Ang mahigit 300 years na Pakikipaglaban ng mga Igorot Para mapanatili ang kanilang pagkakasarinlan

The Spanish described the Igorots as headhunters, criminals, and uncivilized pagans. This video explores the Igorots' nearly 300-year struggle and resistance to maintain their independence against Spanish rule.

Before the Spanish arrival, the Igorots lived with their own culture and traditions. Known as brave headhunters, they instilled fear in lowlanders, preventing the Spanish from entering their territory. The Spanish spread propaganda against them, even twisting historical events like Januario Galut's role in the Filipino-American War, where he unknowingly led Americans through Tirad Pass, resulting in a defeat for Filipino forces.

In the late 1500s, the Spanish successfully conquered lowland areas of northern Luzon with the help of local Datus. However, their attempts to conquer the mountainous Cordillera failed. The Igorots, meaning 'Mountain People', did not trust lowlanders or the Spanish, leading to their isolation. In 1601, the Spanish began attempts to baptize the Igorots, citing salvation, but their true motive was the gold mines in Cordillera. Governor General Francisco de Tello de Guzmán assigned Lieutenant Mateo de Aranda to conquer the region and convert the Igorots.

In November 1606, Father Esteban Marin, known for pacifying natives in Pampanga, led a crusade against the Igorots, believing he could easily convert them. However, upon his arrival in Cordillera to baptize them, he and his group were killed. The Igorots were territorial and unwelcoming to foreigners, especially those who denounced their gods. Following this, Lieutenant Aranda was sent to capture and enslave Igorots with the help of native allies, but 300 Igorots attacked, causing many casualties among the Spanish and their allies. Angered by this defeat, the Spanish intensified their propaganda, labeling Igorots as bandits and uncivilized people.

The Spanish failed to conquer the Igorots due to their strong warfare tradition, which included headhunting. Their weapons consisted of bamboo arrows and wood shields, and they used barricades made of wood or trees in passes. Igorots were brave, with young men seeking to prove their valor by taking enemy heads. A key tactic was keeping the location of their 'kotas' (villages) a secret, willing to kill their own if they threatened to reveal information to foreigners or lowlanders.

A priest wrote in 1789 about the Igorots' secretive operations, noting that only Igorot men or bravest chiefs traded in the lowlands, without women, children, or slaves. They feigned ignorance about their lands or mines, providing confusing or false information. One of their most effective tactics was feigned retreat, luring enemies into a chase only to ambush them with a second group when the pursuers perceived victory.

Due to their effective resistance, the Spanish were unsuccessful in conquering the Igorots and eventually left them in the mountainous Cordillera for almost 300 years. The Igorots, composed of various ethnic groups like Bontocs, Isneg, Ifugaos, Ibalois, Kalinga, and Kangkeneys, maintained their independence throughout the entire period of Spanish rule in the Philippines.