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/ 

Today in Philippine History: Dewey Cuts Telegraph Cable

MAY 2, 1898

After his victory in the Battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey told the Spanish Governor-General Basilio de Agustin y Davila that he wanted to use the underwater Manila-Hong Kong telegraph cable operated by the British-owned Eastern Extension Australasia China Telegraph Company and Manila’s only link to the outside world since it was considered neutral. After the Governor-General refused, Dewey dredged up and cut the cable. Agustin would later inform Dewey through British Consul Edward H. Rawson-Walker of his willingness to surrender.

Today in Philippine History: Battle of Manila Bay

MAY 1, 1898

The Battle of Manila Bay was a naval battle during the Spanish-American War. Commodore George Dewey’s U.S. Asiatic Squadron consisting of 9 new warships led by the U.S.S. Olympia sailed into Manila. The Spanish Armada of 10 old ships under Admiral Patricio Montojo was caught off-guard. Dewey’s fleet engaged and destroyed the entire Spanish navy with 167 Spanish sailors dead and 214 wounded with 0 casualty on the U.S. side. The battle marked the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

Today in Philippine History: America Declares War Against Spain

APRIL 25, 1898

President William McKinley’s government declared war on Spain. This was a result of earlier events in Cuba which resulted in the blowing up of the USS Maine in Havana harbor. Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt (who would become president) ordered Commodore George Dewey, the commander of the American Asiatic Squadron to attack the Spanish naval forces in the Philippines. Earlier in Hong Kong, Dewey had discussions with Emilio Aguinaldo’s government-in-exile on the imminent war between America and Spain.

Today in Philippine History: Spain Declares War Against America

APRIL 23, 1898

Spain declared war on the United States. Earlier, although faced with revolutions in the Philippines and Cuba, Spain tried to mend the rift with the United States. She wanted to avoid  a war with a nation having modern technology and weaponry even if the U.S. was meddling in the Cuban war of independence. However, the blowing up of the U.S. warship Maine in Havana  harbor killing 260 officers and crewmen changed everything. American officials considered it an act of treason and a reason to declare war even without proof of Spain’s involvement.