REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN ILOCOS – 3. Phil-Am War in the Ilocos

by Alfonso S. Quilala, Jr.
© 1996 by Alfonso S. Quilala, Jr. and PHGLA
All rights reserved

Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, Priest and revolutionary

Gregorio Aglipay, a Catholic priest at that time, had gone to join the Aguinaldo government's withdrawal and personally accompanied him to Ilocano territory after the death of Ilocano patriot Gen. Antonio Luna at the hands of Aguinaldo's guards.

Aguinaldo transferred his capital to Bayambang and summoned Gen. Tinio to help Gen. del Pilar fortify Lingayen. Americans under Gen. Lloyd Wheaton landed at San Fabian. A battle ensued which resulted in heavy casualties among the Filipinos. Sensing his precarious position, Aguinaldo and his generals agreed to disband the regular army and resort to guerilla warfare. They transfered the seat of their government to the mountains of Northern Luzon. He left Bayambang and eventually reached Pozorubio. The men of the Tinio Brigade checked the enemy in preestablished positions to allow Aguinaldo's party to leave Pozorubio.

In La Union, Gen. Tinio and his men protected the retreat of Aguinaldo. They fought admirably in Rosario, Sto. Tomas , and Aringay. After those battles, Tinio withdrew his forces to Tagudin. The Americans under Gen. Samuel B.Young, meanwhile, reached Namacpacan (now Luna) just 18 km. south of Tagudin. Young waited for three days before advancing. This delay gave the Aguinaldo's retreating party enough time to reach Candon.

From Candon, Aguinaldo decided to move east to the mountains in the interior. Fr. Aglipay and Col. Quesada were ordered to proceed north. Gen. Tinio, meanwhile, had withdrawn his forces to San Quintin, Abra. He ordered a night raid on the American garrison in Vigan. The attackers found the Americans waiting for them in a most advantageous position. Heavy casualties were reported on both sides. The Americans successfully defended their garrison, however.

Gen. Young ordered a general assault upon Tangadan Pass in the afternoon of the same day of the Vigan attack. The Americans waited for the dark of night to cover the movement of their troops. They were able to climb the adjacent hill without being noticed. Realizing that their position had now become indefensible, the Filipinos withdrew, avoiding another tragedy that would have duplicated Tirad Pass.

The Americans moved on to San Quintin, then to Pidigan, and finally occupied Bangued in pursuit of the enemy. But Gen. Tinio had already fled to Ilocos Norte accompanied by his staff. The Americans found his whereabouts and followed Tinio to Solsona. They were close on his heels when they reached the rancheria of Maan-anting where they finally lost track of him. Cols. Howze and Hare carried on to Cabugaoan but Tinio could not be found as he had secretly made it back to Banna.

###