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The Battle of Manila Bay (Cavite)

GENERAL The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War, both of which were very decisive, and, in hindsight, very one-sided. The Battle of Manila Bay occurred on the morning of May 1, 1898, only days after war had been declared between Spain and the United States.

The battle is notable for several reasons. First, it was a complete and final victory, ending any threat from the Spanish naval forces involved. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage occurring to the American Forces.

Secondly, technically no Americans lost their lives in the battle (two American deaths did indirectly occur which may be attributable to the battle), though the lives of many Spaniards were lost. The result is that Americans look at the victory as a "bloodless" battle, whereas the Spanish obviously do not.

Thirdly, the American attack was very daring and dangerous, based on what the Americans knew at the time, but not as risky when looked at in hindsight. Many world powers, who were not aware of the American naval build-up over the past decade and a half, considered the United States Asiatic Squadron to be little or no threat to the Spanish naval forces. The Americans also over-rated the Spanish navy's ability and determination to fight, and many authorities considered the fleet to be sailing into a veritable deathtrap. In addition to the naval forces, many Spanish gun batteries existed in the fortifications around Manila Bay. These guns alone should have been enough armament to destroy the American squadron.

Lastly, the American Asiatic Squadron was not sufficiently supplied with ammunition for wartime service and the nearest site for resupply was California, seven thousand miles away!

By far, the most notable aspect of the battle was that, as a result of this battle, the United States became a recognized world power overnight. The U.S. Navy had been a subject of derision internationally for years. The United States had begun to change that with the advent of its new steel navy, but, in a time when a country's military was rated according to the strength of its navy, this was the first time that the ability of both the U.S. warships and their well-trained crews were shown to be an important world force. OBJECTIVES OF THE COMBATANTS The objective of the American forces was to attack, and hopefully destroy, the Spanish forces in the Pacific. This would protect the American Pacific coast, and keep the Spanish forces in Cuba from being reinforced.

The main objectives of the Spaniards were to defend the Philippine outpost of the Spanish Empire against the American forces, save the honor of the nation by fighting an honorable fight, and allow as many of its crewmen to survive as possible. The thought of actually defeating the American Asiatic Squadron with the Spanish forces available was not considered a realistic objective. PREPARATIONS The Americans' preparations for the Battle of Manila Bay actually began months, in some cases years, before the battle. The Navy War College had been studying a possible war with Spain for several years and had prepared several plans of attack as class problems. More recently there had been the appointment of Commodore George Dewey to the command of the Asiatic Squadron. Dewey was the choice of Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, but not that of the Secretary of the Navy, John Long. Some behind-the-scenes wrangling occurred with Dewey obtaining the appointment, but without the rank of rear admiral, a rank normally accorded the commander of the Asiatic Squadron. Before leaving his home in Washington D.C., where he was serving as chairman of the Board of Inspection and Survey, the Commodore began researching his new squadron.

It consisted of the USS OLYMPIA, a cruiser; USS BOSTON, a small cruiser; USS PETREL, a gunboat; and the USS MONOCACY, a paddle wheel steamer. This fleet was not formidable. The MONOCACY was only fit for river service. The largest vessel, the OLYMPIA, was fairly new, but was not "state of the art" and could not compete in firepower with the newer U.S. Navy battleships, such as the OREGON. Dewey discovered another very serious concern - his squadron did not have even a peacetime allotment of ammunition, and war could be approaching.

The major Spanish landholding in the Pacific was the Philippine Islands, and it was here where Dewey could expect to find the Spanish fleet. A search for information revealed that no U.S. naval vessels had visited the islands in twenty-two years, so there were no modern official intelligence reports available! Still, commerce did continue and this was one major source of information as to the state of the Philippines defenses. Another source of information in Manila was U.S. Consul Williams, who stayed on in Manila until he last moment, though subject to death threats. Dewey, while in Hong Kong had Lt. Upham of the OLYMPIA dress in civilian clothes and spook around vessels arriving from the Philippines, talking to their crews, etc. Upham was able to give Dewey valuable and up-to-date intelligence based on the interviews he conducted, including that the Spanish were claiming to have mined the entrance to the Bay. Lastly, Dewey had an American businessman acquaintance who periodically visited the Philippines when special information was needed by Dewey on a certain intelligence items. This man's identity has been lost to history. In short, Dewey was able to gain fairly accurate intelligence on conditions as they existed in the Philippines.

Dewey immediately began acting to rectify the problems of lack of ammunition as he had the lack of intelligence information. His ammunition, a dangerous cargo which commercial shipping companies would not haul, was to be shipped via the USS CHARLESTON. This vessel, however, was undergoing repairs which would not be completed for six months. The commodore found that the USS CONCORD was being fitted out to be sent to the Asiatic Squadron. He obtained orders for this vessel to carry a portion of the needed ammunition. He reinforced the urgency of this order by personally visiting the navy yard and convincing the authorities to pack as much ammunition as possible aboard the vessel. He explained that additional space could be saved if the vessel stopped at Honolulu for resupply rather than carrying enough stores for shipboard use for the entire journey. Also, he recommended purchasing some supplies in Japan, rather than taking up space with them for the long voyage. In this way, he had about half of the available ammunition sent to the Asiatic Squadron. The remainder was sent to Honolulu via the sloop USS MOHICAN and then transferred to the USS BALTIMORE. The BALTIMORE was being sent at the last hour to reinforce Dewey. The ammunition from this vessel was finally distributed to the other vessels only the night before the squadron steamed out of Mirs Bay for the Philippines! In spite of these efforts, at the Battle of Manila Bay, the squadron's magazines were only sixty per cent filled.

Dewey's force continued to grow. The USS RALEIGH was sent the squadron, and the U.S. Revenue Cutter HUGH McCULLOCH, which happened to be in the area, was ordered to join Dewey also. Lastly, the squadron gained the NANSHAN and the ZAFIRO as support vessels which were merchant vessels purchased outright. These vessels were maintained officially as merchant vessels and cleared for trade through Guam. This move would allow Dewey a way to purchase supplies after war broke out and neutrality laws would forbid the selling of wartime allotments of supplies to vessels of war.

