CHAPTER 5: FILIPINO REACTION TO TOPIC II: THE TREATY OF PARIS (DECEMBER

AMERICAN RULE 10, 1898)

TOPIC I: THE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE  The Spanish-American War of 1898 was
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE ended by the Treaty of Paris of 1898 which
KINGDOM OF SPAIN (BY THE PRESIDENT OF was negotiated and signed in Paris, France,
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) by the American and Spanish peace
delegations on December 10, 1898.
 The agreement between Spain and the
 The signatories were:
United States which resulted in the session
 former Secretary of State William R.
of the Philippines from Spain to the United
Day
States was the Treaty of Paris of December
 Senator Cushman K. Davis
10, 1898. In this treaty, the Philippines
 Senator William P. Frye
ceased to be a colony of Spain and has
 Editor Whitelaw Reed
become a possession of the United States.
 Mr. George Gray for the United
 The Treaty was concluded following the
States
victory of the United States over Spain in
 President of the Spanish Senate
the Spanish-American war.
Eugenio Montero Rios (Chairman)
 The war resulted in the transformation of
 Senator Buenaventura Abarzuza
the United states from being a continental
 Associate Justice Jose de Carnica
power to that one that has overseas
 Minister Plenipotentiary to Belgium
possession. With the Philippines in its
 Wenceslao Ramirez de Villa-Urrutia
possession the United States can now
 General Rafael Cerero y Saenz
project the power throughout Asia and into
 In this treaty Spain ceded the Philippines,
the Middle East as it establishes naval
Guam and Puerto Rico to the United
bases in the islands.
States. The United States of America and
 Students of History should take note and
her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, in
study the importance of this Treaty as it
the name of the August son Don Alfonso
delineates most of the territories included
XIII, desiring to end the State of War now
in the present Republic of the Philippines.
existing between the two countries, have
Aside from the Philippines the United
for that purpose appointed as
States also obtained Guam and Puerto
plenipotentiaries.
Rico.
 The parties, who having been assembled in
 Also important are terminologies used in
Paris, and having exchanged their full
this treaty such as the word "cede" and
powers, which were found to be in due and
"transfer of sovereignty" and the status of
proper form, have, after discussion of the
the nationals of the territories affected by
matters before them, agreed as provided in
the treaty.
the articles that:
 Spain cedes to the United States
the islands of Puerto Rico and other
 islands now under Spanish  The following are Emilio Aguinaldo's
sovereignty in the West Indies, and description of the events from its onset to:
the islands of Guam in the Marianas  The Treaty of Biak na Bato
or Ladrones (Article II).  To his exile in Hong Kong
 Spain cedes to the United States  His return to the Philippines in May
the archipelago known as the 1898
Philippine islands and  the Filipino-American war
comprehending the islands lying
THE BIAK-NA-BATO REPUBLIC:
within a line running from west to
east along, or near the twentieth  After the Death of Bonifacio, the revolution
parallel of north latitude & through went from bad to worst for the Filipinos.
the middle of the navigable channel  Aguinaldo lost one battle after another.
of Bachi and others (Article III).  The New Spanish Governor General,
 The United States will pay to Spain Fernando Primo de Rivera, brought
the sum of twenty million dollars reinforcements from Spain.
($20M) within three months after  Aguinaldo moved his war camp many times
the exchange of the ratifications of away from Cavite.
the present treaty (Article III).  President E. Aguinaldo and his men headed
TOPIC III: TRUE VERSION OF THE PHILIPPINE for Bulacan. Finally on June 24, 1897, they
REVOLUTION (BY DON EMILIO AGUINALDO Y arrived at Biak-na-bato, San Miguel de
FAMY) Mayumo.
 Aguinaldo and his men joined the troops of
INTRODUCTION: Gen. Mariano of Nueva Ecija in assaulting
Spaniards stationed in the Central Luzon
 General Emilio Aguinaldo wrote various
provinces.
historical accounts as part of his memoirs.
