XIV. The Independence Movement
The sporadic but persistent agitation for reform which ultimately evolved into the organized movement for independence since 1892, began soon after the discovery of the Islands. In the beginning, dissatisfaction manifested itself in more or less unimportant and localized uprisings against the oppressive measures which the Spanish rulers sought to impose upon the inhabitants.
Some of these uprisings, in outline form, were the following:
Uprisings against Spain 1574.—The first governor in Manila ordered the residents to supply his troops food, and took two of the leading Filipinos as hostages. After a time the Filipinos refused to submit any longer to the imposition. The governor ordered the hostages to be shot. The Filipinos revolted.
1585.—The Province of Pampanga was a center of revolts.
1588.—A conspiracy against Legaspi and against the principal officials of the city. The idea in this revolt was to expel the Spaniards from the Philippine Islands.
1589.—Popular revolt in the Provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte.
1622.—Like Pampanga, Bohol became a center of revolts. This year saw a strange revolt which had a religious cause but later gained national importance. It also developed leadership in the person of one Tamblot. He was executed but his memory lived to inspire another rebellion.
This same year saw an uprising in the Province of Leyte.
1643.—Ladia led a revolt in Bulacan. His plan was easily discovered and he was put to death.