As the tension between the United States and Spain grew, Dewey prepared his fleet. The men were drilled. The ships were mechanically reviewed to get them in best working condition possible. Dewey's planning and efficiency is well demonstrated by the late arrival of the BALTIMORE. Within forty-eight hours, she was placed in an awaiting drydock, her bottom cleaned of the speed-stealing barnacles, and she was completely repainted in wartime gray, just in time to join in the expedition to Manila.

With the declaration of war, Dewey moved his ships out of neutral Hong Kong to Mirs Bay, about 30 miles away. While at Mirs Bay, the squadron received a small gift. Reputedly, one of the lookouts spotted something floating on the water surface a few miles away. It was investigated and found to be several lighters of coal. Dewey put the coal to use. Later it was found that the coal was a gift from one of the Hong Kong merchants for the American fleet. From Mirs Bay, the squadron left for the Philippines and destiny. Dewey, however makes no note of this event in his report.

The Spanish were preparing for action too. They had attempted to fortify their position by taking guns from their vessels and placing them in positions at critical locations along the shore. The VELASCO was being overhauled, her boilers and steering gear removed, so her guns were considered to be more useful in the fortifications. Some of the GENERAL LEZO's battery and the port-side guns of the DON ANTONIO DE ULLOA were also removed. Orders were given for the fortification of Subic Bay, and the entrances to both it and Manila Bay were to be mined. Several vessels were sunk in the eastern entrance to Subic Bay to block passage by that route.

On April 25, 1898, Admiral Montojo took his squadron, consisting of the REINA CRISTINA, DON JUAN DE AUSTRIA, ISLA DE CUBA, ISLA DE LUZON, CASTILLA, MARQUES DEL DUERO from Manila Bay and headed for Subic Bay. The CASTILLA, already unable to maneuver on her own, was leaking badly through her propeller bearings. The leak was stopped by using cement, which rendered her engines completely useless. Upon arriving, he found that the four 15 cm (5.9") guns which were to have been installed in a fortified position were still lying on the beach. The mines which had been laid were of doubtful condition and could not be relied upon.

Both Dewey and Montojo recognized that the best location for the defending squadron was Subic Bay from a tactical standpoint. Even after Montojo arrived in Subic Bay, he hoped that there was still time to fortify the necessary positions. However, on April 28, Montojo learned that Dewey's squadron was on it way to the Philippines, and that the Americans knew that Subic Bay was defenseless. Faced with no time to fortify, and knowing that if his ships were lost - something Montojo considered a strong possibility - the crew would drown in the deep waters of Subic Bay. Montojo ordered the squadron back to Manila Bay.

The Spanish admiral decided that returning the squadron to the anchorage at Manila, which was surrounded by many batteries and fortifications, would be unwise, since this would invite the destruction of the city itself by the guns of the enemy's squadron. Manila was home to the families of his crew and many other non-combatants. Instead, he opted for the shallow waters off Cavite's Sangley Point. Here he could combine the gunfire from his vessels with that of the batteries of Sangley Point and Ulloa. Also, in this location, if his ships went down, they would settle into the bottom of the Bay while still allowing major portions of the vessels to remain above water. His men would be able to get to shore and rescue themselves. Montojo had lighters loaded with sand brought over to be placed in front of the CASTILLA to protect the wooden vessel. Preparation continued as the sound of gunfire at the entrance to Manila Bay announced the arrival of Dewey''s Asiatic Squadron. THE BATTLE On arriving off the Philippine Island of Luzon on April 30, Dewey ordered a reconnaissance of Subic Bay by the BOSTON and CONCORD. After there were reports of gunfire coming from the direction of Subic Bay, BALTIMORE was sent to determine if the other ships had made contact. The reports were found to be in error and Spanish forces were not found in Subic Bay. On hearing the news, Dewey' commented to Commander Lamberton, his chief of staff, that "Now we have them!" The Asiatic Squadron's course was set for Manila Bay. In the meantime, Spanish Admiral Montojo received a telegram that evening notifying him that the Americans had reconnoitered Subic Bay, and had left, heading toward Manila Bay.

Aboard the American vessels, last minute preparations continued. The ships' crews continued throwing anything made of wood overboard, since the danger from splintering and fire was very serious. On board the HUGH McCULLOCH, virtually all of the mess tables were tossed into the water, leaving the crew eating off the deck for a long time after the battle. The same was true of almost all of the ships except for the OLYMPIA. Dewey, wisely or unwisely, left much of the wood intact, simply covering it with canvas and splinter netting. Many of the items to which the OLYMPIA's crew had direct access, were, however, thrown overboard. Sand was sprinkled on the decks for traction in battle.

There were two major channels which led into Manila Bay - Boca Chica and Boca Grande. Boca Chica was the main shipping route, however it was narrower and more heavily defended by shore batteries than Boca Grande. Boca Grande which, according to recent reports (suspected to be part of a Spanish disinformation campaign), was said to be dangerously rocky. Dewey believed the water to be deep in this area. Reports were also heard that this entrance to Manila Bay was mined. Dewey also discounted the rumors of mines stating the the report was probably untrue, and if it was true, that the Spanish did not have the capability to mine in deep water. Also, the Commodore believed that the mines, if placed, would deteriorate rapidly in the trpoical waters. Later, based on captured Spanish officers and records, indications were that Dewey was wrong in that the channel was mined. The mines, however, must have deteriorated, as Dewey's vessels, as well as subsequent visitors, reported no damage from mines.

The Asiatic Squadron steamed into Boca Grande at about 11:00 P.M. The men were at their guns, and the situation was very tense. All lights were out, except for one veiled stern light on each ship, to enable the vessels to follow one another. The men knew of the rumors of mines, of the reported shoals, and of Spanish shore batteries. They expected to meet a squadron ready for battle. They also knew that they were low on ammunition and seven thousand miles from resupply. What they did not know was the Dewey had also underestimated the number of Spanish vessels present.

The vessels, with OLYMPIA in the lead and NANSHAN and ZAFIRO bringing up the rear, steamed past the little island of El Fraile. The island had a battery of guns taken from the GENERAL LEZO. When almost all of the American vessels were past El Fraile, flames shot from the HUGH McCULLOCH's funnel as some soot caught fire briefly. She had been supplied with Australian coal which did not burn as cleanly as the Welsh coal provided for the other vessels in the Squadron. HUGH McCULLOCH had experienced periodic flare-ups as the coal soot burned in her funnel. The battery on the island saw the most recent flame and opened up, sending a shot between the RALEIGH and the PETREL. The BOSTON, McCULLOCH, RALEIGH and CONCORD returned fire, and the battery fell silent. It has never been explained why the El Fraile battery did not put up more of a fight or fire earlier. The American vessels were plainly visible in spite of the darkness. Some claimed that there were not enough men present to man the fort's guns.

