# Tinio brigade

The Tinio Brigade was a military unit within the Philippine Republican Army, comprising Filipino soldiers and resistance fighters originally from the Tagalog settlers of Nueva Ecija. Later the brigade would consist of various ethnolinguistic groups such as the Ilocanos, Abreños, Igorots and Itnegs, with a few Bulakeños, Bicolanos and Visayans. There were also some Spaniards in the group. The Tinio Brigade remained one of the last organized military units resisting American occupation in the northern Philippines. It was actively involved in several key actions during the Philippine–American War.
The brigade traces its roots during the war of independence from Spain. In June 1898, after returning from exile in Hong Kong, Emilio Aguinaldo ordered Manuel Tinio to raise an expeditionary army comprising of Tagalog settlers from Nueva Ecija and Bulacan and march north from Dagupan to La Union and the Ilocos region to lay siege to the Spaniards remaining in the Ilocos.
After the Revolution, the brigade was led by Colonel Casimiro Tinio (Manuel's elder brother), and was initially stationed in Nueva Ecija when conflict with the Americans seemed imminent. However, they were later sent to Central Luzon to engage in battle. Anticipating an invasion by American forces from the Lingayen Gulf, General Tinio, with the instructions from Emilio Aguinaldo, ordered the brigade to start construction of defensive trenches along strategic locations in Pangasinan and La Union. At the start of the Philippine–American War, the brigade was approximately 1,904 strong.
On November 7, 1899, the brigade clashed with American forces in San Jacinto, Pangasinan, resulting in casualties on both sides. The brigade ultimately disbanded and reorganized as Guerilla units following a national council of war on November 13, 1899. The unit was instrumental in delaying the American pursuit of President Aguinaldo, allowing Aguinaldo to escape capture.
On December 4, 1899, the unit, comprising 400 riflemen and bolomen, engaged in a battle in Vigan, resulting in over 40 Filipino casualties and 8 American fatalities.
Meanwhile, by December 3, 1899, General Young and Lt. Col. Howze reached Tangadan Pass with their troops. The pass, defended by 1,060 Filipino soldiers under Lt. Col. Blas Villamor (Tinio's chief-of-staff), was eventually overrun by the Americans, leading to the retreat of the Filipino forces. Following the battle, the unit continued to resist American forces, fortifying Mt. Bimmauya in Solsona and establishing an arsenal to manufacture weapons and ammunition. Despite his efforts, the unit was gradually weakened, and many prisoners were eventually captured by the Americans.
On December 4, 1899, the unit was engaged in a battle with American troops in Vigan, resulting in casualties on both sides. Despite Filipino resistance, the Americans ultimately prevailed, forcing the rebels to retreat to Tangadan.
On December 5, 1899, American forces attacked Tangadan Pass, where elements of the unit were entrenched. Despite the formidable defenses, the Americans managed to outflank and outnumber the Filipino forces, leading to their retreat.
In January 1901, the unit's arsenal at Barbar was captured by American forces, marking a setback for the unit. In February of the same year, Brigadier General James Franklin Bell assumed command in Northern Luzon, intensifying the repression of insurgents. He pursued a policy of destruction, including burning food supplies and evacuating populations to town centers to prevent support for guerrillas.
On February 26, 1901, General Tinio launched his last attack against American forces, targeting them in the convent of Sta. Maria. The harsh policies of General Bell led to widespread devastation and starvation in Ilocos, causing many guerillas from the unit to surrender and return to their homes by March.
On March 25, 1901, the top brass of the Tinio Brigade convened at Sagap, Bangued, deciding that their actions would depend on President Aguinaldo's decision. With Aguinaldo's capture on March 23, 1901, and his subsequent call for surrender, General Tinio complied. He sent representatives to discuss surrender terms, eventually surrendering himself and his remaining forces on April 29, 1901. This effectively ended the command as an operational guerrilla unit.