 On November 1, the revolutionary leaders
Since they are written by a principal
met and adopted a Constitution titled the
participants in the history, the memoirs are
Provisional Constitution of the Philippine
a primary source. The documents however
Republic.
is still subject to critical external and
 It declared that the aim of the revolution
internal analysis.
was the Separation of the Philippines from
 Memoirs and autobiographies are biased in
Spanish Monarchy and the formation of
favor of the writer and these just present
the Philippine Independent State. On the
his views, opinions and perspectives of the
same day, the Biak-Na-Bato was also
actual events. They can be compared with
inaugurated and the officials were:
the narratives of other people to give a
1. Emilio Aguinaldo - President
better picture of the past.
2. Mariano Trias - Vice President
3. Isabelo Artacho - Secretary of the
Interior
 4. Antonio Montenegro - Secretary of  However, after the peace pact neither side
the Foreign Affairs. fully complied with the terms of the
5. Baldomero Aguinaldo - Secretary of agreement.
the Treasury  The Government never instituted the
6. Emiliano Riego de Dios - Secretary expected reforms. Likewise, the Filipinos
of war. continued their plan to overthrow the
 This agreement known as the Pact of Biak- government.
na-Bato, resulted to the voluntary exiled of  In Central Luzon, General Francisco
Aguinaldo and his men to Hong Kong. Makabulos of Tarlac of establish a
 This pact consist of three documents. The provincial revolutionary government with a
first were signed on December 14, and the Constitution written by him.
third on December 15, 1897.  The Makabulos Constitution adopted on
 The Pact of Biak na Bato was signed in San April 17, 1898, set up this provisional
Miguel Bulacan, in the House of Pablo government in Central Luzon to continue in
Tecson, a Philippine revolutionary captain force until a general government for the
who served as Brigadier General in the republic was established.
"Brigada del Pilar" (military group) of  In Malolos, General Isidro Torres
General Gregorio del Pilar during the established his camp to continue the
revolution. revolutionary spirit.
 The negotiators of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato  Revolts were also experienced in Bohol,
are Pedro Paterno and Emilio Aguinaldo Cebu, Panay and other Islands in the
with five companions. country.
 On December 25, 1897, Aguinaldo with  Feliciano Jocson, a pharmacist, incited the
Pedro Paterno and others went to patriots in Manila to continue the fight
Lingayen, Pangasinan from where a against the Spaniards.
Spanish Merchant Steamer was to take  Aguinaldo and his officer went into exile
them to Hong Kong. but did not end the fight to win
 Two days after Aguinaldo and 25 others independence from Spain.
sailed for Hong Kong on board the steamer  On a letter written in Hong Kong dated
Uranus, in compliance with the pact. February 19, 1898, Mariano Ponce stated
 General Artemio Ricarte stayed behind at that Gen. Aguinaldo had signed the pact of
Biak-na-Bato to supervise the surrenders of Biak-Na-Bato because under its terms, the
arms by the revolutionaries. Filipino revolutionist could rest and regain
 The Spanish government announced the their lost strength and then return to
end of the hostilities on January 23, 1898. combat with renewed vigor.
It proclaimed amnesty two days later, and
it gave part of the promised money to the
rebels in Hong Kong.
PRESIDENT EMILIO AGUINALDO’S (1869-1964) 1. That I would, and any of my
VERSION: associates who desired to go with
me, be free to live in any foreign
A. THE REVOLUTION OF 1896
country. Having fixed upon Hong
 Spain maintained control of the Philippine Kong as my place of residence, it
islands for more than three centuries and a was agreed that payment of the
half, during which period the tyranny, indemnity of $800,000 (Mexican)
misconduct and abuses of the friars and should be made in three
the Civil and Military administration installments, namely: $400,000
exhausted the patience of the natives and when all the arms in Biak-na-Bato
caused them to make a desperate effort to were delivered to the Spanish
shake off the unbearable galling yoke on authorities; $200,000 when the
the 26th and 31st August 1896, then arms surrendered amounted to
commencing the revolution in the province eight hundred stand; that final
of Manila and Cavite. payment to be made when one
 On these memorable days the people of thousand stand of arms shall have
Balintawak, Sta Mesa, Kalookan, Kawit, been handed over to the
Noveleta and San Francisco de Malabon authorities and the Te Deum sung
rose against the Spaniards and Proclaimed in the Cathedral in Manila as
the Independence of the Philippines and in thanksgiving for the restoration of
the course of the next five days uprising peace. The latter part of February
were followed by the inhabitants of the was fixed as the limit of time
other towns in Cavite province joining in wherein the surrender of arms
the revolt against the Spanish Government, should be completed.