The gunfire from the El Fraile skirmish was heard in Manila. Montojo knew what it meant. At 2:00 a.m., he received a telegram confirming that the Americans had passed El Fraile. He notified army commanders, ordered all artillery loaded, and sent all soldiers and sailors to their battle stations. The Spanish waited. They had already removed masts, yards and boats to avoid splintering from the projectiles of the American guns, a major source of injury.

The Asiatic Squadron set off across Manila Bay with a goal of arriving at Manila, where Dewey expected to find the Spanish Fleet, at dawn. To meet this schedule, the squadron slowed to four knots. The men were given a chance to catch some sleep at their guns, if the tension of the situation would allow it. The crews on board the vessel saw flares, beacons, rocket and fires dot the shoreline as their movements were tracked. The Commodore sent signals to his squadron using his ardois lights....secrecy was no longer a possibility.

At 4:00 A.M., Montojo signaled his forces to prepare for action. At this same moment, coffee was being served to the men of the American squadron. At 4:45 A.M., the crew of the DON JUAN DE AUSTRIA spotted the American Squadron. Sending the NANSHAN, ZAFIRO under protection of the HUGH McCULLOCH to a safer location in the bay, the Americans headed directly for Manila, where they expected the Spanish warships to be. This was a logical location since the strong shore batteries would greatly augment the firepower of the Spanish vessels. Not seeing anything but merchant vessels in the anchorage, the American vessels turned toward Cavite. At 5:05 A.M., the guns of the three of the Manila batteries opened fire. Only the BOSTON and CONCORD replied, since the limited ammunition was to be used against the Spanish fleet and not the forts. Montojo had the REINA CRISTINA slip its cables and begin to move. To clear his path, he ordered several mines, which could have been a hazard to his ships, blown. Their explosions were spotted by the American crewmen. Dewey misinterpreted the reason for the reason for the explosion of the mines, commenting "Evidently the Spaniards are already rattled." The Squadron moved ahead in battle order - OLYMPIA, followed by BALTIMORE, RALEIGH, PETREL, CONCORD, and BOSTON at two hundred yard intervals.

Firing one of the OLYMPIA's 5 inch gunsThe Americans finally spotted the Spanish vessels in their Cavite anchorage between Sangley Point and Las Pinas. At 5:15 a.m. the guns of the Cavite fortifications and the Spanish fleet opened fire. Dewey had his ships hold their fire until 5:40 A.M. Then, standing on the vessel's open bridge, he quietly told the OLYMPIA's captain, "You may fire when ready, Gridley." The OLYMPIA's forward eight inch turret fired. The other ships of the column followed suit. The Americans kept the Spanish vessels off their port bow during their initial attack, since this allowed the maximum number of guns on each ship to fire.

Though it was not obvious to the Americans, who noted that the damage to the Spanish vessels must not have been too great since the fire from their vessels did not slacken, destruction came quickly to the Spanish fleet. Montojo commented that the first three ships seemed to direct their fire mainly on his flagship, REINA CRISTINA. Soon a shot hit her forecastle, put the crews of four rapid fire guns out of action, shattering the mast, and injuring the helmsman, who had to be replaced. Another shell set flew into the vessel's orlop deck, starting a fire which was rapidly put under control.

The American ships came in as close as they thought the depth of the water would allow, first passing the Spanish position from west to east, and then countermarching east to west. Five passes were made along the two and a half mile course by the Asiatic Squadron at a speed of six to eight knots.

Suddenly, around 7:30 A.M., Commodore Dewey had a rude awakening. Captain Gridley relayed a report that the vessel was down to only fifteen rounds of ammunition for each five inch gun. The five inch guns were the OLYMPIA's most effective gun, since they could fire much more quickly than the 8" turret guns. Fifteen rounds of ammunition could, under rapid fire condition, be expended in two minutes! Realizing that running out of ammunition could spell the end of his squadron, and not being able to determine the extent of the damage to the Spanish vessels amidst the smoke of battle, Dewey decided to withdraw to redistribute ammunition and assess the entire situation. To avoid having the Spanish realize his plight and give them additional reason to hold out longer, the commodore had the signal sent to his squadron that the ships were breaking off to allow the men time for breakfast. The men greeted this with consternation. It was later noted in the American press as an example of the nonchalance the Americans exhibited in the battle by stopping in the middle for a bite to eat, while still within range of the enemy's guns in their fortifications.

Very quickly, though, it was found that the report was in error. Instead, only fifteen rounds per five inch gun had been expended. This indicated that the men were showing unusual restraint by firing only after taking time to aim, and trying to make every shot count. A call went out for the commanders of the ships of the squadron to report their damage, casualties and ammunition status. The men, somewhat confused by this turn of events, ate and rested. The engine room crewscame up on deck to get away from the stifling heat below decks and survey the carnage which was becoming evident from the direction of the Spanish fleet.

During the morning's battle, twice the OLYMPIA believed it was under attack from small torpedo boats. One of these it sunk, the other was run aground. Torpedoes were greatly feared weapons, because, with them a small vessel could conceivably sink a large vessel. However, the Spanish reports make no report of these attacks, and it now appears that these vessels, military or civilian, were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and were not torpedo boats.

Twice, near the end of the battle's morning phase, Spanish men-of-war had made attempts to close on the American squadron. First, the DON JUAN DE AUSTRIA attempted to charge the OLYMPIA. The heavy gunfire of the fleet had forced her to abandon the effort. Shortly after this action, the Spanish Flagship, REINA CRISTINA also tried to close on the OLYMPIA, possibly to try to ram her. While making this attempt that the REINA CRISTINA's steering gear was detroyed as she again became the focus of the galling fire of the American squadron.

