Palaris Revolt
Encyclopedia
The Palaris Revolt of 1762-1765 was led by Juan de la Cruz Palaris, also known as Pantaleon Perez, of Binalatongan (now San Carlos City), Philippines
. He was the son to Tomas Perez, a cabeza de barangay. He was born in Barrio Coliling, San Carlos City, Pangasinan
, in the year 1733, third in a family of five, with three brothers and one sister. The first two elder brothers died when they were yet small and the youngest brother lived to marry yet. While the sister next to him grew into a beautiful but manly woman who used to kill a wild boar single handedly. She was finally killed in her own game, that is, she was killed and devoured by the wild boars.
It was not known whether Pantaleon Perez was able to enter to school during his lifetime. The sources on this matter are silent, but he must have acquired some form of practical education while he was in Manila because when he returned to San Carlos, he was held in high esteem and the people looked up to him as a cultured and refined man. In the words of Simon de Anda: "he once served as a coachman of Auditor Don Francisco Enriques de Villacorta." His dealing with his townsmen earned for him their confidence and respect and, being a dynamic and restless man, he easily became their leader.
History records him as Juan de la Cruz "Palaripar" then as "Palaris," but for convenience he was more popularly known as "Palaris." He was called "Palaripar" as he was the fastest runner and his legs appeared to be twirling like an auger and the ground furrowed.
to satisfy the petition of the people demanding: (1) The return of the tributes that had been collected, (2) the removal of the schoolmaster and the church
officials, (3) the removal of the alcalde-mayor of the province, Don Joaquin Gamboa, (4) permanence in office for the then master-of-camp of the province, Andres Lopez, a native, and (5) a promise that they be exempted from the payment of the tributes if they go to Jolo
to fight the Moros.
Palaris was prepared to meet the Spanish force. He instructed his men to get ready not to allow the Spanish force from Manila to reach Pangasinan. In a flash, Palaris gave the command to mobilize, in spite of Governor-General
Anda's last minute rally to gain their support. They advanced to Bayambang to intercept the enemy there. They built some trenches in the western bank of the Bayambang River in a place called Manambong where they believed their enemies would pass through.
Some hours and perhaps a day or two, had already passed. The rebels were impatient waiting for their enemies. Was the Spanish force coming? Two, and then three more shots were heard. General Antonio of the rebel force went up a tall tree to find out. Verily, the Spanish force was coming. He blew his bugle and the rebels reported to their leader, Palaris. The latter instructed them to line up along the opposite west bank of the Bayambang River and spread themselves.
The Spanish force numbering 33 Spaniards and 400 natives headed by Francisco Arayat from Bacolor, finally arrived at the east bank of the river. As the river was impossible to crossed, the Spanish leader detained his men for some time. Then he thought best to send an embassy to the rebels so that they would submit.
The rebels hurled their banner to the breeze accompanied by a hot from a cannon of the caliber of four, and two shots from falconets. Spanish Lieutenant
Pedro Hernani, with one sergeant
, one corporal
, and twenty soldiers began to cross the river on their horses.
The rest of the Spanish force was left as a reserve. Lieutenant
Pedro Hernani was the first to reach the other bank; but he was at once shot by General
Domingo by an arrow which pierced his breast. Lieutenant
Hernani, at once returned his deadly blow by a gunshot crashing in at Domingo's temple, and they both died - the heroes of the occasion.
The rebel flag was two varas long and a trifle more narrow. At each corner was a two-headed eagle, and in the center an escutcheon with its border. Within it were the arms of the Order of St. Dominic. With the rebel flag in their possession, the Spanish force decided to return to Manila, thinking that the rebels were already gone for good never to offer trouble again. Palaris saw them leaving, and desirous still to kill some soldiers of the Spanish army, he adroitly crossed the river and attacked them from behind. After killing many of them to his heart's satisfaction he dashed to the thick underbrush and then escaped to join men. The Spanish commander forbore to attack them reiterating that he would act mildly, and he continued his march to Manila
.
. It was headed for the rebels' headquarters. Palaris at once sent a reconnoitering force of cavalrymen headed by General
Victor Valdez. It was planned that this cavalry force should intercept the Spanish force at Mangaldan, while Palaris, with the rest of his infantry should stay in the barrio
of Pias, Sta. Barbara for some strategic reasons.
