Chapter 7 Patterns of Struggle History of struggles of people for freedom and better life most fundamental aspect of Phil.

l. history Peoples rebellions most negative response to colonial oppression The Landscape Reviewed Certain communities were in transition to class society, having attained a relatively higher level of development because of the diffusion of the values and practices of the Muslim communities and contacts with traders from Asian mainland. There was still no concept of private property in the sense of ownership of the means of production. Spain was at the mercantilist stage of capitalist development. Mercantilism emphasized immediate extraction of wealth rather than long-range development of natural resources. They made their fortunes by extracting what they could from the marginal economy of native population. Union of Church and State was the most salient feature of Spanish rule. This meant active participation by the friars in the colonial administration. The use of chiefs as colonial intermediaries was responsible for development of baranganic social stratification. Early Resentments The very intrusion of the latter into the hitherto free and self-sufficient societies was bound to produce some native groups to drive intruders away. An attempt in 1587 brought together in alliance the chiefs of: Tondo Pandacan Polo Catangalan Castilla Taguig Candaba Navotas Maysilo Bulacan Bangos Cuyo The leaders were: Magat Salamat (son of Lakandula) and Agustin de Legazpi (Lakandulas nephew). They seek help from Bornean rulers and Japanese captains. If successful, the chiefs will give of the tribute. Early Resistance Tribute and its cruel method of collection underlying cause of early resistance No tribute was collected from the kings encomienda in Cebu for 3 years. Forced labor also led to a number of uprisings. In 1583, many natives of Pampanga were sent to work in gold mines of Ilocos. As a result, there were grave food shortages. Because of the famine in 1584, they decided to revolt, Unfortunately, a native woman betrayed the plan. The alcalde-mayor charged with pacification beheaded 20 Zambals to intimidate the rest into accepting ressetlement. Ilocos Nueva Segovia Winning the Chiefs Lakandula became a loyal subject to the Spaniards and even aided them in driving out the Chinese pirate, Limahong. Hispano-Dutch war greatly increased the demands on the material and human resources. Abuses and corrupt practices were condoned. Resistance to the intensified exploitation was correspondingly widespread and took various forms depending on the level of development of the communities concerned. Economic Roots of Nativism Ideological basis for protest was a contraposition of the power of their old gods to the power of the new religion. Nativism was no doubt reinforced by the importance of Church in colonial administration. In Bohol, for example, its economic root is readily visible in the claim of rebels. Thus, material resentments were reflected in realm of consciousness. Tamblot In 1622, a babaylan or native priest named Tamblot reported the appearance of diwata or goddess who promised the people a life of abundance w/o the burden of paying ribute to the government or dues to the churches if they would rise against the Spaniards and reject the Catholic religion, go to the hills and build a temple there. 2000 Boholanos from 4 out of 6 villages supervised by the Jesuits revolted. They burned the 4 villages and pierced the image of Virgin. It took an expedition of 50 Spaniards and 1000 native troops from Pampanga and Cebu to put down the revolt, but they were attacked by 1500 Boholanos. Bankaw and Tapar The Leyteos were led by Bankaw who had received Legazpi and had been baptized. The rebels erected a temple and church was destroyed. After their defeat, Bankaws head was placed on a stake as a public warning, a son of his was beheaded and a daughter taken captive. Another nativistic uprising occurred in Panay in 1663. A man named Tapar attracted many followers with his stories about his frequent conversations with a demon. Tapar promised that if people abandoned the Church, the demon would help them in various ways. They would have all they wish in abundance. This revolt had one new characteristic: the adoption of certain features of Catholic religion . Tapar proclaimed himself God and designated a Christ, Holy Ghost and Virgin Mary among his men. This adoption didnt prevent the rebels from killing a Spanish priest. Labor Conscription The demand for woodcutters, shipbuilders and crewmen rose sharply. All regulations designed to protect the polistas were discarded. In order to relieve Tagalogs and Pampangos from the conscription, Gov. General Fajardo in 1649 ordered the alcaldes of Visayan provinces to step up labor conscription in their areas to supply the shipyards of Cavite, Bohol and Visayas. But, here again, struggle had to take a religious form because the return to native religion was the clearest notice the rebels could give of their rejection of Spanish rule. Thus, the revolt had to find some supernatural sanction before it could start.

