The Governor-General personally reviewed the petition and was disturbed by the "cofradía"'s rule which excluded Spaniards and "mestizos" from joining without Pule's permission. This made De Oraá believe that it was a seditious organization where religion was used as a blind for potential insurgence against Spanish authorities. De Oraá then recommended Pule's dismissal from San Juan de Dios Hospital and had the "cofradía" outlawed in July 1841, ordering its disbandment and the arrests of its members. Pule immediately went into hiding to avoid capture. In September 1841, Hermano Pule traveled from Manila to Bay, Laguna to meet with the "cofradía" members that evaded capture. Anticipating an imminent attack, Pule and Purgatorio rallied 4,000 followers at Barrio Isabang on the slopes of Mount Banahaw. A group of pagan Aetas from Sierra Madre also allied themselves with the "cofradía". On October 23, 1841, "alcalde mayor" Joaquín Ortega, with orders from Manila, led 300 men in an attack on the "cofradía"'s camp. The 4,000-strong "cofradía" was able to resist the attack, which resulted in the deaths of Ortega and many of his men. Pule then transferred his camp to Alitao, near Tayabas town, where his followers crowned him "King of the Tagalogs". By that time, he had considered severing his ties with the Church. When the news of the Ortega's defeat reached the Governor-General, better-armed reinforcements from Manila were sent to Tayabas. On November 1, 1841, Col. Joaquín Huet arrived in Tayabas with 800 to 1,000 soldiers. They initially offered amnesty to the members of the "cofradía", with the exception of Hermano Pule and other senior leaders, but the "cofradía" refused. Prior to Colonel Huet's arrival, Pule and the "cofradía" leaders promised their followers of victory through divine intervention. The "cofradía" fighters were made to believe that they were invulnerable to enemy bullets, and that angels from Heaven would come down and help them in battle, and finally the ground would open up and swallow the enemy troops. The battle between the "cofradía" and the government forces lasted for four hours.