although there was no previous 2. The whole of the money was to be
arrangement looking to a general revolt. paid to me personally, leaving the
disposal of the money to my
B. TREATY OG BIAK-NA-BATO discretion and knowledge of
understanding with my associates
 Don Pedro Alejandro Paterno (Who was
and other insurgents.
appointed by the Spanish Gov. Gen.) sole
3. Prior to evacuating Biak-na-Bato
mediator in the discussion of the terms of
the remainder of the insurgent
peace) visited Biak-na-Bato several times
forces under Captain-General Primo
to negotiate terms of the Treaty, which
de Rivera should send Biak-na-Bato
after negotiations extending over five
two General of the Spanish Army to
months, and careful considerations had
be held as hostages by my
been given to each clause, was finally
associates who remain there until I
completed and signed on the 14th
and a few only my compatriot
December 1897, The following being the
arrived to Hong Kong and the first
Principal conditions:
installment of the money payment
 (namely four hundred dollars) was Assimilation Proclamation", ceding the
paid to me. Philippines to United States.
4. It was also agreed that the religious  In the same proclamation, he instructed
corporations in the Philippines be the Military authorities to extend by force,
expelled and an autonomous if necessary, American sovereignty over
system of government political and the Philippines. Thus, since the Senate had
administrative, be established, not yet ratified the Treaty of Paris,
though by special request of Mckinley had virtually acted on his own in
General Primo de Rivera th claiming American Sovereignty over the
conditions were not insisted on in Philippines.
the drawing up of the treaty.  The explanation and text of this
General Primo de Rivera paid the proclamation were included in Maximo M.
first installment of $400,000 Kalaw's State Papers, thus: from this
 While the two Generals were held document, despite the sugar-coated
hostages in Biak-na-Bato. We the promises and its beguiling phrases, the
revolutionaries, discharged our obligation Filipino people learned in an unmistakable
to surrender our arms, which were over manner that they were deprived of the
1,000 stand, as everybody knows, its boom for which they were fighting
having been published in the Manila independence.
Newspapers. But the captain General  They realized what they had never manner
Primo de Rivera failed to fulfill the that they were deprived of the boom for
agreement as faithfully as we did. The which they were fighting independence.
other installment were never paid; the  They realized that they had never for a
Friars were either restricted in their acts of moment dreamed in the beginning that
tyranny and oppression nor any steps their bloody struggle had brought them
taken to expel them or secularize the only a change of masters.
religious orders.  When General Otis, the Commander of the
American Forces in Manila, received the
TOPIC IV: PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY’S
manifesto, he was at loss on what to do, he
“BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION
knew that its publication would only
PROCLAMATION” (DECEMBER 21, 1898)
enraged the Filipino people and widen the
 President William Mckinley decide to gap between them and the Americans.
annex the Philippines at the earliest  After fully considering the President
possible time and even before he had proclamation, General Otis explained, and
obtained the ratification of the U.S. Senate the temper of the Tagalog's with whom he
for the Treaty of Paris with Spain. Thus, was daily discussing Political problems and
after his delegates signed the treaty, he the friendly intention of the U.S.
issued a Proclamation on December 21, Government towards them.
