Who’s who – Domingo Alonzo

DOMINGO ALONZO of Puerto Rivas, Balanga was the acknowledged leader of all the Katipuneros in Bataan during the Philippine Revolution of 1898.

Heneral Inggo was born and raised in Puerto Rivas, Balanga. In a published book about Bataan, it was mentioned that: “…Alonzo, a former cabeza de barangay, was one of those brave and gallant Bataenos who revolted against the Spaniards in the late 1890s. Inspired by the successful Cavite Mutiny of 1897, Alonzo went to Salinas, Cavite where he joined the revolutionary movement. Later on, he founded a local Katipunan unit in Puerto Rivas with the support of Justo Carlos Gabaya, the recognized first organizer of the rebel organization in the barrio.

“In April 1896, General Gregorio Gonzales of Morong called for a meeting of all Katipuneros in Bataan. Local rebel leaders like Rafael Malixi of Abucay, Victor Baltazar of Orion, Mariano Medina and Fausto Garcia of Orani, Baldomero Gutierrez and Mariano Siasat of Samal and Domingo Alonzo of Balanga. They organized a “Comite del Revoluccionarios” with the aim of overthrowing the Spanish government in the province. They unanimously elected Alonzo as the overall leader.”

Heneral Inggo proved worthy of the task. Based on old accounts, he initiated the attack on the Spanish authorities in Balanga on May 28, 1898. The siege of Balanga was a complete success.

From Balanga, Alonzo and his men proceeded to Mabatang, Abucay where they helped Rafael Malixi’s unit defeat the Spanish soldiers and their Macabebe mercenaries at the “Battle of Dulmig.” It also led to the defeat of the Spaniards in Samal, Orani, Hermosa, Dinalupihan, as well as Olongapo and some parts of Zambales.

Alonzo was given a hero’s welcome upon his return to Balanga. His patriotic service, unfortunately, was not recognized by President Emilio Aguinaldo. Instead, a revolutionary officer from Cavite named Lieutenant Colonel Bautista was appointed military governor of Bataan. When the Americans arrived in Bataan in 1900, Alonzo and his men laid down their arms to spare Balanga from another bloody confrontation.

After his release from jail, Alonzo was appointed as cabeza de barangay of Puerto Rivas by Captain John Gouldman, the military governor of Bataan from 1901 to 1903. Alonzo died unwept, unhonored and unsung.

President Manuel L Quezon, in his book entitled “The Good Fight”made mention of two Bataan natives who had ‘styled themselves as generals’during the Spanish regime but did not receive due recognition from General Emilio Aguinaldo for their “patriotic services. Quezon, then a major in the Philippine Revolutionary Army, arrived in Balanga in 1900. He was looking for the place best suited as headquarters for him and General Tomas Mascardo who at that time was being pursued by the American soldiers.

Quezon met with the two ‘generals’ who told him that the forest between Bagac and Morong would be the best hiding place. Quezon went to Bagac and was satisfied. Unfortunately, he did not name the generals. The editor of this book can only assume that one of the two generals was Domingo Alonzo.