Early Filipino Revolts Philippine revolts against Spain - Wikipedia
16TH to 19th century filipino revolts
16th century
Dagami Revolt (1565–1567)
The Dagami Revolt was a revolt led by the Dagami family who came from the island of Leyte in
1567. This involved a group of 16 led by Dagami, who was the chieftain of Gabi (part of the
present-day town of Palo).The insurrection was short-lived and mainly involved the assassinations
of Spanish soldiers. The first incident took place on May 23, 1565, in Cebu where the group
ambushed Pedro de Arana, who was an aide to Miguel López de Legazpi, the Spanish Governor of
the Philippines. Dagami led a series of attacks, which baffled authorities for a time. By December
1566, Legazpi finally summoned the local datus and forced them to identify who the culprits were
after two more Spaniards died of poisoning. Dagami was captured rigil.
Lakandula and Sulayman Revolt (1574)
The Lakandula and Sulayman Revolt, also known as the Tagalog Revolt, was an uprising in 1574 by
Lakandula and Rajah Sulayman in Tondo, Manila. The revolt occurred in the same year as the
Chinese pirate Limahong attacked the palisaded yet poorly defended enclosure of Intramuros.
Pampanga Revolt (1585)
The Pampanga Revolt was an uprising in 1585 by some native Kapampangan leaders who
resented the Spanish landowners, or encomenderos, who had deprived them of their historical land
inheritances as tribal chiefs or Datus. The revolt included a plot to storm Intramuros, but the
conspiracy was foiled before it could begin after a Filipino woman married to a Spanish soldier
reported the plot to the Spanish authorities. Spanish and Filipino colonial troops were sent by
Governor-General Santiago de Vera, and the leaders of the revolt were arrested and summarily
executed by Christian Cruz-Herrera.
17th century
Igorot Revolt (1601)
Main article: Igorot Revolt
By order of the Governor-General Francisco de Tello de Guzmán an expedition was sent to
the Cordillera region for religious conversion purposes with the aid of Padre Esteban Marin. Marin,
the curate of Ilocos at that time, tried initially to convince the Igorots to convert peacefully to
Catholicism. Marin allegedly even tried to create his own dictionary in the Igorot language to
advance this cause. The Igorots, however, killed Marin and the Governor-General sent Lt. Mateo de
Aranda with Spanish and Filipino foot soldiers. The combined force would be defeated although the
Spanish would continue using harsher tactics (including slavery) to force the Igorots to
submit. Nonetheless, the Igorots would continue to defy and defeat Spanish expeditions in the years
1608, 1635, and 1663.
Tamblot uprising (1621–1622)
The Tamblot uprising, was a religious uprising in the island of Bohol, led by Tamblot in 1621. The
Jesuits first came to Bohol in 1596 and eventually governed the island and converted the Boholanos
to the Catholic faith. Tamblot, a babaylan or native priest, urged his fellow Boholanos to return to the
old belief of their forefathers. The revolt began on the day when the Jesuits were in Cebu,
celebrating the feast day of St. Francis Xavier. It was finally crushed on New Year's Day, in 1622.
Tamblot was executed and his head was set on a pike and displayed to serve as a warning to the
populace.
Bankaw (Bancao) Revolt (1621–1622)
The Bankaw Revolt was a religious uprising against Spanish colonial rule led by Bancao,
the datu of Carigara, in the present-day Carigara in Leyte. Bankaw had warmly received Miguel
López de Legazpi as his guest, when he first arrived in the Philippines in 1565. Although baptized as
a Catholic in his youth, he abandoned this faith in later years. With a babaylan, or religious leader
named Pagali, he built a temple for a diwata or local goddess, and pressed six towns to rise up in
revolt. Similar to the Tamblot Uprising, Pagali used magic to attract followers, and claimed that they
could turn the Spaniards into clay by hurling bits of earth at them.
Governor-General Alonso Fajardo de Entenza sent the alcalde mayor of Cebu, Juan de Alcarazo,
with Spanish and foot soldier colonial troops, to suppress the rebellion. Bankaw's severed head was
impaled on a bamboo stake and displayed to the public as a stern warning. One of his sons was also
beheaded, and one of the babaylans was burned at the stake. Three other followers were executed
by firing squad. Other historical sources/accounts reports The Bankaw Revolt as the first recorded
uprising against foreign colonization. The (1621–1622) dates may be inaccurate. Carigara was
known only a decade after Magellan landed in "Mazaua" (believed to be Limasawa) in 1521. The
uprising may well have taken place towards the end of the 16th century.
Sumuroy Revolt (1649–1650)
In the town of Palapag, today in Northern Samar, Agustin Sumuroy, a Waray, and some of his
followers rose in arms on June 1, 1649, over the polo y servicio or forced labor system being
undertaken in Samar. This is known as the Sumuroy Revolt, named after Agustin Sumuroy.