Unbeknownst to the Americans, the Spanish fleet was already defeated when Dewey "broke for breakfast." Very close to the end of the morning's phase of the battle, the REINA CRISTINA was hit by a number of projectiles. In addition to the shot that destroyed her steering gear, another shot, sadly, hit her in the area that was being used as a hospital, killing many already wounded men. One shot fatally hit a stern ammunition handling room, hampering further steering attempts, and resulting in the flooding of the nearby magazines. Fire broke out elsewhere while the broadside guns continued firing, though only one gunner and one seaman remained unhurt and able to work the guns. Half of her crew was out of action, and seven officers were lost. Montojo ordered the vessel scuttled, and tried to save his men.

The Spanish admiral transferred his flag to the ISLA DE CUBA. Now, in the lull of the American "breakfast break" he could survey the damage. The DON ANTONIO DE ULLOA had been sunk, and half of her crew and her commander were put out of action. Some of her remaining crew may have stayed aboard refusing to abandon her. The CASTILLA had been set afire in the action and riddled with shot. She was abandoned and sunk, with a loss of 23 men killed and 80 wounded. The ISLA DE LUZON had three guns dismounted, while the MARQUES DEL DUERO was "sadly cut up."

Montojo ordered the remainder of the fleet, those that could still maneuver, to retreat back into Bacoor Bay, fight on as long as possible, and then scuttle the ships before surrendering.

Dewey's guncrews had found their marks, in spite of actually hitting their targets only about one to two percent of the time. This hit rate was low, but not unusual in the period. . In fact, it was higher than the American hit rate at the later naval Battle of Santiago, a fact attributable to the Spanish vessels being generally stationary targetsThe Spanish, of course, hit their targets much less than the Americans.

Meanwhile, the reports from Dewey's subordinates began to arrive aboard the OLYMPIA. The information was shocking. In spite of what seemed to be a strong Spanish barrage, there were no lives lost aboard the American vessels. Two officers and seven men were injured, most only slightly. Eight of the injuries were from a single hit on the BALTIMORE, with the remaining injury occurring aboard the BOSTON. The shell that injured the men of the BALTIMORE The path of the shell that hit the BALTIMORE

By 11:16 A.M., the lull was over. The Asiatic Squadron went back on the attack. It was now evident to the Americans that the Spanish fleet was ablaze and sinking. The BALTIMORE led the attack the second time, switching places in line with the flagship. She had been sent to intercept a vessel which turned out to be a merchant vessel, and was closer in to the enemy. As the remainder of the fleet was considerably behind her, the BALTIMORE requested and obtained permission to shell the Canacao Battery and Fort Sangley. The spirited exchange went on for ten minutes, with the Canacao and then Fort Sangley being silenced.

As the American ships got within range, some reports indicate that the crew that remained aboard the DON ANTONIO DE ULLOA, already a wreck, may have opened fire. Whether this was indeed fire or merely the "cooking off" of ammunition is not clear. However, she was answered by the fleet, and savagely raked. The Spanish crew, if they were still on board, won the respect of the Americans for their bravery, and must have finally decided to abandon ship.

The Asiatic Squadron received orders from the flagship to break ranks. The CONCORD was ordered to destroy the beached ISLA DE MINDANAO, mail steamer thought by the Americans to be a transport. The PETREL, because of her shallow draft, was ordered to perform the risky duty of proceeding into the shallow waters of Cavite to capture or fire any vessels there. After a few shots from her six inch guns, the forces on Cavite itself surrendered. The PETREL also captured the transport MANILA and several smaller vessels.

The American losses were minor, consisting of nine men injured. In addition, Captain Gridley of the OLYMPIA, already gravely ill, would pass away about a month after the battle, his condition worsened by his hours spent in the hot conning tower aboard OLYMPIA that morning. Chief Engineer Randall of the HUGH McCULLOCH had passed away from a heart attack as the squadron entered Manila Bay, but may be considered a casualty of the battle also, since his conditon may have been the result of the tension of the moment and the heat of the engine rooms.

The Spanish losses were much higher. Admiral Montojo reported a loss of 381 men killed and wounded as a result of the battle.

However, the battle was over. The Spanish vessels had been destroyed. Though the guns of the fortifications around Manila still had the power to sink the American squadron, the threat of a return bombardment of the city kept the guns silent. That evening, the USFS OLYMPIA Brass Band serenaded the crowds of people teeming along the Manila waterfront with a selection of music including many Spanish numbers, punctuated by continued explosions of ammunition aboard the still-burning Spanish vessels. It was an strange end to a strange day.

isabela
Kamakailan lang ay kumalat sa mga pahayagan ang pangalan ng Isabela dulot ng mga operasyong militar sa Basilan laban sa mga Abu Sayyaf. Hindi alintana ng karamihan na ang probinsya naman pala ng Isabela sa Hilagang Luzon ay may sarili ding sagupaan. May napipintong pagmimina ng karbon sa nasabing lugar. OPEN PIT MINING ang magiging estilo.

Tulad ng sa Basilan, ang digmaan sa Isabela ng Hilagang Luzon ay nararapat ding pagtuunan ng pansin. Sa kadahilanang hindi lamang ang karapatan ng mga mamamayan ang dito'y nakasalalay kundi maging ang mapaminsalang epektong maidudulot nito sa kalikasan.

DIGMAAN SA ISABELA

ni Lee Joseph Marquez Castel

Maihahambing sa mga naglilipanang bala ang mga isyung kinakaharap ngayon ng tatlong bayan ng Isabela. Kaya nitong makapanakit ng kapwa o di kaya'y makapinsala ng kabuhayan. Sa mga ganitong pangyayari ay mayroon na namang mga puwersang nagtutunggalian. Sa pagkakataong ito ang usapin ay umiikot ukol sa pinaniniwalaang kaunlaran ng bayan laban sa karapatan ng mga mamamayan. Ano ang higit na matimbang? Kanino kayang bandera ang maiwawagayway sa pagwawakas ng laban?

PAGPUTOK NG BALITA

Panahon pa man ng diktaduryang Marcos ay gumapang na ang balitang miminahin ang ilang parte nmg Isabela. Dulot nang pagtutol ng mga mamamayan, naudlot ang nasabing proyekto. Gayunpaman, ilang dekada lang ang pinalipas at muling uminit ang dati'y bulung-bulungan lamang na kaganapan. Subalit sa pagkakataong ito tila kumbinsido na ang ilang mga dayuhang korporasyon na ipagpatuloy ang inaasam na operasyon.

