After the execution of Bonifacio and his brother, the revolution went on. Governor-General Primo de Rivera, believing that crushing the revolution would be impossible, finally offered peace to Aguinaldo. Dr. Pedro Paterno, well liked by both the Filipinos and Spaniards, finally succeeded in negotiating the “Pact of Biak-na-Bato” singed by Rivera and Aguinaldo.

Biak-na-Bato Republic

Aguinaldo and his men headed for Bulacan after he Battle of Mount Puray.

June 24, 1897 they arrived at Biak-na-Bato, San Miguel de Mayumo.

They joined the troops of Gen. Mariano Llanera to battle Spanish forces in Central Luzon.

November 1, revolutionary leaders adopted the Provisional Constitution of the Philippine Republic.

Intended for two years whose aims are separation from Spain and formation of independent state.

Cont.It was written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix

Ferrer based on the Cuban constitution known as Jimaguayu Constitution.

On the same day, the Biak-na-Bato republic was inaugurated.

Election took place (p. 152)

The struggle between the government and the Biak-na-Bato republic has reached its deadlock. Governor-General Primo de Rivera sent Pedro Paterno to Biak-na-Bato for peaceful negotiations with the revolutionaries, which begun in August and concluded in December.

The agreement known as the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, resulted into the revolutionary exile of Aguinaldo and his men to Hong Kong. This pact consisted of three documents. The first two were signed on December 14, the third on December 15, 1897.

The first document, called program, provided the Rivera would pay 800,000 to those who rose in arms and would let Aguinaldo and his men retire in exile to Hong Kong. The second document called the Act of Agreement, reiterayed the granting of amnesty to those who would lay down their arms and the rights to move freely in the Philippines and abroad.

The third document discussed the question of indemnity, wherein Spain would pay a total of 1,700,000, of which 800,000 was to be paid to those who would lay down their arms as mentioned in the first document. The remaining 900,000 was to be distributed among the civilians as indemnity for the war damages. P. 253, Zaide

The Spanish-American War which broke out on April 25, 1898 and ended on August 12 of the same year. There were factors that contributed to the United States decision to open hostilities against Spain. These included the Cuban struggle for independence, efforts of the Americans to extend influence overseas, and the sinking of the US warship Maine.

Thus begun the Spanish-American War

April 19, US Congress passed several resolutions demanding Spain evacuate Cuban soil.

Spain has just escaped two domestic problems and revolutions from her two colonies – Cuba and the Philippines

She declared war against US on April 24The nest day US declared was against SpainThus begun the Spanish-American War

“Remember Maine!”

Mysterious blowing of US battleship, Maine in Havana, Cuba

The incident happened on the night of Feb. 18, 1898

It reportedly caused the death of 266 officers and men

(In 1976, based on US Navy study, the findings suggested that the explosion could have caused by spontaneous combustion of the ship’s coalbunkers.)

Battle of Manila Bay

Commodore George Dewey, who was waiting in Hong Kong with the American Asiatic Squadron was ordered to proceed to the Philippines and destroyed Spanish fleet.

The battle begun at 5:41AM and ended at noon, May 1, 1898.

The Americans defeated the Spanish fleet without losing a man or ship.

Spanish casualties of Admiral Antonio Montojo were 167 killed and 214 wounded.

This has been ascribed to be growing spirit of American imperialism induced by supporters of manifest destiny, where the United States has the divinely ordained duty to help troubled countries. The conclusion of the Spanish-American War, which resulted to the victory of the Americans, paved the way to the end of the Spanish rule and the rise of the United States to world power.