The Spaniards discovered the Katipunan on August 19, 1896. Upon their discovery, Bonifiacio and many katipuneros from Manila escaped the systematic search of the Spaniards, leading to the Katipuneros fleeing to a barrio in Caloocan, Balintawak. On August 24, 1896, Bonifacio rallied the Katipuneros for an emergency meeting. Armed poorly with bolos, bamboo spears, paltiks (makeshift guns), and few old Remington rifles; the meeting was off to a good start. Bonifacio welcomed the attendance of 500-1,000 patriots and informed them of the urgency for beginning the revolution. This episode in the revolution would later be referred to as The Cry of Balintawak; alternatively referred to as The Cry of Pugadlawin, Kangkong, or Bahay Toro—all of these places within the area of Caloocan. Their opposition produced a heated debate between those who favored the uprising, thus plunging the meeting into turmoil. According to Aurelio Tolentino, theater actor and friend of Andres Bonifacio. Angered by the raging debate among his men, Bonifacio inspired these words, “Kalayaan o kaalipinan? Kabuhayan o kamatayan? Mga kapatid: Halina’t ating kalabanin ang mga baril at kanyon upang kamtin ang sariling kalayaan!”(Freedom or slavery? Life or death? Brothers and sisters let us rise and fight the oppressors with their guns and canons of for it is the only way to truly achieve our freedom!) Bonifacio then took out his cedula (community tax certificate) and tore it to pieces shouting, “Mabuhay ang Katipunan!”(Love live the Katipunan!) An act of defiance of Spanish rule become the finest day in Philippine history.