Bunsod ng kagahamanang maipagpatuloy ang proyektong minahan ng Cogentrix of Asia ay nilayon nitong minahin ang umaabot sa 20,000 ektarya ng lupa sa Isabela. Ito ay upang pagkuhanan ng karbon na ipanggagatong sa dalawa hanggang tatlong planta ng kuryente na may lakas na 300-450 MW na itatayo sa San Pablo, Cauayan, Isabela. Dulot nito, dalawampu't apat na barangay mula sa tatlong bayan ng Naguillan, Cauayan at Benito Soliven ang maaapektuhan. Sa paglalatag ng mga planong ito ay tila may nakukuryente na, hindi pa man nasisimulan ang operasyon ng planta--ito ang mga mamamayan ng Isabela.

Mayorya sa mga tatamaang lugar ay tutol sa nasabing operasyon. Matagal na nga naman sila sa kanilang mga tirahan ngunit basta na lamang silang mapapaalis sa oras na maaprubahan ang operasyon ng planta. Ang tanong nila, nasaan na nga ba ang katarungan sa mga pangyayaring iyon? Gayunpaman, lagi namang nakahanda ang mga multi nasyonal na korporasyon ng minahan na maghandog ng mga di matanggihang opsyon sa mga maapektuhang komunidad. Ito ang nagsisilbing pambulag sa kung anumang pag-aalinlangang dumadapo sa isipan ng mga Isabelino. Lalo pa nga at ang mga dayuhang korporasyon na ito ay suportado ng dinastiya ng pamilyang Dy--ang mga binansagang warlords ng Isabela.

OPENSIBA NG MGA NASA KATUNGKULAN

Ang mga Dy ng Isabela ay todo ang suporta sa napipintong pagmimina ng karbon sa mga lugar na kanilang nasasakupan. Sa katunayan, pinulong ng nasabing pamilya ang kapitan ng bawat barangay na matatamaan ng nasabing operasyon. Pinaniniwalaang sa mga pagpupulong na iyon ay hinikayat ang mga nasabing kapitan na huwag ng tutulan ang magaganap na minahan. Ipinaliwanag na kasama ito sa dikta ng kaunlaran na panahon na upang gumulong sa kanilang lugar. Gayunpaman, ang pagkukumbinseng ito ay sinaliwan nang pamumudmod ng pera sa mga kapitang papayag sa kagustuhan ng mga Dy. Daan daang libo ang buwanang binibigay sa mga kapitang susunod sa kagustuhan ng mga ito. Samantalang ang mga kagawad ng mga ito ay hindi rin naman makakalimutang maambunan ng grasya igarantiya lamang ang kanilang suporta. Sa tawag nga naman ng kahirapan lalo na sa kanayunan,di kataka-takang masilaw sa mga salapi ang mga nangangailangan.

Upang lalong pag-ibayuhin ang kanilang kampanya, naglagak ng mga militar sa mga barangay na malakas ang oposisyon. Ito ay upang matakot ang mga mamamayan na kumontra sa kagustuhan nilang mga nasa kapangayarihan. Gayunpaman, hindi naging hadlang ang mga bagay na ito sa ilang mga mamamayan. Mayroon pa rin namang iba na patuloy pa ring naninindigan sa tawag ng prinsipyo at di na lang inaalintana ang kadikit nitong banta sa kanilang mga buhay.

MGA MAGIGING LABI NG DIGMAAN

Si Nestor Batuy ang isa sa tatlong kapitan sa bayan ng Cauayan na tumututol sa isasagawang operasyon. Batid niya ang di kabutihang maidudulot ng open pit mining sa kanilang kapaligiran. Aniya, ang open pit mining ay isang di-makatao at di makakalikasang paraan ng pagmimina. Bubungkalin nito ang lupang nasa ibabaw ng karbon at kalimitang iniiwan na lang na nakatiwangwang kung nasaid na ang mga kinailangang mineral. Pinapaboran daw ang prosesong ito dahil higit na makakatipid dito ang mga korporasyon siyang magpapamina.

Grabe ang maaring maging epekto sa kalikasan ng nasabing operasyon kung ito ay maitutuloy. Mayuyurakan daw ang busilak na taglay ng Ilog ng Cagayan at iba pang ilog na masasakop nito. Nanganganib rin nitong sirain ang mga tereyn dulot ng mga punong puputulin kaugnay ng nasabing proyekto. Hindi rin alintana ng gawaing ito ang magiging epekto nito sa mga insekto at hayop na mahalaga ang partisipasyon sa balanse ng kalikasan. Pipinsalain din daw nito ang libu-libong ektarya na pinagtatamnan ng mga produktong agrikultural. Hindi rin nakaligtas sa tila sumpang maaring dalhin ng minahan ang pinsalang maidudulot nito sa sistema ng natural na patubig. Idagdag pa dito ang iba't-ibang klase ng polusyon na iluluwal ng nakaambang pagmimina at operasyon ng planta.

Dahil sa mga kadahilanang ito malakas pa rin ang pagtutol ng mga tao sa mga nasabing lugar.

Gayunpaman, hindi maiiwasan ang pagkakaroon nila ng pagkakahat-hati.

SA MGA POOK NG TUNGGALIAN

Ang bayan ng Disimuray ay isa sa dalawampu't apat na barangay na maapektuhan ng operasyon. Ang nasabing barangay ay mayroong tatlong purok. Mga purok na hindi lang sa lokasyon nagkakaiba kundi maging sa paninindigan. Ang Purok Uno ng Disimuray ay hindi natatakot na mapaalis sila kung sakaling matuloy ang open pit na pagmimina. Tutal naman daw ay babayaran naman ang kanilang lupa at ari-arian na masasalanta ng pagmimina. Ang Purok Dos naman daw ay maglalabas ng kanilang mga armas kung sakaling matuloy ang pagbanta sa kanilang lugar. Samantalang ang Purok Tres naman ay tutol rin sa nasabing operasyon subalit tanging ang posisyon lamang na iyon ang nagsisilbi nilang sandata.