The reconnoitering force of General Victor Valdez reached Mangaldan as planned. But instead of keeping a close watch on the approach of their enemies, they indulged in merry-making, frolic, and fun. Wine flowed freely, and they drank themselves to sleep. It was about 2:00 o'clock in the morning when they woke up; and the Spanish force was already bombarding Palaris's place at Pias, Sta. Barbara. The Spanish force was able to escape the vigilant watch of the reconnoiters proving that General Victor Valdez was negligent. There was nothing more to do than to mount their horses for the succor of their leader, Palaris. On their way they met a group of fleeing soldiers of the Spanish force who were evidently but by Palaris from the main body of the Spanish army. Victor Valdez' cavalrymen charged upon them and they fled in another direction. They continued their way just the same, and at last they rejoined Palaris's beleaguered force.
The battle dragged on mercilessly, and the ground was already drenched in blood, and dead bodies could be counted by the hundreds. In the wake of the battle, neither force was the victor because there were but few fighting men left on both sides. Pias was converted into a veritable pool of blood. Whatever remained in the battlefield, either corpses or cannons, were ordered thrown into the Sta. Barbara Gorge by Palaris.
General Antonio was at this time being cross-questioned by the Spanish commandant, under ordeals for any clue leading to the capture of Palaris. His questions were rather pressing and persistent, with a promise of freedom afterward. Would General Antonio tell the name and native town of his leader? It would be plain cowardice and treason on his part, pure and simple. At least, he must tell him the name but not the real one. Palaris was what he told the Spanish commandant, and Mangaldan was his native town. The Spanish commandant was overjoyed with the new recovery; but instead of giving General Antonio freedom, he had him beheaded, and his body thrown into the river.
The Spanish commandant immediately had the name of Palaris written in big letters on canvas together with the name of his native town, Mangaldan, and exhibited it in a conspicuous place where everybody could see. It was purposely done to facilitate the capture of Palaris. His name and native town were whispered from ear to ear until it was the most popular name in the whole province of Pangasinan at the time.
from the sea and that they were headed for the headquarters of the rebels. There was not much time to be lost by this time; and Palaris ordered his men to mobilize.
Within a few minutes they were marching head-long to meet their enemy. At Calasiao, they almost captured the municipal officials who were luckily entrenched in a certain impregnable building. The rebels were however in a hurry, so they left and continued their march to meet their enemy somewhere.
At Dagupan
, the two forces clashed, and the battle raged for days until it lasted for one week. Little by little the rebels gave way, retreating until they were on the dead run. Hunger was gripping them and when they reached Calasiao they were almost out of their senses. They crossed the bridge and broke it when they were already on the other bank.
The Spanish commandant, Manuel Arza met General Victor Valdez, and they grappled like wild beasts. They were masters of their own art, these two leaders. The attention of all soldiers, rebels and Spanish soldiers and volunteers alike, was centered on them. It seemed as if these two combatants would decide the outcome of the day's battle. It was a fight of the century, neither combatant gaining advantage of the other as both of them were well adept in their own craft. A hand, and then a leg rose up to land on the neck and lower extremities of the other, only to be unlocked and to be pushed aside by the other. They clinched again, at this time they rolled down the steep bank of the river down to the abysmal depth of the water below.
There was a sepulchral silence. The onlookers were at a loss to explain what would happen next. Two minutes, five minutes, and ten minutes passed without any head to crop up from below. Suddenly, the water turned crimson with human blood punctuated by occasional bubbles here and there. A head appeared - a black head. It was Victor Valdez' head, the rebel general. With him tucked up in his right arm was the lifeless body of the Spanish commandant, with a twisted head. For was Valdez not a strong man? He was the Samson of the rebel forces. Shouts of victory from the rebels' ranks rent the air. Then bang! A shot was fired from the Spanish rank. And down went the swimming body of strong man Valdez. It was the curtain for him too. The two combatants died, one licked by a superior skill of an antagonist's limbs, and the other by a treacherous shot from a humbled enemy.
