124th anniversary of the Philippine-American War remembered

Officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) led the commemoration on Saturday of the 124th anniversary of the start of the Philippine-American War.

A simple ceremony was held at the corner of Sociego and Silencio Streets in Sampaloc, Manila for the occasion.

The site is where the US' 1st Nebraska Infantry Regiment first fired shots at Filipino forces on Feb. 4, 1899, the NHCP said.

"Despite Emilio Aguinaldo’s surrender to the American forces in 1901, Filipinos nationwide continued to fight for independence and staged resistance movements even as they lacked armaments. The war lasted until 15 June 1913 with Muslim resistance at the Battle of Bud Bagsak in Sulu," it added.

Saturday's ceremony was attended by Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto who offered a wreath at the site together with Captain Jonathan Salvilla of the Philippine Navy.

The others who offered flowers included NHCP Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Carminda Arevalo, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, and Barangay Chairman Danilo Tibay of Barangay 586, Zone 57.

ACT Teachers-Philippines president Antonio Tinio, a relative of General Manuel Tinio who was the youngest Filipino general who fought during the Philippine-American War, joined Castro in laying a wreath.

Meanwhile, an online exhibit titled “Mga Himpilan at Kabisera ng Pamahalaan mula 1898 hanggang 1901” was launched by the NHCP Museo ni Apolinario Mabini in Tanauan City, Batangas, the NHCP said. "The exhibit will feature the different capitals and seals of the Philippine government and the factors that led to the change of capitals from 1898 to 1901," it added.

Then President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11304 in 2019 designating February 4 as a special working holiday called Philippine-American War Memorial Day "in commemoration of the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women who fought and died in defense of the Filipino nation during the Philippine-American war." —KG, GMA Integrated News