1898, commonly known as the "Benevolent  General Otis concluded that there were
certain words and expressions therein such
 as sovereignty and right of cession, and known to the inhabitants of the Philippine
which those directed immediate islands that in succeeding to the
occupation, etc. might be advantageously sovereignty of Spain, in severing the
used by the Tagalog war party to incite former political relations and in
widespread hostilities among natives. establishing the new political power, the
 The ignorant classes have been taught to authority of the United States is to be
believe that certain words as exerted for securing the persons and
"sovereignty", protection", etc. had a property of the people of the islands and
peculiar meaning disastrous to their for the confirmation of all their private
welfare and significant of future political rights and relations.
domination, like that from they had  It will be the duty of the commander of the
recently been freed. forces of occupation to announce and
 In view of these considerations, he felt proclaim in the most public manner that
justified in amending the manifesto so that we come not as invaders or conquerors. as
the ideas of "Sovereignty", and "right of friends, to protects the natives in their
cession" might be as little suggested as homes, in their employments and their
possible. personal and religious rights.
 The authentic text of the manifesto,  Within the absolute domain of military
however, was published in Iloilo. . It is now authority, which necessarily is and must
acknowledge by most writers that this remain supreme in the ceded authority
manifesto precipitated the Filipino- until the legislation of the U.S. shall
American war. otherwise provide.
 The destruction of the Spanish Fleet in the
TOPIC V: THE PHILIPPINE BILL OF 1902
Harbor of Manila Bay by the U.S. Squadron
commanded by Admiral Dewey, followed  The first Organic Act passed by the U.S.
by the reduction of the city and the Congress for the Philippines was the
surrender of the Spanish Forces, practically Philippine Bill of 1902, otherwise known as
effected the conquest of the Philippine Act of July 1, 1902.
Islands and the suspension of the Spanish  Governor Taft, during his visit to the United
Sovereignty therein. States in 1901, worked indefatigably for
 With the Signature of the Treaty of Peace the passage of this law.
between the United State and Spain by  At first there was a strong opposition
their respective plenipotentiaries at Paris against its passage, especially in the House
on the 10 instant, and the result of the of Representative, owing to the virulent
victories of American arms, the future objections of misinformed congressmen. .
control, disposition and the government of During the stormy debates, one of the
the Philippine Islands are ceded to the opponents went to the extreme of calling
United States. the Filipinos "pirates", “barbarians",
 In performing this duty, the military “savages", "incapable of civilization".
commander of the U.S.is enjoined to make Thereupon, Congressman Henry A. Cooper,
 of Wisconsin arose and recited before the  The Judicial Power was vested in the
House the immortal last poem of Dr. Jose Supreme Court, the Court of First Instance,
Rizal. and the Justice of the Peace of Courts.
 As he read Rizal's last farewell, stanza by
TOPIC VI: RETURNED AMERICAN SOLDIERS
stanza in a quivering resonant voice and
TELL OF BRUTAL DEEDS COMMITED IN THE
with eyes moist with tears, the turmoil of
PHILIPPINES
the floor calmed down and all
congressmen, those in favor against the SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL
Bill, sat and listened. Then vote was taken
on the Bill, it passed the house,  Spokane, April 28. - Stories of flendish
subsequently followed by Senate approval. cruelty practiced by American soldiers in
 The Philippine Bill of 1902 promulgated on the Philippines are confirmed by members
July 1, 1902, ratified the previous acts of of the Seventeen Infantry who have
the American President with regards to the returned from Manila.
management of the Philippine affairs;  Two companies K and M are stationed at
 It provided for the establishment of the Fort Wright, Spokane. The returned
elective Philippine Assembly upon the soldiers confirm the press dispatches and
restoration of peace throughout the give new details which came under their
Philippines, the taking of census and the personal observation.
lapse of two years after the latter's  The Scouting party under Lt. Bolton of
publication. Company L Seventeen Infantry was
 It extended to the Filipinos the Bill of particularly bloodthirsty in its methods.
Rights, except for the right of trial by jury.  There are two soldiers now at Fort Wright
 It provided for the sending of two Filipino who were with Bolton on his scouting trips.
resident commissioner to Washington to One of them is Private Hines of Company k
represent Philippine Interests before and the other is Rufus Wilson of Company
Congress; M.
 It conserved the natural resources of the  They were detached from the regular
Philippines for the Filipinos. service in the Philippines and were placed
 The Executive Power was vested in the Civil in the squad with which Bolton roamed
Governor over the islands in quest of Arms and
 The Philippine Assembly, composed of information.
