Emilio Aquino pre-empted the Democratic Process by declaring his Constittution and his
Presidency without the will of the people. He also demanded troop entry
into the City of Manila while the Spanish Army stationed in Manila was
still in place. It had the possibility of becoming a bloodbath. It did
anyway. Admiral Dewey did not have adequate ground forces to hold and
protect the City, its civilian population, its Spanish prisoners and his
own forces against the dozen or so warring Filipino factions intent on
sacking and pillaging.
