Division used bolos for close quarters combat, earning them the distinctive title "Moro Bolo Battalion". On 7 December 1972, would-be assassin Carlito Dimahilig used a bolo to attack former First Lady Imelda Marcos as she appeared onstage at a live televised awards ceremony. Dimahilig stabbed Marcos in the abdomen several times, and she parried the blows with her arms. He was shot dead by security forces while she was taken to a hospital. Symbolism The bolo serves as a symbol for the Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution, particularly the Cry of Pugad Lawin. Several monuments of Andres Bonifacio, as with other notable Katipuneros, depict him holding a bolo in one hand and the Katipunan flag in the other. Other uses of the term In the United States Military, the slang term "to bolo" – to fail a test, exam or evaluation, originated from the combined Philippine-American military forces including recognized guerrillas during the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War; those local soldiers and guerrillas who failed to demonstrate proficiency in marksmanship were issued bolos instead of firearms so as not to waste scarce ammunition. In hand-to-hand combat sports, especially boxing, the term "bolo punch" is used to describe an uppercut thrown in a manner mimicking the arcing motion of a bolo while in use. Gallery See also Cane knife Dahong palay Golok Kalis (also called "sundang" in eastern Indonesia) Kukri Machete Operation: BOLO, An American military operation during the Vietnam War Parang References Blade weapons Machetes Philippine Revolution Philippine–American War World War II infantry weapons Weapons of the Philippine Army Filipino melee weapons