Showing posts with label colonization. Show all posts

NGAYON, HINDI HINDI NA YUYUKO ANG PILIPINO

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ay hitik sa mga kuwentong may kinalaman sa pananakop ng ibang lahi. Nagawa ito dahil ang bansa ay watak-watak…mga islang hindi buo. Nagtagumpay ang mga nagsulputang misyonaryo – Arabo at Kristiyano, kaya nahubog sa panibagong paniniwalang ispiritwal ang kaisipan ng mga ninuno nating pagano.

Sa simula pa lamang ay bukod-tanging pananampalatayang Islam ang niyakap ng mga taga-Mindanao na ang katawagan ay Moro. Hindi nagtagumpay ang mga prayleng Kastila na magupo ang mga Moro, na kabaligtaran naman sa Visayas at Luzon kung saan sila ay nagtagumpay. Ang tagumpay na ito ng mga Kastilang misyonaryo ang naging batayan upang palabasing nasakop ng Espanya ang Pilipinas, dahil malaking bahagi ng Mindanao ay hindi naman.

Noong panahon ng pananakop ng mga Kastila, ang mga katutubo ay tinawag na “Indio”, at ang mga tinuturing lamang na mga “Pilipino” ay mga Kastilang hinakot sa Maynila at pinatira sa Intramuros. Indio din ang tawag sa mga Mehikano na hinakot sa Pilipinas upang magtrabaho bilang mga utusan at sundalo. Ang mga taga-India namang hinakot din sa Maynila upang pandagdag sa dami ng mga sundalo ay tinawag na “Sepoy”. Ang nakatira sa labas ng Intramuros ay mga Tsino, mga Hapon, at mga katutubo. Sa panahong yon, yumuko ang mga tunay na Pilipino sa Kastila.

Kalaunan, ang mga mahihirap nga mga Pilipino at ilang mga mestiso Kastila ay nagkaisa upang labanan ang mga Kastila. Subalit magkaiba ang kanilang layunin. Ang gusto ng mga mayayamang mestiso ay magkaroon lang ng pagbabao upang matanggal ang mapang-abusong pamamalakad ng mga opisyal na itinalaga ng hari sa Maynila. Samantalang, ang mga mahihirap na pinangunahan ni Andres Bonifacio, ang gusto ay kabuuang kalayaan. Hindi sila nagtagumpay.

Nang pumalit ang mga Amerikano ay pinaglaban pa rin ng ilang Pilipino ang layuning makaangkin ng lubusang kalayaan sa pangunguna naman ni Aguinaldo…na hindi pa rin nagtagumpay.

Nang tuluyan namang bitiwan ng Amerika ang Pilipinas, kahit mga Pilipino na ang namahala, hindi pa rin nakawala ang Pilipino sa anino ng mga Amerikano. Naging tanyag ang tawag sa Pilipino na “Little brown brother”, at sa mga Amerikano naman ay, “Big Brother”. Mula sa panahon ni Manuel L. Quezon hanggang sa panahon ni Benigno Aquino III, ang imahe ng Pilipinong yumuyuko sa mga Amerikano ay hindi nawala.

Ngayon, sa pagsulpot ni Rodrigo Duterte bilang presidente ng Pilipinas, nagkaroon ng pagbabago dahil walang tapang niyang binabanggit na isa sa mga paiiralin niya ay ang pagtayo ng mga Pilipino sa sariling mga paa…. magkaroon ng sariling paninindigan at desisyon. Malaki ang epekto ng sinambit ni Duterte na “who is he” na ang tinutukoy ay si Obama. Sa headline ng isang diyaryo ay nakabandera ang sinabi din niyang, “I am no fan of the US”. Dahil siya ang presidente ng Pilipinas, animo ay kinakatawan na rin niya ang saloobin ng mga Pilipino.

Ngayon, taas-noo na nating masabing tuluyan na tayong nakawala sa tanikalang nag-uugnay sa atin sa mga Amerikano. Ito ay pagpapakitang kaya pala nating hindi yumuko sa Amerika!

Subali’t sa kabila ng bagong paninindigang nabanggit, hindi nangangahulugang galit ang mga Pilipino sa mga Amerikano, at kahit samahan ng dalawang bansa ay hindi basta mabubuwag dahil sa mga pinirmahang tratado o treaty o kasunduan. Pinagdiinan lang natin ang sariling prinsipyong nakaangkla sa lubos na kalayaan…kaya hindi na basta na lang masisita o mapagsasabihan ang presidente ng Pilipinas ng presidente ng Amerika pagdating sa paggawa ng desisyon.