Filipinos elected by the people, served as  "Lieutenant Bolton certainly treated those
legislature's lower house with the natives most cruelly" said Private Hines. I
Philippine Commission (Chaired by the Civil was with him on a scouting trip seventeen
Governor) as the upper house. Both houses days in the northern part of Luzon.
exercised legislative power, except that the  We would ransack the native towns in
Philippine Commission retained control of search of arms and information about the
legislation over nonChristian minorities. insurrections.
 When Bolton got hold of a Filipino from he matter. “I don’t know anything about the
wanted to get information he showed him water cure”, he said doggedly, “and if I did
no mercy. I (Pvt. Hines) myself saw the I wouldn’t tell my own brother for it might
"water cure" given three times on that trip. get some officers who are friends of mine
 One time Bolton was unsatisfied with into trouble”.
giving the ordinary water, he tied him  Outcry in America over the brutal nature of
down and forced Shasta water down his the Samar campaign cost Waller his chance
throat. I wouldn't stand for such cruelty as of the Commandancy of the US Marine
that, and I walked away. That Shasta water course. Liberal newspaper took to
is vile stuff. It has a terrible taste and it addressing as “The Butcher of Samar”.
sickens a man dreadfully.  Waller was born in York country, Virginia
 Lt. Bolton scouting party got information on September 26, 1856. He was appointed
from natives by hanging them to trees. Pvt as a 2nd Lt. of Marines on June 24, 1880.
Fines did not see that himself. He rose to Major General, retired in June
 The water cure is simple thing. The native 1920 and died on July 13, 1926. He was
is tied down flat on the ground and his buried in Arlington National Cemetery in
mouth forced open with sticks or a string 1942. The destroyer USS Waller was
which is tied behind his head. Then water named in his honor.
is poured down his throat through a  In April 1902, Valeriano Abanador accepted
bamboo tube. The native must drink the the general amnesty offered by the
stuff and is poured down until he can hold Americans. He died sometime in the
no more. Then the water is pumped out of 1950's.
him by stamping on his stomach or rolling
BALANGIGA ENCOUNTER DAY:
him over. When he comes to the native is
always ready to talk.  Balangiga Plaza in front of the Municipal
 When Lt. Bolton came to the village where hall with a monument to Valeriano
the insurrection had been centered he Abanador. An annual event, "Balingaga
would summon the President before him. Encounter Day" was made possible by the
 He would demand information as to the passage into law on February 10, 1989 of
whereabouts of the native troops or would Republic Act No. 6692; An Act Declaring
demand knowledge of hidden rules. September 28, as Balangiga Encounter Day
 If the President was unwilling to talk he and a Special Non-Working Holiday in the
would get the water cure. Province of Eastern Samar. The Original Bill
 In one place we get thirty rifles. . Lt. Bolton was filed by Eastern Samar Representative
was certainly a brave man. He spoke all the Jose Tan Ramirez.
native languages and Spanish and he was
not afraid of anything. His man would go TOPIC VII: THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND
with him anyplace. THE ENGAGEMENT OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1901
 Private Rufus Wilson of Company M who KNOWN AS THE “MASSACRE OF BALANGIGA”
was with Bolton refused to talk about the
OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE BALANGIGA  After the Massacre in Balangiga, General
MASSACRE: Smith issued his infamous Circular No. 6,
which stated his plans for crushing all
 The U.S. official and soldier involved in the
resistance on the islands of Samar:
Balangiga Massacre: Maj. Gen. Adna R.
 He ordered his command thus: "I
Chaffee and Brig. Gen. Jacob Smith in
want no prisoner" and "I wish you
Tacloban, Leyte in 1902.
to kill and Burn, the more you burn
 Survivors of Balangiga Massacre in April
and kill, the better it will please me.
1902, photo taken in Calbayog, Samar;
 USS Vicksburg sailors led by Lt.
Source: L. Melvin Maus's book, An Army
Later Rear Admiral) Henry V. Butler
Officer on Leave in Japan, published in
burning a village in Samar, October
1911.
1901.
