El Padre Capitan

A. Paulita Roa

FRAY Agustin de San Pedro was born in 1599 in Braganza, Portugal. As a young man, he went to Spain and studied architecture and military science in the University of Salamanca. He then entered the Recollect Order in their convent in Valladolid and was ordained in 1619 at the age of 20. The Recollect chronicler, Fray Luis de Jesus, author of the History of the Discalced Religious of St. Agustine in the Philippines (Madrid,1681), wrote that the young priest was so engrossed in the study of Mathematics and Military Science that he was ordered by his superiors to discontinue his studies for it was incompatible with his religious vocation. However, it would be his military exploits that will give him a permanent niche in our history and the title of “El Padre Capitan,” the legendary warrior-priest of Mindanao.

In 1622, he was given his first missionary assignment in Butuan. He became known for his zeal in going to riverine settlements to preach the gospel. He also went to the jungles and explored the wilderness of what is today’s Agusan Marsh. All his activities were proudly reported to the Spanish king by the Recollect Father Provincial. It was in Butuan where El Padre Capitan built his first fort. De Jesus described it as a high stockade surrounding the village. It had sentry boxes and towers for sentinels that stood watch at night. He also taught the natives the basic European warfare skills like how to shoot and make sallies.

Around 1624, El Padre Capitan went with a fellow priest to the Himologan fortress of Datu Salangsang, the chief of Cagayan territory. Salangsang was in deep trouble and asked for help when he was told that Sultan Kudarat of Maguindanao was sending 2,000 men and 30 caracoas or warships to Cagayan with orders to kill all the people. He incurred the wrath of Kudarat when he refused to follow his order to kill the two Recollect priests who were brought to Himologan by his grandmother, Magdalena Bacuyo.

Since Salangsang and his people paid tributes to Kudarat, they were bound to obey his orders that he sent through the Maranaos who were his strong allies. It was through them that the Sultan was regularly informed about the affairs in Himologan. He was very angry when told about the presence of the two Spaniards there. Instead of killing them, Salangsang hid them till they were able to make their way back to their missionary station in Caraga. Before leaving, they promised the Datu they will send help so he will be freed from Kudarat’s control. That help came in the person of El Padre Capitan.

The warrior-priest inspected the Himologan fortress. It was impregnable for it was built on top of a cliff and was situated near the river. The only means of entry was through the rattan ladders that were thrown down to the persons below. But he discovered that Himologan had no regular supply of water. The inhabitants had to go down and fetch water from several wells nearby. So it would be difficult for the people to stay long inside the fortress if they were surrounded by their enemy.

This prompted El Padre Capitan to explore the vast Cagayan territory till he saw an area that was strategically located near a river delta and had an abundant water supply. He brought Salangsang to the site and convinced him to abandon Himologan and move there with his people who numbered around 500 families. This historic move marked the founding of the present site of Cagayan de Oro specifically the area where the St. Agustine Cathedral, the tennis courts and Gaston Park are located. This is considered the oldest and most historical section of the city.

With the help of the people, El Padre Capitan built his second fort that was similar in the design as the one in Butuan. They named the new settlement “Cagaiang” and trained the men on military warfare. He was given reinforcements from Butuan composed of six Spanish soldiers and 100 native volunteers. When the punitive force of Kudarat arrived, the warrior-priest and his small army were ready. He led the attack astride a white horse and had an arquebus, a 16th century long gun with him. The enemy suffered heavy losses and later retreated to the sea.

Salangsang was so overjoyed of their victory against the Maguindanao force that he and his wife asked to be baptized to the Catholic faith. This made them the first converts of Cagaiang. They surrendered to the priest their “diwatahan” which was a miniature house used for offering sacrifices to their idols. It once stood on a prominent place in Himologan.

But all was not well in Cagaiang. The Maranaos raided the settlement several times upon orders of Kudarat. They killed many of the inhabitants, looted and burned several houses and brought captives to Lanao. These retaliatory raids led El Padre Capitan to make a plan of taking the offensive by organizing a large invasion force for Lanao. It consisted of Spanish soldiers and volunteers from Cagaiang to Caraga and even Bohol. The attempt to invade Lanao proved to be costly and was a big failure. The Maranaos through sheer grit, cunning and exceptional courage withstood the attacks of the invaders.

After the failed military venture in Lanao, El Padre Capitan became more focused on his priestly duties. But he was again in his element when he saved many natives who were sold to slavery in Manila. He personally went to the high Spanish authorities for help. Then he went to the homes that kept the natives and showed them the official order to release them. He brought the victims back to their families in Mindanao.

In 1649, the people of Cagaiang chose St. Agustine as their patron saint and celebrated their first town fiesta on that same year. It is said that their choice was based on their deep respect and desire to honor their first prior who was named after the saint. Four years later, in 1653, El Padre Capitan died in Romblon where he built his last fort. In his lifetime, he baptized  around 10,000 adults. The Recollect chronicler noted that “he left behind a name long revered among the natives because of his prowess.”

POSTCRIPTS:

When El Padre Capitan planned and led the invasion force in Lanao with the help of the Spanish colonial officials, he unwittingly started the Christian-Moro hostilities that remained unsolved to this day. However, there is a light of hope at the end of the tunnel. On November 2003, a Covenant for Peace was signed by Christians headed by the Cagayan de Oro Evangelical Ministers Association (Coema), the Maranao Muslims and the Lumads. Four years later, in December, 2007, a renewal of this historic covenant of the tri-people groups took place and was capped with a prayer dedicating the City of Cagayan de Oro to the Almighty God by the then Mayor Constantino Jaraula. Both historical events were witnessed by big crowds at the old Community Amphitheater.

The Christian-Moro war that was hatched in 17th century Cagaiang is now covered with a peace covenant in 21st century Cagayan de Oro. We believe that true and lasting peace will soon be a reality in Mindanao. It is not a coincidence that this covenant was forged in Cagayan de Oro whose founders were El Padre Capitan and Datu Salangsang.