Pío del Pilar Brigade

The Pío del Pilar Brigade was a military unit within the Philippine Republican Army, comprising Filipino soldiers and resistance fighters. It was established and led by General Pío del Pilar during the period between the war of independence from Spain and the Philippine–American War. Many of its volunteers hailed from del Pilar's own barrio of Culi-Culi in San Pedro de Macati, and as late as December 1900, it was recruiting volunteers from Singalong and Pasay.

Initially stationed in the Second Zone of Manila, the brigade played a significant role in the Battle of Manila in 1899.[1] Following the loss of the Second Zone to American forces, the unit retreated eastwards. During this period, they engaged in a notable delaying action around Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in Guadalupe Viejo, San Pedro de Macati on February 10, 1899[2] but was driven back. An attempted counterattack at San Felipe Neri on February 17 as made but failed.[3] Elements of the brigade also attempted to form defensive lines at Malapad-na-Bato in Makati, Pateros, through to Pasig in March and Cainta a few months later but were further driven out of towns.

In August 1899, elements of the brigade clashed with American forces in barrio Bintog in Quingua, Bulacan.

Following the decision of President Emilio Aguinaldo's government to dissolve the Army in November 1899 and transform military units into decentralized guerrilla commands, the brigade was assigned to operate in the Province of Bulacan, with its base in the southwestern sector of the Sierra Mountain Range. The command played a significant role in the Battle of San Mateo in 1899. Under the leadership of Simon Tecson, the unit engaged American troops in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, on June 3, 1900, resulting in the capture of an American Captain and two Privates. The unit was noted for engaging American forces from the marshes of San Vicente and Santa Rita in Cabiao[4], in an attempt to delay their advance in pursuit of President Aguinaldo northwards.

The capture of del Pilar on June 8, 1900 in Guadalupe, Makati and exile to Guam in January 1901 effectively ended the operation of the guerrilla unit.