BALANGIGA BELL:
GENERAL J. SMITH INFAMOUS ORDER (“KILL
 The 1895 Balangiga bell - the smallest of EVERYONE OVER TEN”):
the three Balangiga church bells - was
 Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Smith infamous order
turned over to the headquarters of the 9th
"KILL EVERYONE OVER TEN" was the
U.S. Infantry Regiment in Calbayog, Samar;
caption in the New York Journal cartoon on
around April 1902.
May 5, 1902 .
 This relic is one permanent display at the
 The Old Glory draped an American shield
museum of the 9th U.S. infantry, stationed
on which a vulture replaced the bald Eagle.
in Camp Hovey, Tongduchon, South Korea.
The bottom Caption exclaimed: "Criminals
It is now considered by most Filipino
Because They Were Born Ten Years Before
historians as the one that was rung during
We took The Philippines"
the Balangiga attack.
 The Philippine Occupation was the first
 The two bigger Balangiga bells. These were
war, historian Gail Buckley has pointed out,
brought to the U.S. by returning 11th
in which "American Officers and troops
Infantry soldiers to their home station at
were officially charged with what we would
the former Fort D. A. Russel, now the F.E.
now call war crimes.
Warren Airforce Base in Cheyenne,
 In 44 Military trials all of which ended in
Wyoming. Both are displayed at the
convictions, including that of General Jacob
Balangiga Memorial in its Trophy Park.
Smith, "sentences, almost invariably, were
 Issue of April 22, 1902 as Published in the
light".
San Francisco Call:
 The Baltimore American had to admit the
 The US Army's retallation measures
US occupation "Aped" Spain's cruelty and
included actions that resulted in the
committed crimes "We went to war to
court-martial of two field
banish".
commanders; Brig. Gen. Jacob
 General Smith tasked his men to reduce
"Howling" Jake smith and Marine
Samar into a "howling wilderness", to kill
Maj. Littleton Waller.
 anyone 10 years old and above capable of  On the other hand it was the follow-up
bearing arms. activity by the Americans that was the real
 He stressed that, "Every native will massacre, as a Punitive American Force
henceforth be treated as an enemy until he came & killed 250 Filipinos according to
has conclusively shown that he is a friend". Schott (The Ordeal of Samar: Indiapolis &
 His policy would be "to wage war in the New York; E.P. Dutton 1936).
sharpest and most decisive manner", and
EUGENIO DAZA’S ACCOUNT OF THE ATTACK
that "a course would be pursued that
ON BALANGIGA:
would create a burning desire for peace"
 On Dec. 29, 1890, as a cavalryman, Smith  The account of the conception and
was present at wounded knees, South execution of the attack on Balangiga is
Dakota, an incident - also referred to as narrated by its Chief planner Eugenio Daza.
massacre - that left about 300 Sioux men,  Daza was an Infantry Major in the Filipino
women and children, and 29 army soldiers Army. He was the son of Juan Daza and
dead. Magdalena Campomanes Salazar and was
born on November 4, 1870, in Borongan,
THE ORDEAL OF SAMAR “MASSACRE OF
Samar.
BALANGIGA”:
 In 1884 he and his brother Inigo studied at
 Depicted as "Massacre" in American the Jesuit run Escuela Normal de Maestros
newspapers the event in Balangiga, Samar were he trained to be a Teacher.
was one of the bloody incidents in the  He returned to Borongan where he started
FilipinoAmerican War. his own School.
 On September 28, 1901, a band of Filipinos  During the Filipino-American War, he
armed mostly with bladed weapons joined the Filipino Army and served under
surprised an American company and killed General Claro Guevarra.
36 soldiers.  It was in this capacity he planned and
 It was said to be one of the most disastrous executed the attack on Balangiga. At the
defeats on the American army. Aside from end of the war he surrendered to General
the carnage the Filipino combatants were Jacob H. Smith on April 27, 1902 and
said to have mutilated the dead bodies of helped in fighting the Pulajanes.
