The rout of the American forces in the small town of Balangiga sent shivers in the spine of the American forces in the Philippines, who were asserting their colonial rule on a country that had just overthrown the 400 years of Spanish rule. Long known as the‘ Balangiga Massacre’, the Americans had to acknowledge that it was the worst defeat they had in their years of colonial conquest.
But little is known of the fact that the Balangiga incident was just one of the many small victories achieved by the people of Samar. Like many others, it was the result of careful planning and execution, not by professional soldiers, but by ordinary folk who resolved to overthrow the oppresssive American regime. In practically all the major towns of Samar, like Calbayog, Catarman, Catbalogan and Basey, the ordinary folk of Samar rose in uprising against the American forces. At the head of this rebellious enterprise was an interpid general by the name of Vicente Rilles Lukban.
This book is about Lukban and other brave revolutionaries who made Samar a living hell for their enemies.