On February 17, 1897, Aguinaldo defeated Spanish forces under General Camilo de
Polavieja at the Battle of Zapote Bridge, Cavite. Gen. Edilberto Evangelista, civil engineer, revolutionary and trench builder, died in the battle (he was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Feb. 24, 1862).
The province of Cavite gradually emerged as the Revolution's hotbed. The katipuneros there, led by the young General Emilio Aguinaldo, had a string of victories.
A company of Filipino revolutionaries
It wasn't long before the issue of leadership of the Revolution took place, especially in Cavite. The Magdiwang faction, led by Bonifacio's uncle-in-law, Mariano Alvarez, recognized Bonifacio as
leader due to him being the founder and Supremo of the Katipunan. The Magdalo faction, led by Emilio's cousin Baldomero Aguinaldo, agitated for Heneral Miong (Emilio's nickname) to be the
Revolution's leader due to his victories as against Bonifacio's succession of defeats. The friction between the two intensified further when they refused to cooperate or aid each other in
battle. |