Kabaligtaran naman ito ng bayan ng Casalatan kung saan lahat ay nagkakaisang tutulan ang operasyon. Sila ang barangay na kauna-unahang naglunsad ng mobilisasyon upang ikondena ang tila pagbebenta sa kanila ng pamahalaan. Handa nilang ibuwis ang kanilang buhay maipaglaban lamang ang kanilang karapatan sa lupang matagal nilang inalagaan.

Ang bayan naman ng Sinippil ay may kapitan na pinaniniwalaang lubusang nabibiyayaan ng mga Dy. Hindi kataka-takang wala siyang pagtutol sa magaganap na pagmimina. Ang dahilan niya ay maari naman silang lumipat sa Maynila kung saan mayroon din silang tirahan. Ito ang hindi gaano nababatid ng kanyang mga nasasakupan. Sa likod ng suportang binibigay nila sa kanilang kapitan, handa na pala itong iwan ang kanilang barangay bilang pagbibigay daan sa ngalan ng pinaniniwalaang tanda ng kaunlaran.

Iba't-ibang barangay, iba't-ibang antas ng paniniwala. Isa lamang ang kasiguruhan. Hindi pa man pantay-pantay ang kanilang kamulatan ukol sa mga suliraning kanilang kinakaharap, garantisadong magsisilbi itong kumunoy para matalo sila sa kanilang laban.

TULOY ANG LABAN!

Ang digmaan na nagaganap ngayon sa Isabela ay isa ng palasak na tunggalian. Tuldok lamang ito kumpara sa iba pang mga ganitong klase ring sagupaan sa ating lipunan. Muli na namang pinakita rito ang impluwensyang naidudulot ng mga dayuhang kapitalista kung saan kaya nilang manipulahin ang pamamalakad sa ating bansa. Kung saan kadalasang naisasantabi na ang karapatan ng mga maapektuhang Pilipino upang makapagkamal lamang ng mga salapi ang mga dayuhang korporasyon. Anumang peligro ang hatid nito sa kalikasan ng bansa, matapakan man nito ang kinabukasan ng mamamayan ay hindi na mahalaga. Ang nabibigyang importansya ngayon ay kung paano masusunod ang mga kasunduang sinasabing maghahatid sa rurok ng kaunlaran.

Ang napakadaling pagpasok ng mga dayuhang mamumuhunan sa larangan ng pagmimina ay bunsod pa rin ng globalisasyon. Isa lamang itong pagsumite sa pagnanais ng mga transnasyonal na korporasyon na rekolonisahin ang mga Third World Countries katulad ng Pilipinas. Sa ilalim nito nakaankla ang Philippine Mining Act na parang isinangla na lamang ang yamang mineral ng bansa. Ayon sa gobyerno, ito ay pag-alinsunod lamang sa dikta ng kaunlaran, sa mga dikta ng pagbabago. Gayunpaman, kung iisipin, ang usapin ukol sa minahan ay hidi kung paano ito maibebenta sa mga dayuhan. Bagkus, ito ay usapin kung paano gagamitin ng mga Pilipino ang kanilang yamang mineral kadikit ng pagprotekta nila sa kanilang mga karapatan.

Ang patuloy na pag-ankla ng gobyerno sa mga kapritso ng globalisasyon ay walang magandang maidudulot sa bansa. Habang patuloy pa ring itong nakakatapak ng karapatan ng mga mamamayan, ang layunin nitong isang pantay sa pangangalakal at maunlad na lipunan ay hindi talaga makakamtan. Walang habas pa rin kasi ang takot na sumasanib sa pamahalaan sa banta ng mga dayuhan na pag-urong ng mga puhunan sa oras na hindi sundin ang kanilang mga dikta. Pagpapatunay lamang ito na walang kahandaan ang gobyerno sa oras na mawala ang mga dayuhang mamumuhunan sa bansa. Kinikilala natin ang sinasabing naitutulong ng mga dayuhang korporasyon sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya. Gayunpaman, nararapat na pagtuunan din naman ang pagsasantabing sa karapatan ng mga mamamayan maisulong lamang ang baluktot na kahulugan ng kaunlaran. Nararapat lang sigurong pag-isipan ng gobyerno kung ano ba talaga ang higit nilang binibigyan ng prayoridad. Ang mga dayuhang korporasyon na nagpapakasasa lamang sa likas na yaman ng bayan o ang karapatan ng mga mamamayan na siyang bumubuo ng sambayanan?

Dapat lamang na huwag ituloy ang nakaambang operasyon. Higit na mahalaga ang karapatan ng mga Pilipino kaysa sa pagpapabundat sa bulsa ng mga dayuhang kapitalista. Tuloy ang laban ng mga mamamayan ng mga Isabela. Tutulan ang napipintong pagmimina.

Maaring walang putukan ng kanyon o paglipad ng mga bala ang nangyayari sa Isabela. Sa kabila nito matindi pa rin ang nagaganap na sagupaan. Dahil ito ang labanang kasalukuyan pa ring tila walang katapusan�walang kasiguruhan. Ito ang digmaan ng karapatan ng mamamayan laban sa mapanlinlang na kahulugan ng salitang kaunlaran.

US
The 18th U.S. Infantry Its Part in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine American War By A. B. Cushing, Historian, 18th U.S. Infantry Association GENERAL: The 18th U.S. Infantry took part in both the Spanish American War and the Philippine American War. This account was written by the unit's historian, A.B. Cushing, who died on A. B. Cushing, died, February 1, 1941 at El Paso, Texas. Unit History of the Spanish American War period: "At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war the 18th U.S. Infantry was stationed in Texas Headquarters, Band and Companies D and H at Fort Bliss, near El Paco, and Companies A, B, C, E, F and G at Fort Sam Houston, near San Antonio.

On April 22, 1898 the regiment was assembled under Col. D. D. Van Valzah at New Orleans. Here the third battalion, companies I, K, L, and M were organized by transferring a nucleus of noncommissioned officers and seasoned privates from other companies to drill recruits that had already begun to arrive in response to President McKinley's call. Companies I and K were first to complete their organization and companies L and M completed their organization shortly after the first of July.

Following Admiral Dewey's victory at Manila Bay on May 1st it became apparent that troops would be needed to occupy the city of Manila and a number of Volunteer regiments from the western states were ordered to San Francisco for embarkation for the Philippines. The need for some well-trained Regular troops being recognized, the 14th, 18th and 23rd regiments of Infantry and some regular Artillery units were also ordered to the Philippines to become a part of the 8th Army Corps.