His rebels followed suit and fled in all directions; but some were however captured. They were later pardoned by "Governor" Anda through the entreaties of Bishop Fr. Bernardo Ustariz of Nueva Segovia. Palaris was still lurking in the forest of Ymbo, San Carlos; so the Spanish force riddled every nook and corner of the forest with bullets believing that Palaris could be caught dead. Many were killed of course. But they were the helpless women and children who left their homes to escape the fury of the Spanish force. Without the knowledge of hi enemies, Palaris slipped to Dedios, now barrio Torac, San Carlos. Here, he led a wild life, wandering from place to place, from Dedios to Magtaking, and then to Pao where he was finally killed in January, 1765.
Simona watched her brother eat his meal for a time. Then she sneaked into the place where her brother's bows and arrows were hidden and destroyed all of them. she Later raised the agreed signal of attack and the curtain for Palaris came. He died while he was eating without being able to defend himself. He was a victim of a treachery well planned, paying very dearly for the cruelty he inflicted on his sister.
With the death of Palaris, went also the end of the Palaris Revolt of 1762-1765. The people who fled to the mountains were thereby advised to return to their respective homes. Their suffering, both with the fear of the rebels and the Spanish forces, was also ended. Danger from animals was thereafter terminated. It should be noted that these people suffered the greatest hardship when the revolt was still raging. They all threw their babies into the river to avoid detection in their hiding places when they cried. In Catopactopacan, babies were killed by the hundreds under necessity. In Mamerlao, Ymbo, Taloy, and Panoypoy many built dugouts under the ground to avoid being seen and being hit by a stray bullet or arrow. While many preferred to hide in caves along the steep banks of the river, others chose to hide in the hollows of big trees, behind big boulders and other dark places.
Many of them fell victims to snake bites and other poisonous and carnivorous animals. Others were devoured by crocodiles and wild boars. Still a great many died from hunger as few of them dared to venture into the open to procure fresh food supply. Those who survived contented themselves in eating young guava leaves to stave off hunger.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He was the son to Tomas Perez, a cabeza de barangay. He was born in Barrio Coliling, San Carlos City, Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, in the year 1733, third in a family of five, with three brothers and one sister. The first two elder brothers died when they were yet small and the youngest brother lived to marry yet. While the sister next to him grew into a beautiful but manly woman who used to kill a wild boar single handedly. She was finally killed in her own game, that is, she was killed and devoured by the wild boars.
It was not known whether Pantaleon Perez was able to enter to school during his lifetime. The sources on this matter are silent, but he must have acquired some form of practical education while he was in Manila because when he returned to San Carlos, he was held in high esteem and the people looked up to him as a cultured and refined man. In the words of Simon de Anda: "he once served as a coachman of Auditor Don Francisco Enriques de Villacorta." His dealing with his townsmen earned for him their confidence and respect and, being a dynamic and restless man, he easily became their leader.
History records him as Juan de la Cruz "Palaripar" then as "Palaris," but for convenience he was more popularly known as "Palaris." He was called "Palaripar" as he was the fastest runner and his legs appeared to be twirling like an auger and the ground furrowed.
Immediate causes
The immediate causes of the revolt were the failure of the governmentGovernment
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
to satisfy the petition of the people demanding: (1) The return of the tributes that had been collected, (2) the removal of the schoolmaster and the church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
officials, (3) the removal of the alcalde-mayor of the province, Don Joaquin Gamboa, (4) permanence in office for the then master-of-camp of the province, Andres Lopez, a native, and (5) a promise that they be exempted from the payment of the tributes if they go to Jolo
Jolo
Jolo may refer to:* Jolo Island* Jolo, Sulu* Jolo, West Virginia* Jolo is also the nickname of Swedish author Jan Olof Olsson....
to fight the Moros.
The revolt proper
The Spanish Force: the Battle of Bayambang (First Battle).Palaris was prepared to meet the Spanish force. He instructed his men to get ready not to allow the Spanish force from Manila to reach Pangasinan. In a flash, Palaris gave the command to mobilize, in spite of Governor-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
Anda's last minute rally to gain their support. They advanced to Bayambang to intercept the enemy there. They built some trenches in the western bank of the Bayambang River in a place called Manambong where they believed their enemies would pass through.
Some hours and perhaps a day or two, had already passed. The rebels were impatient waiting for their enemies. Was the Spanish force coming? Two, and then three more shots were heard. General Antonio of the rebel force went up a tall tree to find out. Verily, the Spanish force was coming. He blew his bugle and the rebels reported to their leader, Palaris. The latter instructed them to line up along the opposite west bank of the Bayambang River and spread themselves.
