Chapter 7.

The American Rule

1. War of Philippine Independence from the United States

President Aguinaldo regarded the United States an ally in the Philippines

towards independence.

August 1898 – Filipino-American relations deteriorated as the American

authorities took over Manila. The mandatory evacuation of the Filipino troops
in the captured districts of the city dismayed Aguinaldo, thinking that
Americans were on their side.

The signing of treaty of Paris without consulting the Filipinos heightened

the tension. Neither Spain nor the US gave Felipe Agoncillo, Aguinaldo’s
envoy, a chance to join the Paris Peace Talks
Manifest Destiny – was a popular belief that the US had the God-given right to
help oppressed countries and build democratic nations.

US President William Mckinley in his “Benevolent Assimilation

Proclamation” on December 21. 1898, he expressly indicated American
policy regarding the Philippines that the US shall exercise sovereignty over
the entire archipelago. He argued that Americans must educate and uplift the
condition of the Filipinos. (This ideology was used by Americans to rationalize
their actions in the country)

On January 5, 1899, Aguinaldo issued a counter proclamation and specified

that his forces were prepared to fight any American attempt to take over the
country.

Still the Americans occupied the Philippines. On January 20, 1899, Pres.
Mckinley appointed the First Philippine Commission to make
recommendations in the administration of the country. This commission was
headed by Dr. Jacob Schurman, issued a proclamation declaring the
establishment of American sovereignty in the Philippines in the midst of
Filipino-American war.

Private Robert Willie Grayson with two members of the US sentry shot
and killed a man who happens to be a Filipino soldier. The man together with
other Filipino soldiers were already entering into American lines on their way
home. The Americans tried to stop them and shouted “halt” twice. Unfamiliar
with the word Filipino shouted “halto”. Thinking that Filipino soldiers were
making fun with them, The American soldiers fired on Filipino soldiers who
were caught unprepared. The site of the first shot of the Philippine-American
war, called Philippine Insurrection by the Americans, is in SIlencio corner
Sociego Street in Sta. Mesa, Manila. News reached to the Americans that
Filipinos started the hostilities. Americans viewed the fighting as an
insurrection.

General MacArthur issued his order to advance against the Filipino troops
without investigating the shooting incident. Aguinaldo tried to avoid the war.
 He sent an emissary to Gov. Gen. Elwell Otis that the firing on their side
had been against in his order. But he replied that since the fighting had
begun, it must go on to the grim end. On the same day, Aguinaldo issued
informing Filipino people that they were now at war, This turned out to be the
seven year Philippine – American war (1899 – 1906).

Because of advanced preparations and firearms, The American troops

captured:
• Rizal Province
• La Loma
• Kalookan (now Caloocan City)

The Muslims remain neutral; they signified non-involvement in the Filipino-

American War.
Gen. John C. Bates tried to win the friendship of the Muslims by negotiating
with them on the basis of equality.

August 20, 1899, John C. Bates and Sultan Jamalul Kiram II of Sulu
with three datus signed the Bates Treaty. In this treaty provided that the
rights and dignities of the sultan and datus shall be respected and Muslims
shall not be interfered with their religion. Nevertheless, the Muslim province
remained under American military rule.

Panglima Hasan led a rebellion against the american authorities, his fight
for freedom ended on March 4, 1904.

In the suburbs of Manila, the american fleet started bombarding Filipino fort
north of San Juan Del Monte. Major Jose Torres Bugallon, one of Gen.
Antonio Luna’s gallant officers, fell mortally wounded. After capturing La
Loma, gen MacArthur headed for Caloocan.

In Caloocan once again Americans were victorious. Undismayed by this

defeat Gen Antonio Luna prepared a plan for the recapture of Manila by
burning American occupied houses in Tondo and Binondo. This took place on
February 22, Washington’s Birthday. American fire brigades rushed to the
area and fought the flames. They repulsed Luna’s men with heavy losses.
Luna then retreated to Polo where he established his headquarters.

