Race for freedom

18th of July 1880

Powerful tremors visited the capital. Earthquakes span from Manila to Laguna leaving buildings in shambles. The whole region was paralysed, but the tremors still continued. Various religious groups are having vigils every night believing that the people are not faithful enough to the Church and to Spain that is why God sent this punishment.

However, the Order of the Freemen of Christ also took advantage of the chaos and openly advocate freedom of the people from the Spaniards and that a King has been sent by God to save the people from suffering. It quickly gathered thousands of people, most of them are peasants while there is also a small number of illustrados (noble/wealthy Filipinos). The call for independence and for King Marco spread throughout the Philippine Islands.

As the tremor intensify, I ordered the distribution of the weapons we received a week ago. Rifles and ammunitions are more than enough for the troops, that is why we will also provide rifles and a few rounds of ammo to the volunteers and to our loyalists.

While tremors still continue for a 2nd week, a lot of Filipinos are knocking the gates of Tondo estates to join him and call to arms. It seem that these people are desperate for freedom and recognized Marco as King of the Philippines. They are in need of someone to lead them. And so I answer their call.

"My people, go to the east! Freedom lies in the East. Go quick!" Marco shouted outside his estate.

People went to the East, particularly in Pasig. Thousands of people are now at the town of Pasig while tremors still continued. I then sent the signal to Tumarong in the East. Our fresh troops stationed in started to move bound to Pasig. Our Maharlikan troops are now marching in full combat uniform carrying British rifles, Murata and German Rifles with a huge bag containing ammunitions and provisions. There are also horse carriages for spare rifles, camping tents, ammunitions, food and water provisions.

When Tumarong and his troops arrived in Pasig, they quickly organized the thousands of people.

"Brave people of this land, I am General Tumarong, sent by our mighty Lakan Marco. He expects us to spark revolution in this small town of Pasig. He believes that, in the East lies our future. This is the east, we are the future! Now heed our King's call, rise Maharlika!" Tumarong in his scripted speech.

"Whoaahhh!!!" the war cries of the people echoed that can also be heard in Manila. Thousands of men are now ready for deployment.

Meanwhile, the Spaniards didn't let this chance go. The Spanish army surrounded the estate of Tondo.

"Open the gate! Marco, surrender now or we will wreck open your estate!" A Spanish soldier shouted.

No matter how loud they shout, no one responded. I locked down the whole estate. Our ships are nowhere to be found at our docks. My servants and non combatants flee earlier than the arrival of Spanish troops. However, my Naval troops and Army troops are inside the buildings and others are inside the wall with the artilleries. They are ready for any possible engagement. My troops are also fully armed and now waiting to be mobilised. We are just waiting for the right timing.

"No one's responding, where are they?" A Spanish soldier said.

"They looked like cowered from us, report it to the general." A Spanish officer said.

After a three days of being besieged by the Spanish troops, they finally relaxed. My troops are also relaxed, but all of a sudden, the some of the Spanish troops moved away. Maybe its Tumarong? Haha! I expect nothing less from him.

"Governor General, the rebels at Pasig are now on the move. They are on the way here. Currently they are estimated to be at Santa Mesa, just a few hours more and they'll be sieging our walls of Intramuros." a Spanish lieutenant reported and gave the detailed report.

" Just tell me, how many? What are their weapons and the days worth of their provisions." Fernando Primo asked impatiently.

"General, they are around 3,000 men armed with machetes and rifles with few ammunitions. We also spotted a few hundred of uniformed troops with a flag which we believed to be the symbol of Maharlika." The Spanish lieutenant reported.

"Quite a lot, so they plan to attack us on two flanks. I will never let that happen. Lieutenant, how many troops do we have here?" Fernando primo said.

"General, we have 1,500 well-armed troops beseiging the estate walls." The Spanish lieutenant responded.

"How many soldiers do you think we need to keep on beseiging the Tondo estate? And how many troops do we have to deploy to crush the rebels at the East?" The General seek the advise of the lieutenant.

"I believe, General has a better plan than I can think of. But in my opinion, we just need 200 soldiers to capture the estate because all their troops are at the East. Then we deploy 1,300 troops to crush the 3,000 rebels since our troops are more than enough to deal with just mere peasants. That's what I think, General." the Spanish lieutenant said.

" Good, I also have same plan with you. But I don't think that this is just an ordinary rebellion, we cannot wait for the reinforcements from New Spain. However, I sent another messenger again to ensure that Acapulco receives my reinforcement request." Fernando Primo said.

"This estate is of no threat to us. The rebels at Santa Mesa is nearer and far greater of a threat than this estate. Also, mobilize all of the able-bodied Spanish men and natives that knows how to use a rifle. Bring 1,400 troops to the East, followed by our conscripted citizens and crush all those rebels within 3 days." Fernando Primo instructed.

" General, do I include the sailors at the port?" The Spanish lieutenant asked.

"Yes, all of them! Use everything you can to crush those rebellious bastards!" Fernando Primo said in a loud tone.

SANTA MESA, MANILA

30th of July 1880.

"General Tumarong, isn't it strange that no ones intercepting us?" A Maharlikan officer asked.

"They are just panicking, we will soon face thousands of experienced Spanish troops. They might even conscript the locals to crush us." Tumarong said.

