The assassination of Pantaleon Villegas, a.k.a. Gen. Leon Kilat

Mr. Dionisio A. Sy, Cebu's foremost chronicler of the new century, narrated in his book "A Short History of Cebu 1500-1890s and The Anti-Spanish Revolution in Cebu" how Leon Kilat (the leading revolutionary KKK general during the Battle of Tres de Abril) retreated to Carcar, and was executed on April 8, 1898:

"Unknown to the Katipuneros and to Leon Kilat himself the news of the arrival of the Spanish reinforcements and the defeat of the Cebu KKK had preceded their arrival in Carcar. Some residents of this town were beginning to doubt the wisdom of siding with the revolutionists for fear of government reprisal. To start with, the uprising there was not the making of its leading citizens but only of the barrio leaders of the former poblacion. Consequently, the arrival of retreating Katipuneros was viewed by some town leaders with grave alarm.

"Too tired to make any investigation regarding local feelings towards the Katipunan, Leon Kilat and other leaders accepted at face value the reception accorded them. A sumptuous supper was tendered for them at the house of one of the leading families. After supper, Leon Kilat retired to one of the rooms of that same house while the other Katipuneros were accommodated in different houses. Andres Abellana and his younger brothers Lucas and Fabian Abellana went to sleep at the house of a relative.

"Meanwhile, at the Carcar tribunal (municipal building) a heated meeting was going on attended by the town junta (council), the principalia (leading families) and by the two Filipino secular priests assigned in Carcar. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, moralizing, and conflicting consideration of national interests, local leaderships and down to earth personal safety.

"The participants reviewed the events of the past few days in Cebu City, in San Nicolas and in Carcar. A few days ago the Katipuneros were in control but now they were hunted men. Some voiced the opinion that continued association with or even the mere tolerance of the presence of the revolutionists, could bring retribution to Carcar residents from the Spanish forces. The growing ill-feeling centered on Leon Kilat who they felt was responsible for the turmoil then engulfing the Cebuanos.

"It did not take too long for the participants to decide to kill the Katipuneros particularly Leon Kilat. However, more time was needed to find persons to execute the plan. The problem was compounded by the fact that at that time many still believed in the invulnerability of Leon Kilat.  "Some persons were finally recruited to put an end to Leon Kilat and his men. They were led by a certain Apolinario Alcuitas. (One writer adds that the persuasion was aided by the use of tuba). At about 3 a.m. of Good Friday dawn, they overpowered the sleeping Leon Kilat and succeeded in killing him.

"Two others were killed, Rufo Pusay and Lazaro Manapsal. At dawn of Good Friday, Andres Abellana and his two younger brothers Lucas and Fabian were on their way to church when they were captured. Andres himself, being a respected Cebuano from San Nicolas, was brought for questioning before the Carcar junta and was berated for allowing himself to be duped by the propaganda of an out-of-town ignorante. He was subsequently brought to the town plaza and tied along with the other prisoners."