MANILA -- The country commemorates the start of the Philippine-American War on its 125th Anniversary, 4 February 2024. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the City of Manila led a solemn flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the first encounter between Filipino and US Army forces at the corner of Sociego and Silencio Streets, Sampaloc, Manila. Representative France L. Castro of ACT Teachers Partylist served as Guest of Honor joined by Representative Edward Vera Perez Maceda, 4th District of Manila; and NHCP Chairman Emmanuel Franco Calairo. The commemoration also included a reenactment of the first shots of the conflict by Historia Vivente Manila. 

The Philippine-American War was the conflict between the United States of America, that sought to impose its sovereignty over the Philippine archipelago after its purchase from the Spanish following the Treaty of Paris, and the Filipino people. Throughout the more than decade long conflict, the resistance against US imperialism was led by the First Philippine Republic and its subordinate units, the resistance movements in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; and the Moro peoples of Mindanao.  

The milestone is part of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood 2023-2026 which commemorates the events that led up to Philippine Independence and the development of our nation from 1898 to 1901. President Marcos previously enjoined the nation to participate in the commemoration through Administrative Order No. 8, s. 2023 with the NHCP as the Chair of the National Steering Committee. (NHCP Communications Team)