Battle of Makahambus Hill

The Battle of Makahambus was one of the greatest of the few victories won by the Filipinos over the Americans during the Philippine American War. It was fought on June 4, 1900. The Filipinos were under the command of Colonel Aploninar Velez in the Maguindanao Battalion. All of them were volunteers, and not part of the regular army.

The fort at Makahambus was located on a high and steep hill. The Americans seeing how formidable the fort was tried to negotiate a surrender. The answer was a volley of cannon and rifle fire that drove the Americans back down the hill. Many were killed not by rifle fire, but by booby traped pits bristling with spears dug by the Filipinos.

The Americans launched repeated counter attacks, only to be driven back by deadly rifle fire from the determined defenders.

As many as 20 Americans perished along with many wounded. There was also one prisoner of war. The Filipinos however suffered 1 killed and 3 wounded, making this battle the most one-sided victory for the Filipinos during the war.