Chapter 3:

Occupations in the
Philippines
Readings in Philippine History
Nelson R. Galicia, MEM
Professor
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Describe and analyze the reaction
of the early Filipinos to Spanish
Occupation
2. Analyze the different economic
policies of the Americans in the
Philippines that made impact to the
society during and after the American
rule
3. Effectively communicate and
articulate the historical analysis of a
particular event or issue that could
help other people understand and
manage present issues and concerns.
Lesson 1.
Spanish
Occupation in
The Philippines
Lesson 1.1: Spanish Colonial Way of Life
a. Spanish Colonial Experience
The Spanish Expansion is a result of
various forces. Aside from the Philippines,
the Spaniards have already colonized parts
of South, North, and Central America. The
inclusion of the Philippines resulted out of
the attempts of Spaniards to control the
spice trade in the Moluccas islands.
Aside from the interests in spices, Spain
had been motivated by its mercantilist
nature or accumulation wealth in the form
of gold. This was simultaneous with the
invention of new technologies needed for
exploration like the compass and sextant.
Maps were also refined at this time that
greatly aided the explorers.
Before Spain actually decided to occupy the Philippines,
two noted voyages already reached the Philippines. This
was Magellan voyage in 1521 and the Villalobos voyage
in 1543. These did not start Spanish colonialism although
they provide information and fed the interest of the
Spanish government to finally take the islands. In 1565,
Legaspi carried the Spanish flag and set up in the
Philippine islands another colony for Spain. This
commenced the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
Exploration and colonization during
this time were realized through
contractual agreements between the
Crown and the Conquistadores. In
essence, the Consquistadores
conquered for Spain but they shall
share in the riches of the new
territories they conquered.
Thus, conquistadores like Legaspi instituted
measures both for the pacification of the
people and the satisfaction of their private
goals. It is within this frame that we
understand that the pacification efforts of the
colonizers were also coupled with exploitation.
 b. Instruments of Pacification and Exploitation

Encomienda. A system of organizing territories

to be under the care of an Encomendero. It was
an administrative unit for the purpose of
exacting tributes from the natives. The
Encomendero unit for the purpose of extracting
tributes from the natives. The Encomendero had
the power to collect tributes and to use the
personal services of the inhabitants of the
encomienda.
The Encomienda shall
take care of the
welfare of the natives.

1. Protect natives by
maintaining peace
and order
2. Support
missionaries in
conversion to
Catholicism
3. Help in defense of
country.
The services are compensated from the shares an
Encomendero can get from the tributes and the
services of the natives. So, while the system was
meant to facilitate the organization and
administration of the colony, the Encomendero
gave a negative image to it. This system was
characterized by greed and cruelty. It was an
opportunity for one to enrich oneself primarily by
collection of tribute or unlawful exaction of
numerous services.
 a. Tributor.
This is levying of tax to all Filipinos aged 19-
60 except government employees, soldiers with
distinguished services, decendants of
Lakandula and some few native chieftains,
choir members, sacristans, porters of the
church, and government witnesses. The alcalde
mayors, encomendero, gobernadorcillo, and
the cabezas acted as tribute collectors.
The Spanish form of “taxation” was by
itself heavy for the native. But this was
aggravated by the force and abuses that
accompanied its implementation. Soldiers
were used to escort tax collectors to force
collection and these often resulted to
violence. Worst, of course, is the act of
collecting much more than what the law
required by the tax collectors.
The abusive nature of this policy is evidenced by
the fact that Filipinos who joined the revolts
later on cite the exploitative nature of tribute
collection as a chief cause. In Apayao, for
example, they constructed tribute as a monster
that could kill people. The understanding is
borne by the fact that the Ilokanos who entered
the Apayao territory related that they were
scared of the tribute that has killed several of
them.
 b. Polo Y Servicio.
This is another colonial policy that
obliged male natives aged 16-60
except chieftains and their eldest son
to serve 40 days each year in labor
pools. The labor pools refer to the
site of labor that were mostly of
construction kind. The natives were
asked to build buildings both for the
church and the government. They
were also made to make roads and
build ships.
This policy was meant to help set
up of government infrastructure
and the laborers were even given
ration of rice and paid minimal
amounts. There were other
regulations to ensure the
protection of the workers. In
practice though, all these
regulations were violated.
Laborers were not paid and were
not given any rice ration.
The policy became
insensitive to the need of the
communities so that it was
still enforced in time of
planting or harvest seasons.

