Last Filipino General to Surrender to the American
Miguel Malvar
Teodoro Agoncillo’s Account
Philippines’ prominent historian Teodoro Agoncillo recognizes
Miguel Malvar as the last filipino general to surrender to the
American. In his book “Introduction to Filipino History”.
• “On April 16, 1902, General Malvar surrendered in order to save
his people from the brutality of the enemy and from hunger.
With the surrender of General Malvar, systematic opposition to
American sovereignty ceased. It is true that here and there, as in
the case of Macario Sakay, patriots refused to surrender, but
their effect ton the Americans was negligibly.”
• Note that Teodoro Agoncillo was from Batangas Province and
historians are insinuating that he favored Malvar even though
he surrender earlier two years than Simeon Ola.
Jose Malvar Account, Malvar’s Grandson
• Jose Malvar, grandson of Miguel Malvar, in his article to
the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated November 12, 2016,
did not contest the claim that it was either Simeon Ola or
Macario Sakay and not his grandfather Miguel Malvar at
the last Filipino Generak surrender to the Americans but
rather he claimed that “there was no surrender that took
place but rather a peace agreement with the Americans”.
• “One April 15, General malvar and his went down Mount
Makiling. There is a newspaper photograph of General
Bell and General Malvar shaking hands. The photograph
shows a crowd watching the occasion with the women in
the crowd in festive attire. It is evident from the picture
that there was not even an indication of a token of
firearms”.
• “General Malvar did not surrender. He entered into
peace agreement. But the newspaper give the occasion
the spin of victory by calling the occasion a surrender”.
Pio Arsenio Labanan, Local Historian of Guinobatan, Albay
• In the article entitled “ Ola, not Malvar, was the last General
Surrender, Say Sons, dated September 22, 2016, Pio Arsenio
Labanan was a local historian and Chair of Guinobatan Cultural
Heritage and Arts.
• “One of country’s top historian, Teodoro Agoncillo, considers
Malvar the last General of First Philippines Republic to give up to
the Americans on April 13, 1902. “Agoncillo is from Batangas, so
naturally, his drumbeating for Malvar was excellent until such
time that it was found out that Malvar surrendered earlier by
two years,” Labanan said referring to the claims of his professor
in college. Ola surrendered on September 25, 1903, a year and
five months after Malvar to then Governor Bette and Colonel
Banholtz with 28 of his men and officers, on the condition that
they be granted amnesty.”
The Minneapolis Journal Report
• The Minneapolis Journal Report issue of September 26, 1903
entitled “Leader of the Philippine Insurrectionists Given Himself
Up to the American Troops”.
• Manila, September 26-General Ola, leader of the band of the
insurrectos who have been creating considerable trouble in the
province of Albay, Luzon, has surrendered to the American
Troops, with twenty eight officers and men of his command. He
has surrendered a few of his guns, and has promised to turn
over all arms belonging to his band without delay.”
• Governor Betts, the provincial executive officer of Albay, says
that this practically ends all armed resistance in that portion of
the island.”
• Some consider Simeon Ola as bandit leader and not the military
general.
Carmen Guerero Nakpil Account
• Carmen Guerero Nakpil’s Account published in The
Philippine Star dated September 08, 2008.
On July 17, they were invited to a town of fiesta in Cavite by US
Colonel Van Shaick the acting Cavite Governor. An orchestra played
dance music amid American flags and bunches of flowers. At 11:30
a.m., US officers, pistol in hand, walk in and although Sakay fought
unarmed against “his giant attacker” he and his officer were
disarmed. The building was surrounded by Filipino Constabulary
officers.”
The Los Angeles Herald
• The Los Angeles Herald issue in June 16, 1906 entitled “Filipino
Battles to Cease: Macario Sakay Gives Up the Unequal Struggle”.
• “Manila June 16-” Macario Sakay, a self-proclaimed president
and Francisco Carton, Vice-President of the Filipino Republic,
surrendered at the constabulary headquarters in Manila today.
The military and civil authorities are much elated as Sakay was
chief of Ladronises of Luzon and his surrendered means an end
of the campaigns. The surrender of this Ladrone chieftain was
accomplished through the influence of Villiafuerte, a former
official of Sakay’s government.
Macario Sakay’s Picture at the Malakanang Palace
At the Presidential Museum and Library of Malacanang Palace, a
picture of Sakay with a title “ General Macario Sakay” is desplayed.
The biography of Sakay
• “Macario Sakay was born in Tondo, Manila on March 01, 1870. he work as
a calesa manufacturing shop apprentice, become a tailor and engaged in
acting. He is the one of the handful member of the Katipunan who joined
the organization even before revolution began. He fought alongside
Bonifacio, and continue struggle toward the Philippines- American War.
Sakay was accused and found guilty of sedition, but was released after
the war; he then found the Nacionalista Party. On April 1904, he
proclaimed himself President of his self establish government, The
Republika ng Katagalugan. On September 13, 1907, Sakay was hanged for
banditry.
• If at the Office of the President, he was recognized as “General” and not a
“Bandit” and it is clear that he surrendered on June 16, 1906. Does he
deserve to be recognized now the “ last Filipino general surrendered to
the Americans?”
