[5] On September 4, with the principal objective of acquiring provisions lacking in Biac-na-Bato, President Emilio Aguinaldo directed orders to Gen. Natividad and Col. Manuel Tinio to unite their forces with those of Col. Casimiro Tinio, Gen. Pio del Pilar, Col. Jose Paua and Eduardo Llanera for a combined dawn attack on Aliaga.

The rebel forces, numbering about between 4,000-5,000 men,[6]: 421  took the church and convent, the Casa Tribunal and other government buildings.

The commander of the Spanish detachment died in the first moments of fighting, while those who survived were locked up in the thick-walled jail.

The following day, Sunday the 5th, the church and convent as well as a group of houses were put to the torch due to exigencies of defense.

[citation needed] Alarmed by these sudden attacks, Governor General Primo de Rivera fielded 8,000 men[7]: 188  under the command of Gen. Ricardo Monet and Gen. Nuñez.