Americans.  For his services he was appointed member
 But was it really a Massacre as depict in the of the Philippine Assembly representing
American Press? In eyewitness accounts the third District of Samar in 1907.
were 36 American were said to have been  At the end of his term in 1909 he refused
killed, 28 Filipinos were also killed in the to run for reelection and retired to private
event. life. Died at the age of 84 on December 16,
 The Filipino leader Eugenio Daza 1954 in Calamba, Laguna.
acknowledges that 22 Filipinos who fought  On August 11, 1901, a company of
in the event were wounded. American soldiers on board of the US Army
 transport Liskum, landed on the town of  Once gathered I reminded them of the
Balingiga, Province of Samar under the duty we had to perform on that occasion If
command of Major, Captain and a we were to be a patriots fighting for our
lieutenant. liberty and independence, and I informed
 The Major and other officers Occupied the them of the idea I had conceive.
convent, the greater portion of the soldiers  On September 8, 1891, we again held
quartered themselves in the municipal another meeting of the leaders of the town
building, two platoons commanded by the in a house near the town in order to
sergeants occupied two houses without perfect the plan of uprising because the
paying any rent. people could no longer stand the abuses of
 On the night of august 11, 1901 the the American soldiers.
Captain called a meeting of the inhabitants  In the meeting, it was decided to stage the
of the town leaders the selection and uprising on September 28, and the meeting
appointment of those who were to was dissolved at 2:00 in the morning.
compose this police body.  On September 24, 25, 26, 1901, I went to
 The next day August 12, a meeting was also all the barrios of the town of Balingaga and
held in the house of the Municipal held conferences with the officers of the
President, who had been appointed different revolutionary camps and Barrio
together with the Secretary, and in said Lieutenants, instructing.
meeting, Mr. Valeriano Abanador, who R  Instructing them that on the night of
was delegate of police in the revolutionary September 27 they should unite all their
government, was appointed Chief of Police forces in a place called Canlara near the
with forty-six municipal policemen. town of Balingaga, armed with lances,
 Months before the occupation by the bolos, clubs and daggers.
enemy, I (Diaz) was in the very town of  On the night scheduled of concentration
Balangiga. I was an Infantry Captain of the the forces of Canlara, 500 well chosen
Revolutionary army in charge of collecting armed men, appeared ready to give their
money to support the revolution and to lives for the country and for the freedom
provide food supply to our countrymen. and Independence cherished by us since
 I considered that providential and I prehistoric times.
conceived then a very daring plan to  These men under the immediate command
capture all the American together with of their respective officers took their places
their arms and ammunition to the most of the camp designated by me, waiting for
practicable manner under the the signal for the determined attack for th
circumstances. Americans.
 To carry out such a reckless plan of attack, I  Another 200 men who were with the force
called a secret meeting of the principal 1 had in command were inside the town.
residents of the town and the same was  In order to disguise our objectives, these
held in the very same house of the men were working inside the town for
Municipal President, Mr. Pedro Abayan, .
 purposes of sanitation together with American drank for fear of being poisoned.
others who were prisoners. These men posted themselves in front of
 It is a custom in Samar since time the American Guards at the stairway of the
immemorial that whenever it is desired to convent.
clean the streets of the town from weeds  The seventh company under Chief of Police
and herbs, the local authorities call upon Valeriano Abanador composed of
the inhabitants to perform their work, municipal policemen together with the
called Pintakasi, so that on that occasion street cleaners and prisoners were
the attention of the Americans was not assigned to occupy at any cost one of the
drawn to the large number of men within American Headquarters. This 7th company
the town as it was believed that their only was divided into three groups, each group
Object was to clean the streets of the town to occupy one of the quarters assigned to
and other public places. it.
