Today in Philippine History: Battle of San Fernando

JUNE 16, 1899

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo gathered his army of around 4,000 with the purpose of retaking the town of San Fernando in Pampanga. The Battle for San Fernando began when Aguinaldo’s revolutionary army attacked U.S. positions in the strategic town and used several pieces of artillery. The American troops under Gen. Arthur MacArthur repulsed the Filipinos who retreated. Earlier on May 5, 1899, the Americans captured San Fernando with the defeated Filipino troops  of Gen. Antonio Luna burning the church, several buildings and railway station before they left.

Photo credit:http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/

Today in Philippine History: Death of Gen. Antonio Luna

JUNE 5, 1899

Antonio Luna, the most brilliant and ablest general of the Philippine Revolutionary Army arrived at the Cabanatuan Church, Nueva Ecija to attend a meeting with Emilio Aguinaldo for a new cabinet to be formed. An officer told him Aguinaldo left for San Isidro, Tarlac. As he was about to leave, a rifle shot rang out in the plaza. Luna angrily went down the stairs and was met by Capt. Pedro Janolino who hacked him with a bolo. Other Kawit troops he dismissed for insubordination shot him while others stabbed him. Antonio Luna died in the hands of fellow revolutionists.