In the end, polo y servicio

became a forced labot that
contributed to famine
experiences and the
destruction of communities.
 c. Bandala.
This is another policy meant to augment
the finances of the colonial government. It
required the compulsory sale of products
to the government. Communities were
given quotas to produce and sold only to
the government. The prices set by the
government were lower than the prevailing
prices of these products but were sold back
to the people for a high price.
c. Bandala.
This practice formed natives to be
indebted to the chieftain entrenching
the socio-economic position of the
chief. In worst cases, which was
usually the case, farmers were not
paid at all of their produce and were
given promissory notes. In effect, this
policy became a virtual confiscation
of natives’ products.
Divide and Rule:
This is a military strategy utilized
by the Spaniards against the
natives. In this method, native
mercenaries were used against
other groups to beef op limited
military contingency of the
Spaniards. Ny its very nature, it
was exploitative as the inter-
village warfare tradition of the
early Filipinos was reinforced to
serve the interests of the
colonizers.
The policies provide clear examples
as to how the colonial policies
impacted on the native Filipinos.
For them, the policies were
exploitative even if these were just
part of the pacification process of
the Spaniards.

These difficulties were compounded

by the constant war Spain was into
against the Dutch and Portuguese.
In all the abusive policies, the
traditional head of barangay as
the Maginoo and Datu became
intermediaries. They were
converted into willing allies of
the Colonizers and their powers
and authority were complicated
by the colonizers. As traditional
barangay authority, they were
used as intermadiaries between
the natives and the Spaniards.
Political privilege was also granted by
Spaniards as tribute collectors,
gobernadorcillos and thus helped in
mobilizing labor for government
construction of projects. Economically,
the Chiefs were given the opportunity
and took advantage of the concept of
private property of land. In the end, the
traditional chiefs were transformed into
a willing ally and were called
principals. One can see the prestige of
principalia in the social hierarchy of
the period. Of the native Filipinos, they
were ranked higher next to the
Spaniards.
Spanish Period Present
Self-assessment Task 1
Compare and contrast the
administration of the local
government units during
the Spanish period with
those of the present.
Conclusion
Lesson 1.2:
Filipino
Nationalism
 a. Early Revolts and Resistance
Given the exploitive nature of Spanish colonialism,
early Filipinos chose to revolt against the regime.
Among the earliest revolts were those by Lakandula
in Manila. Revolts became an indispensable
response of early Filipinos to Spanish Rule. Revolts
became an indispensable response of early
Filipinos to Spanish rule. In the 1600’s nativistic
revolts characterized the reactions of the people
towards the Spanish rule.
More complicated revolts continued up to the
1700’s. the earlier revolts could be generalized as
revolts from ordinary natives. These revolts could
be generalized as revolts from ordinary natives.
These revolts include Tamblot, Bankaw, Tapar,
Dagohoy, Sumuroy, Dabao, and others. Since
many of the leaders of these revolts were
babaylanes, or traditional priests, one of
important underlying objective was to go back to
old native religion (nativistic). As such leaders
emerge as self-proclaimed messiahs saving the
people from evil effects of colonization.
The second group of revolts were
those initiated by local chiefs, or
the princiipales, whose type of
leadership are already
complicated by Spanish ways. This
type of revolt manifested class
interest where the mass revolts
were taken advantage of in the
desire to seize power for
themselves. This is why many of
these were open to compromises.
Examples of this type of revolt are
