[8] Revolt Challenges to Spanish Authority

• Challenges to Spanish authority:

  • Filipinos grew tired of abuses from Spaniards
  • Spaniards refused to introduce reforms, failed to teach Filipinos Spanish, committed cruel acts, cheated in selling and buying goods, and committed immoral acts against Filipinos
  • Acts of injustice and intolerance of friar-curates who recognized only the Catholic religion made Filipinos angry
• Causes of uprisings and revolts against Spaniards:

  • Injustice, brutality, and greed of Spanish officials
  • Unreasonable increase of land rents, especially friar lands
  • Desire to be free from Spanish tyranny
  • Intolerance of friars who refused to recognize any religion but Catholicism
  • Disillusionment with Spanish rule
• The First Uprising:

  • Raja Sulayman led a revolt against Spaniards in 1574 during the attack on Manila by Limahong
  • Legazpi's successor revoked Lakan Dula's exemption from tribute and forced labor
  • Juan de Salcedo and Father Geronimo Marin persuaded Lakan Dula to lay down arms
  • Lakan Dula believed promises of exemption but was later arrested and executed
• Tondo Conspiracy:

  • Filipinos in Tondo formed a secret society in 1587 to regain freedom
  • Members included Lakan Dula's son Magat Salamat, Agustin de Legazpi, Juan Banal, Pedro Balingit, and others
  • Society spread to Central Luzon, Cuyo Island, and Borneo
  • Plan involved a Christian Japanese ally bringing weapons and soldiers to drive away Spaniards
• The Revolt of Magalat:

  • In Cagayan in 1596, Magalat led a revolt against Spanish rule
  • Spanish authorities failed to defeat Magalat, so they hired an assassin to kill him
  • With his death, peace returned to Cagayan
• The Revolt of Bancao:

  • In Leyte in 1622, Bancao led a revolt against Spaniards due to friar intolerance
  • Bancao ended up hating Spaniards, incited people to rise in arms
  • Troops defeated Bancao, who died fighting
• The Revolt of Sumuroy:

  • In 1649, Juan Sumuroy led a revolt in Palapag, Samar against sending workers to Cavite shipyard
  • Rebels spread to Mindanao, Cebu, Masbate, Camiguin, and Albay
  • Sumuroy fought bravely, was eventually defeated and executed
• The Revolt of Maniago:

  • In 1660, Francisco Maniago led Kapampangans in a revolt against Spaniards
  • Revolt sought independence and was caused by abuses of Spanish officials
  • Maniago's demands were accepted, and he laid down his arms
• The Revolt of Malong:

  • In 1660, Malong led a revolt in Pangasinan against Spaniards due to abuses
  • Malong declared himself "King of Pangasinan" and urged nearby provinces to join
• The Revolt of Dagohoy:

  • In Bohol, Francisco Dagohoy revolted in 1744 due to a friar-curate's refusal of a Christian burial
  • Dagohoy established his own "government" in the mountains, lasting 84 years
• Diego and Gabriela Silang:

  • Diego Silang rose in revolt in 1762 against Spaniards, succeeded in expelling them from Vigan
  • Silang was assassinated, and Gabriela took over the leadership
• The Revolt of Palaris:

  • Juan Dela Cruz Palaris revolted in Pangasinan in 1762, dominating the province for over a year
• The Revolt of Dela Cruz:

  • Apolinario de la Cruz, "Hermano Pule," led a religious revolt in 1840
  • Hermano Pule was defeated and executed in Tayabas
• Other revolts and uprisings:

  • More than 100 revolts recorded throughout Spanish rule
  • Igorots, Gaddangs, Cagayan Valley, Mindanao, Bohol, Ilocos, and Panay had minor revolts
• Reasons for failure of revolts:

  • Lack of coordination
  • Absence of a capable leader
  • Insufficient weapons
  • Lack of unity and nationalism among Filipinos
  • Many Filipinos remained loyal to Spaniards