Colonel Henry O. Egbert of the 22nd infantry died in action. Fighting as they
retreated, the Filipinos burned Polo and Meycauayan in order to delay the
enemy advance.

When the American army reached Malolos, Aguinaldo has already established
headquarters in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Gen. Mac Arthur wanted to pursue
Aguinlado but Gov. Gen. Elwell Otis ordered him to rest in Malolos. March 31,
MacArthur captured Malolos.
In Quingua (now Plaridel) Major Bell suffered heavy losses under General
Greagorio Del Pilar. In this battle Colonel John Stotsenburg was killed.

Gen. MacArthur continued his drive northward, The fierce battle of Bagbag
river in Calumpit ensued for three days. On April 25, Calumpit fell into
American hands. Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar and his troops were left to defend
the Filipino lines since Gen. Luna and his men, had already left for Pampanga
at the height of the battle to see what had happened to the reinforcement of
troops being asked from Gen Tomas Mercado. When Luna returned to
Calumpit , the Americans had already succeeded penetrating the Filipino
defensive lines.

Apolinario Mabini as the head of the cabinet and minister of foreign affairs
met with Schurman Comission and requested for a temporary cease fire
but was refused. He issued manifesto in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija urging his
countrymen to continue struggle for independence. Unlike him the members
of the Fili[ino assembly like Pedro Paterno, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
and Felipe Buencamino wanted the American to offer of autonomy
rather than independence. Mabini made another attempt on April 28 by
seeking armistice but was again turned down.

So the Assembly knew that Mabini opposed to their views, they persuaded
Aguinaldo to remove him from office. A resolution was passed by the
Assembly asking Aguinaldo to reject Mabini’s stand and to remove him as
President of the Cabinet, President Aguinaldo named Pedro Paterno the head
of the new Cabinet. Mabini spent his last years writing articles against
Americans.

The Paterno Cabinet / Peace Cabinet created a Committee headed by

Felipe Buencamino to negotiate peace with the Americans. When Gen
Antonio Luna heard this, he blocked the trip of the Committee to Manila and
arrested the members. He strongly advocate to fight for independence.

June 5 – Gen. Luna went to convent in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, which

served as Aguinaldo’s headquarters. He got mad when he did not find
Aguinaldo who had already left for San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. After he had heard
a rifle shot, Gen Luna run in the stairs and cursed the soldiers and then
slapped one of them. Pedro Kastila, captain from Cavite, drew his bolo and
hacked him. Seeing him wounded other soldiers stabbed him while others
shot him. He received more than forty wounds. His aide-de-camp Colonel
San Francisco Roman was also killed. The next day he was buried with full
honors on Aguinaldo’s orders.

After Luna’s death, some demoralization set in. Many officers surrendered to
the Americans.
The capture of Aguinaldo was one of the priorities of the Americans.
In order to elude the American forces, Aguinaldo with his troops proceeded to
Cordillera mountain range. This passage way to Cordillera was Tirad
Pass. Del Pilar saw the advantageous terrain of Tirad Pass. This could shield
the Filipino troops and give Aguinaldo sufficient time to escape. Del Pilar
 with other 60 riflemen were given the mission defending the Tirad
Pass.

Major Peyton G. March and 300 american troopers stormed the pass but
were repulsed by Del PIlar’s men.

Januario Galut an Igorot, guide the Americans to the secret trail to the top
from the rear was known. In the midst of the combat Gen Del Pilar was hit by
a bullet passed through his neck.
Cecilio Segismundo, Aguinaldo’s messenger fell into the hands of Gen
Frederick Funston, stationed in Nueva Ecija.

With the approval of General MacArthur, Funston employed 80 Macabebe

scouts, two former officers of Aguinaldo (Lazano Segovia and Hilario Tal
Placido), three tagalog natives and four other American soldiers for the
capture of Aguinaldo.

The Macabebe scouts were able to enter Aguinaldo’s camp because they
pretend to be the reinforcement with five American prisoners. At a given
signal Tal Placido, grab Aguinaldo from behind. Gen Funston and four other
American officers entered the room and arrested him in the name of US.

