Pío del Pilar

Pío del Pilar (July 11, 1860-June 21, 1931) was a revolutionary general of the Philippines. He was born as Pío Isidro y Castañeda. To safeguard his family and prevent them from harassment, he changed his surname to del Pilar. He was born in Barrio Culi-culi (now Pío del Pilar), San Pedro de Macati (present-day Makati) on 11 July 1860.

In May 1896, he joined the Katipunan and formed a chapter called Matagumpay (Triumphant), taking the symbolic name Pang-una (Leader). He was, however, arrested by the Spanish authorities who tried to force him to reveal the roster of the Katipunan.

He designed a war flag for his chapter, a blood-red flag with a white triangle with the letter "K" in each angle, and in the middle, a half sun with seven rays.

He led a group of rebels in the Battle of Binakayan on November 9, 1896, capturing the town from Spanish authorities.

His last battle was with the Americans, in the town of Morong. He fought bravely but he and his men were defeated and captured.

He died on 21 June 1931 at the age of 65 due to lingering illness.

Role in Philippine Revolution
A Magdiwang General and one of the closest officers of the Supremo of Katipunan, Andrés Bonifacio. Bonifacio went to Cavite to mediate with Magdiwang and Magdalo faction that become the Tejeros Convention then that Naic Military Agreement that declares the nullity of the Tejeros Convention wherein he was also one of the signatories.

In time, he changed side, becoming one of Emilio Aguinaldo's trusted generals. It was del Pilar (along with Gen. Mariano Noriel including Gen. Artemio Ricarte) that advised Aguinaldo to change the commutation (banishment) to execution of Andrés and Procopio Bonifacio.

During the Philippine–American War, he was captured but never swore allegiance to the American flag and was exiled to Guam. He continued to fight for the cause of the Filipino people by supporting the Jones Bill for Filipinos' preparation for self governance.