The Spanish force numbering 33 Spaniards and 400 natives headed by Francisco Arayat from Bacolor, finally arrived at the east bank of the river. As the river was impossible to crossed, the Spanish leader detained his men for some time. Then he thought best to send an embassy to the rebels so that they would submit.
"If your majesty has muskets, we have cannon."
Palaris received the members of the embassy courteously, who accordingly told him of their plan. Immediately he replied (rather haughtily): "If your majesty has muskets, we have cannons." Thereupon, the Spanish commander was compelled to make war on them, attacking them in the trenches which they built with five hundred men equipped with thirty-four muskets and some cannons besides their bows and arrows.The rebels hurled their banner to the breeze accompanied by a hot from a cannon of the caliber of four, and two shots from falconets. Spanish Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Pedro Hernani, with one sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
, one corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
, and twenty soldiers began to cross the river on their horses.
The rest of the Spanish force was left as a reserve. Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Pedro Hernani was the first to reach the other bank; but he was at once shot by General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Domingo by an arrow which pierced his breast. Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Hernani, at once returned his deadly blow by a gunshot crashing in at Domingo's temple, and they both died - the heroes of the occasion.
The rebel's flag
Pedro Tagle succeeded Lieutenant Hernani. He shouted at his soldiers not to waver, and the battle was on. It later developed into a hand to hand fight; and the rebels, lacking in military training and equipment began to waver, and they broke. The Spanish force captured their flag which they immediately brought to their commander-in-chief, Francisco Arayat.The rebel flag was two varas long and a trifle more narrow. At each corner was a two-headed eagle, and in the center an escutcheon with its border. Within it were the arms of the Order of St. Dominic. With the rebel flag in their possession, the Spanish force decided to return to Manila, thinking that the rebels were already gone for good never to offer trouble again. Palaris saw them leaving, and desirous still to kill some soldiers of the Spanish army, he adroitly crossed the river and attacked them from behind. After killing many of them to his heart's satisfaction he dashed to the thick underbrush and then escaped to join men. The Spanish commander forbore to attack them reiterating that he would act mildly, and he continued his march to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
.
Preparing for a second battle
The rebels mended their broken fences and reinforced their armaments and ammunition at the west bank of the Bayambang River. For two months, in the early part of 1764, they prepared and waited for another battle. At last news was relayed to then that a formidable Spanish force under Manuel Arza which recently quelled the Silang Revolt in the Ilocos appeared in Mapatalan, San FabianSan Fabián
San Fabián is one of 21 communes in the Ñuble Province of central Chile's Biobío Region. The capital is the town of San Fabián de Alico. The commune spans an area of .-Administration:...
. It was headed for the rebels' headquarters. Palaris at once sent a reconnoitering force of cavalrymen headed by General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Victor Valdez. It was planned that this cavalry force should intercept the Spanish force at Mangaldan, while Palaris, with the rest of his infantry should stay in the barrio
Barrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
of Pias, Sta. Barbara for some strategic reasons.
The reconnoitering force of General Victor Valdez reached Mangaldan as planned. But instead of keeping a close watch on the approach of their enemies, they indulged in merry-making, frolic, and fun. Wine flowed freely, and they drank themselves to sleep. It was about 2:00 o'clock in the morning when they woke up; and the Spanish force was already bombarding Palaris's place at Pias, Sta. Barbara. The Spanish force was able to escape the vigilant watch of the reconnoiters proving that General Victor Valdez was negligent. There was nothing more to do than to mount their horses for the succor of their leader, Palaris. On their way they met a group of fleeing soldiers of the Spanish force who were evidently but by Palaris from the main body of the Spanish army. Victor Valdez' cavalrymen charged upon them and they fled in another direction. They continued their way just the same, and at last they rejoined Palaris's beleaguered force.
The battle dragged on mercilessly, and the ground was already drenched in blood, and dead bodies could be counted by the hundreds. In the wake of the battle, neither force was the victor because there were but few fighting men left on both sides. Pias was converted into a veritable pool of blood. Whatever remained in the battlefield, either corpses or cannons, were ordered thrown into the Sta. Barbara Gorge by Palaris.