April 19, 1901 – Aguinaldo took the oath of the allegiance to US and
appealed to all Filipinos to accept the sovereignty of the uS

July 14, 1902 – President Theodore Roosevelt declared that the

Philippine-American War was over.

2. Government under America

President McKinley appointed the second Philippine commission (Taft

Commission). He gave the commission the legislative and executive authority
to put up a civilian government.

Judge William Howard Taft – first civil governor. He exercised both

legislative and executive functions because he was the head of Philippine
Comission that served as the law making body. His policy, the Philippines for
Filipinos, laid a foundation of democratic government. Subsequently the
Second Philippine Commission passed a law establishing a highschool system
in the country.

One of the achievement of the taft administration was the sale of huge tracts
of friar lands. The US government paid 7.2 million dollars for these lands

Cooper Act a.k.a. Philippine Organic Act of 1902 – 1st congressional law,
extension of the US bill of rights to the Filipinos.

March 2, 1903 – Census day, 1st official census in the Philippines during
American period. It reports the total population of 7,635,426.
Filipino nationalist organzed political parties to counter act pro-American
activities if the Partido Federal. Among these parties were:
• Partido Nacionalista by Pascual Poblete
• Partido Independista by Dr. Pedro A. Paterno
• Partido Democrata by Alberto Baretto, Leon Ma. Guerrero, Justo Lukban
and Joyce Dela Vina
*P. Nacionalista and P. Democrata advocates peaceful independence.
Partido Conservador composed of Spanish Community like MAcario Adriatico,
Francisco Ortigas and Gregorio Singian advocates for autonomous
representative government after peace and order have boon restored.

Gen. Vicente Lukban resorted to ambushing American soldiers

The brutality of war was best exemplified by the Balangiga Massacre

Gen. Jacob Smith order massacre of all men and children above ten years
of age. He wanted Samar to turned into a “howling wilderness”. He was court
martialed for cruelties inflicted by his troops.

Gen. Miguel Malvar continued the fight for Philippine Independence

The American Authorities were determine to assert sovereignty in the
Philippines, as manifested by the anti-nationalist laws imposed on local
inhabitants, These included:
• Sedition Law – imposed death penalty or a long prison term on
anyone who advocated separation from the US even by peaceful
means.
o Juan Abad’s Tanikalang Guinto was closed after its Batangas
performance, found guilty for sedition. He was sentenced to two
years imprisonment and a fine of US $2,000
o Hindi Aco Patay by Juan Matapang Cruz was closed. The red
sun on a Katipunan flag that rose behind the stage caused riot
inside the theater. Later on Cruz was imprisoned, which he
served in full.
o Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas by Aurelio Tolentino was also
regarded seditious. In uncensored version, Inangbayan’s
children rise in arms against Malaynatin and Bagong Sibol. In
Censored version, Bagong Sibol grants the children their
freedom.. The uncensored version led to his arrest amd was
given life imprisonment but was pardoned.
• Brigandage Act or ley de Bandolerismo– by Gov. William Howard
Taft, which punished with death or with a prison term of not less than
20 years for members of armed band. Persons aiding brigands were to
be given prison not less than 10 years.
• Reconcentration Act – gave the gov. gen.the power to authorize any
provincial governoe to reconcentrate in the towns all residents of
outlying barrios if ladrones or outlaws operated in these areas. This law
was passed to facilitate arrest of guerillas who were protected by the
people
 • Flag Law – prohibited the display of the Philippine Flag and other
symbols used by the resistance against the US.

Tagalog Republic -by Macario Sakay, Julian Montalan and Cornelio

Felizardo, organized their resistance forces in Rizal, Cavite, Laguna,
Batangas. Sakay claimed that his republic was a continuation of Bonifacio’s
Katipunan. Sakay was chosen as president together with Montalan and
Francisco Carreon as vice president.