Sumuroy The first resistance engendered by forced labor occurred in Samar. Its leader, Sumuroy, was ordered by his father to kill a priest in the convent. He did this on June 1, 1649. Corpus Christi all people march to the convent, send other priests away and sack & burn the church --- This act was deemed to be part of the declaration of rebellion Simultaneous actions alarmed the Spanish officials since these involved villages close to Catbalogan, the seat of jusidiction in province. When they demanded Sumuroys head, the rebels sent the head of a pig. The first force the Spanish alcalde mayor of Leyte was able to muster proved ineffectual as it consisted of collectors of tribute who were not used to fighting and natives who were relatives of rebels. He had to have a large number of native boats to crush the rebels but he was afraid of a large concentration of natives. The Spaniards finally used the Lutaos of Zamboanga to assault the rebel fort. The most significant aspect of this revolt was the spontaneity with which the other coastal villages of Samar initiated their own actions and joined the rebellion. A Spanish father was banished from Sorosogon, an alferez (chief ensign) was put death in Masbate, an officer was killed in Cebu, natives of Camiguin tied up the father prior and humiliated him by placing their feet on his neck. Tricky Dabao Dabao led the uprising in Northern Mindanao The revolt was caused by the controversial decree to send carpenters to the Cavite shipyard. a cunning fighter with a bagful of tricks he presented himself before a friar and asked to be baptized thus forcing the priest to protect his new convert allowed the father prior of the convent in Linao to believe that he had been won over but this was just a ruse to enable him to move more freely his opportunity came when some men stole a quantity of maize and rice. He volunteered to capture them and then set his own Trojan Horse trick. He chose 8 strong followers of his and acted as the prisoners. When the men were going to be set in stocks, Dabao drew his dagger and stabbed the captain. The Spanish garrison was wiped out. Opportunities for Chiefs Chiefs had begun to enhance their economic status by taking advantage of the opportunities open to them as minor officials in the colonial administrative structure. They exploited the grievances of their followers to extract concessions for themselves. Traditional respect for the chief was reinforced by Spanish inculcation of feudal values. The period of intense exploitation of the natives was also the period of accelerated consolidation of principalia control. The job of requisitioning supplies and recruiting manpower for the war was delegated to the local chiefs. Thus, the war emergency strengthened the preconquest practices of debt peonage and share cropping. New Stage in Native Resistance The middle of 17th century marks a new stage in the pattern of native resistance. Class interests were emerging w/c would definitely undermine the integrity of their future struggles. Chiefs made use of the peoples libertarian impulses to satisfy his own ambitions. The revolts of 1660 in Pampanga and Pangasinan illustrate the new features of native resistance. The Maniago Revolt Pampanga was particularly hard hit. It was assessed 24,000 fanegas (bushels) of rice each year at two or two and a half reales per fanega, a rate much lower than the market price. Ships were also needed for the naval units in Zamboanga and the Visayas and to convoy the Chinese junks engaged in the lucrative trade between Manila and Canton. The harassed Pampangueos also had come to rely on the fighting prowess of the Pampangos and used them extensively to quell revolts in other provinces. The immediate cause of the Pampanga rising was the ill-treatment to which timber cutters were subjected by the chief overseer of timber cutting in the province. 1000 Pampangos had been working for eight months under oppressive conditions. They chose as their leader, Don Francisco Maniago, a chief from the village of Mexico who had previously been appointed maestre de campo. The Spaniards were alarmed because: they knew that the Spaniards themselves could become formidable enemies and the Spanish force in the Philippines was greatly reduced. Armed rebels gathered in Lubao under Maniago made preparations in Bacolor. Laras Maneuvers How Gov. Manrique de Lara managed to defuse the dangerous situation is a minor masterpiece of colonial maneuvering. Gov. Lara able to exploit the fundamental division between the native elite and the people which Spanish colonialism itself had created. managed to play off one chief against another with 300 men, he went to Macabebe, a rich and populous town in Pampanga. The show of mutual cordiality caused other rebels to waver and distrust one another so that in Apalit, they took away the dispatches given to a certain Agustin Pamintuan for delivery to Pangasinan and Ilocos for fear that said Pamintuan might betray them to Spaniards. - De Lara was to assure the loyalty of Juan Macapagal, chief of Arayat, since it was necessary to pass through his territory to reach Pangasinan. De Lara treated him with great courtesy and promised him many rewards Change of Heart Macapagal went back to Arayat to organize a force that would prevent the rebels from using that route shoud they be forced to seek refuge in Pangasinan.

