[3]: 92  Noticing that the Americans had halted their offensive to reorganize, the Filipino forces, now under the command of General Antonio Luna, began finalizing their plans to counterattack.

Apolinario Mabini, the political philosopher, highlighted the need to prepare thoroughly to ensure the success of the operation, stating that the battle's outcome would determine the fate of the Philippine Republic.

[4] The plan envisioned by Luna and his army staff was to effect a union of forces from the north and south of Manila with sandatahanes inside the city.

The local firefighters refused to act, so the Americans used European volunteers, supported by the Provost Guard and the 13th Minnesota, 2nd Oregon, and the 23rd Infantry in Tondo, when 500 Filipinos troops occupied the northern part of the city.

[4] At around 10 pm, armed Filipinos under Colonel Francisco Roman entered Tondo and confronted the surprised American troops.

Colonel Luciano Lucas, who led the Cuerpo de Armas Blancas within the city of Manila and was under Luna's direct command, responded immediately after hearing the signal for attack.

Luna managed to secure a Krupp Rifled breech loader to provide artillery support for his men.

Two companies, totaling about 400 men, of the Pampanga troops under Major Canlas made a rapid advance and placed La Loma under siege.

[4] By the end of February 23, the Filipinos had managed to secure Sampaloc, Binondo and Tondo (by Generals Pío del Pilar, Geronimo and Colonel Hizon).

The continued fighting aroused concern amongst the American commanders who called for reinforcements, cabling General Henry Ware Lawton to expedite his move to Manila from Colombo.

Weak links between Filipino units enabled the Americans to intercept a number of telegrams and disrupt their communications.

[4] The Americans also acted in their own area by banning the entry of armed Filipinos in Manila, and instituting a system of passage cards for everyone entering the city.

[4] As the Americans ceased operations while they waited for reinforcements to arrive, a period of comparative peace followed after the battle, except for limited activity by small bands of Filipinos guerrillas.