Having taken possession of four towns, Pecheche would have been everywhere successful if ambition and pride had not directed his footsteps.

In January, 1899, the Aguinaldista commander of Tarlac province, afraid that his whole province would espouse the cause of the sergeant, attempted by every means in his power to interrupt his career, not hesitating to avail himself of crime to destroy the influence of Pecheche with the many people who had been incensed by the Katipunan and had in turn become firm partisans of the Guards of Honour.
"The Ilocano Tranquilino Pagarigan, local presidente at that time of Camiling, served as an admirable instrument for this purpose....

Pecheche was invited to a solemn festivity organized by Tranquilino, who pretended to recognize him as his chief, and rendering himself a vassal by taking an oath to his flag.

He accepted the invitation, and after the mass which was celebrated went to a meal at the convent, where, after the meal was over, the members of the K.K.K.surrounded Pecheche and 10 of his officers and killed them with bolos or tied them and threw them out of the windows and down the staircase.

Some priests were held captive in the building where this took place and were informed of what had taken place immediately afterwards." This extract shows how easy it then was for any man of determination to acquire a following, especially if he could dispose of a few rifles.