Simeón Ola

Simeón Ola y Arboleda (September 2, 1865 – February 14, 1952) is a hero of the Philippine Revolution and was the last general of the Philippines to surrender to the American forces after the Philippine–American War.

Early life
Simeón Ola was born on September 2, 1865, to Vicente Ola and Apolonia Arboleda. He enrolled in Mater Salutis College Seminary and studied philosophy, but did not graduate.

Revolutionary
He joined the local branch of the Katipunan in his hometown province of Albay and later became its leader. With the help of a parish priest he was able to acquire arms to support his men. He was promoted to the rank of captain after the Battle of Camalig in Albay, 1898 and to the rank of major after an ambush mission that led to the capture of three Americans. He was the leader of the subsequent attacks on Oas, Ligao, and Jovellar. He later surrendered on the condition that his men would be granted amnesty. He was put on trial and convicted of sedition. He was sentenced to thirty years in prison. In 1904, he was given a pardon and returned to his place of birth and became the municipal president. The regional police command in Legazpi City was named after him.

Controversies
At least two potential problems surrounded Ola as the last general to surrender to the American forces. First, he had surrendered earlier on July 5, 1901, as an officer (major) of Vito Belarmino. Second, his role as a zone commander is not mentioned in Miguel Malvar's statement on the condition of his command that he provided in December 1901. Nor was any documentation of his commission as general preserved.

Death
Simeon Ola died on February 14, 1952, and was interred at the Roman Catholic Cemetery of Guinobatan. In 2003 his remains were transferred to the Ola Shrine.