CHAPTER VI

RESISTANCE AGAINST SPANISH RULE

Filipinos are known for their hospitality and peacefulness but like every person,
these characters have limits. The hostile attitude of the Filipinos started from the
time of Legaspi to the 19th century when Lapu-lapu and his men resisted and
successfully repulsed Magellan in the Battle of Mactan. The attitude was the result
greed and cruelty of the Spaniards to Filipinos.
Magat Salamat Conspiracy
In 1587, a group of Filipinos in Tondo formed a secret society called the first
Katipunan whose objective was to regain lost freedom. This was led by Magat
Salamat, Lakandulas son; Agustin de Legaspi; Juan Banal, the chieftain of Tondo;
and Pedro Balangit, the Pandacan chief. The conspirators planned to bring the
Japanese warriors and weapon to the country and drive the Spaniards out. However,
two Filipinos revealed this plan to the Spaniards authorities. Some of the members
of the group were executed.
Magalat Revolt
In 1596, the natives of Cagayan led by Magalat revolted against the Spanish
authorities. The Governor-General sent Spanish soldiers and hundreds of Filipino
mercenaries to suppress the rebellion, but it failed. So, the government was forced
to hire an assassin who successfully killed the rebel leader. Magalats death ended
the Cagayan Revolt.
Sumoroy Revolt (The Samar Revolt)
During the time of Governor-General Diego Fajardo(1644-54) the pople of Palapag,
Samar led my Francisco Sumoroy revolted against the Spanish authorities. The
Governor ordered the Alacalde-Mayores of Visayas to send able-bodied men to
shipyardsin Cavite in building and repairing Galleons. The Samarenos resented
because it meant separation of the men to their homes and families. The rebellion
started on June 1649 with the killing of the Spanish curate of the town. The punitive
expedition, which was composed of Spanish-Filipino forces from Zamboanga, wad
repulsed by Sumoroys forces. The Samar leader won several encounters after that,
but finally, in July 1650, Sumoroy and his followers was captured and executed by
the Spaniards.
TRIVIA
Lakan Dula (Kapampangan lakan "lord" and dula "palace") was the Malayan title for
monarchs in Tondo.
REVOLT OF THE IRRAYAS
(Northern Isabela Revolt)
Gabriel Dayag & Felix Cutabay brothers who led the Isabela to rise in arms
against the Spanish authorities.
Abuatan (avvatan), Battuag, Bolo (Ilagan) and Pilitan Villagers joined the brothers
cause
Fray Pedro de Santo Tomas Dominican missionary who tried to persuade the
rebels but his words were not heeded and was able to leave the rebels unmolested.

 With the help of Alcalde of Cagayan and few Spanish soldiers, Father Sto. Tomas
was able to convince the Irrayas to end their rebellion.
As a result of this reconciliation, Father Sto. Tomas with the help of rebels founded
the towns of Maquila and Cabagan two new settlements for the Irraya Tribes.
RELIGIOUS REVOLTS
1601 Igorots of Cordilleras violently resisted Christianization, Father Esteban
Marin, the first Augustinian curate of Batac, Ilocos Norte, tried to specify the rebels
but was put to death. Punitive expedition of Capt. Mateo Aranda crushed the
rebellion.
1621 Tamblot, babaylan or native priest led a religious revolt in the island of
bohol. He exhorted the people to return to the old religion and to free themselves of
Spanish oppression.
The revolt was crushed by Jesuits administrators in Bohol, with the aid of Juan de
Alcarazo, Alcalde mayor of Cebu.
Under the leadership of Bankaw, Leyte also raised rebellion. He was once
Christian but in his old age, he returns to the old religion by the influence of his
sons, and Pagali, a native priest.
The combination of Cebuanos and Spanish Soldiers, the Bankaw and his sons
rebellion ended.
1663 Tapar, a sorcerer founded a religious cult in Oton, Panay.
Father de Mesa rejected the religious cult and was killed by Tapars men.
MANIAGO REVOLT (Pampanga)
Francisco Maniago a native of Mexico Pampanga, a warlord and led the
Pampanguenos to revellion against Spanish.
October 1660 they established camp at Bacolor, and urging the Northern Alcaldia
to join the liberation cause.
Governor Manrique de Lara, rushed to Macabebe and persuaded Juan Makapagal,
chieftain of arayat to remain Loyal to Spain. He was appointed as Master-of-camp in
Spanish Army.
Makapagals betrayal divided the Pampanguenos and this became a serious
threat to Maniagos cause.
Maniago arranged a peace overure through Father Andres Salazar with Spanish
authorities.
The rebel leader would stop uprising on the following conditions:
o General amnesty to all rebels
o Payment of 200,000PHP to the rebels as what the govt owned them.
o Cutting of timber was to continue but the natives were given time to attend to
their other activities.
Governor de Lara, agreed Maniagos terms, thus, the revolt end peacefully.
Malongs Revolt (Pangasinan) 1660-1661

