Cavite Trenches and Fortifications

Part of a research article on how the revolution was fought that Angelo Jarin Aguinaldo did for a research journal is a section on the vital role trenches palyed during the first phase of the revolution.

Mariano Alvarez, town president of Noveleta, realizing the benefits of the trenches ordered the fortification of the town along the coast. This was in preparation for the expected retaliation of the Spanish forces under Ramon Blanco.

Kalaw (1997) also related the presence of these trenches in the victory of Binakayan:

“Noong Nobyembre 9, sinimulang sumalakay ang hanay ng mga tauhang pinamumunuan ni Heneral Rios patungong Binakayan at Noveleta…SI Koronel Marina ay sumugod sa Binakayan, mula sa Pulborista, ngunit naharangan siya ng matibay at parisukat na tambak na lupang ligid ng kanal, na may barandilya at bambang sa nasasanggahan ng mga moog sa sulukan ng dagat at ng daang patungo Imus.”

Known to have built such kind of trenches is Edilberto Evangelista, a Belgian-trained Filipino civil engineer who came to Aguinaldo’s headquarters in Zapote in November, 1896. Evangelista was later appointed general director of natural resources and assigned to take charge of the construction of trenches.

Here is what Kalaw says about the trenches that Evangelista designed:

“Ang kuta ng mga manghihimagsik sa Cavite, na itinayo sa Aromahan, Zapote at sa Cavite Viejo, ginawa sa ilalim ng pangangasiwang teknikal ni Edilberto Evangelista, na nagtapos na inihinyera sibil sa Unibersidad ng Ghent, at kararating lamang mula sa Europa. Napakahusay ng pagkakagawa ng kuta kaya’t sinabi ng isang manunulat na Espanyol na ito na raw ang kutang pandarating ng panahon na dahil sa tibay ay hindi mawawasak o malusob ng mga kawal Espanyol.”

A fortification made by Filipino forces in Noveleta (Cavite), a crucial one since the town is a few kilometers away from the Spanish arsenal.https://archive.org/details/campaadefilipi00montuoft

The Caviteños, according to Corpuz (1997), built good defense works with strong embankments and trenches. The defense works in the Dalahican (Calero)-Binakayan was a major factor in repulsing the Blanco offensive. They also built extensive trenches in Zapote (Las Piñas) since it was the jumping-off point for enemy forces coming from Manila that would attack Bacoor in northern Cavite. By January 1897, the Zapote trenches extended to eight kilometers. These trenches and fortificaiond also served as refuge to townspeople. An example of this kind was the one built by the townfolks of Cavite Viejo. The fortification as described by Aguinaldo measures 600 meters long, six meters wide, four meters high, and three meters thick.

A fortification made by Filipino forces in Noveleta (Cavite), a crucial one since the town is a few kilometers away from the Spanish arsenal.https://archive.org/details/campaadefilipi00montuoft

This northern Cavite trenches were later redesigned and improved by Edilberto Evangelista. Before Evangelista came to Aguinaldo’s headquarters, the construction of trenches in Zapote between Manila and Cavite were constructed under the direct supervision of Aguinaldo. In his memoirs, Aguinaldo cited the cooperation of Licerio Topacio, Mariano Noriel, Gil Ignacio and others.

The eastern boundaries of Cavite were likewise fortified. Aguinaldo, on November 13, 1896, ordered the construction of trenches and fortifications on Sungay mountain to the south, and along the road to Carmona on the east. The trenches were constructed in gorges and narrow passes. The fortifications were effective in delaying the advance of the Lachambre Division in February 1897 to the mentioned area (Achutegui and Bernad, 1972, p. 58).

The area near the church of Bacoor was also fortified by the Filipino revolutionary forces. Because of its proximity to Las Pinas, Bacoor was the first town to be confronted by Spanish forces coming from Manila. https://archive.org/details/campaadefilipi00montuoft

Historical accounts truly indicate that the Filipinos were indeed poorly armed. Insufficient arms and ammunition was a challenge in fighting the Spanish Army, who, with their long arms and other superior weapons, seemed invincible.