the revolts of Maniago, Malong,
Gumapos, Palaris, Silang, and
Both types of revolts,
however, contained the
desire to improve the
hardship brought about
by the colonial rule.
Economic grievance
remained the primary
reason why people
supported groups and
leaders versus Spaniards.
b. The Igorot Resistance to Spanish Interests and
the Price of Igorot Independence
The Igorots, together with the Muslims in
Mindanao were the two biggest groups that
were not colonized by the Spaniards. During
the entire 300 plus years of Spanish rule, these
groups remained independent. This work shall
consider only the Igorot resistance.
A note on the word Igorot should be made. Historically
speaking, the groups that were referred by Spanish
documents as Igorots were the inhabitants of Benguet
and Bontoc. Other groups in the Cordillera region were
called distint names such as Mandayas for the Apayao,
Itneg for the upper Abra area, Ifugao for Ifugaos. This
would explain the reluctance of many people outside
Benguet and Bontoc to be considered as Igorots.
Etymologically, Igorot was coined with the use pf two old
Austronesian words as “gorot”, meaning mountain, and
“I” referring to the source/place or from where one
belongs. It is etymological sense that this work adopts
the word Igorot to refer to all people in the Cordillera as
The Spaniards entered the
Cordillera for many reasons
but gold was initially the
primary aim. As soon as the
colonizers learned of Igorot
gold in the region, expeditions
were immediately sent to
secure it. In the 1600, several
attempts like those of Aldana,
Carino, and Quirante. They
have taken samples of ores and
were brought to Manila for
tests.
The attempt at reducing the
Igorots to Christianity was
another motivation for the
Spaniards. The Augustinians
entered the mountain from the
Ilocos areas while the
Dominicans penetrated Ifugao
in the east. Another reason for
Spanish intrusion into the
Cordillera was simply to extend
the conquered territories or to
protect the conquered areas of
the lowlands.
Still another motivations was the punitive expeditions, which
were meant to punish the Igorots for the resistance they have
been showing. However, it was the sabotage of the tobacco
monopoly that really angered the Spaniards to sponsor
succeeding punitive expeditions against the Igorots. The most
successful of these expeditions was the Galvey expedition.
Guillermo Galvey led a 10-year campaign against the Igorots
from 1829-1839, burning tobacco plantations and
communities, and crushing Igorot opposition. It was the Galvey
expeditions that finally opened the region to Spanish conquest.
By the later part of 1840’s up to the 1950’s, the Spaniards were
able to set up military posts in key areas in the Cordillera.
These posts were called Commandancia Politico-Militares,
which were manned by military people and intended for
collection of taxes.
Confronted by the instrusions, the Igorots responded in
different ways but almost always resisting all the plans of
the intruders. In many instances, Igorots simply abandoned
their communities when they learn of Spanish arrival. They
would retreat into deeper parts of the mountain and wait
until the Spaniards are gone. If the Igorots were ready,
though, they would engage the Spanish troops with their
traditional weapons as spears, head axes, and bolos.
Although the Igorot weapons were of inferior kind, they
relied heavily on ambushes utilizing the mountainous
landscape to their advantages. In some recorded instances,
the Igorots used the weaknesses of the Spanish weapons they
came to learn and won over the more supposedly superior
weapons.
In the Christianization efforts,
the Spaniards were able to
convert some Igorots into
Christianity. Most of these
converts have been relocated in
the lowland areas of Ilocos, La
Union and Nueva Viscaya.
Overall, through the Igorots
remained pagans.
Whereabout of their gold have also been
denied to Spaniards and other foreigners.