Andres Malong, a native of Binalongtan (now San Carlos) and a Filipino master of
camp led the people to rise in arms against Spanish oppression. The revolt was first
started at Lingayen on December 15, 1660. From there the uprising swept the whole
province. The rebels killed several Spanish officials, including the Alcalde-mayor.
Malong proclaimed himself king of Pangasinan. He appointed Pedro Gumapos an ally
count and Melchor de Vera as general of his army. He sent letter to the neighboring
provinces urging them to rally to his cause. The Zambals heeded his call and
became his allies.
With the ambitious plan extending his kingdom beyond the borders of his province,
along sent Gumapos with 3,000 men to Ilocos and Cagayan and General Vera with
6,000 men to Pampanga. This decision, however, proved to be a tactical error, for
he was left only with 2,000 men in Pangasinan. Thus, when two government forces
led by Felipe Ugalde and Francisco Esteban, were sent to assault Binalatongan,
Malong was forced to flee to the mountains. Before the forces of Gumapos and Vera
could return to help him, he was relentlessly pursued until he was caught alive. In
1661, Andres Malong together with Vera was executed in Binalatongan. Later Pedro
Gumapos also caught and executed at Vigan.
The Malong revolt inspired the Ilocos uprising in 1661 of Pedro Almazan. Like
Malong, Almazan proclaimed himself king of Ilocos, with his eldest son as crown
prince. Almazan and his followers in the towns of Bacarra and Sannicolas killed the
friars and looted and burned the churches. But in the end, the rebellion was quelled
by Spanish forces, with help of loyal Filipinos. Like Andres Malong, Almazan was
executed.
Dagohoy Rebellion (1744-1829)
In 1744, father Gaspar Morales the Jesuit priest of Inabangan, Bohol, refused to give
a Christian burial to Dagohoys brother, who died in a duel. The deceased was
Canstable, who was ordered by the curate to arrest a man who turned his back on
the Christian faith. In the process of pursuing the fugitive, he met his death.
Angered by the friars ingratitude, Frnacisco Dagohoy killed father Morales.
The murder of the Jesuit priest signaled the start of the rebellion that engulfed the
whole island. Dagohoy established a free settlement in the mountains of Bohol. His
followers swelled in numbers reaching 20,000.
Twenty (20) Governor-generals, from Gaspar Dela Torre to Juan Martinez tried to
suppress the rebellion but they all failed. It was Governor-general Mariano Ricafort
(1825-1830) who seriously undertook measures to quell the revolt. He ordered the
Alcalde-mayor of Cebu to prepare an expedition composed of 5,000 Cebuanos and
Spanish soldiers to suppress the rebellion. Captain Manuel Sanz who led the
expedition finally defeated the rebels. Governor-general pardoned 19,000 Boholanos
and permitted them to live peacefully in the low land towns.
The Dagohoy revolt will be remembered as longest insurrection in history. It lasted
for 85 years.
Diego Silang (Ilocos) 1762-1763

Diego Silang, a mail carrier, led the Ilocanos in revolt against the Spaniards during
the British occupation of manila. The Ilocanos, under his leadership demanded the
abolition of the hated tribute, and were also against the excesses of the Alcaldemayor, Antonio Zabala.
Silang and his followers were able to expel the Alcalde-mayor and the abusive
Spanish officials out of Vigan. He proclaimed the abolition of forced labor and the
payment of tribute. Subsequently, he made Vigan as the capital of his revolutionary
government.
Silangs revel movement spread to Pangasinan and Cagayan. The Spaniards were
then busy in their confrontations with the British invaders so they could not defeat
his forces. To make matters worst for the Spaniards, Silang accepted the British offer
of friendship and protection.
Alarmed by Silangs growing power and influence, the Spanish authorities decided
to hire assassins to eliminate him. Like the Magalat murder before him. Diego Silang
was assassinated. Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo and Pedro Becbec, an old friend
and aide of Silang with tacit approval of the bishop of Vigan, Bishop Ustariz were the
perpetrators of the murder.
The death of Silang, however, did not end the revolt. It was continued by his wife
Gabriela, who with the Tinggians successfully repulsed Spanish forces, who were
sent to suppress the rebellion. She and Nicolas Carino, Silangs uncle, defeated the
Spanish forces in the battle of Santa.
In the battle of Cabugao, however, the government forces led by Simon de Anda
routed Gabriela and her Ilocano followers. Gabriela escaped and was able to
organize a new army of Tinggians and Ilocanos. Like the French heroine, Joan of
arc she led her forces in the final battle of Vigan. She was repulsed and once again
she fled to the hinterlands of Abra, where she and her surviving followers were
captured. The Philippine Jan of arc was executed at Vigan on September 20, 1763
IBANAG REVOLT (Isabela-Cagayan) 1763
- Defeat of Spaniards in from British
- February 2, 1763
- Revolt spread to Cabagan and Tuguegarrao
- Under Juan Marayag and Dabo
- Rebellion didnt last long
HERMANO PULE REVOLT
(Tagalog Religious Revolt)
- 1840-1841 1st major Tagalog religious revolt under Apolinario Dela Cruz
- Apolinario Dela Cruz was an Indio
- Worked as a servant at the hospital of San Juan De Dios
- Founded the Confradia de San Jose
o Religious brotherhood on adoration of St joseph
o Open only to natives

