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Battle of Kakarong de Sili
Part of the Philippine Revolution
MaestrongSerbioPOW.jpg
Maestrong Sebio after the battle.
Date January 1, 1897
Location
Result

Spanish victory

  • Katipunan rebels wage guerrilla warfare in Bulacan province
Territorial
changes
Dissolution of the Kakarong Republic
Belligerents

Katipunan

  • Kakarong Republic
Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Eusebio Roque Executed
Canuto Villanueva
Gregorio del Pilar
Spain José Olaguer Feliú
Strength
6,000 men, 1 fort 600 Cazadores soldiers
Casualties and losses
1,000+ killed, wounded, & captured (estimated)
1 fort
24 killed, 76 wounded

The Battle of Kakarong de Sili happened on January 1, 1897, in Pandi, Bulacan, Philippines. This battle was a big fight during the Philippine Revolution. The Kakarong Republic, a small government set up by Filipino rebels, had a fort in Pandi. Spanish soldiers attacked this fort and defeated the Filipino fighters, known as Katipuneros. After the battle, General Eusebio Roque, also called Maestrong Sebio, was captured. The Kakarong Republic was special because it was the first republic (a type of government) created in Bulacan and in the Philippines.

What Led to the Battle

When the Philippine Revolution started, many Filipino fighters, called Katipuneros, wanted to join the fight against Spain. However, after a difficult battle near Manila, many Katipuneros in central Luzon felt discouraged. They decided to wait before starting their own revolts.

But in Pandi, Bulacan, and San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, the revolution was already strong. The Katipuneros in Bulacan formed their own government, the Kakarong Republic. They built a fort in the Real de Kakarong area. This fort was like a small city. It had streets, its own police, a military band, and even places to make weapons. They made knives called bolos and fixed rifles.

The Kakarong Republic had its own leaders. Canuto Villanueva was the Supreme Chief and military leader. Eusebio Roque, known as "Maestrong Sebio," was a general in the army. He was also the head of the local Katipunan group in Pandi.

The Battle Itself

On January 1, 1897, a large group of Spanish soldiers arrived at the fort. These soldiers were called "Cazadores." They were led by a commander named José Olaguer Feliú. There were about 600 Spanish soldiers. They surrounded the fort and started fighting Roque's and Gregorio del Pilar's forces.

The battle lasted for several hours. Eventually, the fort's walls were broken, and the Filipino fighters had to move deeper inside. After getting past the walls, the Spanish soldiers began burning down the buildings inside the fort. Many Katipuneros who were still there were defeated by the Spanish forces.

Gregorio del Pilar, who was a young officer at the time, was hurt. He and his remaining men managed to escape to a nearby village. Canuto Villanueva also got away. But Maestrong Sebio and many of his men were captured by the Spanish.

Maestrong Sebio was later executed by a firing squad on January 16, 1897. Even after this defeat, the province of Bulacan continued to be a center of rebellion. Filipino rebels there started using guerrilla tactics, which means they fought in small groups and used surprise attacks.

The Spanish commander, Olaguer Feliú, captured the fort and many weapons. The Spanish army lost 24 soldiers and had 76 wounded.

What Happened Next

Even though the Spanish won this battle, they could not completely stop the rebels in Bulacan. Many Filipino fighters who escaped the battle went to other towns and villages. They continued to fight using guerrilla warfare. The Spanish army did not have enough soldiers to completely stop the rebellion in Bulacan. Most of their soldiers were busy fighting rebels in other provinces like Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.

Why This Battle is Important

Philippine revolution flag kkk1
The flag used by the Kakarong Republic was either the Katipunan flag or a plain red flag.

The Battle of Kakarong de Sili was a very important experience for Gregorio del Pilar. It was his first big battle as a revolutionary general. The Kakarong Republic, even if not many historians remember it today, was the first organized republic in the Philippine Revolution. This means it was the first time Filipinos tried to set up their own independent government during the revolution.

In 1924, a group called the 'Legionarios del Trabajo' built a monument. It is called the Inang Filipina Shrine (Mother Philippines Shrine). They built it in memory of the 1,200 Katipuneros who died in the battle. This monument is in the Kakarong area of Pandi, Bulacan. The exact place where the battle happened is now part of Real de Kakarong.

Emilio Aguinaldo, who became the first president of the Philippines, visited this important site in the late 1950s.

Pictures of Kakarong de Sili

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