These responses have been largely successful

so that at the end of the Spanish colonial
rule, the Igorots remained independent.
A discussion of the Igorot resistance is
incomplete without considering the price that
the Igorots had to pay for their freedom.
One is the periodic
destruction of homes.
Most often than not, the
Spaniards burned villages
along their route. These
were reconstructed by the
Igorots only to be
destructed with the next
Spanish expedition.
Another is the estrangement between the
lowlanders and the Igorots. Before Spanish
colonization, it has been the case that the two
were partners in trade. The lowlanders
brought up salt, animals, threads, and fish to
the highlands. Igorots brought down gold,
beeswax, and other forest products. With the
colonization of the lowlands and the resistance
of Igorots, the friendly relation soured.
This is basically because lowlanders were
colonized while the Igorots remained
independent. Specifically, the lowlanders
were used by the Spaniards in their
attempts at subjugating the Igorots. The
lowlanders usually accompanied the
colonizers as guides and soldiers. One can
add the long period of time that the
Spaniards have portrayed negative
images of Igorots to lowlanders painting
them as “headhunters”, “pagans”, and
“savages”.
After the period of colonization, it became
ironic that the Filipinos who resisted
colonialism were indifferently treated by later
Philippine government. They have often been
understood as the others or the “minority”.
As minority, the state has ignored them for a
long time and has used their territories only
as sources of raw materials. In the 1970’s
the Marcos government ignored the please of
Igorot of Bontoc and Kalinga not to build the
dams along the Chico River. It was only
stopped when resistance in
c. Campaign for Reforms
The unjust execution of the three
Filipino priests Mariano Gomez,
Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora
was a turning point in Philippine
history, for it ushered in a new era
– the reform movement. Realizing
the danger of fighting for their
cause on the home front, the sons
of the wealthy and the well-to-do
Filipino families migrated to
Europe to breath the free
atmosphere of the Old World.
There they initiated a
sustained campaign for
reforms in the Spanish
administration of the
Philippines. In the
homeland, meanwhile,
the Filipino
intellectuals secretly
collaborated with those
in Spain and founded
nationalistic societies.
The dissatisfaction of the Filipino men of wealth
and intellect was centered on the abuses of the
Spanish authorities, civil as well as clerical. The
middle class denounced Spanish abuses and
asked Spain to make the Philippines one of its
provinces. There was no clamor for
independence, for the reformists believed that the
Filipinos would be better off if they were to
become Spanish citizens, enjoying the rights and
privileges of the latter. Such a program
constituted what has been known as assimilation.
For more than a decade the
Filipino propagandists waged their
war against the Spanish authorities
and friars, but they failed to
awaken the Government of the
Peninsula to the demoralizing
realities of colonial administration.
The reform movement was a failure
for it did not achieve its goals. In
another sense, however, it was a
success, for its failure led to the
founding of the Katipunan with
separatist aims (Agoncillo, 1990).
d. The Katipunan
The Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang Katipunan
ng mga Anak ng Bayn, otherwise known as KKK or
simply Katipunan, was a secret society that was
established by Andres Bonifacio and some of his
comrades on July 7, 1892. This was a significant
event for the Filipinos because it marked the end of
the peaceful campaign for reforms and the
beginning of a movement which aimed to end
Spanish oppression by uniting the Filipinos and
achieve independence by means of a revolution.
To increase the number of members of the
organization, and to stop suspicion on the part
of the family members, the Katipunan accepted
women members. The women were least
suspected by the Spanish authorities, so they
were able to keep important documents of the
society. They also served as messengers and
front for the secret meetings of the organization
(Vivar et al., 1999)
The Katipunan became especially
popular in the suburbs of Manila and in
the provinces of Central Luzon. But as
the number of its affiliates increased, the
Spanish authorities began to suspect its
underground character. The friars began
to denounce the nightly meeting held by
Katipuneros and on August 19, 1896, a
certain Patino, a Katipunan member,
exposed the society to Fr. Mariano Gil.
With the discovery of the Katipunan,
Bonifacio had no alternative than to take
the fieldand on August 23, at pugadlawin,
he and his men declared their intention to
fight to the bitter end. The revolution
spread to the other provinces.
In cavite, meanwhile, the two factions of the society were at
loggerheads and Bonifacio was invited to mediate between
them. At Tejeros, it was agreed to change the society with a
government responsive to the demands of the times, and in
the election that followed, Bonifacio was chosen Director
of the Interior. Unfortunately, his election was questioned
by Daniel irona. Bonifacio hurt by insult, declared the
results of the lection null and void. In April, he was ordered
arrested, tried and executed. The Filipinos were at that
time losing battle after battle. Aguinaldo retreated to
Baiak-na-Bato, where the Republic was founded. Later in,
December, the Truce of Biak-na-Bato was concluded
between the rebels and the Spanish Government. The truce,
however, was a failure (Agoncillo, 1990).
Self-assessment Task 2

