Memorial Canon for Harry C. Egbert

     The Harry C. Egbert canon is actually situated in one of Valenzuela municipal complex in Malinta Valenzuela just adjacent to the regional trial court which is now a historical landmark.   It was restored and elevated by the local government unit under the leadership of the former mayor, Sherwin Gatchialian in April 23, 2013 for the rest of the people to see and to show that the forefathers of Valenzuela had their share and contribution to the history of the Filipino-American war.
     It was very odd that such historical event was never mentioned in the Philippine history but on the other hand clearly written as one of historical tracts of American history.
     Now that it was restored, people will have the chance to discover the great historical event behind it.

History:

Translation:

The Battle of Malinta
The battle  between Filipino and American soldiers
took place near the church of Malinta,
where some soldiers of 22nd U.S. infantry died
including Col.  Harry C.  Egbert,  26 of March 1899.
Though the Filipinos were able to defend their positions
in Malinta during the first half of the battle,
they were later forced to retreat to the north
as the american reinforcement encroached.

     Harry C. Egbert was an officer of the United States army who served in the American civil war,  the Spanish-American war and the Philippine-American war.
     He was sent to the Philippines in March 4, 1899 during the Spanish-American war
and when the Filipino-American war broke out,  Egbert had his fatal encounter against the Filipinos.  He was the Colonel of the 22nd U.S. army infantry and he lead his regiment towards Novaliches but they had to go through the vast wide plains of hacienda Malinta in Valenzuela where they were intercepted by the Filipino soldiers. Many were wounded and died including Colonel Harry C. Egbert in March 26, 1899 but the Americans managed to advance through despite of the lost.
      Years later, the Americans placed four canons to give honor to Harry C. Egbert and their fallen comrades in 1906 proclaiming designated a tract of the land in Malinta as the Egbert monument reserve.

Photo courtesy of Valenzuelatayo mobile

     However, as years went on, the reserve monument fell into neglect. In the early 1990s, only one canon was left and got swallowed into the ground. Only the stump of it remained visible above the ground in the place now known as 'Dulong tangke.'

Restoration:

Photo courtesy of ValenzuelaTayo mobile

     In September 2012, the historical canon was unearthed.  The 10 - feet and 14 tons piece of artillery  was pulled out from the ground to be restored.  It has an engraved inscription on the rear bulk end dating back to the late 1800s  stating it was made in Spain.

Engraved inscription of the canon dating back from 1800s

Inauguration:

Photo courtesy of ValenzuelaTayo mobile

     In April 23, 2013 the canon was officially elevated and declared as a historical landmark of the 'Battle of Malinta' during the Filipino-American war.

     Now it is placed in one of the municipal complex of Valenzuela.  People will have a chance to see again the magnificent memorial artillery that was once stood that will once more continue to serve as a reminder of both Filipinos and Americans for their bravery and a memorial piece and monument reserve for Colonel Harry C.  Egbert.

Sources:

     www.valenzuela.gov.ph
     ValenzuelaTayo mobile
     Harry C. Egbert  en.m.wikipedia.org