 Gov. Lara proposed a partial payment of P14,000 on the P200,000 due the Pampangos. Soon, chefs began changing their tune saying it was their people who wanted revolt. The Non-revolt De Lara took Maniago with him under the pretext of appointing him maestre de campo for his provincemates residing in the city. Pampangos demanded 2 garrisons; in Lubao and Arayat. The Pampango revolt was a non-revolt. There were no damages that occurred. But an account of this revolt mentions threats of disobedience to their chiefs. Middlemen of Power The chiefs had become middlemen of power. They used people as bargaining lever but abandoned their cause in exchange for honors and other benefits. Pampango Collaboration As early as 1587, Tondo chiefs who were then planning to expel the Spaniards had tried to enlist the aid of the Pampanga chieftains. The early modus vivendi between Spanish conquerors and the Pampangos had a firm material basis. Pampangas favorable terrain made it a prosperous and advanced region. It became the traditional supplier of foodstuffs for the city. Pampango soldiers were much prized by colonizers. They participated in the capture of Terranate during the wars in Moluccas. They were in great demand for putting down insurrections in far-flung areas of the country. Conscription and provisioning both profitable enterprises handled by chiefs Pampangos helped to quell the Sangley rebellions of 1603 and 1639-40. Malong New Ambitions Leaders wanted to replace Spaniards as personal rulers of people. Andres Malong of Pangasinan was a maestre de campo like Maniago. proclaimed himself king of Pangasinan and made Pedro Gumapos, a count sent letters to Ilocos and Cagayan demanding their allegiance also wrote to Maniago that if the latter man didnt join the revolt, Melchor de Vera would march on Pampanga w/ 6000 men Mass Participation Remarkable for the great number of people who spontaneously joined it Malong could boast of more than 4000 followers and although the rebellion lasted from December 15, 1660 to January 17, 1661, Malong was able to assign 6000 men to Melchor de Vera to conquer Pampanga and 3000 to Pedro Gumapos to reduce Ilocos and Cagayan and 2000 men for any contingency. Malongs forces was large enough to warrant the use by Gen. Esteybar of 200 infantry plus Gen. Ugaldes forces of Spaniards and Pampangos. But mere numbers could not overcome the superior fire power of Spanish troops. Malong was arrested and executed in Binalatongan, Pangasinan. Gumapos Gumapos and his army of Zambals didnt fare any better in Ilocos. In Vigan, Spaniards tried to build a fort w/in which they might better defend themselves while awaiting reinforcements from Manila but they failed. Ilocano chiefs main preoccupation was to salvage their wealth. In effort to save this treasure, the bishop assembled the Zambals and publicly threatened them with excommunication if they took anything. The Zambals remained calm. They sent the bishop to Santa Catalina and looted his house. They plundered and burned Santa Catalina. Gumapos Ilocos campaign ended after an encounter with the Spanish forces during which 400 rebels were slain and Gumapos was taken prisoner. Religion and Rebellion Rebellion did not result in a resurgence of nativism. The rebels on occasion asked to hear Mass and be confessed. Observance of Catholic rites did not prevent them from appropriating or destroying church property. A Taste for Titles A short-lived revolt led by Pedro Almazan occurred at this time. He was a member of principalia. He was a very chief of San Nicolas to whom Malong had addressed his letters. He had himself crowned during the wedding of his son to the daughter of another chief. He wore the crown of the Queen of Angels. The above uprsings of 1660s were typical examples of revolts led by principales. Revolt meant much more than mere eradication of oppression. These were early manifestation of desire of native elite to supplant the Spanish rulers whom they were beginning to regard as impediments to their own growth. The Longest Revolt Boholanos revolt led by Francisco Dagohoy was the most successful. It was a concrete manifestation of the drive for freedom and a monument to peoples struggle. The cause for revolt was a personal grievance which Dagohoy had against Father Morales, a Jesuit priest who had ordered a native constable to arrest Dagohoys brother. His brother resisted arrest and killed the constable. The friar refused to give him a Christian burial on the ground he had died. Dagohoy swore to avenge his brother. 3,000 Boholanos joined him and the number swelled to 20,000 over the years. The most striking feature of this revolt is the length of time the rebellion was sustained. The Boholanos maintained their independence from the Spaniards from 1744 to 1829. Two aspects of this revolt are the fact that the Boholanos had the good sense to establish their base in mountains and to surround this with farm settlements.