1. Discuss the teachings of the KKK. Point out some

teachings that you find useful and helpful in your
daily life.
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
________________________________________
2. Make a chart comparing the Reform
Movement and the Katipunan.
Reform Movement Katipunan Movement
Nature

Aims

Methods

Result

Conclusion:
Lesson 2: Philippines under the
American Regime – Self-government
and developments in the Philippines
Under American Colonial Rule

Lesson 2.1 Self-government and developments in the

Philippines Under American Colonial Rule
American Government in The
Philippines
America’s Policy of Occupation
America’s successful suppression of
revolutionary resistance against their
colonial rule forced the Filipino elite to
shift to an alternative of peaceful struggle
for independence. Using an altruistic policy
for the Philippines, the United States, under
President Willliam Mckinley, enticed the
Filipino elites into a compromise with
American Colonialism.
America’s Policy of Occupation
Many of the Filipino elite Leaders
especially the “Illustrados,” began to
adhere to the well-stated US Policy of
President Mckinley in his message to the
US Congress stressing that the
Philippines is theirs not to exploit but to
develop, to civilize, to educate, and to
train in the science of self-government.
America’s Policy of Occupation
In reality, behind this policy declaration was
America’s other colonial objectives, as
follows:
1. To pursue a “manifest destiny” for
America as a world power
2. To use the Philippines as a source of raw
materials for US industries and as market for
US manufactured surplus products
America’s Policy of Occupation
3. To use the Philippines as a military and
naval base to balance the power in Asia
4. To have a refueling port for American
ships servicing their interest in China
America’s Policy of Occupation
These ulterior motives of America’s colonial
rule later became a reality when the US
government gained complete control of the
Philippine archipelago politically. Finding no
other way to repel American motives, the
Filipinos painfully succumbed to compromising
their sovereignty to colonialism by way of
serving under American military and civilian
rule in the Philippines.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
In preparation for the foundation of a
civilian government in the Philippines, the
three successive terms of American military
governors, namely General Wesley Merrit
(August 16, 1898), General Elwell S. Otis
(1898-1900), and General Arthur McArthur
(1900-1901), focused on pacifications of
campaigns.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
To win the support of Filipino Elites, the
Americans used a subtle strategy of conquest by
introducing the American school system to
civilize and educate Filipinos to embrace
democracy. They organized civil courts and
appointed Filipino jurists. They established
towns and provinces and installed pro-American
local leaders to participate in local
governmental affairs as apprentices of the
American system of governance.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
To train Filipinos to govern their constituencies
in the way Americans want them to towards
achieveing their unterior motives, the first
election was held by Gen. Henry W. Lawton in
Baliwag, Bulacan. These patterns of pacification
campaign which were employed successfully in
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao resulted in
readiness of Filipino elite leaders to collaborate
with the US government in the Philippines.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
In the central American government, those
Filipino elites who believed in the sovereighnty
of the US over the Philippines were appointed
to top executive, legislative, and judicial
positions by being members of the First
Philippine Commission, otherwise known as
the Schurman Comission (1899), and the
Second Philippine Commission (1900) also
known as the “Taft Commission.”.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
There were three reasons why Filipino elite
leaders opted to collaborate with the American
authorities. The first reason was to preserve the
security of their privileges as there was a growing
demand from the masses for the redistribution of
economic benefits and resources. The second
reason was the elite class, distrust of the masses,
nothing that some of them were branded as bandits
or trouble makers, ignorant people who possess
questionable moral conduct.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
Thirdly, the elite could not entrust their
interests and future to the masses, thus, by co-
opting with the Americans, they were assured