The government in Manila directed that all natives subject to the polo are not to be sent to places
distant from their hometowns to do their forced labor. However, under orders of the various
town alcaldes, or mayors, the Waray were being sent to the shipyards of Cavite to do their polo,
which sparked the revolt. The local parish priest of Palapag was murdered and the revolt eventually
spread to Mindanao, Bicol, and the rest of the Visayas, especially in places such
as Cebu, Masbate, Camiguin, Zamboanga, Albay, Camarines, and parts of northern Mindanao,
such as Surigao. A rebel government was successfully established in the mountains of Samar.
The defeat, capture, and execution of Sumuroy in June 1650 delivered a big setback to the revolt.
His trusted co-conspirator David Dula sustained the quest for freedom with greater vigor but in a
fierce battle several years later, he was wounded, captured, and later executed in Palapag, Northern
Samar by the Spaniards together with his seven key lieutenants.
Maniago/Pampanga Revolt (1660–1661)
The Maniago Revolt was an uprising in Pampanga during the 1660s named after its
leader, Francisco Maniago. During that time, Pampanga drew most of the attention from the
Spanish religious orders because of its relative wealth. They also bore the burden of more tribute,
forced labor, and rice exploitation. They were made to work for eight months under unfair conditions
and were not paid for their labor and for the rice purchased from them. Their patience was put to the
limit and they signified their intention to revolt by setting their campsite on fire. The fight soon began
and because the Spaniards were busy fighting against the Dutch, they were badly depleted by the
Kapampangans. The Maniago revolt was the start of a much bigger and even bloodier revolt in
Pangasinan. This battle was led by a man named Andres Malong who had heeded the call of
Maniago to revolt against the Spaniards. After hearing news of a Kapampangan chief siding with the
Spaniards, Maniago and his forces arranged for a meeting with Governor-General Sabiniano
Manrique de Lara in which they gave their conditions to end their rebellion. Appeased and satisfied
with the conditions of the agreement, the Governor-General accepted the demands after which
Maniago and his forces gave up the rebellion.
18th century
Dagohoy Rebellion (1744–1829)
In 1744 in what is now the province of Bohol, what is known today as the Dagohoy Revolt was
undertaken by Francisco Dagohoy and his followers. This revolt is unique since it is the only revolt
completely related to matters of religious customs, unlike the Tamblot Uprising before it, which was
not a complete religious rebellion.
After a duel in which Dagohoy's brother died, the local parish priest refused to give his brother a
proper Catholic burial, since dueling is excommunicable by the Church. The refusal of the priest
eventually led to the longest revolt ever held in Philippine history: 85 years. It also led to the
establishment of a free Boholano government. Twenty governors-general, from Juan Arrechederra
to Mariano Ricafort Palacin y Abarca, failed to stop the revolt. Ricafort himself sent a force of 2,200
foot soldiers to Bohol, which was defeated by Dagohoy's followers. Another attack, also sent by
Ricafort in 1828 and 1829, failed as well. Dagohoy died two years before the revolt ended, though,
which led to the end of the revolt in 1829. Some 19,000 survivors were granted pardon and were
eventually allowed to live in new Boholano villages: namely, the present-day towns of Balilihan,
Batuan, Bilar (Vilar), Catigbian, and Sevilla (Cabulao).
Agrarian Revolt of 1745
The Agrarian Revolt was a revolt undertaken between the years 1745 and 1746 in much of the
present-day Calabarzon (specifically in Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite) and in Bulacan, with its first
sparks in the towns of Lian and Nasugbu in Batangas. Indigenous landowners rose in arms over
the land grabbing of Spanish friars or Catholic religious orders, with native landowners demanding
that Spanish priests return their lands on the basis of ancestral domain.
The refusal of the Spanish priests resulted in much rioting, resulting in massive looting of convents
and arson of churches and ranches. The case was eventually investigated by Spanish officials and
was even heard in the court of Ferdinand VI in which he ordered the priests to return the lands they
seized. The priests were successfully able to appeal the return of lands back to the natives, which
resulted in no land being returned to native landowners.
Palaris Revolt (1762–1764)
During the British invasion of Manila during the Seven Years' War, the Spanish colonial government,
including Villacorta, had relocated to Bacolor in the province of Pampanga, which was then adjacent
to Pangasinan. It was at this time that the principalia of Binalatongan protested the abuses
committed by the provincial governor. The town leaders demanded that the governor be removed
and that the colonial government stop collecting taxes since the islands were already under British
control at that time. But Governor-General Simon de Anda dismissed the demands and
the revolt broke out in November 1762. The name of de la Cruz, who began to be known as Palaris,
emerged as one of the leaders of the revolt, along with his brother Colet, Andrés López, and Juan de
Vera Oncantin.
By December, all Spanish officials, except the Dominican friars who were in charge of the Catholic
mission, had left Pangasinan. The Spanish colonial government had to deal with the British and the
simultaneous Silang Revolt, led by Diego Silang, in the neighboring province of Ilocos in the north.
(The present-day province of La Union was still part of Pangasinan and Ilocos.) At the battle of Agno,
he faced on March 1, 1763, the Spanish forces under the command of Alfonso de Arayat, who led a
composite troop of Spanish soldiers and Indios loyal to Spain. Arayat withdrew after losing much of
his Indio loyalists. Pangasinenses took over all official functions and controlled the province up to
the Agno River, the natural boundary between Pangasinan and neighboring Pampanga in the south.
