Early Insurrections Against the Spaniards.
Many and notable have been the struggles of the Filipinos to escape
the yoke of the Spanish tyrant. But in all cases European intelligence
and Spanish treachery proved too strong for the simple natives, and
thus, after every revolt, the chains of servitude were riveted only
more firmly.
As early as 1622 there was a revolt on Bojol island, which was speedily
quelled. The same year saw a great insurrection in Leyte, which was put
down only after great difficulty. The leaders were all executed: some
were garroted, others shot with arrows, and many burnt at the stake.
Despite these extreme punishments, a rising took place in Surigao,
in the eastern part of Mindanao, in 1629, which lasted for three
years. At last, weary of the tyranny of the church, the natives
rose en masse and killed the priests. Expedition after expedition
was sent from Manila; and after much loss on the Spanish side,
and a vigorous resistance on the part of the rebels themselves,
the rebellion was brought to an end. But the peace that followed
was destined to be of short duration. In 1649 the Governor-General
put into effect the odious press-law, which caused a general protest
and a formidable revolt. A native, Sumoroy by name, killed a priest
that had grievously wronged him, and led the insurrection. The Spanish
soldiers, unable to apprehend him, discovered his mother, and literally
tore her to pieces. Sumoroy, goaded into a very frenzy of vengeance,
pursued his enemies with merciless hate, and many fell a victim to his
cruelty. He was finally betrayed by his own people and beheaded. His
head was stuck on a pole and paraded through the province. Other
chiefs then surrendered, on the condition of receiving a full pardon;
but the Spaniards forgot their fair promises, and promptly hanged
them as soon as they had them in hand. This rebellion also extended
to other provinces, but was quelled by the proclamation of a general
amnesty. All those that took part in it, however, were, finally,
executed or imprisoned.
In 1660 there was another rising in Pampanga, where the natives were
forced to cut down timber without payment. In Pangasinan province
Andres Malong, a native, was declared King. He advanced toward the
capital with a large army, gathering reinforcements on the way,
till he had with him about 40,000 men. These were met by a small but
well-armed Spanish force, and were routed. Most of the chiefs were
captured and hanged.
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