The 18th Infantry left New Orleans on May 24 and entrained for San Francisco, arriving there on May 29, and went into camp at Camp Merritt, just outside the Presidio. Here the organization of the 3rd Battalion was completed and the companies aassigned as follows.

lst Battalion, Companies A, B, E and G, under command of Lieut-Col. C. M. Bailey;

2nd Battalion, Companies C, D, F and H, under Major Chas. Keller; 3rd Battalion, Companies 1, K, L and M, under command of Capt. C. R. Paul.

At the end of June the strength of the Command was given as 20 officers and 1,125 enlisted men.

On June 14 the lst Battalion embarked for Manila, companies A and G on the "China" and companies B and E on the "Colon". They sailed next day as part of the Second Expedition under command of Major-General F. V. Greene, U.S.V.

The China, loaded with troops, including Companies A and C of the 18th U.S.

On June 26, Headquarters, Band and companies C and F embarked on the "Ohio" and companies D and H on the "Indiana". Both transports sailed on the 27th as part of the Third Expedition under command of Major General Merritt.

Both expeditions touched at Honolulu, the 1st Battalion arriving in Manila Bay on July 17 and Headquarters, Band and the 2nd Battalion on July 31st. The 1st Battalion immediately disembarked and went into camp at Camp Dewey, near the Spanish lines, where it took part in outpost and reconnaisance duty, relieving the Filipino insurgents in their trenches on the 29th. On the night of August 2nd the battalion was under heavy fire from the Spanish lines, which, under orders of the Commanding General was not returned.

Headquarters and the 2nd Battalion disembarked at Cavite on August 1st, where they remained until the 7th, when they crossed Manila Bay in small boats and joined the 1st Battalion at Camp Dewey. Here the regiment was brigaded with the 2nd Brigade, lst Division, 8th Army Corps. The 2nd Battalion took their places in the trenches on August 10 and 11.

The Capture of Manila

Early on the morning of August 13 the regiment took its place in line with 26 officers and 1,027 enlisted men, the 1st Battalion on the right with the 3rd Artillery and the 2nd Battalion resting on Calle Real, connecting with the 1st Colorado Volunteers and the Utah Light Battery.

The engagement began at 9:30 A.M. with a bombardment of the enemy's trenches. The 1st Colorado deployed to the front and the 2nd Battalion of the 18th deployed to the right of Calle Real, followed at 200 yards by the 1st Battalion. Companies C and F were on the firing line with companies D and H in support, but their support were soon absorbed into the line. The 1st Battalion deployed in rear of the 2nd, with Company E, under Capt. Wheeler, in reserve.

The lines then advanced as skirmishers, firing volleys at halts, which had the effect of decreasing the Spanish fire. Reaching the Spanish trenches only three of the enemy dead were found. Major Keller then advanced into the city with his Battalion. During this advance the Battalion was under quite heavy fire from the right, which was believed to be from the insurgents, and it was necessary to seek cover where it could be found. General Greene then ordered one company, F of the 18th, to go ahead in advance guard formation toward the "Walled City" and also ordered other troops to keep in the rear of the 18th Infantry. Soon a white flag was seen to be flying from the "Walled City" and the regiment, having been joined by Company E, was ordered to advance to the "Iron Bridge" and hold it. Two iron bridges were found, and one battalion was placed at each. [The two bridges were the Colgante or Suspension and the Bridge of Spain., noted the editor of the American Oldtimer].

In the afternoon the regiment marched across the bridge "El Puente del Espania" and lined up on the Escolta and Calle Rosario, where they spent the night, guarding property and bridges. On the 14th they were assigned to quarters in Cuartel del Fortin.

No casualties were suffered by the Regiment in this engagement. Col. Van Valzah, in his report of the fight, said, "I wish to testify to the bravery and intelligence displayed by all the officers and men of my regiment. There was, to my knowledge, no occasion for the conspicuous display of personal bravery but each man did his duty." The regiment remained at Cuartel del Fortin, performing guard and police duty, until October 18, when they were transferred to Cavite.

The "Milk Battalion"

Meantime the 3rd Battalion, the "rookies" left behind at Camp Merritt, spent two weary months drilling over the sand-lots of San Francisco and learning their "company manners" under the hardboiled non-coms. assigned as their instructors. At last, however, on August 20 they embarked on the transport "Arizona" (afterwards rechristened the "Hancock") and sailed the next day, making the run to Honolulu in less than six days sailing time, a fast run in those days. Here they disembarked and went into camp at Camp Otis, in the Waikiki race track, just bordering beautiful Kapiolani Park, together with recruits for the 10th Pennsylvania, 1st Nebraska and 1st Colorado, and the "Arizona" went on to Manila without them. Two months of drilling and training and they again embarked on the "Arizona" and arrived in Manila Bay on November 25th. They disembarked on the 30th and joined the Regiment in quarters at Cavite.

On December 3rd the companies of the regiment were re-assigned as follows:

1st Battalion, Companies B, E, I and K, Capt. Bates, commanding 2nd Battalion, Companies A, C, H and L, Major Keller commanding 3rd Battalion, Companies D, F, G and M, Major Paul commanding.

Off for Panay

During the month of December the Commanding General of the 8th Army Corps received several appeals from the Spanish garrison at Iloilo for relief, as they were besieged by Filipino insurgents and were holding the town awaiting the arrival of the Americans. Accordingly he ordered General Miller with the 18th Infantry to proceed to Iloilo and take over the town if the Spanish garrison still held it, but to avoid any clash with the Filipinos. The regiment embarked on Christmas eve, again on the "Arizona" and sailed for Iloilo, accompanied by the "Boston" and the "Petrel".

