 His father refused.Kidlat arrives and reports that the town is theirs for the taking because the Filipino soldiers have defected to the side of the rebels, the townspeople have openly declared their support to the attackers, and Ciriaco and his soldiers are just holding up in the tribunal, the seat of Spanish rule in the town.In the tribunal, Ciriaco is compelled by his friends to bring down the Spanish flag and raise a white handkerchief.