Throughout known history, the Filipino soldier earned an honored place on the battlefield. The annals of history are full of praise for the Filipino warrior and soldier. If we venture back to the writings of the Chinese and Muslims, it may be that the ancient Filipinos were mentioned in the notices of Sanfotsi, Zabag and related kingdoms. This author explores this possibility on a linked webpage discussing the medieval Philippines. Whether the Philippines constituted the kingdoms mentioned, the latter certainly belonged to the vast archipelago inhabited by Filipinos and our Malay relatives. Thus, much of the characteristics ascribed to the Sanfotsi or other warriors would also apply, for the most part, to Filipinos. The Chinese Testimony Regarding Sanfotsi, the geographical encyclopedia written by Ma Tuan-lin states: "They are all very brave; in fighting on land or water they are superior to other nations. They have a sea port at the point where commerce passes and they compel the merchants to stop there. If some should attempt to pass without recognizing them, they would immediately launch a naval assault against them. All would be ready to take them without fail, no matter how energetic the resistance. The result of this is that the port of Sanfotsi is the entrepot of the merchants of all countries." (Author's translation of D'Harvey St. Denis's French translation) Another medieval Chinese writer, Chau Ju-kua's wrote concerning Sanfotsi: "They are skilled at fighting on land or water. When they are about to make war on another state they assemble and send for the such a force as the occasion demands. They appoint chiefs and leaders, and all provide their own military equipment and the necessary provisions. In facing the enemy and braving death they have not their equal among other nations." (Chu-fan-chi translated by Hirth and Rockhill) The medieval geography of Chou Ku-fei says something very similar regarding the warriors of Sanfotsi: "...the people are skilled in fighting. When they are about to fight, they cover their bodies with a medicine which prevents swords wounding them. In fighting on land or on water none surpass them in impetousity of attack; even the Kulin people come after them. If some foreign ship, passing this place, should not enter here, an armed party would certainly come out kill them to the last." The Muslim Testimony The Muslim writers had pretty much the same impression of the Malay people. Ibn al-Fakih says of the Sanfotsi (Zabag): "...they are of a great character resembling a nation of ferocious beasts." In a way, this resembles, Draper's descriptions of the Pampangos as a "fierce and barbarous people." In describing the island of Niyan which was located somewhere between Sanfotsi and Toupo, a Muslim writer states: "The inhabitants are remarkable for their great energy and great courage." Another Muslim writer describes the same people as "of indomitable character and hostile to strangers." The Coming of the Europeans When Pigafetta visited the island of Mindanao during the expedition of Magellan he was impressed by an exceptionally brave tribe of long-haired warriors living on that island. Magellan was eventually killed himself in a battle with the local raha, Lapu-lapu. However, Magellan had started the process by which the islands were eventually subjugated. He managed to convert a local king and his subjects to Christianity. And for awhile, he pitted the zealous new convert against other local kings. When Legazpi came to conquer the Philippines he did the same thing, but more successfully. The main contingent during Legazpi's invasion of Luzon was a force of Cebuano mercenaries who provided their own native warships. The Spanish Testimony Even under foreign rule, the Filipino established a reputation as an excellent soldier. One Spanish writer declared that the Filipino soldier was the bravest of all the subjects of the king of Spain, at a time when the Spanish empire was at its height. Father Delgado, responding to criticism leveled against the Indio stated: "On the contrary, it must be said that the Indians are those who defend us from our enemies; for, in the presidios, who are the soldiers, who sail in the war fleets, who are in the vanguard in war? Could the Spaniards, perchance, maintain themselves alone in the country, if the Indians did not aid in everything?" (Blair & Robertson, The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Vol. VI, pp. 270-271) The records of the Spaniards were full of the daring exploits of Filipino soldiers. In a letter by Juan Grau y Monfalcon he wrote of the Filipinos: "Those Indians, mingled with Spaniards, serve as soldiers in war, and have proved excellent therein. Especially are the Pampangos valiant soldiers, who have performed and are daily performing valiant exploits at the side of the Spanish. They were at the taking of Terrenate; and, whenever occasion offers, they with other companies come to guard the city of Manila." (Conrado Benitez, History of the Philippines, Boston, 1929, p. 258) When the British invaded Manila they encountered stirring resistance from the Filipino defenders. Here is what Draper says in his journal: "Had their skill and weapons been equal to their strength and ferocity, it might have cost us dear. Although armed chiefly with bows, arrows, and lances, they advanced up to the very muzzles of our pieces, repeated their assaults, and died like wild beasts, gnawing the bayonets." Because of their dependence on Filipino soldiers, so Spaniards worried about the possibility of revolt. Bernardino Maldanado in his report to the king warns of this danger: "They are a people of great boldness only needing a leader whom they would recognize, and the are so many in