From Four Nodes of History: The Human Rights Challenge in the Philippine Security Sector relations with him are cordial, but I am not in his confidence. The United States has not been bound in any way to assist insurgents by any act or promises, and he is not, to my knowledge, committed to assist us. I believe he expects to capture Manila without my assistance, but [I] doubt [the insurgent’s] ability, they not yet having many guns. The Americans requested and were allowed in good faith to take up positions in front line trenches made and occupied by Filipinos. They were also granted permission to take up positions in the Cavite Naval Yard. Their officers were allowed free movement in and around Manila. Unknown to Filipino soldiers of the Republic, the US expeditionary force in the Philippines was negotiating for a quick mock battle with Spain in order to exclude the Philippine Republic from the final surrender. President McKinley also gave instructions to secure Manila from the troops of the Philippine Republic with whatever means was necessary. In this way they could claim that they were responsible for Spain’s defeat in the Philippines. On the other hand, they were exploiting the trust of General Aguinaldo while preparing war against the new Philippine Republic. Their ability to freely move around because 58 of the goodwill of the Philippine Republic allowed them to carry out covert reconnaissance and intelligence missions on the strength, weapons, tactical disposition, fortifications and weaknesses of the revolutionary forces. They were also mapping the terrain. They continued their military buildup, landing troops, weapons and munitions for a surprise attack even after Spain and the US agreed to a cessation of hostilities in August of 1898. Antonio Luna and other key Filipino generals were vocal against the movements of US troops but Aguinaldo stuck to his belief that the US was a reliable and trustworthy ally. When US troop and logistics buildup had already been accomplished in Manila, they put their troops on alert, and used an unprovoked minor shooting incident initiated by a few American troops as a signal for a generalized surprise attack on Filipino positions. The surprise attack on Philippine lines was carried out when most Filipino generals were away. Having dislodged Filipino soldiers from their positions, US troops now occupied Manila.