Today when Kagay-anons fought the Americans

MORE than a hundred years ago, Kagayanons and Misamisnons under the command of hometown hero General Nicolas Capistrano, fought the American soldiers outside the San Agustin Cathedral on what is now known as Gaston Park.

Historians called the ensuing battle as the Battle of Cagayan de Misamis. It was a battle fought by Kagay-anons against American soldiers during the Philippine-American War.

Today is the 108th anniversary of that historic battle.

The battle started on April 6, 1900 when the newly formed Philippine troops composed of Kagay-anons and Misamisnons descended from their camp in Gango plateau in Libona, Bukidnon.

Numbering about 2,000, the Kagay-anons vowed they will fight the American soldiers who have occupied Cagayan de Oro and have built several barracks outside the San Agustine Cathedral.

At the dawn of April 7, 1900, the bells of San Agustin Cathedral pealed, and this was the signal for the Kagay-anon and Misamisnon freedom fighters to start their attack.

First to attack were the macheteros, who are armed only with bolos, carried ladders and scaled the barracks where the Americans slept. They were followed by the Kagayan-anon and Misamisnon infantry and cavalrymen.

General Capistrano and his staff stood in the area where the old water tower stands beside the present Cagayan de Oro Archbishop's residence. Capistrano directed his commanders through couriers and hand signals.

But Capistrano's plan for a sneak attack was foiled when Bukidnon lumad warriors, who were among the macheteros, yelped battle cries as they killed an American sentry below the Chauco building where the American commander was sleeping.

The Americans roused from their sleep and fought back from the windows of the barracks. Some American soldiers climbed the Church bell tower where they fired at the poorly armed Kagay-anons and Misamisnons.

But the Filipino troops kept on their attack disregarding the superior firepower and notwithstanding their heavy losses. The fighting was centered at the town plaza, which is now the Gaston Park.

The battle raged for an hour. The Kagay-anon infantrymen and cavalry firing back their obsolete rifles at the Americans. The macheteros, who were able to enter the barracks, fought the American soldiers in fierce hand-to-hand combat.

Captain Apolinario Pabayo, an officer of the macheteros, was among those who first died but not before killing a number of American soldiers.

The maceheteros' leader, Captain Clemente Chacon, tried to climb into the Club Popular building (now where St. Agustine Maternity and General Hospital building stand), but was repealed by American soldiers twice and had to climb down because of a gaping head wound from an American bayonet.

Another patriot took his place and despite his bravery, died from several wounds.

When General Capistrano realized that his casualties were mounting, he ordered a retreat to avoid the slaughter of more men. The Americans pursued the retreating Filipinos up to the edge of town.

The streets of Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City) were littered that day by the dead bodies of local patriots.

Then Municipal Presidente (now known as City Mayor) Toribio Chaves led the Kagay-anons in gathering the dead bodies and buried them in the local Roman Catholic cemetery.

Later, one of the old streets in the city was named "Heroes de Cagayan" in honor of the brave Kagay-anons and Misamisnons of the April 7, 1900 battle. Now that street is known as Pacana Street.

Today, let us not forget our local heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for freedom some 108 years ago.

Not well trained for war, nor equipped in modern firearms, the Kagay-anons and Misamisnons displayed courage and honor against the American soldiers.

They were mostly young men.

Source: Sun.Star- Cagayan de Oro By Paulita Roa