"All that happened for the past 2 years... changed the course of history. It made our war succeed, it made history exist"
-President Michael Vazquel y Bayani
The Scenario[]
Two events caused the downfall of the revolutionary movement in the Philippines: Bonifacio's execution and the Second Battle of Caloocan:
Andres Bonifacio was a political and military mind during the early stages in the Philippine Revolution. He created the Katipunan, an revolutionary organization in the Philippines. He was first respected, however as he lost battles in Manila, he was replaced by Aguinaldo in the Tejeros Convention of 1896. He was later executed on the orders of President Aguinaldo's commanders.
The Second Battle of Caloocan was a Filipino counter-offensive against the Americans during the Philippine-American War. It was a well-planned battle, but was poorly executed because of telegram cuts, lack of ammunition and most especially the Kawit Brigade's disrespect to Gen. Antonio Luna as he ordered them to fight in Northern Manila.
Now, what if Bonifacio wasn't ordered to be executed, but instead would be exiled to Batangas and in a desperate measure, be a lowly commander of a Batangas detachment? What if the supply, communication and morale of the native troops weren't compromised? These two events could've turned the tide of the Revolution forever.
Point of Divergence[]
Gen. Antonio Luna, General Mariano Trias, (from the North) Lt. Miguel Vazquel of the Palañag Detachment and in a desperate attempt to reinforce the south-eastern flank, Lt. Andres Bonifacio (from the south) charged towards the Manila territory after succeeding in the first phase of the Second Battle of Caloocan. The The Kawiteños immediately reinfroced the Pampanga troops and was able to reach up to Sta. Mesa, San Juan, Tondo, Binondo and even up to Calle Azcarrga. Meanwhile, from the south, a gung ho teenage Lieutenant Miguel Vazquel marched from Palañag after winning the Battle of Sucat-Pasay which was used as a hinge to attack Eastern Manila.
As the two Filipino detachments met at Campo Neustro Señora del Carmel del Montaje y Agustino Recoletos (currently SSC-R, Manila) and caused a push towards Intamuros. Fifty meters away from Intramuros, General Wesley Merrit and Admiral Dewey lowered the Stars and Stripes and surrendered Manila to the Filipinos. The Treaty of Manila was signed as reparation and support of both parties.