Baler is located on the eastern coast of Luzon, about from Manila. The Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule started in 1896. In September 1897, the Spanish garrisoned Baler with 50 "cazadores" under Lieutenant José Mota, to prevent Emilio Aguinaldo from receiving smuggled arms. Mota's forces were attacked on the night of 4 October by Novicio's men, killing Mota and six other Spaniards, wounding several and capturing 30 Spanish Mauser rifles. The initial phase of the revolution ended with the Pact of Biak-na-Bato in 1897.