Second Battle of Caloocan

Filipinos attack the barracks of the 13th Minnesota Volunteers

Date	February 22–24, 1899
Location	Caloocan, Philippines
Result	U.S victory

Belligerents

United States

Philippine Republic

Commanders and leaders

Arthur MacArthur, Jr.

Antonio Luna

Mariano Llanera

Strength

15,000–20,000 soldiers
1 Warship

5,000 soldiers

Casualties and losses

500

The Second Battle of Caloocan, alternately called the Second Battle of Manila, was fought from February 22 to 24, 1899, in Caloocan during the Philippine–American War. The battle featured a Filipino counterattack aimed at gaining Manila from the Americans. This counterattack failed to regain Manila mainly because of lack of coordination among Filipino units and lack of artillery support.

The Philippine–American War began on February 4, 1899, with the culmination of the Battle of Manila. Later, on February 10, Filipino forces regrouped in Caloocan and fought again with the American forces at the first Battle of Caloocan. The Americans won both engagements, but then Elwell S. Otis had Arthur MacArthur, Jr. wait before attacking Malolos. Noticing that the Americans had halted their offensive to reorganize, the Filipino forces, now under the command of General Antonio Luna, began finalizing their plans to counterattack. Apolinario Mabini, the political philosopher, highlighted the need to prepare thoroughly to ensure the success of the operation, stating that the battle's outcome would determine the fate of the Philippine Republic.

Luna's headquarters was established in Polo (now Valenzuela City), and operations for the counterattack were prepared there. The troops directly under his command were organized into three brigades. The West Brigade was under General Pantaleon Garcia, the Center Brigade was under General Mariano Llanera, and the East Brigade was under Colonel Maximino Hizon. The plan envisioned by Luna and his army staff was to affect a union of forces from the north and south of Manila with the sandatahanes or bolomen inside the city. The other forces that were to attack simultaneously with Luna's troops were the men of General Licerio Gerónimo from the east, and the men of Generals Pío del Pilar and Miguel Malvar from the south. Luna even requested the battle-hardened Tinio Brigade in Northern Luzon, under the command of Manuel Tinio. It had more than 1,900 soldiers. However, Aguinaldo gave only ambiguous answers. The total Filipino force amounted between 5,000 men. The defending American force had 15,000 to 20,000 men in Manila and its suburbs.

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