Raid on Paombong explained

Conflict:Raid on Paombong
Partof:the Philippine Revolution
Date:September 3, 1897
Place:Paombong, Bulacan Philippines
Result:Tactical Filipino Victory
Combatant1: Filipino Revolutionaries
Combatant2: Kingdom of Spain
Commander1: Gregorio del Pilar
Commander2: Ramón Blanco y Erenas
Strength1:3,000
Strength2:500
Casualties1:34 Killed
Casualties2:97 Killed

The Raid on Paombong was organized and executed on September 3, 1897,[1] between the Philippine revolutionaries led by Captain Gregorio del Pilar and the Paombong katipuneros on a blitzkrieg attack on the Spanish church and convent in the municipality of Paombong.

Attack

The following day, Sunday, Del Pilar and his men stationed themselves at the Church as soon as the Mass was about to begin. When the men who were dressed in their Sunday best got close to the church doors, they surprised the Spanish troops with a shot to the sentry guarding the convent. Del Pilar himself began shooting at the guards who were about to station to the windows, forcing the Spanish soldiers to leave and abandon their guns. The attack was successfully carried out with the capture of 14 Mauser rifles and other supplies.[1] It is often described as one of the finest assaults during Philippine Revolution. Shortly thereafter, Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo raised Gregorio del Pilar to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Filipinos in History: Gregorio del Pilar. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. August 13, 2019.