Today in Philippine History: Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Resumes Attacks Against Spanish Troops

JUNE 1, 1898

Gen. Gregorio H. del Pilar arrived in Bulacan bringing along rifles recently purchased in Hong Kong and immediately distributed the arms to his troops. As the designated leader of the Philippine Revolutionary Army in the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, he established his headquarters at Matungao and led his troops in attacking Spanish forces. After the Spanish troops surrendered to him, he and his men proceeded to Caloocan and Manila to reinforce other Filipino troops engaged in battle against the Spaniards.

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

Today in Philippine History: Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Heads Peace Panel

MAY 22, 1899

President Emilio Aguinaldo created a commission to negotiate an armistice with the Americans after the Philippine Army suffered several losses in different battlefields and the unrelenting offensives of the U.S. forces. He appointed Gen. Gregorio del Pilar to head the panel that conferred with the Shurman Commission headed by Jacob Shurman from May 22 to 23. The talks however failed with the U.S. insistence that American sovereignty was non-negotiable. Eventually, the Philippine-American War ended in 1902 with Filipino leaders embracing America.

Photo credit: http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/ and http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/ 

Today in Philippine History: Battle of Quingua

APRIL 23, 1899

The Battle of Quingua was fought during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) in Quingua, now Plaridel in Bulacan. Gen. Gregorio del Pilar with Col. Pablo Tecson successfully thwarted the advances of the U.S. 4th Cavalry led by Major James Franklin Bell. However, when the 1st Nebraskan Infantry of Col. James M. Stotsenburg arrived to reinforce Bell along with Irving Hale’st 51st Iowa Infantry, 1st South Dakota Infantry and Utah Artillery, the Filipinos retreated. The battle saw Col. Stotsenburg dead with 6 others and wounding 44. Only 13 Filipinos died.

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