o March 19 feast
o Considered as heretical by the friars
o Pule gathered his followers on Mt Banahaw
o Octavio de San Jorge leadership
o Defeated government forces under Alcalde Juan Ortega
o Gov Gen Marcelino Oraa sent a stronger army to Tayabas
o Pule transferred his rebel camp to Alitao, forested area of Mt cristobal
o Spanish/ Filipino forces forced Pules army to flee their camp
o Many were massacred
FAILURE OF THE REVOLTS
Causes:
-absence of national consciousness
-lack of leaders to unite whole archipelago
-Colonial masters exploited regional enmity among Filipinos
-Archipelagic nature prevented steady communication among provinces
-Superiority of Spanish arms
-Betrayals
-Assassination of rebel leaders by compatriots
MUSLIM's RESPONSE TO SPANISH RULE
The Muslims challenged the power of Spain.
They were not practically subdued by the Spaniards because they were unified
under one religion and a systematic form of government.
Muslim Wars (1578-1898) were periodic expeditions to Mindanao and Sulu
attempting to colonize the islands and the pole.
The Muslims launched counter raids against the Spaniards. Its initial raid was
headed by Rajah Sirongan and Datu Sali of Maguindanao consisting of 50 war
vessels and 3,000 warriors targeting Luzon and Visayas
Due to failure of the earlier expeditions, Governor Juan Cerezo de Salamanca
decided to establish a military base in Zamboanga in 1636. A year after it's
construction, a brother of Sultan Kudarat named Tagal raided the Visayas for a year
when he sailed home he was pursued and executed by Spanish soldiers.
Sultan Kudarat became the the Sultan of Maguindanao in 1620, at first, Kudarat
established friendly relations with the Spaniards as how he treated the Dutch, but
hostilities broke out after Spaniards took away the gold possession of the traders of
Maguindanao.
On June 24, 1645, a treaty was signed by Kudarat and Francisco Atienza,
Commandant of Zamboanga, recognizing Kudarat's lordship over Pulangi from the
Sibuguey river to the Davao Gulf. The treaty also allowed the coming of the
missioners.
Kudarat was the first Filipino Muslim leader who called for "jihad"
SULU and MARANAO RESISTANCE
Governor-General Corcuera returned to Mindanao in January 1638, and
began his spirited offensive against Jolo.

Sultan Bungsu and his followers defended Jolo but it was captured after
the bloody fighting however Sulatan Bungsu escaped with many of his
men

The Maranaos became the next target in 1639.

Kudarat encouraged the Maranaos, they fought off successfully every
attempt of the Spaniards to impose rule in Lanao.
Height and Decline of Moro RAIDS
During the second half of the 18th century
Muslims intensified attacks on Christians communities in the Visayas and
Luzon
They raided and plundered the Malate district in Manila, where they took
rich booty and 20 captives.
During the last half of 19th century
Muslims raids declined
Reasons:
Establishments of more Spanish forts and watchtowers along the coasts of
Mindanao, the Visayas and North Western Luzon.
Acquisition of stem ships of Moros by the Spaniards, which outsailed and
outgunned.
In 1848 Governor Narciso Claveria defeated the Samalas
In 1850 Governor Antonio de Urbiztondo captured Jolo
In 1874 Governor Jose Malocampo occupied the city and established permanent
outpost in Jolo that held until the last days of Spanish rule. Count of Jolo
LEASE OF SABAH
The capture of Jolo forced Sultan Jamalul Alam (Kiram) to sue for peace and
relocate his capital to Maimbung. In need of funds, he leased on January 1878 his
territory, known as North Borneo (now called Sabah) to Baron Gustav Von Overbeck
and Alfred Dent of the British East India Company. North Borneo or Sabah was
previously owned by the Sultan of Brunei who ceded it to the Sultan of Jolo as a sign
of gratitude for the aid given b the Jolo warriors in quelling rebellion in Brunei. The
deed of lease provided that the Jolo sultan leased the territory permanently for
annual rentals of 5,000 Malayan dollars.
Significance of the Moro Wars
The wars proved that even Muslim were defeated in some occasion; they