 At one o'clock in the morning, September  The pre-arranged signal for the attack was
28, 1901, all women, children and sick men the ringing of the bells by those who were
were ordered to leave the town to be previously posted, and who were to
immediately and concentrate in an isolated be children, at the belfry.
place. After these precautions, ordered our  The one to give the order by making
armed forces to surround the town at motion with his Cane was Mr Valeriano
points assigned to each company in Abanador, who was at the Plaza with me.
accordance to the plan I had on hand.  When the companies were posted at their
 All command (the first, second, third, respective places at about 7:00 a.m., I gave
fourth, fifth) are all in placed and at six the order for the attack which was
o'clock in the morning, the six company transmitted immediately by Mr. Valeriano
commanded by ex-Municipal captain Abanador means of motions of his cane
Custodio Salazar and Mr. Pablo Gacho, and the children in the belfry rang the
head of barrio Laua-an proceeded to the bells.
church with other officers, having been  The children in the belfry rang the bells
assigned to capture the American officers. which was the signal for the general attack
 With usual cockfights during Sunday and of the companies, with the officers
the coming of men summoned to clean the commanding them to shouting "courage,
streets of the town, the Americans would brothers, advance!"
not suspect the sadden increase of the  The rebels kept their word and performed
number of the men in town as their duty in patriotic manner, throwing
revolutionaries quartered in In the convent themselves as one man and like a hungry
of the church: some rebels were attired in wolves against the Americans who were
feminine dress and simulated praying in then taking breakfast outside their
church and from there they proceeded to respective quarters where they had left
the convent, other brings firewood and their arms. The very moment the general
young coconuts, the waters which the attack was given, the rebels were caught
 completely by surprise at the convent.  An American soldier name Denton who
What happened was indescribable; the belonged to the company stationed at
ringing of the bell, the shouting of words Balangiga escaped or deserted several days
"Courage, brothers, advance" was heard before the catastrophe and voluntarily
everywhere. So powerful was the attack appeared before me and fought with us for
that in a few minutes the battle ended the cause of the revolution against his very
unfavorably for the American who died countrymen who captured him later in the
heroically performing their duty which mountains of Saimar together with General
their government imposed upon them. Lukban, two other Americans who escaped
 But not all of them perished. Nine badly from their regiment in the town of Leyte
wounded American soldiers were able to and passing through the town of Basey,
save themselves they sailed on the barotos they fought also in the battlefield for our
at the seashore and carried by the current cause.
headed for Tacloban, Province of Leyte. .  As for the pages of our revolutionary, for
 Closely pursued by the rebels, they were the honor and glory of our beloved
overtaken in the Barrio of Bulusao, town of country, and above all of the town of
Balingaga where seven out of nine died. Balangiga, province of Samar; One of the
 Two were able to save themselves finally bells which were rung on that memorable
thanks to the favorable wind and current, day of the heroic battle, was taken by the
they reached the town of Tolosa, Leyte Americans to the United States.
where they gave an account of the bloody  Could we secure its return? That depends
affray in the town of Balingaga. on the patriotism of our Leaders and the
 Eugenio Daza stated that the day set for good will of the American people.
the battle was October 1901, but was not  These historic data were taken from my
carried out on that day due to lack of MEMORANDUM, the truth of which I
preparation. certify under oath and word of honor.
 In the first place, we accelerate the day of (Sgd.) Eugenio Daza: Revolutionary Army of
the attack to prevent the Americans in Samar.
some way informed and necessarily cause  Subscribed and sworn before me this 23rd
our failure: Furthermore, circumstances day of December 1935, no cedula
cause us to take advantage of the public certificate (issued) being above 60 years of
resentment against American abuses to age. (Sgd.) Before Pedro A. Limbauan:
their property, and to delay the attack Notary Public.
would have been fatal to us, we would
have committed a terrible indiscretion and
an unpardonable imprudence. THE BALANGIGA BELLS:
 In our ranks, 28 Filipino revolutionary
soldiers died in the line of patriotic duty,  The Balangiga bells are three church bells
and others are wounded. the US Army took from the church of San
Lorenzo de Marfir in Balangiga, Eastern
 Samar, Philippines, as war trophies after
reprisal following the Balngiga Massacre in
1901 during the Philippine-American War.
 One church bell was in the possession of
the 9th Infantry regiment at Camp Red
Cloud their base in South Korea, while the
two others were on a former base of the
11th Infantry Regiment at Francis E.
Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne,
Wyoming.
 Progress in negotiations was made in 2018
and the bells finally returned to the
Philippines.
 The bells arrived at Villamore Airbase on
December 11, 2018. After 117 years and
were returned to the Balangiga Church on
December 15, 2018.