BY DR. JOSE PALU-AY DACUDAO
[In commemoration of the victory of the Independent Cantonal Federal Republic of Negros and the Federal Repubic of the Visayas on November 5, 1898 and December 25, 1898 over the Spanish.]
“THE PARTY is in control of all information and revises history, even yesterday’s history, to reflect their current version of events. Winston is very much aware of this because it is his job in the paradoxically named Ministry of Truth to change the records of history. He cannot ignore what he remembers: Oceania was at war with Eurasia and allied with Eastasia yesterday, and not vice versa. If anyone else remembers differently, they certainly will not say so.” (Encyclopedia Encarta review of George Orwell’s classic novel ‘1984’)
What is to be told is a true history of bravery, heroism, and patriotism.
(Caveat: It is not taught in Philippine schools, because it does not shoehorn into the standard nationalist narrative. It is a story of how our patriots fought for freedom, decentralization, and Federalism, and Federalism is the political opposite of nationalism.)
In the latter part of 1896, Visayan revolutionists led by Francisco del Castillo, Candido Iban, Gabriel Alba, Ruperto Arce secretly started to organize a mass uprising against the Spaniards in the province of Capiz (which at that time consisted present-day Aklan and Capiz provinces).
On March 17, 1897, General del Castillo with about a hundred armed men entered Kalibo poblacion in order to ask for an audience with Municipal Captain Juan Ascarraga. The Spanish opened fire at them. The first battle to liberate the Visayas from Spain had begun. General del Castillo bravely led the way riding a white horse in front of his troops, and was shot dead by a sniper. Colonel Candido Iban, his second in command, was captured on his way to Kalibo.
On March 19, 1897, Colonel Ricardo Monet, commanding officer of the Spanish in the Visayas arrived in Kalibo in order to reinforce the Spanish garrison. He proclaimed an amnesty to all armed revolutionaries.
Fifty men gave themselves up in good faith. Instead Colonel Monet had 19 of them shot on March 23, 1897, and then had their bodies paraded in Kalibo plaza as an example to what would happen to rebels.
The 19 Visayan martyred patriots were Colonel Candido Iban, Benito Iban, Angel Fernandez, Canuto Segovia, Catalino Mangat, Claro Delgado, Domingo de la Cruz, Francisco Villarente, Gabino Sucgang, Gabino Yonsal, Isidro Jimenez, Lamberto Mangat, Maximo Mationg, Roman Aguirre, Simon Inocencio, Simplicio Reyes, Tomas Briones, Valeriano Dalida, and Valeriano Masinas.
Other patriots in Capiz continued organizing for the cause of independence. On May 4, 1898, General Esteban Contreras, Colonel Pascual Barza, Captain Alejandro Balgos, Captain Ramon Contreras and their troops attacked and drove out the Spanish forces in Pan-ay Capiz. The Spanish however counter attacked and after a battle lasting four days defeated the revolutionaries who retreated to the swamps of Pilar. Pan-ay town was then burned down by the vengeful Spanish and 12 of its citizens were executed. (To be continued)/PN
