Who buried General Gregorio del Pilar?

Abstract

According to most Philippine history textbooks, del Pilar was buried by the Americans immediately after the battle. The probable source of the accepted version is the book American Occupation of the Philippines by James H. Blount. Blount, who was an officer in the American occupation army, wrote:

"After the fight was over, Lt. Quinlan moved on the remains of General del Pilar, buried them with such military honors as could be hastily provided ad the burial finished, the American officer wrote on the rude headstone left to mark the spot this generous inscription - GENERAL GREGORIO PILAR, KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF TILA PASS, DECEMBER 2nd, 1899...AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN."

This is the story taught in all Philippine schools.

However, we have the conflicting testimony of Vicente Enriquez, an aide-de-camp of the youthful general. As quoted by Teodoro Kalaw in his biography of del Pilar, Enriquez related that he was standing beside del Pilar, when the latter was shot and that he tried to drag the body away but had to desist because the Americans were advancing into the pass.