Today in Philippine History: Last Spanish Troops Finally Surrender

JUNE 2, 1899

Four Spanish officers along with fifty-three of their men ended their stake out at the Baler Church in Nueva Ecija that began a year earlier on June 28,1898. The troops held on despite of hunger, diseases, desertion among their ranks and calls for surrender by the Filipino forces. They finally gave up after being convinced that the Spanish-American War was over and the Filipinos were fighting the Americans. Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo decreed that they be treated as friends not enemies and were given safe-conduct passes. They became heroes upon their arrival in Spain.

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