A Chronology: The Ilonggo Nation Part 2

By Dinggol A. Divinagracia
Ilonggo Nation Movement

CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS THAT SHAPED THE DESTINY OF THE “ILONGGO NATION” Part 2

PREFACE:”To appreciate where you are now…you should know where you came from.”

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V - THE AMERICAN INVASION OF THE ILONGGO NATION:

-1898: December 27 - Just two days after gaining Independence, a 3,000-strong American Military Force led by Gen. Henry Miller arrived in four US warships (USS: Baltimore-Boston-Concord & Petrel) to Iloilo harbor to demand the surrender of the City. When the Ilonggos refused, the Americans began the bombardment of Iloilo upon expiration of their deadline.

-1899: February 2 - An American naval force appeared along the coastline of Negros to engage the islanders. Gen. Aniceto Lacson-President of the two month acquired Independence, seeing no chance of winning against the new invaders opted not to fight and ceded control when guarantees of property rights were made.

-1899: February 6 - US Congress ratified Treaty of Paris:After an intense fight in the United States Senate, the treaty was finally ratified by a margin of just one vote. The ratification of the treaty indicated that the United States was committed to take possession of the Philippine islands and that it would oppose the Filipino independence movement.

-1899: February 14 - American troops landed at Iloilo and took it by storm. Thus, started another Ilonggo Nation’s war for freedom; this time against American invaders.

-1899: February 22 - The Fall of Iloilo to the Americans. Ilonggo troops fought the Americans in pitched battles in towns around Iloilo City. The resistance continued even after the surrender Gen. Martin Delgado.

-1899: March 19 - The Queen Regent of Spain ratified the Treaty of Paris.

-1899: Apr 11 - Exchange of treaty ratifications in Washington by both Spain and the United States.It was only at this point in time the treaty was actually formalized and became internationally binding; officially ending the Spanish-American War. Thus, consummation of the anomalous Philippine purchase.

-1899: May 1 - US Secretary of State John Hays handed to French Ambassador Jules Cambon the amount due to Spain under the Treaty of Peace (Paris) at the US State Department.

-1901: February 2 - Surrender of the Panay Forces to the Americans.The Ilonggos resisted but, weary of war and poorly armed, they were soon overwhelmed by the new and well-armed enemy. Many of the leaders surrendered and relative peace was restored.

-1902: Jul 4 - President Theodore Roosevelt officially ended the Philippine-American War by issuing the Peace Proclamation and Granting of Pardon/Amnesty to the “Insurrectionists” who in reality were patriots.

-1907: Dionisio “Papa Isio” Sigobeyla was captured by the Americans in the hinterlands of Negros. After the arrival of the Americans and the surrender of Gen. Aniceto Lacson; “Papa Isio”, a babaylan declared himself the head of the Revolutionary Government of Negros. He fought the American troops for about eight more years.

-1925: In Central Iloilo-Panay: Florencio Entrencherado, obsessed by the Napoleonic saga declared himself Emperor of the Philippine. While his declaration was treated as a joke at first, within a year his stand against heavy taxation and foreign interference had gained him several thousands of peasant followers.

-1927: In May - Entrencherado was captured and imprisoned in Manila, where he died two years later. His armed followers staged an uprising, and burned haciendas of abusive American and local landowners’ in several towns.

EPILOGUE:

Since history is for the victors, the conquerors described and rediculed our patriots, especially those who came from the “masa”, as superstitious cultists and crazy ignoramus; labeled them as brigands or bandits.

But historians now reinterpreting the same material see beyond the religious fanaticism a valiant form and sincere commitment of resistance to colonial rule and foreign subjugation.

Even today, we have similar characters in our midst who are ridiculed and laughed at when we should actually scratch the surface to see underneath the aspirations of these simple people; then and now, for freedom, dignity, social justice, and the promise of a good life.
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Hereunder are excerpts from the Ilonggo Nation Movement “INM-Banwa_Mo eNews Bulletin” Article Contributors that are relevant to above-written article:

From Dr. Joey Dacudao (INM-Banwa_Mo: Northern Mindanao Ph.-Cyberzone)

Regarding “The Ilonggo ‘Nation’ Movement”: It’s true that the Ilonggos of Panay declared a Federal Republic of Visayas in 1898. My sources tell me that the Spanish Government until today recognizes this Republic as valid (I still have to confirm this). The Ilonggos in Negros also declared Independence at this time……

From Benjie Estuche (INM-Banwa_Mo: Oklahoma USA-Cyberzone)

The Treaty of Paris which ceded ownership of the Philippine Archipelago from Spain to the United States for the sum of $20-million was a deceptive and criminal act done by legitimate states, to further subjugate a people, nation and race as “Imperialism” substituted for “Colonialism.”

The government of Spain must re-imburse the Filipino people, especially, the people of Panay,plus interests, for this criminal act of selling what is not their own! The government of the United States must recognize this diplomatic faux pas and correct this criminal act.

From Nestor Sulpico (INM-Banwa_Mo: New York USA - Cyberzone)

Today we reap the blessings of freedom that our forebears in Panay and in the rest of the country bitterly fought and died for.

There are no more colonizers. We face new battles � for nation building, for the progress of our communities, for the advancement of our families.These are no less tough battles, for which we draw inspiration from our Ilonggo heroes……

From Segunda del Mar (INM-Banwa_Mo: WashDC Cyberzone)

It is worthy to note that in the annals of history; the duly constituted head of the Spanish Empire in the Philippines formally surrendered to only two cantonal governments:

The Independent Negros Republic on November 6, 1898 in Bacolod City and to the Federal Republic of the Visayas on December 25, 1898 at Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City. Both comprised the Ilonggo Nation.

That was even before Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was proclaimed President of the first Philippine Republic during ratification of the Constitution and its inauguration in Malolos, Bulacan on January 23, 1899.

Incidentally, the Treaty of Peace (Paris) wherein Spain ceded the whole archipealago to the US for $20-million to end the Spanish-American War was officially consummated and became legal and internationally binding only on APRIL 11, 1899.

Therefore, the Philippine purchase that included the “Ilonggo Nation” was anomalous…..hence…invalid !

THE FORMAL SURRENDER DOCUMENT

Below is a copy of the last page of the Document of Surrender signed by General Lacson, General Araneta, the Spanish Governor-General, etc. on November 6, 1898.
We will soon be adding a link that will show the full text of the document both in its original Spanish and translated English versions.
For Comments send Email to: Banwa_Mo@yahoo.com

Link to image: http://www.ilonggo-nation.8k.com/cgi-bin/i/images/surrenderd.jpg

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