Today in the past

Today, January 10, 1899, Emilio Aguinaldo approves the hostile attitude of General Juan Cailles towards the Americans.

In a reply to Cailles, he says: "I approve and applaud what you have done with the Americans... I believe that they are playing with us until the arrival of their reinforcements, but I shall send an ultimatum and remain always on the alert."

The guerillas were no match for the combined strength of the Constabulary, the Philippine Scouts, and elements of the US army. Still, the government used three thousand soldiers actively fighting for two years to destroy the resistance of Sakay's forces.

In the process, the Americans re-instituted reconcentration in four provinces, suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and even brought in Muslims from Jolo and army-trained blood-hounds from California to track down the guerrillas.

Secret service operatives were active even in Manila where they bagged one of the Montalan's officers and former General Simeon Basa who had been passing information to the guerrillas while working as a draftsman in a government office.

Extensive and intensive campaigns were conducted against separate bands, preventing each particular target from joining up with other groups and gradually whittling down its numbers.

When General Oruga surrendered on April 28, 1905, he had only seven men and a few guns.

He surrendered to Governor Juan Cailles, the former General Cailles under whom Oruga had served during the Revolution.