number that it is a matter that must be feared considerably, and one of which your Majesty orders us to be fearful and watchful." (Conrado Benitez, History of the Philippines, Boston, 1929, p. 248) One of the finest compliments to the Filipino as a soldier might be the following Spanish saying regarding the people of Pampanga province: "One Spaniard and nine Pampanguenos are more than a match for ten men from any nation." (Sturtevant, Popular Uprisings in the Philippines: 1840-1940, p. 90)) The Coming of the Americans When the Americans engaged in a war of conquest against the Philippines they met stiff resistance. Although the ill-equipped Philppine Army was defeated after two years, armed rebellion continued from 1902 to 1917. In particular, the Moros of Mindanao and the Pulanjanis offered "fanatical" resistance. However, even at the start of the conflict, the Americans, like the Spaniards, had already recruited native allies in the Macabebe, Igorot, Cagayan and Ilokano Scouts. Later on, these initial scout units became the core of the renowned Philippine Scouts of the U.S. Army. Like the Spanish, the Americans quickly realized the value of the Filipino soldier. In an article in the April 1905 issue of Infantry Journal, Major William H. Johnson states: "The Philippine Scouts fill an important role and in that role are without an equal. For service in the islands they can frequently be of more service than American troops." Americans serving with the Scouts often developed a liking for the dedicated Filipino soldiers. Colonel Edmund J. Lilly, CO of the 57th Infantry, wrote: "When I think of them (Philippine Scouts), Kipling's words run through my head. "I have eaten your bread and salt. I have drunk your water and wine, and the deaths you died I have watched beside and the lives you lived were mine." (The Philippine Scout Heritage Foundation, The Philippine Scouts,, 1996, p. 107) Many illustrious American military figures served with the Scouts and they all had high praise. The following comments from a an Army publication of 1949 illustrates this fact: "You must be very proud to belong to an organization that is famous among military men throughout the world. Such distinguished leaders as the late General of the Armies John J Pershing, Major General Leonard Wood, Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright, and General Douglas MacArthur have given the highest praise of the Scouts."* (The Philippine Scout Heritage Foundation, The Philippine Scouts,, 1996, p. 457) The acts of bravery displayed by the Scouts during World War II captured the imagination of the world. General MacArthur was particularly moved by incident he observed among the Igorot units: "Many desperate acts of courage and heroism have fallen under my observation on many fields of batlle in many parts of the world. I have seen last-ditch stands and innumerable acts of personal heroism that defy description, but for sheer breathtaking and heart-stopping desperation, I have never known the equal of those Igorots. Gentlemen, when you tell that story, stand in tribute to these gallant Igorots." The following poem was written by 1st Lieutenant Henry Lee, an American officer with the 12th Military Police Company during the Battle of Bataan: The desperate fight is lost; the battle is done. The brown lean ranks are scattered to the breeze. Their cherished weapons resting in the sun. Their moldering guidons hidden by the leaves. No more the men who did not fear to die Will plug the broken line while through the din Their beaten comrades raise the welcome cry, Make way, make way, the Scouts are moving in!" The jungle takes the long defended lines The trenches erode; the wires rust away, The lush dank grasses and the trailing vines Soon hide the human remains of the fray. The Battle ended and the story told To open to the Scouts as they unfold The tired little soldiers enter in. The men who were besieged on every side Who knew the dissolution of retreat And still retained thir fierce exultant pride And still were soldiers - even in defeat, Now meet the vetrans of ten thousand years Now find a welcome worthy of their trade From men who fought with crossbows and with spears With bullet and with arrow and with spade. The grizzled veterans of Rome built upon The Death-head horde of Attila the Hun The Yellow Horror of the greatest Khan The guardmen of the First Napoleon All the men in every nameless fight Since first Man strove against Man to prove his worth Shall grett the tired Scouts as is their right No finer soldiers ever walked the Earth. And then the Scouts will be formed to be reviewed Each scattered unit now once more complete Each weapon and bright crisp flag renewed And high above their cadence their feet Will come the loud clear virile welcoming shout From many throats, before the feats begin, Their badge of Honor mid their comrades shout "Make way, make way, the Scouts are moving in!" (The Philippine Scout Heritage Foundation, The Philippine Scouts,, 1996, p. 463) After Independence Filipino soldiers continued to distinguish themselves in the Philippine military and as units serving with the United Nations. Thus, the long, glorious traditon of the Filipino soldier continues. In this respect, we have not even covered the exploits of the Filipino sailor. At the present time (1997), Filipino veterans of World War II are protesting the treatment they received after such valiant service. Some veterans began a hunger strike in Los Angeles demanding restitution for Filipino veterans. Let's give them our support.Finis
Thanks to Manong Ken Ilio for the ethnic background. Check out his site at http://www.mcs.net/~asia/website.html (Tribung Pinoy)
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