Battle of Tirad Pass

Location: Tirad Pass National Park, Gregorio del Pilar, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur

Category: Sites/Events

Type: Site

Status: Level II - Historical marker

Marker date: 1952

Installed by: Philippines Historical Committee (PHC)

Marker text (Filipino):

ANG LABANAN SA PASONG TIRAD

SA LIKOD NG MGA BATONG INIHALANG SA MAPANGLAW NA LANDAS NA ITO, SI HENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR, MAY 22 TAONG GULANG, AT MGA ANIMNAPUNG TAGAPAGTANGGOL AT MATATAG NA NAKIPAGLABAN UPANG PANGLAGAAN ANG PAG-URONG NG PANGULONG EMILIO AGUINALDO SA KAGUBATAN NG LEPANTO. MAHIGIT SA 300 KAWAL NA AMERIKANO ANG SUMAGUPA SA KANILA NOONG DISYEMBRE 2, 1899. AT NAPATAY ANG PINAKABATANG HENERAL NA PILIPINO AT ANG MAHIGIT NA LIMAMPUNG TAGAPAGTANGGOL.

Marker text (English):

BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS

ON A ROCKY BARRICADE THROWN ACROSS THIS LONELY TRAIL, 22-YEAR OLD GENERAL GREGORIO H. DEL PILAR AND ABOUT SIXTY OTHER DEFENDERS STOOD FAST COVERING THE RETREAT OF PRESIDENT EMILIO AGUINALDO TO THE WILDS OF LEPANTO. OVER 300 PURSUING AMERICAN TROOPS CAME UPON THEM, 2 DECEMBER 1899, KILLING THE YOUNGEST FILIPINO GENERAL AND MORE THAN FIFTY OTHER GUARDS. ON HIS GRAVE HERE WHERE HE FELL, THIS INSCRIPTION READS: “GENERAL GREGORIO PILAR, KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF TILA PASS, DECEMBER 2ND, 1899…. AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN.”