Baler

a town in the N. E. part of Luzon, Philippine Islands, on the Pacific coast. The population is several you sand, mostly natives. The most conspicuous edifice is a native Catholic church. The town is noted for the heroic defense of a Spanish garrison in 1899, during a siege by the Filipinos, lasting 11 months. The Spaniards were commanded by Lieut. Saturn i no Martin Cerezo, who refused to surrender the town even when directed to do so by his superiors in Manila. He entrenched himself in the church and heroically resisted the besiegers until his supplies gave out, when he surrendered with all the honors of war, July 2, 1899. Baler was oceupied by the American troops and garrisoned with two companies of the 34th Volunteer Infantry, under Major Shunk, in March, 1900.