On April 7, 1900, the Battle of Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City) began with the attack of Filipino troops under General Nicolas Capistrano, who were assisted by Higaunon (Higaonon) fighters, against the United States 40th Infantry Regiment under Colonel Edward A. Godwin, who established in the town. Earlier, on March 30, 1900, the Americans arrived to occupy Cagayan de Misamis - more than a year after the Filipino flag was officially raised for the first time in the area - and met little resistance in the process.
Capistrano sought to seize the element of surprise, using the church bells of San Agustin Church to signal the offensive. Battle cries made after taking down an American sentry, however, alerted the rest of the enemy soldiers. Fighting in what is now Gaston Park, Filipino riflemen tried to give as much cover as they could for their bolomen or macheteros who were tasked to take the American barracks, but the initiative was lost. Capistrano and his troops retreated to Bukidnon, carrying on the fight until his formal surrender on April 7, 1901.
The Americans suffered 13 casualties, while reporting that Filipino casualties were at 61. The Annual Report of the War Department in 1902, however, placed Filipino casualties at 38. Among others, Toribio Chaves, Cipriano Vamenta, Anastacio Neri, and Policarpio Neri led the group who took care of Filipino burials. It was not the last battle to happen in the sector, however, as the Americans would try to secure the vicinity of Cagayan de Misamis.
Meanwhile, it is notable that Capistrano was not a native of Mindanao. Born in Bulacan on January 7, 1864, he initially pursued priesthood, but eventually left to study law at the University of Santo Tomas. After his graduation in 1895, he moved with his wife to Cagayan de Misamis, where he believed he would be above suspicion from involvement in the Philippine Revolution.
He established a high school in the town and had the reputation of being "El Profesor." Capistrano was not the first choice to lead Filipino troops in Mindanao, but ill health prevented Anselmo Abejuela, the appointee of President Emilio Aguinaldo, to perform the role.
Learn more about the Filipino-American War: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/.../president-aguinaldos...
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