Dagohoys forces swooped down Spanish garrisons. Even if the Spanish commander repeatedly sent troops, they failed to capture Dagohoy. Mountain Communities Cohesiveness of mountain communities responsible also for high morale of rebels When people leave different communities to move to a virgin area, there occurs dissolution of old property. Free from tribute and forced labor, rebels were certainly better off. In addition, Dagohoy was able to obtain the support of people in towns. This was a source of strength. The Catholic religion in this time had been part of Philippine life for 2 centuries. They solemnized weddings, baptized newborn and practiced other Catholic rites. Negotiations Conducted The indication of importance and success of this rebellion may be seen between the State and Church negotiating with Dagohoy. Bishop Espeleta of Cebu tried to persuade rebels to give up their resistance by promising a general amnesty, remedies for abuses of govt officials and assign secular priests. After Jesuits were expelled in 1768, recollect missionaries took over. They tried to persuade Dagohoy to abandon his rebellion. But still, the rebellion continued. Beyond Dagohoy Dagohoys death was not known but the resistance continued still. In 1827, expedition of 2200 native and Spanish troops failed to suppress rebellion. They tied again in 1828 with larger and better equipped men. They were attacked in Caylagan. The Boholano rebels retreated in Boasa and prepared their defense. The Spaniards bombarded it with artillery. So, the rebels decided to abandon the fort. By August 31, 1829, the rebellion was over. Captain Sanz wrote in his report that 3,000 Boholanos escaped, 19,420 surrendered, 395 died and 98 were exiled. An account of rebellion written by Gov. Gen. Ricafort contains: native troops numbering 6,000, 294 from Bohol and 32 from Cebu deserted, while 4,977 Boholanos and 22 Cebuanos were disbanded as being on the sick list. Anti-Clerical Feelings Pattern of resistance was clearly based on economic exploitation. Agrarian uprisings occurred in Bulacan, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal. The cause of this was the usurpation by the religious orders of lands of natives and friar abuses in management of large estates. The British Interlude Friars were given new impetus by British occupation of Manila in 1762 as an off-shoot of the 7 Years War in Europe. Uprisings occurred in Laguna, Batangas, Tayabas, Cavite, Camarines, Samar, Panay Island, Cebu, Zamboanga, Cagayan, Pangasinan and Ilocos. Pangasinans revolt occurred bec. of Spains loss of prestige due to British occupation of Manila, excessive tributes and abuses of alcalde mayor. The revolt began in the Binalatongan (Binalonan). The cause was the arrival of a commission sent by the alcalde mayor to collect royal tribute. The uprising was temporarily quelled after a force of 40 Spaniards, a squadron of Pampanga horsemen and a regiment of militia put to flight a disorganized rebel force of 10,000 in Bayambang. The revolt was revived under the leadership of Juan de la Cruz Palaris. The revolt quickly spread to nine other towns. He was a master of the province for more than a year. He was hanged in January 1765. The alcalde of Cagayan came to rescue of his counterpart in Pangasinan bringing with him 3,000 Ilocano soldiers. Fr. Joaquin Martinez de Zuiga notes that rebels died of hunger and the population decreased by 26,927. Silang Ilustrado Prototype Diego Silang of Ilocos most celebrated rebel leader 32 years old when he led the uprising and lived in the parish priest of Vigan then he was transferred to Manila. Captured by Aetas of Zambales who held him slave Protg of Provisor (vicar general or ecclesiastical judge) Tomas Millan Mail courier between Vigan and Manila With his principalia origin and Spanish uprbringing, had just the right to be the leader of that time and place Said that his task required unity of the principales and common people Silang revolt, from Dec. 14, 1762 to May 28, 1763, is important bec. it provides us with a prototype of ilustrado leadership of the 19 th century Vigan was center of economically developing and prosperous region Jose Montero