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Have you ever wondered about those figures in Philippine history whose roles remain shrouded in mystery, their motives a blend of patriotism and self-interest? Leandro Fullon is one such figure, a Bisayan revolutionary whose story intertwines with the complex narrative of the Philippine Revolution and the subsequent Philippine-American War. Today, letโs try to untangle the threads of his life, separating fact from fiction and understanding his place in the turbulent struggle for Filipino independence.
From Obscurity to Revolutionary Leadership
Born in Aklan, Panay, Fullonโs early life remains largely unknown. But as the revolutionary fervor spread throughout the archipelago in the late 1890s, he emerged as a military leader, rising to the rank of general. He joined forces with fellow Bisayan revolutionary, Martin Delgado, leading a detachment of Filipino soldiers against Spanish forces in Panay.
A Growing Friction: Bisayans vs. Tagalogs
As the Revolution gained momentum, a subtle friction simmered beneath the surface of the united Filipino front. Fullon, like many other Bisayans, harbored a growing resentment towards the Tagalog leadership, particularly those appointed by Emilio Aguinaldo. They saw the Tagalogs as attempting to impose their dominance over the Visayas, disregarding the regional nuances and aspirations of the islands.
The Iloilo Question: A Turning Point
The arrival of American forces under General Miller at Iloilo in December 1898 became a pivotal point in Fullonโs story. The Spaniards, defeated and demoralized, were withdrawing from the Bisayas, leaving a power vacuum that the Filipinos were eager to fill. Fullon, alongside Delgado and the โCommittee of the Bisayas,โ found themselves facing a complex choice: accept American sovereignty or resist alongside the Malolos Government led by Aguinaldo.
Initially, there was hesitation, a glimmer of hope for a peaceful arrangement with the Americans. But the lack of a clear policy from Washington and the insistence of the Malolos Government on immediate independence fueled the growing distrust towards the United States. Fullon, likely influenced by both the Bisayan desire for autonomy and the prevailing anti-American sentiment, ultimately chose to align with Aguinaldo and resist the American occupation.
Guerilla Warfare: A New Battleground
When the Philippine-American War erupted in February 1899, Fullon, with his forces, retreated into the mountainous interior of Panay. He engaged in guerilla warfare, harassing American troops and seeking to disrupt their control over the island. His tactics, typical of guerilla warfare in the Philippines, involved ambushes, raids, and the use of the difficult terrain to their advantage.
Shifting Allegiances and a Policy of Isolation
Aguinaldo, wary of the growing Bisayan discontent, sought to appease the regional leaders by granting them greater control over their territories. Fullon was appointed as the politico-military commander of Antique, a province in Western Panay known for its rugged terrain and strong resistance to external authority. This appointment gave him a degree of autonomy, but it also served to further isolate him from the central leadership in Luzon.
A Final Stand and Surrender
Details about Fullonโs activities during the war remain scant. It is known that he continued to resist American forces in Antique until 1901. He eventually surrendered, joining a growing number of Filipino leaders who recognized the futility of armed resistance against the superior military power of the United States.
A Legacy Marred by Controversy
Fullonโs surrender did not erase the controversies that marred his legacy. He was accused of employing brutal tactics during the war, including the alleged torture of American prisoners. While such charges, common in the turbulent context of guerilla warfare, are often difficult to verify, they nonetheless cast a shadow over his final years.
Remembering Leandro Fullon
Today, Leandro Fullon remains a complex and enigmatic figure in Philippine history. His story, like that of many other revolutionary leaders, reflects the turbulent context of the time, a blend of patriotism, self-interest, and the struggle for national identity.
5 Takeaways from Fullonโs Journey:
- Regionalism: Fullonโs life highlights the importance of regional identities and aspirations within the broader context of the Philippine Revolution. The friction between the Bisayans and Tagalogs underscores the complexities of uniting a diverse archipelago under a single national banner.
- Pragmatism vs. Idealism: Fullonโs shifting allegiances and his eventual surrender reflect the difficult choices faced by Filipinos during the transition from Spanish to American rule. The lure of immediate independence, championed by idealistic leaders like Mabini, clashed with the pragmatic recognition of American military superiority and the potential for a more gradual path to autonomy.
- The Power of the Masses: Fullonโs rise to prominence, like that of Aguinaldo, highlights the power of military success in mobilizing and influencing the largely uneducated Filipino masses. The revolutionary organization, in its efforts to harness this power, often resorted to tactics that contradicted its own ideals of democracy and individual rights.
- The Shadow of Violence: The accusations of brutality and the confirmed acts of violence committed by Filipinos against both Spaniards and Americans during the war underscore the dark side of the struggle for independence. These incidents, while not representative of all Filipinos or of their leaders, serve as a reminder of the human cost of war and the dangers of unchecked power.
- Historyโs Unanswered Questions: Fullonโs story, like that of many others in Philippine history, leaves behind unanswered questions and the need for further investigation. Unraveling the threads of his life, separating fact from fiction, and understanding his motivations will contribute to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the Philippine Revolution and its aftermath.