MANILA — Today in Filipino history, December 27, 1897, marks a pivotal moment as General Emilio Aguinaldo, along with 25 other revolutionary leaders, embarked on a journey to Hong Kong aboard the steamer Uranus, adhering to the terms of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato.

This event unfolded against the backdrop of a turbulent period, where the Spanish Governor Primo de Rivera acknowledged the futility of suppressing the revolution through military force, despite prematurely declaring its end on May 17, 1897.

After General Aguinaldo’s forces were displaced from Cavite to Bulacan, they proclaimed the constitution and inaugurated the Republic of Biak-na-Bato on November 1, 1897.

Negotiations ensued in August, culminating in the Pact of Biak-na-Bato by December.

Under this pact, Spain pledged self-rule for the Philippines within three years if Aguinaldo chose voluntary exile.

The agreement also stipulated an end to hostilities, amnesty, an indemnity of 800,000 pesos, and various reforms.

However, the terms were marred by non-compliance from both sides. Spain only paid 600,000 pesos of the agreed 1.7 million indemnity, and many Filipino patriots faced arrests and persecution despite the proclaimed amnesty.

Additionally, promised reforms were never implemented. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Aguinaldo closely monitored Philippine developments, preserving the 400,000 pesos and collaborating with compatriots to design the future Philippine national flag.

This historical episode marked a brief respite in the Filipino struggle, soon disrupted by the emergence of a new power—the United States of America.

Reference: Philippine News Agency archives

(jr amigo/ai/mnm)

On this day in Filipino history, November 26, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo made a significant decree that gave the revolutionary government the authority to secure a loan amounting to 20 million pesos.

Acting on behalf of the national treasury, this proclamation outlined the loan terms, stipulating a repayment period of up to 40 years from the date of issuance.

Notably, the decree extended its scope to the circulation of paper money, amounting to three (3) million pesos. These notes were deemed redeemable within a three-year timeframe.

(Reference: “The laws of the first Philippine Republic (the laws of Malolos) 1898-1899. Compiled & edited by Sulpicio Guevara, 1972.”)

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

On October 31, 1896, Emilio Aguinaldo issued his first two manifestos from Kawit, Cavite. One is entitled “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”, in which he defined the aim of the revolution as the attainment of independence, and the other denounced the conduct of Spanish soldiers in Nasugbu and Lemery.

In part, the manifesto in Spanish was translated and summarized by the National Historical Institute.

Thus:

“Filipinos, open your eyes, let the innocent blood of your brothers, victims of Spanish hatred, leave in your hearts a lasting impression. Let this, our innocent blood, and the countless tyrannies of our enemies, serve from now on as the insurmountable barrier between Spain and the Philippines. What crime have we committed except the ambition to see ourselves free?

At present the new Revolutionary Government functions three times better than the Government of Spanish tyranny.

The Revolutionary Committee calls on all Filipino citizens, lovers of their native land, to rise up in arms, to proclaim the liberty and independence of the Philippines as ours by right and justice, and to acknowledge the authority of the new Government of the revolution built upon the blood of her heroic sons.”

Reference: Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan, National Historical Institute

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

On October 25, 1898, the Academia Militar, the first Philippine military school, was established in Malolos, Bulacan by General Emilio Aguinaldo, the president of the young Philippine Republic upon the recommendation of General Antonio Luna.

It was housed in the convent of the Barasoain church with Colonel Manuel Bernal Sityar (hijo or junior) as Director. Sityar was a Spanish mestizo who had served as a lieutenant in the Spanish Civil Guard. The Academia Militar served as a training ground for future officers of the armed forces.

The academy formally opened its classes on November 1, 1898. The classes were divided into two sections, one for field officers from colonels to majors, and the other for Captains and below. The course of instruction consisted of current orders and regulations, field and garrison regulations, military justice and penal laws, arithmetic and military accounting, geography and history, field fortifications, and map drawing and reading.

Graduates became regular officers of the army.

It was deactivated on January 20, 1899, due to highly escalated tensions between the Filipinos and Americans. Fifteen days later, on February 4, 1899, the Philippine-American war broke out.

On February 17, 1905, the academy was revived with the establishment of the Officer’s School of the Philippine Constabulary in Intramuros, Manila, which was relocated to Baguio City on September 1, 1908.

The present Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, established in 1935 through Commonwealth Act Number One, also known as the National Defense Act, traces its history back to the Academia Militar.

Source:

Philippines News Agency archives
Philippine-American War, 1899-1902, Arnaldo Dumindin (philippineamericanwar.webs.com)

(By JR AMIGO/ai/mnm)