"Are we on defensive or offensive, General Tumarong?"

A Maharlikan officer asked.

"Everyone! Heads up. We will set a defensive perimeter on that bush. Set a camp across the stream, plant pikes there. Dig human size holes in that area and cover it lightly. Also, gather stones or sand bags and set it there which will act as our shield from bullets. The rest of you, dig two (2) 300-meter trench here and there. Finish it within the day. Now everyone, move!"

Tumarong said aloud.

Night.

"Sir, the rebels are on defensive! Looks like they expected this to happen. They set up defensive lines stretching 300 meters. We can just go around it tonight sir!" A Spanish soldier said to their lieutenant-commander.

"No, that will be unwise. We set camp here tonight, we round them at dawn." Their Lieutenant-commander said.

Unbeknownst to the Spanish troops, the northern end of the trench is a swamp and the southern end is stream.

Dawn.

The Spanish side has 1,300 experienced troops, while the Maharlikan has 600 trained troops, 500 from Calamba and 100 brought by Tumarong from the estate. In addition to the Maharlikan forces are 2,000 men, women and old men, armed with machete or rifles.

Tumarong arranged his troops, 1st trench will have 50 trained troops and 1,000 militias. 2nd trench will have 200 trained troops and 700 militias, 250 trained troops will guard their left flank and 70 trained troops with 300 militia will guard their right flank. 100 trained troops will be on reserved with General Tumarong at the back with good line of vision to the battlefield.

"Send a scout team to the north and south end of the trenches. Report in an hour." The lieutenant-commander ordered.

An hour later.

"Sir, our scouts reported a swamp to the north and a small stream to the south. They didn't notice any Maharlikan troops or even human their." A Spanish officer reported.

"Okay, looks like they left their north and south undefended. Send 300 to the south and 200 to the north." the Lieutenant-commander said.

"But sir, I advise to think about it. The place is good for an ambush, we might suffer a huge loss. The crossing of the swamp and the stream might weaken our troops, they are human too!" the Spanish officer advised.

"Are you questioning my authority here? Remember, I'm the commander here. I don't want to hear any of your mumblings. Also, send 500 men to the center. Lets check the presents they prepared for us." the Lieutenant-commander said.

After an hour.

North end of the trench (swamp).

"What is that lieutenant thinking?? There's a lot of leeches here!"

"My uniform got soiled! Those are just peasants, we can just fight them face to face!"

"I'll report him to my uncle later! Some mud got into my boots!"

"Quit your whining pussies. Save your complaints later if we even get out of this alive."

"Cuba is even better than here."

"But Cuba is much bloody and scary. Those Cubans are fierce. This is better."

More Spanish soldiers are complaining and whining.

"Shut your traps kids! Make sure that your rifles are loaded and ready for combat. Or else we'll be dead before we can fire." A Spanish officer said.

"Fuego! (Fire)" a loud shout out of nowhere.

Bullets then engulfed the Spanish troops. A hundred troops then lay dead on the swamp.

"Ambush! Get to position!" A Spanish officer from the back shouted.

However, that shout was ought for nothing. The surviving Spanish troops are heavily injured if not dead. At the end of the day, 160 Spanish troops died from bullets, 85 died from severe injury and 55 were heavily injured. There are only 8 with minor injury in Maharlikan side. The Maharlikan troops who were just hiding in the bushes at the bay of the swamp, pushed forward and plans to flank the enemy main camp.

Same situation happened to the Spanish troops to the south end of the trench.

"Retreat! I said, Retreat! Report to the commander!" A Spanish officer shouted. But found no one was left, all he can see are just gun smokes and he also found his feet unable to move because he stepped into a short pike.

"God, help!!!" The same Spanish officer said.

Meanwhile...

TONDO ESTATE, MANILA

"Fuego!" Marco shouted.

The 200 Spanish troops besieging the walls was surprised because of what happened. Rifles and artilleries cried at the wall. The next time they look at their surroundings, soldiers lay dead or mashed up. Limbs and intestines flew and scattered. All 200 troops besieging the estate walls are dead. None survive from the continuous bombardment of artillery and rain of bullets. The battle was quick, no, its a massacre.

After the battle...

"Search for the Governor General! Check everything. And look for survivors to gather some intel." Marco said.

"We found a survivor! A Spanish officer!" A Maharlikan soldier said.

Maharlikan officers quickly gathered to the place.

"Where is the General? Speak." the Maharlikan officer asked the severely injured Spanish soldier.

When it doesn't want to talk, the Maharlikan officer pushed hard the wound.

"Aw, aw, aw!"

"Now, talk."

"okay okay, just stop touching my wound.. General Primo quickly escaped when he heard bombardments, his tent was actually far from here. Maybe he returned to the palace and wait for reinforcements. Aaw! Aw, stop please! I alreasy said it." The severely wounded Spanish soldier.

"Okay, thanks." the Maharlikan officer then shot the injured soldier to the head.

"Hahaha! We sent another messenger to Acapulco just after you sabotaged our first messenger. You will soon be dead, Spanish bullets will be planted to your heads! Hahaha" A dying Spanish officer who was actually listening to the interrogation earlier suddenly spoke with a mock.

The Maharlikan officer who was dead serious immediately pulled the trigger to that dying Spanish officer.