The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
History
The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)
Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
Philippines; Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946
"Caciquism is still existing in parts of this province, but I
am confident that with the coöperation of sensible persons in my
continuous efforts it will be completely eradicated, and personal
liberty will reign supreme, as in every republic where the laws
assure complete and real liberty, the liberty from slavery."
As supporting evidence Governor Dichoso forwarded with his letter a
number of statements from persons resident in the capital of Isabela
to the effect that during the twenty-one years that he had lived
there he had never purchased, intended to purchase, or kept in his
house any Igorrote of the Ifugao or any other tribe.
In addition he forwarded a somewhat unique document in the form of
a sworn statement by a slave dealer which is of such interest that
I give it in its entirety:--
"I, Agapito Telan, a resident of this provincial capital
(Ilagan), certify: On the 19th of June, 1903, I was summoned
by the provincial governor, Mr. Francisco Dichoso y Reyes, and
when I was with him in the office of the provincial government,
he and the secretary took my sworn deposition, as follows:--
"Upon being asked to state the number of children of the infidel
tribe of the Ifugaos sold by me to several residents of this
provincial capital, the approximate age of these children, the
names of the persons to whom they were sold, the number of children
bought by these persons, the value of each of the said children,
their sex, and the year, month, and day on which the said sales
were made, deponent replied that in the year 1902, in the month of
September, and on a day which he cannot remember, he sold to the
late Policarpo Gangan two Ifugao boys, of the ages of 8 and 9,
respectively, for the sum of 360 Mexican dollars, another boy,
9 years of age, he sold to Juan Dauag for the sum of 180 Mexican
dollars, and another boy, 8 years of age, he sold to Seferino
Malana for the sum of 160 Mexican dollars, the latter two being
sold on the same month and year aforementioned, and in Ilagan also.
"In the year of 1903 the deponent sold a boy and a girl of the
Ifugao tribe, who, judging by their physical development, were
about 6 and 8 years old; the boy, six years of age, he sold to
Pascual Paguirigan, late municipal president, and the girl to Doña
Rufina Gangan, for the sum of 180 Mexican dollars each. This was
in January, but deponent does not remember the day.
"In February he sold a boy and a girl of the same tribe, 8 years
of age, the former to Cirilo Gantinao and the latter to Salvador
Aggabao, for 180 Mexican dollars each. The purchasers are residents
of this town.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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