Hannah Francesca s.

Estrella

11- San Pedro Calungsod

Reaction Paper (Moro Massacre)

The Moro Massacre became a huge talk all over the world, A war
between Philippines and America. Where in it concerned the engagement
of five hundred and forty (540) U.S Army men with auxiliaries and Moro of
the Philippines which numbered six hundred (600) ,counting women and
children. These Moros secured themselves in an extinct crater bowl that was
later found by the General, he ordered a surprise attack along with his
Christian troops at the summit of a mountain, twenty two hundred (220) feet
above the sea level and difficult to access. They climbed the height by
devious and difficult trails. And as they reached the edge of the bowl, the
battle began.

General Wood’s order was, “Kill or capture the six hundred.” And so
they did. The official report stated that the battle was fought with an
immense energy on both sides as the military were firing down into the
crater with their artillery, the savages furiously returning the fire with
brickbats, knives, and clubs. This war lasted for a day and a half and it
ended with a completely victory for the Americans, after 8 years, of trying to
take the liberties away from the said savages.

The news also stated that the magnified “heroism” of the US troops:
lamented the loss Fifteen who perished, and elaborated the wounds of
Thirty-two of their men who suffered from injury.

This battle was a complete disaster and somehow unfair to the Moros,
the General really knew well how to perfectly pen all six hundred helpless
and weaponless savages in a hole like rats in a trap and massacre. Women
and children has no exception, they were all abolished, leaving not even a
baby alive crying for its mother, a perfect symbol of innocence and
helplessness. Truly it was heartbreaking as I imagine their frightened faces.