MARTIN B. DELGADO
(1858 - 1918)
Great Visayan revolutionary leader,
Martin Delgado was born on November 11, 1858 to Don Jacinto Delqado and
Gabriela
Bermejo. The second child of a rich and
aristocratic family, he finished his early schooling at Sta. Barbara Parochial
School under Father Mateo Rodriguez. Later, he enrolled at the Seminario de San
Yicente Ferrer in Jaro. For further studies, he enrolled at the Ateneo
Municipal in Manila and obtained his diploma as a school teacher. After
finishing his studies in Manila. he returned to his hometown and taught in a
public school for some time.
He was highly regarded by the people of
Sta. Barbara and won the favor of the government. At the age of 25, he was
appointed teniente mayor of his hometown. Later, he served as cupitun municipal
and juez de paz. He held these positions with distinction, apparently showing
his loyalty to the Spaniards. However, without their knowledge, he was
conferring secretly with other Visayan revolutionaries.
As a consequence of the defeat of the
Spanish fleet ill tile Battle of Manila Bay, the organization of the Filipino
volunteer militia in the different regions of the Philippines was decreed.
Thus, General Ricardo Monet, the Politico-Military Governor of the province of
Iloilo, ordered the organization of the Voluntarios in the different towns. To
command the Voluntaries in Sta. Barbara, Martin Delgado was named capitan with
around 125 men under him.
His leading the Voluntarios was a
blessing to the revolutionary movement, for when Gen. Diego de los Rios arrived
in Iloilo from Mindanao in the latter part of May, 1898 with all his forces and
equipment, Capitan Delgado was able to requisition for more arms.
On October 28, 1898. through his
leadership, the men publicly renounced their being Voluntarios and proclaimed
themselves Revolucionarios. Headed by Tan Martin, as Delgado was fondly called.
The Revolucionarios marched to the town and took over the municipal building.
On the same day, uprisings were held simultaneously in several towns of Iloilo.
These were arranged in the convention of the Comite Central de
Revolucionarios de Visayas held at
the hacienda of Tan Sabas Solinap in Sta. Barbara during the last week of
August, 1898.
To secure further direction for the
revolutionary movement, a group of men gathered in Sta. Barbara on November 17,
1898 to
organize a provisional government. It was
headed by Seņor Rogue
Lopez and the military department was
placed under the supreme
command of Martin Delgado who was promoted
to lieutenant general on the same date.
For the purpose of organizing the Visayas
into a federal state subordinate to the central government, the revolutionary
government was converted into a council of state for the Visayas on December
12, 1898. Gen. Martin Delgado was appointed ex-officio member fromthe army and
councilor.
The revolutionaries triumphed. General
Rios and his men evacuated Iloilo on December 24, 1898. The following day, the
revolutionary leaders of the Ejercito Libertador entered the city without
bloodshed. Tears of joy were in the faces of those who witnessed the raising of
the Filipino flag. General Delgado was the proudest man in the whole parade on
that historic Christmas Day.
Unfortunately, their triumph was
shortlived for on December 28, three days after occupying the place, the
Americans under Gen. Marcus P. Miller arrived to conquer Panay. The invaders
captured the principal seaport of Iloilo on February 11, 1899 assisted by
warships from Admiral George Dewey's squadron. Thereupon, detachments marched
into the town of Iloilo and hoisted the Stars and Stripes over the fort,
signifying possession of the place in the name of the United States.
To insure the greatest unity possible,
Aquinaldo appointed Delgado politico-military governor of Iloilo and general-in-chief
of the army. He assumed both positions on September 21, 1899.
The Filipinos strongly abhorred the
Americans. Before they left the city, they set various parts on fire,
simultaneously. The Visayans held their ground and heavy fighting occurred in
the line of defense. Intermittent fighting continued in Balantang, Sangley,
Tacas, and Jaro.
To launch a major offensive, General
Miller asked for reinforcements. This forced the Visayan defenders to retreat
to the interior towns. By this time, Cov. Cen. Elwell Otis had decreed amnesty
for insurgents who would give themselves up. This led to the surrender of many
of the Visayan insurgents. But under the leadership of "the greatest
general of the Visayan army" the rest of the E;ilipino insurgents in
Iloilo continued to fight believing in the efficacy of armed resistance, To
perpetuate the spirit of revolution, Delgado and some of his comrades-in-arms
did not surrender. They bravely undertook guerrilla warfare against the
Americans.
Delgado showed indomitable spirit and
through his example, encouraged the rebel troops to revive their nationalistic
sentiments. As the poiitico-military governor of the province and
general-in-chief of the army, he made efforts to harass the invaders with the
support of combatants and non-combatants alike. He issued several decrees to
safeguard the citizens of Iloilo and assured them of an era of peace and
prosperity. All possible efforts were exerted to see to it that all his
promises were carried out.
The Americans led by General Hughes did
not stop Delgado was pursued with the help of paid Filipino guides through the
hills of Maasin, Lambunao, Calinog, and Passi.
Subsequently, the desire for peace began
to grow so strong among the influential classes in Iloilo that a circular
letter was written by these leading citizens urging Delgado to surrender for
the benefit of "the victims of the useless resistance."
The formal surrender of Delgado and his troops
took place in Jaro on February 2, 1901 in a simple, but dignified and
impressive ceremony arranged by Father Praxedes Magalona, a
priest-revolutionary. Up to the time of
his surrender, Delgado was not only the chief insurgent leader in the island of
Panay. He was also recognized by the Americans as "the ablest leader"
in the island as proven by his firm control of his men. To give him due honor,
he was appointed the first governor of Iloilo province upon the establishment
of the civil government in May, 1901.
On March 3, 1902 during the first local
election, Delgado was elected governor and served unti1 1904. After his term,
he returned to Sta. Barbara where he was again honored with the highest
government position that the town could give. He became its fifth municipal
president.
Delgado spent his last few
years in the island of Culion where he died on November, 12 1918 at tile age of
60.