After Manila Bay, Montojo returned to Madrid for court-martial and spent time imprisoned while testimony was gathered. His arrival in the Philippines is placed tentatively as late as February 1898, which would have left roughly two months to repair ships, train crews, and improvise shore defenses. Dewey supplied evidence in his former opponent's defense, matching his earlier praise of the Spanish admiral's courage. Blaming Montojo for the defeat diverted attention from the government's longer failures in funding, maintenance, training, and preparation.
Notable Point · 1:23:42-1:27:37
Montojo becomes the scapegoat for systemic failure
Spain recalled and imprisoned Montojo even though he had inherited an untrained, disarmed force only months before Dewey attacked.