(The present-day province of Tarlac was still part of Pampanga.) At the height of the uprising, Palaris
commanded 10,000 men. He was also in communication with Silang, with whom he was
coordinating a bigger offensive against the Spanish.
However, the Seven Years' War ended on February 10, 1763, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
Also, Silang was assassinated on May 28, 1763, by an Indio under the employ of the friars. The
Spanish were then able to focus on the uprising and mustered forces to surround Palaris. The
Spanish friars, who were allowed to stay in the province, also started a campaign to persuade
Pangasinan residents of the futility of the Palaris Revolt.
By March 1764, most of the province had already fallen, leaving Palaris no escape route except
through Lingayen Gulf and the South China Sea in the west. He chose to stay in Pangasinan and
hid among his supporters. But his presence terrified his protectors and his own sister Simeona, who
was apparently threatened by the Spanish clergy, betrayed him to Agustín Matias, the
gobernadorcillo (mayor) of the razed Binalatongan. Palaris was arrested on January 16, 1765, and
brought to the provincial capital of Lingayen for trial. While in detention, he confessed to being the
principal leader of the revolt. He was convicted and hanged on February 26, 1765.
19th century
Basi Revolt (1807)
The Basi Revolt, also known as the Ambaristo Revolt, was a revolt undertaken from September 16
to 28, 1807. It was led by Pedro Mateo and Salarogo Ambaristo (though some sources refer to a
single person named Pedro Ambaristo), with its events occurring in the present-day town
of Piddig in Ilocos Norte. This revolt is unique as it revolves around the Ilocanos' love for basi, or
sugarcane wine. In 1786, the Spanish colonial government expropriated the manufacture and sale
of basi, effectively banning private manufacture of the wine, which was done before expropriation.
Ilocanos were forced to buy from government stores. However, wine-loving Ilocanos in Piddig rose
in revolt on September 16, 1807, with the revolt spreading to nearby towns and with fighting lasting
for weeks. Spanish-led troops eventually quelled the revolt on September 28, 1807, albeit with
force and loss of life on the losing side. A series of 14 paintings on the Basi Revolt by Esteban
Pichay Villanueva currently hangs at the Ilocos Sur National Museum in Vigan City. The event is
immortalized and commemorated in the Basi Revolt Monument located along the highway of
Pule Revolt (1840–1841)
One of the most famous religious revolts is the Pule Revolt, more formally known as the Religious
Revolt of Hermano Pule (Spanish: Revuelta religiosa del Hermano Pule). Undertaken between
June 1840 and November 1841, this revolt was led by Apolinario de la Cruz, otherwise known as
"Hermano Pule". De la Cruz started his own religious order, the Confraternity of Saint
Joseph (Spanish: Confradia de San José) in Lucban, located in the present-day province of
(then called Tayabas), in June 1840. However, there were two types of priests in the Philippines
then: secular priests, or parish priests, which were usually Indio, and religious priests, or convent
priests, which were usually Spanish. Due to the concentration of Spanish religious power and
authority in the already-established religious orders (the Augustinians, Jesuits, and Franciscans to
name a few) and the concept that Filipino priests should only stay in the church and not the convent
and vice versa (although this was not always followed), the Spanish government banned the new
order, especially due to its deviation from original Catholic rituals and teachings, such as prayers
and rituals which inculcated paganic practices. However, thousands of people in Tayabas,
Batangas, Laguna and even Manila already joined. Because of this, the Spanish government sent
troops to forcibly break up the order, forcing De la Cruz and his followers to rise in armed revolt in
self-defense. Many bloody battles were fought with the order's last stand in Mount San Cristobal,
near Mount Banahaw, in October 1841. The Spaniards eventually won, and Apolinario de la Cruz
was executed on November 4, 1841, in the then-provincial capital, Tayabas.
Tayabas Regiment Revolt (1843)
Tayabas Regiment Revolt NHCP historical marker
Years after the Cofradia Revolt, on January 20, 1843, the Tayabas Regiment, led by
Sergeant Irineo Samaniego, rose in revolt against Spain in retaliation to the killings by the Spanish
army of hundreds of old men, women, and children in Alitao on November 1, 1841. The launched
uprising conquered Fort Santiago and other areas of Intramuros. This is the only native force in
Philippine history to successfully capture Fort Santiago and Manila. For the first time, the word
"Independence" was shouted by the Tayabas Regiment, encouraging their countrymen to revolt
against Spain. The next day, however, the gates of Fort Santiago were opened by loyalist soldiers.
After a bloody battle, the mutineers were defeated by loyalist troops, resulting in the execution of
Samaniego and 81 of his followers the same day.
Cavite Mutiny (1872)
Gomburza
Flag of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny
The Cavite Mutiny (Motín de Cavite) of 1872 was an uprising of military personnel of Fuerte San
Felipe, the Spanish arsenal in Cavite, Philippines on January 20, 1872. Around 200 soldiers and
laborers rose up in the belief that it would elevate to a national uprising. The mutiny was
unsuccessful, and government soldiers executed many of the participants and began to crack
down on a burgeoning nationalist movement.