UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Dr. Raymund W. Lo
The Philippines is no stranger to colonialism, being subject to several invasions and occupations throughout its existence from being a loose aggrupation of small tribal kingdoms beginning with the colonization by Spain in 1565. (The ‘discovery’ of the Philippine archipelago by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 was not immediately followed by colonization, as this initial attempt at conquest failed with Magellan being defeated and killed by a local chieftain). Thus began 333 years of repressive rule accompanied by religious conversion to Catholicism, which itself was an instrument of subjugation by Spain.
The Spanish colonial period is very well documented, and its influence on the Philippines is deep-seated in social and religious practices as well as in language and customs/habits for better or for worse.
What many probably don’t know is that the Philippines was also invaded by several European powers. The Portuguese were the first to attempt it in 1568, believing the islands belonged to them by virtue of a treaty that divided the known world between Spain and Portugal. The Portuguese attack failed and they were unable to occupy our archipelago. The Dutch were next in a series of attacks from 1600 to 1646 but were also unsuccessful in establishing a foothold despite having a more powerful navy. Spain’s success was attributed to the Spanish commanders’ superior tactics and the help of Filipino fighters.
The British were next. During the seven years war, they invaded Manila and Cavite in 1762. They were more successful and, in fact, occupied Manila and Cavite with the help of the Indian regiment. The British pillaged Manila by looting millions of pesos worth of precious jewels, art treasures, silverwares from churches, monasteries, colleges, and homes of rich families. In addition, they demanded payment of ₱4 million as ransom for the preservation of the city and its inhabitants from plunder, which they did anyway. Some of the loot ended up in the British Museum, where Jose Rizal studied it a century later. The British occupation of Manila lasted only two years.
The Spanish occupation was largely continuous aside from these brief interruptions. The Filipino revolutionaries had already gained the upper hand in 1898 when the Americans acted on their own imperialistic ambitions and invaded the Philippines at the start of the Spanish-American War in the same year. The American forces defeated the Spanish Navy, and, rather than surrender to the Filipinos, Spain sold the Philippines to the US for the sum of US$20 million.
The American occupation of the Philippines was met with such stiff resistance from valiant Filipino fighters from 1899–1902 that, in frustration, the Americans resorted to scorched-earth tactics and massacres of innocent civilians. Particularly galling was the Balangiga massacre in Samar. In retaliation for Filipino guerrillas killing 48 American soldiers, General Jacob H. Smith ordered the killing of every male over 10 years old and for his soldiers to turn the interior of Samar into a “howling wilderness.” This wasn’t the only instance of genocide by the Americans. Massacres were also committed against Muslims in their struggle against American hegemony.
That dark period of American rule has been perennially glossed over in favor of the “benevolence” of American colonization. We did benefit from the establishment of good educational systems (which the Spaniards never got around to putting up) and the start of a public health system. But let’s not forget the costs of American imperialism.
Finally, the last colonizer of the Philippines was an Asian power, Japan, which invaded and occupied the Philippines during the Second World War, defeating the Americans in 1942. The Japanese occupation was marked by extreme cruelty and atrocities perpetrated on civilians and soldiers alike. In 1945, Manila was reduced to ashes during the retaking of the city by the Americans, who bombarded Manila relentlessly to flush out the entire enemy. Only Warsaw suffered more destruction than Manila in the Second World War. The Japanese retaliated by slaughtering civilians, tossing babies in the air and spearing them with their bayonets. The Philippines thus became a battleground for two imperialist powers, with its natives suffering the worst consequences.
In the immediate aftermath of the war, America hurriedly granted independence to avoid making war reparations and left the task of rebuilding to a fledgling Filipino government. Not exactly a benevolent gesture!
It’s been said that the Philippines spent 350 years in the convent (under Spain) and 50 years in Hollywood (under the Americans). But this saying glosses over the untold sufferings of Filipinos under both Spanish misrule and American atrocities. Let us remember our history to understand why we are in our current situation.
President Manuel Quezon once famously said: “I’d rather the Philippines run like hell by Filipinos than run like heaven by Americans.” It sounds like his wish has come true to disastrous effect, considering our present circumstances. But can’t we have a country run better by competent, caring, and compassionate Filipinos? Or is that too much to ask?