Early Trade Relations of the Philippines with China

By Apolinario Villalobos

While Spain was resolute in her desire to colonize islands with the use of the cross, China was more reclusive, as her rulers were even discouraging the voyages of their people. Nevertheless, the Chinese traders were stubborn in carrying out their occupation to the point of risking their lives in crossing oceans. According to archaeological findings, the natives of the Philippine archipelago had their first contact with the Chinese traders during the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), based on the discovered pot shards which are now at the National Museum.

The hectic trading activity was recorded during the 13^th century. Chinese traders coveted the Filipino products such as, corals, gold, cotton, hard wood, edible nuts, gums, resins, rattan, pearls, and many others. In the course of their trading, the Chinese traders intermarried with native women, while establishing commercial centers, a wise move which checked the entry of other trading nationalities. The first mention of the trading activity in the Philippines by the Chinese was in 982, when merchandise from Ma-I (Mindoro), where brought to Canton.

A clear account of how the trading was conducted was mentioned by Chao-Ju-Kua in 1225, in which he said that as soon as the ships of the Chinese traders dropped anchor where the local official was located, they were boarded for checking, after which the natives were already free to ply their trade with the foreign merchants. A converging place was assigned for this commercial activity.

Trading Chinese vessels were also said to have sailed to “Sanhsi” (three islands), which could have been the reference for central Visayas,  also to “Pu-li-lu” (Polilio), and “Tung-Liu-sin” which could be eastern Luzon.

According to the Ming Annals, embassies from Luzon visited China in 1372 and 1408, and brought with them gifts for the emperor, such as small but strong horses. In return, the emperor gave them silk, copper, cash and other valuable things. There is also an account about Chinese traders bringing gifts to the “King of Luzon”.

Natives of Pangasinan had their share of trading with the Chinese as early as 1406 during the Ming Dynasty. Pangasinan was mentioned in the book of Kiyoshi, published by Toyo Gakubo, where it was referred to by the Chinese traders as “Ping-chia-shih-lan”.

When the Spaniards arrived, they found a Chinese settlement of traders along the Pasig River. This settlement was known then, as “Parian”, and later evolved into what is now known as the Manila Chinatown, the oldest in the world. Among the locals, though, it is more popularly called “Ongpin”.

Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan, Almost Got Separated

From the Jurisdiction of the Philippine Government

…during the American Regime

Apolinario Villalobos

In November 1923, the American Chamber of Commerce of Mindanao and Sulu made a proposal to make the Muslim area as an unorganized domain directly under the rule of the Americans. A distinct system of government suited for the area was suggested. However, the proposal was not given much attention, until the Bacon Bill revived the issue.

The sponsors of the Bacon Bill expressed that they just wanted to protect the “defenseless and unarmed, though proud and self-respecting Moros”. As expected, the Filipino leaders opposed the Bill, as they saw the hidden motive behind it which was the exploitation of the areas for rubber production in favor of the American interest. During the time, about more than three million hectares of land in Mindanao were suitable for the cultivation of rubber tree. The Filipinos vehemently insisted that, would there be foreign investors interested in seizing the opportunity of cultivating rubber in Mindanao, it should be fairly done under the administration of the Philippine Government.

As a last desperate argument, proponents of the proposal also insisted that the Moros in Mindanao were never desirous of independence, but prefer to remain under the sovereignty and protection of the Americans. They cited an incident in the past, whereby, Moro leaders supposedly, petitioned the Governor General and the US Congress about such desire. Unfortunately, this allegation was not factually established, as some parties insisted that Filipino Muslims did not really want to separate from their Christian brothers and sisters, but to have independence with them.

The importune Bacon Bill, fortunately, did not illicit support from then, President Collidge and the US Congress. Lately, there’s another move to separate the Moroland from the archipelago via the “original” Bangsamoro Basic Law but was fortunately reviewed for revision before it got implemented. The separation proposal was championed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, under Iqbal, and ably supported by Ferrer and Deles, two government representatives in the negotiation panel for peace in Mindanao. The proposal is now assuming another name, “Basic Law for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region” which is more appropriate to be consistent with the rest of the other autonomous regions that are already in place. History repeats itself, indeed….

