According to a telegram issued by General Luna a few days after hostilities began on February 5, 1899, the operation called for the militiamen of Trozo, Binondo, Quiapo, and Sampaloc to follow up the initial attack by sharpshooters from Tondo and Santa Ana.
The militiamen of Paco, Ermita, Malate, Santa Cruz, and San Miguel were instructed to join the attack once the fighting had become widespread, which was expected to be around midnight.
Contemporary accounts offer differing estimates, with Dean C. Worcester suggesting 6,330 men and General Otis reporting it to be around 10,000.
Colonel Lucas described its purpose as collecting funds from wealthy residents of Manila, protecting against American abuses, and carrying out various essential tasks.
While they managed to ignite some fires, the operation was quickly suppressed by American provost guards and hindered by a lack of coordination and local support.