#TodayinHistory in 1896, the Battle of San Juan del Monte (Battle of Pinaglabanan), the first battle in #PH Revolution, was waged at an area in San Juan City #PH near old gunpowder depot. The goal was to capture the powder magazine & cut off water pipelines to Manila. (THREAD)
As early as January 1892, the underground revolutionary organization, the #Katipunan, was conceptualized. Upon the Spanish order of Rizal's exile to Dapitan in July of that same year, the secret org was formally founded.
Through secret chapters established from Luzon to Visayas & parts of Mindanao, the #Katipunan grew in number, w/ an elaborate cipher for communication, and triangle method recruitment, ensuring the security of the members, should one member implicate the org.
With the Spanish discovery of the Katipunan in 1896, arrests were implemented, & suspects imprisoned at the slightest hint of involvement. Sometime from 23 to 26 (scholars still debate the exact date), Katipuneros commenced an all-out-revolution.
84-year old Melchora Aquino, a benefactor of the Katipunan, was arrested and interrogated the day before the battle was waged. She resolutely never revealed any valuable info on the Katipunan.
Beginning on 29 August (at night), Andres Bonifacio & approx 800 troops from Mandaluyong stormed El Polvorin (gunpowder depot) at San Juan del Monte (today's San Juan City), but failed to capture the area. They fell back to Sta Mesa on 30th, joined by other revolutionaries.
They resumed attack. While Katipuneros outnumbered the Spaniards, they were no match for them, as Katipuneros were only armed mostly w/ bolos, bamboo spears, & a few stolen guns. They suffered heavy casualties (150 killed, 200 captured), w/ arrival of Spanish reinforcements.
While the Katipuneros in San Juan del Monte failed to capture the area, coordinated revolts of Katipuneros sprung up in 8 provinces, w/ Spanish Gov-Gen Ramon Blanco declaring Martial Law on these provinces on the same day.
📸: Historical Atlas of the Republic (2016)
Photos:
- A portion of "Filipino Struggles Through History" (1968) by National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco
- "Spirit of Pinaglabanan" Monument at the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan City, by sculptor Eduardo Castrillo
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