Washington sentinel., 1899-02-25
OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.
The PIFatos and BrIgands OF the
Philippines.

The brIgands and pirstes which iniest
the islands of the Philippines and the
adjacent waters have, says the ScfeHflie
A,NeyicaH, from time immemorlal, been
regarded as the most desperate free
booters to be found in any part OF the
world. The inhabitants Of these Islands
are composed of many different tribes
and mixed races. The races or tribes
are soms what different on all the larger
islands, and on every one Of these there
are tribes that never knew the rule of
Spain. On these islands are no less
than seventeen pagan and halt a dozen
Mohammedan tr bes. Luzon, Mihdanao'
Cebu, Negros, Mlndoro, and a dozen
other islands all have their laWless free
hooters, the remnant of some native
tribe. To get a correct idea Of the great
bands of lawless natives who infest these
islands, il will be necessary to go back
to date much earlier than the beginning
Of Spanish rule in these islands, Prior
to the coming OF Magellan, these Islands
had alre ady suffered several foreign
invasions. But these we're peaceful ones.
Away back in early ages, the Chinese
or Inglotes sought these islands in great
numbers, and their coming proved Of
much good to the islands, Luzon in
particular. Later, the Indian or Tagal
invasion occurred, and these, like the
Chinese, were soon absorbed in the
population OF these pirate and brigand
islands. Thus were made up the three
early races in these islands, to which all
tribes can be traced: These are the
Negrote, Ingrote and Tagal, The
Negrote was the aboriginal race, and IN
many of the races the Negrote can yet
be found In nearly all cases the pirates
and bripands are made up of these fierce
tribes. The Tagal is, today, regarded
as the real native Of the Philippines
This tribe is the only one of the early
races which, at this day, can be cousid
cred a factor IN the islands. Until a
comparatively late day these islands
have been the centre OF piracy. For
more than three centuries Spain has
been fighting to get rid OF the pirates
and subdue the native brigands, but
without success; for many whole islands
have practically always been Inde-
pendent of Spanish rule, while many
tribes on the larger islands we're also
independent. On Luzon, Mindanao,
Negros, Paney, Zebu, Leyie, Bohol,
Samar, and Mindoro there are as many
different tribes as there are islands.
In the earlier years Of Spanish rule. the
Tagals and Visayas gave the conquerors
no end OF trouble, and no sooner had these
tribes been subdued than the Mores,
to the south, began lawless operations.
From that time to this, they have carried
on lawlessness, and have never been
subdued. The Chinese pirates, in
earlier days, also gave the Spanish much
trouble. They captured a number OF
smaller towns along the coast, and even
made attempts to capture Manila during
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
In the island of Sulu, Mohammedanism
IS particularly strong, and the sultans Of
the islands have. from time to time,
given the Spanish rulers much trouble;
but some years ago their power was
broken. During the sixteenth century,
the Mohammedan tribes we're particu-
larIy strong on the islands of Mindanao,
PaIawan, Tawi TawI, and Basilan. But
the pirates Of Mindanao have always
been the most troublesome. The Mores
still inhabit the islands, and live entirely
independent of any outside rule. The
Mores are a peculiar tribe, which
came from the surrounding
islands and mixed with the native tribes
of Mindanao. The MOres are the most
warlike people Of the islands and are a
powerful race. They regard all foreign
ers as their enemies. This is probably
due to the bad treatment they have
received at the hands OF the Spaniards.
Most Of the Mores are well organized
and we'll equipped. The barong IS a
terrible weapon, aud with 1t an expert
tribesman can cut a man in half at a
single blow, The peculiar native crafts,
S common on the rivers and harbors Of
these islands, are particularly adapted
to the use Of the pirates, They are long,
narrow, and sharp at both ends, end the
natives are very skillul in handling
them. They carry large sails and have
to prevent the boat from
Before the days OF steam
these crafts were easily able
to avoid pursuing parties.
The brigands Of these islands are no
less notorious than the pirates, and
while the latter are pursuing their lawless
calling along the coast, the former are
CARRYING on their system Of plunder in
the interior. Everv island has its lawless
tribes which never knew Spanish rule.
These native brigands were in many
cases led by the chIrul men, who, even
to this day. are found among the native
tribes. Probably the most noted brig
ands Of the islands are the Maccabebes,
who are found on a mum Der Of the larger
islands. The Maccabebes know no law
save THEFT own. They have no connec-
ton, whatever, with the insurgents, and
natives and Spanish alike fall before this
gang. The Chinese are the particular
mark of the Maccabeb bes, and scarcely a
night passes but what some Chinaman
is killed. Already our authorities have
begun the work Of breaking up the
Maccabebes. and quite a number OF the
gang here IN Manila have been executed
But this IS only the beginning CT the
trouble with the wild tribes and the
lawless bands Of the Philippines.