Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 16, 1899
Apolinario Mabini, the prime minister of the new Philippine Republic wrote to Galicano Apacible in Hong Kong and informed him of the outbreak of the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War) on February 4, 1899.
Mabini wrote “What we wanted to avoid at all cost, came after all. On the evening of the 4th, when we were feeling so carefree because the commissioners of General Otis had just formally assured ours in signed agreements, drawn during the conferences about which I have already informed you in previous letters, that the aggression will not start with them, the Americans unexpectedly attacked all our lines in the neighborhood of Manila. Otis is making it known that the aggression came from us, but even the foreigners themselves do not believe it. All the details point out that the attack had been premeditated and prepared on the part of the Americans... at six o’clock on the afternoon of the same day, the boat Laguna de Bay, which the Americans have covered with armor and mounted with cannon, had fired its boiler, and at eight o’clock that night, the Americans started the attack and said ship bombarded Sta. Ana... Our soldiers, caught by surprise and without a commander to lead them, fought like brave men and they only gave up their posts when their munitions gave out and they were overcome with exhaustion and hunger... We are determined not to accept armistice if the Americans do not acknowledge beforehand the independence and integrity of all the Philippine Islands in the form and conditions that shall be fixed during the period of the armistice.”
Galicano Apacible was a physician and Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s cousin. He co-founded the La Solidaridad, the Nacionalista Party, and formed the Hong Kong Junta.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Society of History
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