The Mindanao Resistance Against

the American Colonizers

By Apolinario Villalobos

The Filipinos who fought the Americans were never called “rebels”, but “outlaws”, “pulahanes”, “tulisanes”, and bandits. It was an unfair reference because the Filipinos who went to the mountains and banded together to fight the aggressors just wanted freedom. This nationalistic sentiment spread as far down as Mindanao.

In March 23, 1903, a group of Filipino rebels attacked an American Constabulary station in Surigao under the command of a certain Captain Clark who was killed, and the guns taken by the attackers. Later on, 75 of the guns were taken back, with many rebels captured and tried. Those who were found to have committed the killing of Clark were hanged. This was during the time of President Theodore Roosevelt.

The Moro resistance in Lanao was led by Sajiduciman, Ampuanagua, and Datu Grande. In June 1902, Datu Tungul of Onayan attacked Camp Vicars, for which the Sultan of Binidayan was suspected to have had a hand. Despite his effort to prove his innocence, the Americans did not believe him, and in desperation, he “ran amuck” which eventually led to his death. The incident further caused hatred against the Americans so that at Maciu, Sultan Tanagan and Sultan Ganduli with about 200 followers clashed with the Americans.

As in mainland Mindanao, the Sulu Muslims were also vehemently against the Americans, harboring the same hatred that they had against the Spaniards. As a peaceful measure, the Americans used the Sultan of Sulu to fulfill their objective of subjugating his subjects. A so-called Bates Treaty was signed, although it was not binding to those who still refused to recognize them (Americans). Among these were Datu Julakanain and Datu Kalbi of Patikul who refused to join the Sultan. Eventually, due to the ineffectiveness of the treaty, it was annulled, as from 1903 to 1905, the fierce resistance of the two aforementioned datus continued. Hassan was killed finally in an encounter at Bud Bagsak. The death of Hassan inspired other nationalistic Muslims in Sulu to carry on their fight against the Americans, such as Pala and Jikiri.

In Cotabato, Datu Ali defied the Americans. He was the successor of Datu Utu, and son-in-law of Datu Piang. Unfortunately, the elder Datu Piang, instead of supporting his son-in-law, collaborated with the Americans, by providing them with all necessary information that they needed. The collaboration finally led to the killing of Datu Ali at Simpetan, in October 31, 1906, together with his 13 followers and three sons.

Following the death of Datu Ali, Datu Alamada with 300 followers and supported by thousands of adherents continued the resistance. His movements, though, were limited around Buldon and Upper Cotabato. Unfortunately again, collaboration led to the downfall of the gallant datu. The collaborators were led by Datu Inuk.

Just like in Luzon and Visayas, the history of Mindanao is tinted with heroic resistance of Muslims, though, with different culture and religion. All of these gallant rebels, however, were bound by one common cause – love of freedom!

The Bicol Uprising and Concentration System

During the American Occupation

Resulting to 300,000 Casualties

By Apolinario Villalobos

In 1903, Simeon Ola with about 1,500 supporters continued the uprising in Albay against the Americans after the fall of Aguinaldo. In answer to such insurrection, the Americans resorted to the concentration of the villagers resulting to the casualty of about 300,000 due to the inadequate supply of food and unhealthy accommodation. Hunger and diseases caused the deaths.

Governor Taft vehemently insisted that the move was necessary to “save” the villagers from the supposedly terroristic activities of Ola, an accusation which was denied by those affected of concentration. What followed was the ceaseless negotiation for his surrender. Aside from Vice-Governor Luke Wright, Pardo de Tavera was also involved in the negotiation for the surrender of Ola for which conferences were held and promises were made by the American government.

As a last resort, On September 22, 1903, Col. Bandholtz purportedly signed an agreement with Ola “promising him immunity” and other conveniences. When the band of Ola surrendered, the Americans denied having signed an agreement with him. Instead, the colonizers spread the story that Ola surrendered finally, as he found it futile to continue going against the superior forces of the Americans who were really resolute in apprehending him at all cost. This denial tactic was used also against Aguinaldo when he conferred with Dewey just before the outbreak of the Spanish-American war.

To further pin Ola down, the American authorities also spread stories that Ola turned witness against his band, for which, he was given an “executive clemency”. The hearing was presided over by Judge James Blount and Judge Adam C. Carson, assisted by Prosecutor James Rosa. The proceeding resulted to the release of some of Ola’s followers, others were sentenced for vagrancy, while the rest were charged for sedition. Some got the heaviest penalty which was death, under the Brigandage Act. Ola was slapped with imprisonment for 30 years...ironically, despite his cooperation. Ola was clearly another victim of the American treachery.