On arrival in Iloilo Bay five days later they learned that the Spaniards had abandoned the city to the Insurgents, who now held the place and refused to permit the Americans to land peaceably. Accordingly General Miller, having in mind his orders to avoid a clash with the Filipinos, sent a dispatch boat back to Manila with his report and a request for orders. He was directed to remain in the harbor until further orders, and the regiment remained on the "Arizona" until February 11." This is a member of the 18th riding a local bull on Panay. The bulls were reportedly fast, and the men called themselves the "Trotting Bull Cavalry"

[By this time the Spanish American War was over, having ended by treaty on December 10, 1898. As of February 4, 1899, a new war had commenced, the Philippine-American War]

bataan
BATAAN DEATH MARCH

Ang Bataan Death March ay ang sapilitang pagpapalakad sa mahigit kumulang 70,000 bilanggo ng digmaan (prisoners of war o POW) na binubuo ng mga Filipino at Amerikano na nadakip ng mga Hapon sa kasagsagan ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Nagsimula noong 9 Abril 1942, ang pagmartsang ito ay nag-umpisa sa Mariveles, Bataan patungong San Fernando, Pampanga (na umabot ng 88 kilometro ang layo), hanggang Capas, Tarlac at muling naglakad ng layong 13 kilometro hanggang matunton ang Himpilang O'Donnell. Tumagal ang pagmamartsang ito ng anim na araw. Paghina ng Depensang Amerikano Noong 11 Marso 1942, sa utos ni Pangulong Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., nilisan ni Heneral Douglas MacArthur, kasama ang ilang tropang Amerikano, ang Corregidor patungong Australia. Sa pag-alis ng heneral, itinalaga si Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV bilang kahalili nito sa Corregidor, at si Heneral Edward P. King naman ang siyang naatasang mamuno sa pakikipagdigmaan sa Bataan. Unti-unting naramdaman ng kawal ng mga Amerikano ang paghina ng kanilang hukbo laban sa mga atake ng bansang Hapon. Maliban dito, naging madalang na rin ang pagdating ng mga rasyong pagkain, gamot at sandata mula Estados Unidos, at patuloy na dumarami ang nagkakasakit at napipinsala. Dahil dito, wala ng ibang alternatibo kundi ang pagsuko sa mga Hapon. Ang pagbagsak ng Bataan noong Abril 1942 ay naging mabigat na dahilan upang humina ang depensa at tuluyang magapi ang Corregidor isang buwan ang makalipas. Ang pagsukong ginawa ng mga Amerikano sa Bataan ay siyang naging hudyat sa pagtatapos ng digmaan dito. Ngunit kasabay ng nasabing pagsuko at pagbandera ng puting watawat ay ang anim na araw na pagpapahirap sa mga sundalong Filipino at Amerikano sa tinaguriang Death March. Ang Martsa

Kinilalang Death March, ang sapilitang pagmamartsa na ito ay nagdala ng matinding pahirap at trahedya sa mga sundalong napabilang dito. Ang mga sundalong Filipino at Amerikano na lumaban para sa depensa ng Bataan ay itinuring na mga bilanggo ng digmaan, o mas kilala bilang prisoners of war (POW). Sa pagsukong ginawa ni King kay Heneral Masaharu Homma, ipinaalam niya sa huli na marami sa kanyang pangkat ang may karamdaman at nagugugutom. Dahil dito, iminungkahi ni King kay Homma na siya na mismo ang magdadala sa mga sundalo sa Himpilan ng O'Donnel gamit ang kanilang sasakyang pangmilitar. Ngunit di ito inalintana ni Homma, bagkus ay pinanindigan nito na maging ang mga may kapansanan ay kinakailangang makilahok sa martsang magaganap patungo sa kampo na siyang magsisilbing kulungan ng mga bilanggo. Umabot ng anim na araw ang nasabing martsa. Sa kasagsagan ng init ng araw, ang mga bilanggo ng digmaan ay walang tigil na pinaglalakad habang sila'y tinututukan ng baril ng mga Hapon. Nilakad nila ang kahabaan ng Mariveles, Bataan patungong San Fernando, Pampanga. Sa mga pagkakataong sila ay “pinagpapahinga,” sila ay puwersahan ding pinapaupo sa ilalaim ng matinding sikat ng araw ng walang anumang lilim. Ang sino mang manghingi ng tubig na maiinom ay dagliang pinapatay.

Sa unang yugto pa lamang ng martsa ay marami na ang nangamatay. Ang mga nanghihina at nabubuwal sa pila ng martsa ay binabayoneta ng mga Hapon, o di kaya'y pinagbabaril. Ang ilan sa kanila ay inaabuso at malabis na sinasaktan, habang ang iba naman ay hinahayaan na lamang masagasaan ng mga rumaragasang sasakyang-militar ng Hapon. Gutom at uhaw, ang mga bilanggo ay lalong naghirap at ang kanilang buhay ay higit na nameligro. Minsan din silang binigyan ng pagkain, ngunit tila hayop silang pinakain ng mga panis na kanin. Nang sapitin nila ang Capas, Tarlac, animo hayop na iginapos ng mga sundalong Hapon ang mga bilanggo. Sa gabi, sila ay pinapatulog sa isang tila bodegang kwarto – masikip at madilim, at ang mga bilanggo ay parang mga sardinas na nagsisiksikan dito. Sa kasikipan, hirap na silang makagalaw, at halos mag-agawan sa hanging nilalanghap. Ang ilan sa kanila ay hindi na inabutan ng bukas, habang ang iba'y nagising sa piling ng mga nasawi na nilang kasamahan. Mahigit kalahati na ang kanilang natatahak nang sila'y ibiyahe sa mga tren. Sa loob ng masisikip at maiinit na kahon ay marami na naman sa kanila ang namatay. Ang mga nakaligtas ay muling pinaglakad ng pitong milya hanggang sapitin nila ang Himpilan ng O'Donnell. Humigit kumulang sampung libo sa mga bilanggo ang namatay samantalang ang iba ay matagumpay namang nakatakas at narating ang kagubatan. Halos 54,000 na lamang ang nakarating sa kanilang piitan. Paggunita Tuwing sasapit ang 9 ng Abril ay ginugunita ng mga Filipino ang Bataan Death March bilang Araw ng Kagitingan (o Araw ng Bataan), isang pista opisyal. Kasama sa paggunita dito ay ang pag-aalay rin ng bulaklak sa mga bantayog na itinayo bilang pagkilala sa mga sundalong namatay sa mapagpahirap na pagmamartsa – sa Paggunita sa Capas (Capas National Shrine) sa Tarlac; at sa Dambana ng Kagitingan sa Bataan. Ang mga nabanggit na bantayog ay nasa pangangalaga ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas.