Naga, Cebu, in the revolt of 1898

Naga played a crucial role in the Cebuano revolt against Spain in 1898. In the book written by Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada entitled "Ang Kagubot sa Sugbo 1898," the 14th entry/story written by Catalino Sunsona narrates how Naga faced the revolt.

The easy road to Sudlon, Cebu City made as the headquarters of KKK Cebu after the Battle of Tres de Abril was at the mountain of a place called Marmol in Naga. The people of Naga suffered the anger of both the KKK and that of the Spaniards. The loyalty of the Capitan Municipal of Naga was torn between the two forces. The Parish Priest convinced the civil government of Naga to side with the Spanish Governor General, Adolfo Montero. The KKK was attacked by the Spanish soldiers aided by the volunteers from Zamboanga and Muslims, the battle happened at the place called "Alpagate," the casualties included civilians.

Luis Flores, the President of KKK Cebu was so mad for the deaths of his men and the civilians promised to avenge and get even with the Spaniards. A local leader of Naga stood to this his name Don Pedro de Garcia, called Teniente Indong, a descendant of Juan Magdidiyong the founder of San Fernando, Cebu. The designated date for the battle was on the 2nd Sunday of May 1898. The area was at the vast tract of land of Capitan Piroy at 9:00 in the morning, rain or shine.

The KKK patriots arrived early. It was sunny day. They were led by Commander Quintin Tabar (Tabal) and Chief Anatolio Tabar (Tabar) with a hundred armed men. The civil leaders of Naga assembled at the Tribunal waited for their leader, Teniente Indong de Gracia as they went to attend mass before the battle. At the end of the mass, Teniente de Gracia led a prayer for protection from the Patron Saint, San Francisco de Asis.

Commander Quintin Tabar arranged his men, Vanguardia and Retaguardia. A music supported the skirmish that about to start. Then the fight begun, the protagonists, Teniente Indong and Commander Quintin were passionate in the fight. In the end, both had wounded and dead, many were exhausted, weapons were broken, no one won, no one got the advantage. It was agreed that they meet again for the second round.

But prior to the 1898 revolt, when the 1896 Tagalog revolt erupted, the Spanish authorities required that rich families should contribute Two Hundred Pesos each to support the anti-rebellion campaign. The people of Naga were led by Glicerio Canonigo, the First Gobernadorcill of Naga, assisted by Marcelo dela Cerna as his Capitan de Guia.