This Week’s Milestones: Dec. 15-21, 2019
Dec. 15, 1972
The historical marker of San Francisco Church in Naga City, Camarines Sur province, was installed.
According to the marker, the church is the first church in Naga City and one of the oldest churches in Bicol region. The church, which served as home of Franciscan missionaries, was built in 1578.
The church’s infirmary and basement served as torture halls of Filipinos who were arrested in 1898.
The church and its bell tower stood as silent witnesses to the triumph of revolutionary forces led by Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo against the Spaniards.
Their victory liberated Naga, then known as a Camarines Sur settlement named Ciudad de Nueva Caceres, from colonial rule.
Dec. 19, 1899
Filipino troops led by Gen. Licerio Geronimo fought American forces in a battle in San Mateo, Rizal province.
Gen. Henry Lawton and 13 other American officers were killed by Katipunero snipers, who were trained by Englishman Capt. Arthur Howard.
Lawton was considered the highest-ranking casualty of the Philippine-American War.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