of the protection of their wealth, power, and
prestige. To the Americans, the pro-American
attitude of the Filipino elites was advantageous
to their colonial purposes and economic
interests in the Philippines.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
Collaborative participation of cultural
communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
was gained through the efforts of American
teachers and missionaries who played their roles
in domestication the tribal leaders. Datus and
sultans in Mindanao were used as key persons in
their strategy for collaboration, giving them
roles as promoters of social services to effect
social re-orientation favorable to American
interests.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
In the Cordilleras, the Americans used a strategy to
win the Ifugaos, and Kalingas to cooperate and
accept American rule. The head-hunting skirmishes
between and among the Cordillera tribes, as weel as
the disputes over territorial boundaries and
hostilities, were stopped either with the use of
firepower for pacification or with a compromise
settlement. When firepower was not too effective, the
Americans shifted to benevolent treatment of the
natives to impress on them their image as
benefactors.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
Establishment of American local
governments in the Cordillera proved
successful after Cordillera natives were
appointed as mayors or cabecillos. Ifugaos
who did not make it to political positions
were recruited into the American
Constabulary as regular soldiers who were
paid generously.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
In Southern Mindanao, the American
approach to establish collaboration was a
political co-existence characterized by
mutual respect for personal property and
political rights. The sultanate form of
govenmnet of the datus and sultans was a
formidable block to improve American
political presence in Mindanao.
Filipino involvement in American Government in the
Philippines (1899-1913)
Sa as not to agitate the Sultans and datus from
usurping their authorities as leaders of the
sultanate government, American authorities
negotiated and concluded treaties with Muslim
leaders such as the Bates Treaty (1899) and later,
the Carpenter-Kiriam Agreement (1905).
Consequently, these treaties with the Muslims led
to the erosion of power of the sultanate and paved
the way for the total imposition of American
sovereighnty in all territories of the sultanate.
The Filipinization of American Government in the
Philippines
In 1913, Frances Burton Harrison became th e
first Democratic Governor General of the
Philippines. His appointment saw the full
implementation of American policies and
substancial participation of Filipinos in
government. As his colonial policy, rapid
Filipinization of government in the Philippines
gained momentum then he involved Filipinos in
the various levels of the bureaucracy.
The Filipinization of American Government in the
Philippines
Unfortunately, Filipinization in
government was only confined to the
Filipino elites who were actually
landlords and capitalists and
government employees during the
Spanish period, including those who
could read and write.
The Filipinization of American Government in the
Philippines
Filipinization in government involving the
participation of Filipino elites was suitable to
the Americans since it was an aid rather than a
hindrance to colonialism. In the purview of the
Americans, keeping the elite involved in
government would be beneficial to American
economic interests in the Philippines, because it
warranted economic partnership between
Americans and Filipino landlords and
capitalists.
The Filipinization of American Government in the
Philippines
This partnership eventually led to a special
relationship between the American and
Filipino land owners and capitalists as
manifested in the so-called “free-trade”
which was provided for in the Payne-
Aldrich Tariff of 1909 during the Harrison
Era, consequently making the Philppines a
US market of surplus goods in Asia.
The Filipinization of American Government in the
Philippines
The American capitalists enjoyed the
lion’s share in the benefits from the free
trade policy. This lopsided effect of free
trade policy permeated further not only
in the economic aspect of Filipino life,
but also in the political, social and
cultural fields.
The Socio-Cultural Effects of Filipinization in Government
during the American Period

The American capitalists enjoyed the

lion’s share in the benefits from the free
trade policy. This lopsided effect of free
trade policy permeated further not only
in the economic aspect of Filipino life,
but also in the political, social and
cultural fields.