y Vidal wrote that Silang lived in the house of a lawyer, the traitor Orendain. Andres Lopez leader of the uprising in the province In Vigan, the principales had been protesting against various abuses of alcalde mayor Common Bases of Action People continued to find tribute burdensome, particularly the comun w/c consisted of one real fuerte per tribute payer per year. Indulto de comercio a privilege sold by the central govt to most alcaldes mayors w/c allowed them to engage in commerce in their respective jurisdictions. Aspirants were expected to pay from 1/6 to 1/2 of their annual salary for this privilege. Alcaldes virtual control of commerce of the region was particularly irksome to the principales whose own opportunities for further economic progress were thereby curtailed. Defender of King and Church Diego Silang asked for: 1) deposition of alcalde-mayor, Antonio Zabala for his abuses of the indulto de comercio and his replacement by Tomas Millan, his wifes old guardian 2) appointment as chief justice of one of the 4 chiefs of Vigan

3) abolition of personal services 4) expulsion by the bishop of all Spaniards from the province 5) appointment of Silang to head the Ilocano army against the English These demands were reformist rather than revolutionary. Silang was only against heavy taxation and abusive Spanish officials and for greater autonomy. Messianic Tendencies Messianic tendencies blended with religious fanaticism caused him to cast himself defender of King and Church. He declared Jesus of Nazareth to be Captain-General and himself Christs cabo mayor. He was often seen reciting the Rosary. Silang expelled alcalde from Vigan, and made Vigan the capital of his independent govt. He freed people from obligation to serve the principales and cabezas de barangay. The principales who opposed him will be arrested and if they resist, they would be killed. Property of Church was also taken. These caused him to clash with Bishop Bernardo Ustariz who refused to certify to abolition of tribute, declared himself head of the province. Silang then imprisoned all the religious. Changing Masters Silang was in effect conducting a revolt in defense of King and Church. He could have become a real leader of people struggling against all oppressors. Simon de Anda, Silang decided to seek the protection of British, He sent 2 junks of plundered good as present to the English in w/c he acknowledged the sovereignty of King George III. Elite Servility Silang offered his allegiance in these words: dedicate to the service of God and his majesty King George the 3 rd Silang tried to impress the British with his power over his people. He was chosen Captain General and Ilocanos would only obey him. He volunteered to seize the Augustinian friars. Silangs presents written in his letter: 12 loaves of sugar, 12 baskets of calamy, 200 cakes or balls of chocolate; the province is provided with: paddy wheat, cattle good, coco wine, sugar, onions, garlic, fowl, horses, cotton, a kind of liquor called Basia British Puppet British gave Silang the title Sargento Mayor , Alcalde-Mayor y Capitan a Guerra por S.M. Britanica - left Silang with 138 printed black titles for governor and subordinate officials British invasion was directed and financed by East India Company. Mr. Brereton, governor of Cavite, wrote to Silang inviting him to send his boats to Manila for trade. Silang in another letter to Commander Dawsonne Drake mentioned he intended to send a junk of his to Manila for commerce The protest against Alcalde Zabala for his abuse of the indulto de commercio underscored the drive of the principalia to appropriate for itself some of the economic benefits of colonization. Silangs career was cut by an assassins bullet. His wife, Gabriela, avenged his death but 4 months later, she was captured and hanged. A Step in Political Awakening Silang the prototype of future leaders who would capitalize on the genuine grievances of people Peoples participation in revolts made them aware of their strength and gave them education in struggle. Each successive uprising was a step in their political awakening. Each local revolt was a contribution to national consciousness.