The Belangiga Massacre-- Part 2: Friendly Then Not-So Friendly

The attack and subsequent retaliation remains one of the longest-running and most controversial issues between the governments of the Philippines and the United States.  Conflicting accounts only further the situation.  Some Filipino historians hold that the true "Massacre" occurred took place when American troops burned whole towns during the March Across the Samar.

In the summer of 1901, Brigadier General Robert P. Hughes started an aggressive policy of food deprivation and property destruction to force the end of Filipino resistance.  Samar was a major center of the hemp trade which was financing resistance forces.  Plus, American interests wanted to get control of the lucrative business.

On August 11, 1901, Company C of the 9th U.S. Infantry arrived at Belangiga, the third largest town on the island.  At first, relations between the Americans and villagers were friendly.  The situation deteriorated and the villagers and their leaders decided to attack the Americans.  There is a whole lot more in the Wikipedia article.

--Cooter