Eugenio Daza

The Philippine Revolution against Spain began in August 1896. Just three months after the birth of Gabriel Daza, his first son, Daza, left Borongan for Catbalogan and joined the Katipunan (Revolutionaries) as an infantry officer of both the Visayan Command Group and Samar Command Group.[3][8]

In 1898, the Spanish-American War overwhelmed Spain, allowing the Philippine Revolutionary Army to push out Spain and reconquer all but Manila, which was occupied by the Americans. Having defeated Spain, Aguinaldo issued the Philippine Declaration of Independence. However, six months later, in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States. After two months, the Philippine-American War began.

In the Philippine-American War, Daza held the rank of Capitán de Infanteria (infantry captain). General Lukbán gave him command of his home region of Southeastern Samar. In addition to being an infantry officer, Daza was in charge of military administration in the region and oversaw the collection of taxes, food supplies, arms, and ammunition. [3][9]

During the Philippine-American war, Daza's family moved to Catbalogan. Meanwhile, Daza hid in the mountains, and his wife Carolina Cinco would send rice to him. The Americans attempted to locate Daza by interrogating Carolina. During one of the interrogations, the Americans wanted to conduct a physical examination. They claimed it was to determine whether Carolina was pregnant, proving she was keeping contact with Daza. Carolina was able to resist the examination. [10]

Daza is noted to have been the commander and tactician of the Battle of Balangiga along with Captain Valeriano Abanador.[11][12][13]

On September 28, 1901, Philippine forces organized into seven companies outside Balangiga. The first company was under the command of Daza and Pedro Abayan.[6] The battle was a Philippine victory and regarded as one of the largest American defeats in history.[14] 54 of the 74 American soldiers of Company C 9th Infantry Regiment were killed; 18 were wounded. The battle was taken as an embarrassment and resulted in a brutal American retaliation. General Jacob H. Smith issued an infamous Kill and Burn order to "Kill Everyone Over Ten" the order was carried out in the March across Samar.[15]

After the battle, Daza was promoted to Comandante (major) and given the nickname “Utak ng Paslangang Balangiga”—shortened to "Utak"— meaning "Brain of the Battle of Balangiga" or "Brain." [1]

Balangiga Encounter Monument

On April 26, 1902, Gen. Claro Guevarra, who took command of Samar following General Lukbán's capture, surrendered Samar to Major-General Frederick D.Grant; General Smith was also present.

On April 27, 1902, Daza and the Balangiga contingent were the last to arrive for the formal surrender at the Gándara river mouth in Catbalogan. Upon their arrival, the Americans noticed the contingent carried new Krag rifles, filled cartridge boxes, and American hats, raincoats, and boots,[6] likely from their fallen at the Battle of Balangiga. With Daza's contingent's arrival, 745 revolutionaries were present: 66 officers, 236 riflemen and 443 boleros.[16]

Two hours after Daza's arrival, the formal surrender began. Gen. Claro Guevarra, Daza, and the other officers took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. During the ceremony, General Smith wrapped Daza with an American flag to "symbolize amnesty and welcome to the fold." Following the surrender Daza was gifted a pistol from MG Grant.[4] [6][10]

Major-General Frederick D. Grant, seeing the difficulty in restoring order to Samar, gave Daza, Col. Rafael, and Abuke active roles in securing Samar. They were each given a district where they were responsible for the return of displaced peoples to their communities. They were tasked with encouraging reconstruction, convincing the principales to swear an oath to the U.S. and organizing the local government. The principalía were the noble ruling class of the Philippines. Daza, being part of the principalía himself, was vital in convincing them to comply. With the support of Daza, MG Grant established the provincial government of Samar with municipal governments and representatives from all but one of the towns, in only forty-nine days. A feat that MG Grant writes, considering the challenges, was "a triumph for the Army." [4][6]

In 1906, Governor George Curry, the American governor of Samar, appointed Daza and Lt. Col. Narciso Abuke as captains of a citizens' committee in the Samar Philippine Constabulary. Daza oversaw East-Samar and Abuke West-Samar. As captains, they appointed subordinate officers and enlisted men. Many of the men Daza recruited served under him in Balangiga. Daza and Abuke led companies of 100 armed men each. During their time, they captured leaders and bandits of the Pulahan.[17] Daza negotiated with, and arrested, Cipriano "Teducduc" Amango the leader of the Southeastern Samar Pulahan and leader of the Magtaon Attack. Teducduc was formerly a revolutionary under Daza during the Philippine-American War. [18]

In the barrio of Napta-an, Daza and his men encountered a major group of Pulahanes. Daza's victory here is credited as the victory that led to the eventual defeat of the Pulahan in Samar. [10]

As a founding member of the Nacionalista Party, Daza was elected congressman by the people of Samar, to represent Samar's 3rd District to the First Philippine Legislature as a member of the Philippine Assembly from 1907–1909.[5]

October 6, 1945, President Osmeña appointed Daza Acting Councilor of Borongan, Samar.[19]

Daza's birthday, November 15, is celebrated as Eugenio Daza day, in Eastern Samar. Annually declared by Presidents Corazon Aquino and Ramos, the day was made permanent by President Estrada. Originally "Don Eugenio Daza Day", the Don was dropped under President Arroyo. [11][12][13]

In 1989, "Balangiga Encounter Day" was established as a provincial holiday in Eastern Samar to celebrate the Balangiga Encounter victory.[26][27]

• Eugenio S. Daza Monument, Rawis Rd, Borongan.
• Eugenio Daza Y Salazar Historical Marker by the NHCP, at the base of his monument.
• Eugenio S. Daza Pilot Elementary School, Balud II, Borongan. It was founded in 1916.
• Camp Maj. Eugenio Daza, Hinabangan, Samar. Home of the 801st Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

• In Malvar (2020) [28]