Sakay released a manifesto declaring that he and his men were real
revolutionaries and not mere brigands. To obtain security of his followers,
Sakay imposed sanctions to uncooperative Filipinos. They abducted the
family of Mariano Trias, a former general of Aguinaldo.

In mid 1905, Gov. Gen. Henry C ide authorized Dominador Gomez to

conduct negotiation for the surrender of Sakay, Sakay agreed to end his
resistance on the condition that the genral amnesty be givem to them, that
they permitted to caryy firearms and his men would be allowed to leave the
country assured of personal safety.

Colonel Harry H. Bandholtz arrested and disarmed SAkay and principal

officers. They were charged with ladronism,banditry and other crimes such as
robbery, rape, kidnapping and murder.

Gen. Macario L. Sakay and Colonel Lucio De Vega were sentenced to die by
public hanging.

Julian Montalan and Leon Villafuerte were given executive clemency.

Sakay’s resistance become the final cahper in the Philippine –

American War

Gen. Simeon Ola last revolutionary general to surrender to Colonel

Bandholtz, he surrender to save the people from hunger and brutality.

Artemio Ricarte refused to surrender and was exiled in Hong Kong

Phil. Assembly was inaugurated at the Grand Opera House, Sergio Osmena
as the Speaker of the assembly while Manuel L. Quezon became the
majority floor leader.

Gabaldon Law first law passed by the Phil. Assembly which appropriated one
million pesosfor barrio school.

Jones Law provided a bicameral Philippine Legislature with an Upper house

called Senate (with 24 members) and Lower house called the house
representative (with 93 members). The law contained a preamble declaring
the independence would be granted to Filipino people as soon as a stable
government could be established in the Philippines.
3. The American Legacy

The Americans propagated the use of English language for better

understanding with the Filipinos. English became the language instruction in
all schools and became the official language of the government.

Bounding Pillow – first American newpaper appear in Philippines

American Soldier – first American daily newspaper to published in Manila

Philippine Herald first Filipino weekly paper in English by Senate President

Manuel L. Quezon
El Renacimiento – attacked Secretary of the Interior Dean Worcester in the
article Aves de rapina (Birds of Prey). Worcester immediately sued the
newspaper. Teodoro M. Kalaw, editor of the newspaper was imprisoned but
later pardoned by Gov. Gen Harrison.

Severino Reyes’ Walang Sugat was one of the famous tagalog zarzuela.

Two American Enterpreneur made a film about Jose Rizal’s execution. This
made the Filipinos inspired to make Filipino film. Jose Nepomuceno, father
of Philippine movies, made the first movie Dalagang bukid

George Pineda – who invented the immortal representation of Filipinos – the

salakot wearing slippered Juan DE la Cruz, did political cartooning like Jose
Perreira, chief cartoonist of the Philippine Free Press magazine from the
1920s to 1930s

Nicanor Abelardo – a bulakeno, prominent composer of kundiman, waltzes,

marches and sonatas for piano and violin. Among his famous copmposition
were; Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan ka Irog and Bituing Marikit. Francisco Santiago
became known for Anak DAlita and Madaliang Araw.
Protestant Christianity was also introduced in the country. Mr. C B. Randall, a
lay worker, distributed first bibles in Manila.

Bishop James M. Thoburn – delivered first Protestant sermon in the

country.

Inglesia ni Cristo was established by Felix Manalo

Sevent-day Adventist – bears the old testament doctrine worshipping on

the Sabbath day

Charles M. Swift established MERALCO (manila electric company), its

original name Manila Electric railroad and Ligthing Company

Philippine Constabulary School was later on became Philippine Military

Academy. From Intramuros it was moved to Baguio.
 The American era also marked the improvement of infrastructure,
transportation and communication facilities as well as community service.

4. Philippine Independent Church

In the second phase of revolution, which began with Aguinaldo’s return from
Hong Kong. Gov. General Basilio Augustin and archbishop Bernardino
Nozaleda commissioned Father Gregorio Aglipay to confer with the
revolutionary soldiers to bring them back to Spainish side with a promise of
autonomity with the Filipinos.

