In April 1900, during the ongoing Philippine-American War, Filipino guerrillas executed a surprise assault on American infantry stationed in Catubig, a town on the island of Samar. The surprise attack marked the beginning of a four-day siege that demonstrated the tactical abilities of the local guerillas in their resilience against American forces following the Spanish-American War. Aiming to undermine U.S. military authority in the region, the insurgents took advantage of the terrain and local knowledge to surround and engage the enemy in an effort to reclaim their homeland.

This siege involved intense skirmishes and was characterized by guerrilla tactics, which allowed smaller groups of Filipino fighters to execute ambushes and prolonged engagements against larger American military units. The U.S. forces found themselves unprepared for the level of resistance encountered, which highlighted the complexities of the conflict and the determination of the Filipino people to resist foreign domination. Such insurgent strategies became a hallmark of the Philippine struggle throughout this war.

The siege of Catubig represented a significant moment in the Philippine-American War, as it exemplified how local fighters effectively utilized their understanding of the environment to combat a technologically superior force. It underscored the persistent challenges faced by American troops throughout their occupation of the Philippines and added to the mounting casualties and frustrations experienced by U.S. military leaders during the conflict.