The Maniago Revolt 1660
The Maniago Revolt, spearheaded by Don Francisco Maniago in the 1660s, was primarily triggered by local opposition to the oppressive Spanish policies of ‘polo’ (forced labor) and ‘bandala’ (mandatory tribute of foodstuffs, named after the Kapampangan word for food basket). Initially a protest against these exploitative practices, the revolt soon escalated into a broader struggle for liberation from Spanish rule.The revolt gained notoriety in Pampanga, a region known for its relative affluence during the colonial period. The wealth of the area attracted the attention of Spanish religious authorities and resulted in heavier burdens of tribute, forced labor, and rice requisitioning. The people of Pampanga, required to endure eight months of unpaid labor and the unfair seizure of their rice, reached their breaking point. Symbolizing their intent to rebel, they set their campsite ablaze, marking the beginning of the uprising.
The revolt coincided with Spain’s military engagements against the Dutch, leaving the Spanish forces stretched thin. Under Maniago’s astute leadership, the Kapampangans made significant strides, further bolstered by support from neighboring regions including Pangasinan, Cagayan, and Ilocos. Maniago, known for his persuasive skills, even resorted to fabricating stories to inspire his followers, such as claiming that Kapampangans had taken Manila and slain all Spaniards there.
However, the Spanish Governor, Manrique de Lara, effectively quelled the uprising using a ‘divide and rule’ strategy. His initial show of force in Macabebe, one of Pampanga’s affluent towns, led to a shift in allegiance, with the town adopting a more conciliatory stance towards the Spanish. This tactic was replicated across other towns, gradually undermining Maniago’s support base.Eventually, Maniago and his followers were compelled to negotiate peace with Governor de Lara. In a strategic move, de Lara offered Maniago a prestigious position as master of the camp in the Pampango regiment based in Manila. Following his departure from the scene, Maniago’s fate remains a subject of speculation, with one account suggesting he was later executed in Mexico, Pampanga.
The Maniago Revolt, despite its eventual suppression, laid the groundwork for subsequent uprisings, notably the larger and more violent revolt in Pangasinan led by Andres Malong, who had responded to Maniago’s earlier call to arms against Spanish rule.
Kampilan Sword
