Battle of Makahambus Hill

Battle of Makahambus
Part of Philippine-American War
Date June 4, 1900 Location Philippines Result Philippine Victory
Belligerents
Filipino Irregulars of the Maguindanao Battalion	United States
Commanders and leaders
Colonel Aploninar Velez
Casualties and losses
1 Killed; 3 Wounded	c. 20 Killed; ? Wounded; 1 Captured

Summary

The Battle of Makahambus was one of the 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 Filipine 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 Filipine 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 trapped pits bristling with sharpened bamboo spears lined up and camouflaged. The Americans launched repeated counter attacks, only to be driven back by rifle fire from the defenders.

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