# Fall of Kakarong de Sili (1 January 1897)

URL: https://allhistories.com/philippines/timeline/1897-fall-of-kakarong-de-sili
Location: Pandi, Bulacan
Themes: Bulacan, Philippine Revolution, Fortification

On 1 January 1897 about 600 Spanish cazadores, commanded by José Olaguer Feliú, attacked the fort at Kakarong de Sili in Pandi, Bulacan, in six columns. After hours of siege they breached the walls, burned the settlements and killed the remaining Katipuneros. Eusebio Roque, called Maestrong Sebio, led the defence. Wikipedia describes the fort as a miniature city with streets, a police force, a military band and an arsenal making bolos and field artillery. Katipunan losses are estimated at over 1,000 killed, wounded or captured, and a monument cites 1,200 dead; another passage cites more than 3,000. Spanish losses are reported inconsistently. Roque was captured and executed with his men on 16 January 1897. Gregorio del Pilar was wounded and retreated to Manatal, and Canuto Villanueva escaped. The Kakarong Republic was dissolved, though guerrilla warfare continued in Bulacan, so the province was not fully pacified, and Wikipedia records the battle as a Spanish victory. At this point in the timeline (1897), the Philippines, under Spanish rule, was governed by Acting Governor-General Camilo García de Polavieja (13 December 1896 – 15 April 1897). Meanwhile, the Katipunan was led by its Supremo, Andrés Bonifacio (January 1895 – 22 March 1897).

## Why it matters
It was the heaviest defeat the rebels suffered in Bulacan and ended the idea of a fixed fortress.

Ruler at the Time: [Camilo García de Polavieja](https://allhistories.com/philippines/rulers/camilo-garcia-de-polavieja)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Kakarong de Sili](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kakarong_de_Sili)
- [Wikipedia — Philippine Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Revolution)