Aguinaldo issued decree appointing Aglipay as Military Vicar, making him

religious leader revolutionary movement

Isabelo’s De los Reyes a newspaper man imprisoned for conspiracy against

Spain.

5. The Colorums

During the American occupation, colorum refers to religious organization

with mystical characteristic.

Colorum Organiization were active in 1920s. In Leyte and Samar, Sociedad de

la Confianza was formed. The Caballeros de la Sagrada Familia in Pampanga,
Pangasinan, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija
In Tarlac, the colorums worshipped Jose Rizal and Apo Ipe Salvador. They
believe that the two leaders would resurrect and save them.

Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood prohibited the display of pictures of Filipino

heroes in all public school in Mindanao.

In Nueva Ecija, Pedro Kabola founded a secret society called Kapisanan

Makabola Makarinag. They intended to assault the municipal building of
San Jose and execute all town officials.

Pedro Calosa an Ilokano organized a colorum in which they were armed with
knives, bolos and few guns. They attacked the town of Tayug that would
supposed to be the spark of that would ignite the Central Luzon Area in a
peasant revolution. When a Constabulary detachment arrived, the colorum
group retreat but Calosa managed to escaped and was captured a few days
later.

6. Land Tenure System

During the American colonial rule, the Spanish feudal system was not
dismantled. The hacienda system kept the peasants in bondage.

Tenants were either inquilinos or kasamas. The Inquilino paid yearly rent
for using a piece of land. Aside from this he is required to give various of
 services for free. Refusal to work or contribute to expenses may dismissed
them from the hacienda.

The kasama provided labor in the hacienda where he shared harvest on a

50-50 basis with his landlord or hacindero, after deducting the expenses
incurred in planting and harvesting. He is also expected to give services for
free to the landowner.

Free trade likewise reinforce the feudal agrarian system of the Spanish
regime and twisted the normal development of local industries. Rich
landowners and investment capitalist took control of the economy, laying the
groundwork for limited capita per income, inflation and structural poverty.

Dependence upon duty free, American products increased the suffering of

local producers.

7. The First Labor Groups

Isabelo De los Reyes organized the first labor group in the Philippines, the
Union de Litografos e Impresores de Filipinas and ti was reorganized into
Union Obrera Democratica (UOD) a federation of smaller unions of printer,
lithographies, cigar makers, tailors which demanded for higher wages.

Lope K. Santos a newspaper man and printer was the last president of UOD.
Under him the union became Union de trabajo de Filipinas.

May 1, 1913 – Labor day was first celebrated in the country. The labor
leaders organized the Congreso Obrero de Filipinas (COF). This Congress
approved resolutions demanding eight hour labor day, child labor,
women labor laws and employer liability law.

Union of Magsasaka in Bulacan fight evil tenancy and usury

8. The Communist Party of the Philippines

The Congress of COF, the conservative members clashed with Crisanto

Evangelista and his grouop over the proposals submitted by the latter.

With radicals in minority Evangelista and his followers walked and

immediately launched the Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Pawis ng Pilipinas
or KAP, Evangelista being the executive secretary while Manahan became the
Vice president, in charge ofhe peasant movement.

On November 7, 1930, the Communist Party of the Philippines was formally

established with all the officer of KAP except Hao and Hilario.

Communism is a concept of society in which the major resources and means

of production are communally owned. There would be an equal sharing of the
benefits of production. This ideology abolished the individual ownership
property.
9. Sakdalism

Benigno Ramos leader of the popular movement Sakdal, used to be a

senate clerk. SAkdal a weekly tabloid which became the vehicle for bitter
denunciation of ruling oligarchy, this tabloid exposed the discontentment of
the masses. Sakdal movement against maldistribution of property, excessive
taxes and concentration of land ownership. Subsequently Ramos transformed
the movement into Political party.

Governor Frank Murphy issued a ruling that any campaign against the
plebiscite shall be branded as seditious. As a consequence, many Sakdalistas
were arrested.