Teodoro Asedillo (July 1883 - November 1935) was a Filipino labor leader and revolutionary. A former schoolteacher and police officer in Longos, he became a member of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930 and the Chairperson of the Katipunan ng mga Anak-Pawis sa Pilipinas, a labor federation.
Teodoro Asedillo | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1883 |
| Died | 31 December 1935 |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Organization | Katipunan ng mga Anak-Pawis sa Pilipinas |
| Political party | Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930 |
| Spouse(s) | Honorata Oblea Eustaquia Pacuribot |
Asedillo is most famous for leading an armed insurrection against the American colonial government in 1935. Following the failure of a strike in the La Minerva cigarette factory in Tondo, Asedillo returned to Longos and organized armed peasants against what they saw as socio-economic injustice. Asedillo became famous as a Robin Hood figure in the area, while colonial officials called him the "Terror of the Sierra Madre", describing him as a bandit leader.
Asedillo was eventually killed in Sampaloc, Quezon, following a manhunt in November 1935. His body was crucified and put on display to discourage supporters.
The Asedillo Falls in Sampaloc are named after him.[1]
Biography
edit
Asedillo was born in July 1883 in Longos (present-day Kalayaan). He became a schoolteacher in Longos from 1910 to 1921, eventually being promoted to head teacher. As teacher, Asedillo opposed American educational policies, including using English as the medium of instruction and using books approved by the Department of Public Instruction. For this, Asedillo was charged with insubordination and removed from his post in 1923.[2] Asedillo also had a short stint as police chief in Longos and Paete after becoming a schoolteacher.[3]
Asedillo joined the Katipunan ng mga Anak-Pawis sa Pilipinas (KAP) in 1929,[4] eventually becoming its second chairperson. He also became a member of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930. Asedillo was involved in organizing KAP in Laguna before he was tasked to go to Manila to organize workers in the La Minerva Cigar and Cigarette Factory in Tondo.
In 1935, La Minerva workers went on strike over low wages and unfavorable working conditions. The strike was violently dispersed by the Philippine Constabulary, killing five workers and wounding eight others, including Asedillo.[5]: 55–56 Constabulary forces attempted to arrest Asedillo, but he resisted and fled to Laguna.[6]: 365
Asedillo began organizing peasants in Laguna and nearby Tayabas under KAP, insisting that peasant demands can only be given through armed struggle. He was also motivated by the Sakdalista uprising which resulted in 70 deaths and over 1,000 arrests. Asedillo's armed struggle was not supported by the PKP-1930, but was supported by KAP members in Laguna and local Party officials and members.[3]
He joined up with Nicolas Encallado, a veteran of the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War who fled to the mountains over disputes in his local town.[7] Asedillo roamed around barrios in Laguna and Tayabas and held meetings to explain the objectives of KAP and recruit fighters. Asedillo would hold his meetings in schools, borrowing chalk from school teachers and taking time to explain the goals of KAP.[3] A Constabulary estimate at the time stated that in Sampaloc, Tayabas, at least 95% of the residents were KAP members.[6]: 366
Asedillo earned renown for his Robin Hood image and vigilante tactics. Asedillo and his men were reported to steal carabaos from landlords and break into warehouses to supply themselves with rice.[6]: 366 Asedillo garnered support for stealing from rich landlords and giving the spoils to poorer peasant farmers.[3] Supporters frequently fed and sheltered them, and it was said that Asedillo could walk the streets of his hometown with no fear of reprisal. They also kidnapped and killed municipal officials, police officers, and informers.[6]: 366 Instances of theft and other crime were also attributed to Asedillo and his movement, or otherwise used Asedillo's infamy to their own ends.[3]
A manhunt for Asedillo and Encellado was launched in November 1935 following the death of three municipal officials and multiple Constabulary forces in Longos. The area between Laguna and Tayabas where the men were believed to operate in was declared a war zone, and Constabulary forces forcibly concentrated residents in communities and put under intense surveillance. An informer eventually revealed to Constabulary troops headed by Lieutenant Jesus Vargas[6]: 366 Asedillo's location in Kaldong, Sampaloc.[7]
Asedillo and his two bodyguards were killed in a shootout on December 31, 1935. Notes found on their bodies alleged that Asedillo and Encellado had plans to raid towns in Laguna and kill informers and Constabulary officers.[8] Asedillo's body was crucified and paraded around nearby towns to discourage sympathy. Encellado surrendered to Constabulary forces in Tayabas two weeks later in January 1936.[6]: 366
In popular culture
editAsedillo was portrayed by Fernando Poe Jr. in the 1971 film Asedillo, directed by Celso Ad. Castillo. The film was shot on location in Sampaloc, where Asedillo operated.[1] A sequel, Ang Anino ni Asedillo, was also filmed in 1988, starring Conrad Poe as somebody who idolizes Asedillo and wishes to be like him.
References
edit- ^ a b Cruz, Marinel R. (24 April 2014). "'Asedillo' location thrives". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Bituin Jr., Gregorio. "Talambuhay ni Teodoro Asedillo". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Miranda, Evelyn (23 April 2010). "Ang mga Kilusang radikal 1890-1990: Ilang Mahahalagang Tala | Philippine Social Sciences Review". Philippine Social Sciences Review. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ News, G. M. A. (19 November 2011). "Guro na humawak ng armas para sa kalayaan ng mga Pilipino". GMA News Online. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
{{cite news}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ Guevarra, Dante G. (1995). History of the Philippione Labor Movement. Rex Bookstore, Inc. ISBN 978-971-23-1755-2. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Constantino, Renato; Constantino, Letizia R. (1975). A History of the Philippines. NYU Press. ISBN 978-0-85345-394-9. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ a b Paz, Victor (2 August 2011). "Nicolas Encallado: Kapitan Kulas, Remontado, Manggagamot | Philippine Social Sciences Review". Philippine Social Sciences Review. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "Slaying Bandits Ends Raid Threat". The Spartanburg Herald. Associated Press. 3 January 1936.