Manila honors Anti Imperialist FilipinoGeneral Makario Sakay

MANILA, Philippines -- After 101 years, General Macario Sakay, who led the KKK movement in Tondo against American colonial rule, finally got his proper place in history.

The Manila government, led by Mayor Alfredo Lim, on Saturday unveiled a monument in honor of Sakay at Plaza Morga in Tondo.

"It is only proper that a monument be put up in honor of the heroes of Manila, who have already been forgotten by the younger generations," the mayor said.

Made entirely of fiber glass, the monument was made by Filipino-American sculptor Jose Mendoza.

Unknown to many Filipinos, Sakay had also contributed greatly to the establishment of Philippine independence as the founder of the Republika ng Katagalugan that led the KKK Movement in Tondo against American colonial rule, Lim added.

Born on Tabora Street near Plaza Morga, Sakay joined the KKK in 1894 and was appointed as the movement's leader in Tondo.

General Makario Sakay became the president of the the Tagalog Republic based in southern Luzon and Manila. He waged armed struggle until 1906 until he was enticed into a trap by the Americans like general Augusto Sandino of Nicaragua.

While Sandino was assasinated by the Somozas, Sakay was hanged by the Americans who arrested him and his lieutenats when he came out for the peace talks with them in 1906. he was hanged on September 13, 1907 in Manila.