PEDRO CALOSA AND THE BATTLE OF TAYUG

Calosa's early life

Pedro Calosa was born in Bauang, La Union but his family migrated to Tayug during the early part of the American Occupation. During a cholera outbreak, both his parents died. Pedro and another brother left for Hawaii where they spent the next years in hard labour working in sugar and pineapple fields. In 1926, he organized Filipino contract workers to form a union and instigated them to strike so they could demand better wages and living condition. He failed to ask for the needed reforms and he even went to jail for being such a "trouble-maker".After serving his time in prison, he was deported back to the Philippines. He transformed into a dissident ready for the role he was about to play.

He stayed a while in Manila but the city's environment did not suit his rebellious nature. He returned to Tayug, but found the town's social environment worse than Manila. Within a few months, he got into so much trouble that the PC put him under surveillance. But he was a clever fellow. The authorities were not able to gather enough evidence to put him in jail.

The Philippine National Association

In 1928, he founded a secret society called Philippine National Association. Membership in this society is so strict and secretive that the law did not learn of its existence until much later. By mid-30's about 1000 farmers were already members.

Calosa's achievement had its problems particularly his differences of opinion with some of his officers. Many of them then wanted to start the rebellion. But Pedro, having seen the American military might in Pearl Harbour wanted to wait for a while. Finally he gave in reluctantly. They chose Tayug to be the starting point of their rebellion.

The Rebellion begins

On the afternoon of January 10, 1931 Pedro Calosa and Cesario Abe ( one of his officers ) notified all their members that they are going to attack Tayug that night. The municipality is still under the stupor of the New Year's celebration. Members of the PC detachment always went to bed early.

Shortly after midnight, the houses of 2 municipal policemen in the neighbouring town of San Nicolas were burned. This was done as a diversionary tactic. It was also the signal for 40 farmers armed with nothing but boloes and old shot guns to commandeer two buses and ride to Tayug. At the outskirsts of the town, 20 or more villagers, someon foot, some on horseback converged on the Municipio. Around 1:00 am, 50 or 60 farmers ( including 14 young women ) assembled near the constabulary barracks.

One of the girls lured the lone sentry from his post and her male companions just hacked him to death. The barracks was raided completely, guns and ammo were stolen and the building was set on fire. Eight of the eleven enlisted men escaped. The officers-in-charge were shot by the rebels. By 1:30 a.m., Tayug fell to the rebels. All the townspeople, in fright, rushed to the countryside.

Tayug under the Raiders

For the next 5 or 6 hours,, the raiders dominated Tayug. The Presidencia, with its hated land records went up in flames as well as the Post Office. Looters broke into 35 houses, stripped them of valuables and then put these to the torch. When dawn blossomed over the Cordillera Mountains, the rebels walked on the still decorated streets and went to church. The rebels requested for a Mass and a breakfast right after. The priest and his helpers obliged them. One of the rebels told the priest he should leave for his own safety. The priest and his helper were just too happy to comply.Thus the rebels had nothing more to do but to wait.

Retribution came swiftly. An hour and a half after the attack on the PC Barracks, a survivor jogged into San Quintin which is about 15 kms. away. He informed a telegraph operator of the events in Tayug. And immediately, messages were sent to Dagupan and to Manila. Authorities in Lingayen responded accordingly. A large number of soldiers were sent to Eastern Pangasinan. The Philippine Division of the US Army ( manuevering in nearby Lingayen Gulf ) was placed on standby alert. Around 6:30 am, the first Constabulary detachment; fifteen steel helmeted troopers and 2 Junior Officers from Dagupan, arrived in Tayug. Thirty minutes later, carefully deployed riflemen open fired on the convento. The rebels answered with defiant gunfire.

The tide turns around

The gun battle raged for several hours. Until late afternoon, the outcome remained in doubt. There was a stalemate because good marksmen were on both sides..By evening, ammunitions on both sides were almost gone. Then 100 soldiers arrived from Manila to boost the morale and firepower of the authorities.

A witness related a dramatic end to the episode. The convento doors opened. It is said that a young woman carrying a Philippine flag over her head stepped out. At first all guns were silent. Waving the flag and marching across the plaza, she went towards the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal. For an unknown reason, as soon as she reached the statue, a volley of gunfire from the Constabulary thudered unexpectedly. The woman collapsed at the base of the monument and the flag fell on her body. The report never clarified which side killed her.A storming party entered the bullet ridden church and arrested the rebels who threw down their empty weapons. The battle of Tayug is over and Pedro Calosa was arrested.