Death of General Antonio
Victor Valdez's cavalrymen presented themselves to Palaris after the battle, willing to suffer the consequences of their gross military blunder at Mangaldan. Between Valdez and Palaris there was only an understanding of personal friendship; but this time this friendship was hanging on the balance. Palaris received them quietly but indifferently, his eyes were burning with passion and anger. The soldiers remainly only passive and waited for their leader to "cool off." "Where is General Antonio?" was all that he could utter. Somebody informed him that he had been captured by the enemy, helplessly bound in fetters. Surprised, and apprehensive of any untoward development against General Antonio, Palaris immediately sent some of his men to rescue him.General Antonio was at this time being cross-questioned by the Spanish commandant, under ordeals for any clue leading to the capture of Palaris. His questions were rather pressing and persistent, with a promise of freedom afterward. Would General Antonio tell the name and native town of his leader? It would be plain cowardice and treason on his part, pure and simple. At least, he must tell him the name but not the real one. Palaris was what he told the Spanish commandant, and Mangaldan was his native town. The Spanish commandant was overjoyed with the new recovery; but instead of giving General Antonio freedom, he had him beheaded, and his body thrown into the river.
The Spanish commandant immediately had the name of Palaris written in big letters on canvas together with the name of his native town, Mangaldan, and exhibited it in a conspicuous place where everybody could see. It was purposely done to facilitate the capture of Palaris. His name and native town were whispered from ear to ear until it was the most popular name in the whole province of Pangasinan at the time.
"A fight to the death" at Dagupan
The rebels on the other hand were busy fortifying their trenches in Pias, Sta. Barbara, waiting again for the appearance of another force of Spanish soldiers. They were busy manufacturing their poisoned arrows which were then very effective in spelling doom for their enemies. Before long news was flashed to them that an enemy force from the Ilocos entered DagupanDagupan
The City of Dagupan is a 1st class city in the Philippines. It is an independent component city of the province of Pangasinan. According to the latest census, Dagupan City has a population of 149,554 people in 25,921 households. Located on Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon, Dagupan is the...
from the sea and that they were headed for the headquarters of the rebels. There was not much time to be lost by this time; and Palaris ordered his men to mobilize.
Within a few minutes they were marching head-long to meet their enemy. At Calasiao, they almost captured the municipal officials who were luckily entrenched in a certain impregnable building. The rebels were however in a hurry, so they left and continued their march to meet their enemy somewhere.
At Dagupan
Dagupan
The City of Dagupan is a 1st class city in the Philippines. It is an independent component city of the province of Pangasinan. According to the latest census, Dagupan City has a population of 149,554 people in 25,921 households. Located on Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon, Dagupan is the...
, the two forces clashed, and the battle raged for days until it lasted for one week. Little by little the rebels gave way, retreating until they were on the dead run. Hunger was gripping them and when they reached Calasiao they were almost out of their senses. They crossed the bridge and broke it when they were already on the other bank.
A Spanish commandant locked horns with a rebel chief
The Spanish force could not press on them further but they were so ingenious and determined that they all plunged into the river and swam to the opposite bank while the rebels kept up the song of their bullets and arrows. A hand to hand fight ensued, but this spelled great disaster for the rebel force.The Spanish commandant, Manuel Arza met General Victor Valdez, and they grappled like wild beasts. They were masters of their own art, these two leaders. The attention of all soldiers, rebels and Spanish soldiers and volunteers alike, was centered on them. It seemed as if these two combatants would decide the outcome of the day's battle. It was a fight of the century, neither combatant gaining advantage of the other as both of them were well adept in their own craft. A hand, and then a leg rose up to land on the neck and lower extremities of the other, only to be unlocked and to be pushed aside by the other. They clinched again, at this time they rolled down the steep bank of the river down to the abysmal depth of the water below.
There was a sepulchral silence. The onlookers were at a loss to explain what would happen next. Two minutes, five minutes, and ten minutes passed without any head to crop up from below. Suddenly, the water turned crimson with human blood punctuated by occasional bubbles here and there. A head appeared - a black head. It was Victor Valdez' head, the rebel general. With him tucked up in his right arm was the lifeless body of the Spanish commandant, with a twisted head. For was Valdez not a strong man? He was the Samson of the rebel forces. Shouts of victory from the rebels' ranks rent the air. Then bang! A shot was fired from the Spanish rank. And down went the swimming body of strong man Valdez. It was the curtain for him too. The two combatants died, one licked by a superior skill of an antagonist's limbs, and the other by a treacherous shot from a humbled enemy.
