery tongue and very hot tempered; he made many enemies•He quarreled with many leaders of the Republic including President Aguinaldo, Pedro Paterno, Felipe Buencamino, Gen. Mascardo

Gen. Luna’s Assassination•On June 2, 1899 Luna received two telegrams•One was signed by Aguinaldo ordering him to go to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija (the new Republic capitol)•Upon his arrival at Cabanatuan, Luna proceeded to see Aguinaldo

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•He met an officer he once reprimanded and demoted; but reinstated by Aguinaldo – which made him angry•That officer informed Luna that Aguinaldo had left for San Isidro, Tarlac which infuriated him even more•As he left, a shot was fired then elements from the Kawit battalion attacked him with bolos•As he laid dying he uttered his last words: "Cowards! Assassins!".

Guerilla Warfare•Following the death of Luna, the Revolutionary army suffered disastrous defeats including the fall of San Isidro on Oct. 11, 1899•Aguinaldo retreated to Bayambang, Pangasinan• On Nov. 12, 1899 Aguinaldo disbanded his regular army and instituted guerilla warfare–He established military zones under guerilla leaders–This proved to be successful against the Americans•War in Bicol and Visayas (1899 – 1901)•War in Southern Luzon•War in Bicol•War in the Visayas•The “Republic of Negros”–Proclaimed by Gens. Anicieto Lacson and Juan Araneta on Nov. 6, 1898 followed their capture of Bacolod from Spain–It was technically dissolved with the Signing of the Treaty of Paris (Feb. 6, 1899) –They offered no resistance to the Americans led by Gen. James F. Smith but welcomed them on (Mar. 4, 1899)

War in Sulu and Mindanao •The Resistance against the Americans came primarily from the “Christian” Filipinos•The Gen. John Bates forges a Treaty with Sultan Jamalul Kiram II of Sulu (Aug. 20, 1899)•“The Bates Treaty”–US Sovereignty Over Jolo–US Flag flies over Jolo–US will respect the position of the Sultan and the rights and faith of their people

Filipino VictoriesThe Death of Gen. Lawton•Gen. Henry W. Lawton was the highest ranking US officer to be killed in the Philippines–He was well-liked by the Americans in the Philippines–Plaza Lawton (Liwasang Bonifacio)•He was a veteran of many wars:

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–American Civil War–Indian Wars (Capture of Geronimo)•He was eventually killed in the Battle of San Mateo (Paye) •By one of Gen. Licerio Geromino’s sharp-shooters

The “Massacre” and Atrocities in Balangiga, Samar (Sept. 28, 1901)•Col. Thomas W. O’Connell and 14 members of the Company C of the US 9th Infantry was assigned to Balangiga•Good beginning eventually turned ugly–Drunkenness–Cultural Insensitivities•Sept. 28, 1901 – Attack on the US Servicemen during their breakfast (50 dead, 24 wounded but survived)•Became known as the “Massacre of Balangiga”

The “Massacre” and Atrocities in Balangiga, Samar (Sept. 28, 1901)•The news was sensationalized in the US Press•Theodore Roosevelt sent orders to “Pacify Samar”•Gen. Jacob H. Smith was sent to retaliate•He told Maj. Littleton Waller – “I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn; the more you kill and burn, the better it will please me... The interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness..”•Kill everyone who is capable of bearing arms --- over the age of 10•Total deaths varies - 2,000 men to 50,000 people

American Wartime Atrocities•Initially, the Americans were expecting a short fight in the Philippines•However, it took longer than expected•They wanted to end the struggle quickly•They resorted to “unscrupulous” techniques to extract information from prisoners – torture (water-cure) and hangings.•Surrender, Capture and Exile of Revolutionary Leaders•As the War waged on, the superior weapons and resources of the Americans began to take its toll on the Filipino resistance•Many others were captured•Eventually many Filipino Generals had no other alternative but to surrender and pledge allegiance to the Americans – The last were Gen. Malvar (Apr. 16, 1902) and Gen. Simeon Ola (Sept. 25, 1902)

The Flight of Aguinaldo to Isabela•The Americans were determined to catch Aguinaldo since he was the head of the Filipino resistance

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•He was pursued by the Americans through many parts of Northern Luzon, Candon, Tirad Pass and across the Cagayan Valley•Aguinaldo retreats to Palanan, Isabela on Dec. 2, 1899•It was a very dangerous route but he was protected by his body guards and his most trusted men including Gen. Gregorio de Pilar•When they got to Palanan, the Americans could not locate him for over a year

The Young Hero of Triad Pass•The 24 year old Gen. Gregorio del Pilar–Nephew of M. H. del Pilar who was the brother of his father–During his schooling days at the Ateneo, he lived with his aunt (the sister of M.H. del Pilar, who was married to Deodato Arellano, the first president of the KKK)–He was a close associate of Aguinaldo and part of the Hong Kong Junta•He successfully defended the Triad Pass from the pursuing American troops•He was killed but honored by the Americans as a hero – Lt. Dennis P. Qunilan who hailed him as “An Officer and A Gentleman” and buried him with full military honors

The Capture of Aguinaldo•Jan. 8, 1901 – Cecilio Segismundo, a trusted messenger of Aguinaldo was capture by the Americans•Gen. Frederick Funston came up with a radical plan to catch Aguinaldo–1 Spanish translator–4 Tagalogs (Hilario Tal Placido, former officer under Aguinaldo)–81 Macabebe Scouts–5 American officers including General Funston•It Worked: Aguinaldo was Captured!

Aguinaldo’s Oath of Allegiance to the United States•Following the Capture of Aguinaldo in Palanan, he was brought by Funston to Manila•There he had no other choice but to announce his allegiance to the United States on April 1, 1901•Two weeks later, Aguinaldo issued manifesto to the Filipinos announcing his acceptance of American Sovereignty and he urged them to make peace with the Americans

The Deportation of Irreconcilables•Leaders of the Revolution who refused to pledge their allegiances to the United States were deported•Among them were Mabini and Ricarte

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The Official End of the Philippine American War (July 4, 1901)•There were 2,811 military engagements•Americans – 126,468 men served; 4,234 died•Americans – spent over $300,000,000 •Filipinos – over 16,000 died in action•Filipinos - over 200,000 civilians died due to war-related causes (famine, disease, displacement of families etc.)

The Continuing War of Resistance (1901 – 1907)•Macario Sakay continue the resistance against the Americans•He proclaimed the Tagalog Republic•He was conned into surrendering by Dominador Gómez in exchange for amnesty for his men•He was greeted by Constabulary Chief, Col. Harry H. Bandholtz at a welcome party in Manila•There he and his men were captured and charged with bandolerismo•Sakay was hanged at the Old Bilibid Prison on September 13, 1907

The Moro Resistance •The “Moro Resistance” Against the Americans–Lanao (1902 – 1912)–Lulu (1899 – 1913)–Cotobato (1903 – 1912)

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