were still able to consolidate their forces and retaliated. It also proved
that the Muslims in Mindanao preferred to die a free man in a battle than
to live under subjugation
As an inspiration to heroism, a Filipino organization that advocates women's issues
was founded in April 1984 and named GABRIELA, or the General Assembly Binding
Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action.
TRIVIA
Trivia
The town of Dagohoy, Bohol is named in his honor. It was the former President
Carlos P. Garcia, then the Vice President, a Boholano, who proposed the name
"Dagohoy" in his honor.
TRIVIA
Hermano Pule was captured, executed and decapitated on 4 November 1841. His
head was placed on a bamboo pole and displayed to the public to bring fear to
others who would dare the same.
Trivia
He was a direct descendant of Shariff Kabungsuwan, a Muslim missionary who
brought Islam to the Philippines between the 13th and 14th century. The Philippine
province of Sultan Kudarat is named after him.
Trivia
Sabah is known as "Sabah, negeri di bawah bayu", which means "Sabah, the land
below the wind", because of its location just south of the typhoon-prone region
around the Philippines.
Sebastin Hurtado de Corcuera
Trivia
Tapar proclaimed himself "God Almighty" and went around garbed in a woman's
dress. Spaniards caught up Tapar with the principal leaders and were killed. Their
corpses were carried back to the port of Iloilo, then fastened to bamboo poles in the
Halawod (Jalaur) River to be fed on by crocodiles. The woman who was named as
the group's "Blessed Virgin Mary" (Maria Santisima) was mercilessly impaled on a
bamboo stake and placed strategically at the mouth of the Laglag (now Dueas)
River to be eaten also by crocodiles
Hermano Pule
In gratitude to the cooperation of Lakandula to Legaspis administration, they had
an agreement that the Tondo king, Lakandula, and his relatives will have special
privileges like exception from forced labor and payment of tributes. But when
Legaspi died, his successor, Governor Guido de Lavezares refused to exempt
Lakandula and his kin. As a result, during the attack of Limahong, a Chinese pirate,
Lakandula rose his revolt against the Spaniards. Only did Lakandula and his men lay
down their arms when Legaspis grandson, Juan de Salcedo promised him and his
relatives that they would give again the exemptions.
Lakandula Revolt

Some Examples of Abuses

Labor
Taxation
Sexual Abuse
Education
Regardless of the age, many Filipinos were forced to work on several jobs like
building structures, defending the territory (military), and trading goods to other
countries. Examples : Polo y Servicio, Galleon Trade, and the Encomienda System
Labor
The Polo y Servicios is the forced labor without compensation. In this system, all
men 16-60 years old forced to work heavy work for town activities such as roads,
churches, bridges, schools, government buildings and public structures.
Polo y Servicio
In theory, the receiver of the grant was to protect the natives from warring tribes
(given to the receiver) and to instruct them in the Spanish language and in the
Catholic faith: in return they could extract tribute from the natives in the form of
labor, gold, or other products. In practice, the difference between encomienda and
slavery could be minimal. Many natives were forced to do hard labor and subjected
to extreme punishment and death if they resisted.
Encomienda
Taxation
Spaniards tend to have heavy taxes known as the tribute and the bandal.
Tribute
It could be in cash or kind, with tobacco, chickens, produce, gold, blankets, cotton,
rice, or other products depending on the region of the country and was initially fixed
at 8 reales, later increased to 15 reales, apportioned as follows: ten reales buwis,
one real diezmos prediales (tithe), one real to the town community chest, one real
sanctorum tax, and three reales for church support.
Bandal
It is an annual forced sale and requisitioning of goods such as rice.
Sexual Abuse
Many Filipino women were sexually abused by a lot of Spaniards way back then.
(Self-explanatory)
The state of education from the Spanish Colonization is quite infuriating. It is
because of that the Spaniards limited the education degree as well as its teachings
so that there would be no Filipinos to revolt or go against them using education.
Education