Palaris's last stand at Calasiao, January, 1765
Palaris's pride was hurt. It was foul play from the enemy. Leaving his perch, he swooped down on his enemies' rank, and smashed them right and left with his glistening sword. Many went down like grass, helpless against the onslaught of the maddened rebel leader. The battle between the Spanish force and the rebel force was resumed, and the Grim Reaper was busy with its toll. The rebels were being pushed little by little to the east until they reached the barrio of Ymbo in San Carlos. Hunger was gripping them. Their enemies knew this and they brought their suit harder until many of the rebels were killed. According to Sinibaldo de Mas, about 10,000 of the rebels were killed, while with the Spanish force, only 60 Spaniards and 140 natives suffered death. Carlos and Satur of rebel force were killed, Palaris knew this, and thus his valor was giving way. Without the knowledge of his soldiers and enemies, he cautiously slipped into a thick underbrush and then to the wilderness in the forest.His rebels followed suit and fled in all directions; but some were however captured. They were later pardoned by "Governor" Anda through the entreaties of Bishop Fr. Bernardo Ustariz of Nueva Segovia. Palaris was still lurking in the forest of Ymbo, San Carlos; so the Spanish force riddled every nook and corner of the forest with bullets believing that Palaris could be caught dead. Many were killed of course. But they were the helpless women and children who left their homes to escape the fury of the Spanish force. Without the knowledge of hi enemies, Palaris slipped to Dedios, now barrio Torac, San Carlos. Here, he led a wild life, wandering from place to place, from Dedios to Magtaking, and then to Pao where he was finally killed in January, 1765.
A sister's treachery
The story of his death was rather pathetic, filled with treachery was his own sister, Simona, almost strange and unbelievable. Simona used to ration her brother with his regular meals, and even his tobacco and other necessities were supplied him. But one time she failed to be on time in giving his meals and daily needs. The result was that Palaris beat her and kicked her mercilessly. This provoked her to report to the Spanish commandant, Pedro Bonardel, the hiding place of her brother. There was no other alternative than this to end her sufferings. The Spanish commandant and his soldiers took the tip with great joy as they set on their journey to capture the rebel leader with Simona as their guide. Upon reaching the vicinity of Palaris's lair, she instructed the soldiers to keep low and to hide behind bushes. Palaris began to eat his noonday meal as usual without the slightest fear of danger.Simona watched her brother eat his meal for a time. Then she sneaked into the place where her brother's bows and arrows were hidden and destroyed all of them. she Later raised the agreed signal of attack and the curtain for Palaris came. He died while he was eating without being able to defend himself. He was a victim of a treachery well planned, paying very dearly for the cruelty he inflicted on his sister.
Mutilation of Palaris's body
The soldiers of the Spanish force brought the mutilated body of Palaris to the town of San Carlos where it was, in the words of Ramon Diaz, "paraded all over the principal streets accompanied by a band." Speeches were delivered, and then they began to administer a further mutilation of Palaris's corpse as if they were butchering a pig. His head was hung at the south end of the Cava Bridge, his left hand at the Caapangan Bridge (now Imbornalla), his right hand at the San Juan Bridge, his right leg at the Malabago (now in calasiao), his left leg at the manat Bridge, and finally his heart at Taloy.With the death of Palaris, went also the end of the Palaris Revolt of 1762-1765. The people who fled to the mountains were thereby advised to return to their respective homes. Their suffering, both with the fear of the rebels and the Spanish forces, was also ended. Danger from animals was thereafter terminated. It should be noted that these people suffered the greatest hardship when the revolt was still raging. They all threw their babies into the river to avoid detection in their hiding places when they cried. In Catopactopacan, babies were killed by the hundreds under necessity. In Mamerlao, Ymbo, Taloy, and Panoypoy many built dugouts under the ground to avoid being seen and being hit by a stray bullet or arrow. While many preferred to hide in caves along the steep banks of the river, others chose to hide in the hollows of big trees, behind big boulders and other dark places.
Many of them fell victims to snake bites and other poisonous and carnivorous animals. Others were devoured by crocodiles and wild boars. Still a great many died from hunger as few of them dared to venture into the open to procure fresh food supply. Those who survived contented themselves in eating young guava leaves to stave off hunger.