Quintin Salas, last of the Visayan ‘revolucionarios’

By Renato Perdon
Sydney, Australia
June 11, 2015




The surrender of General Martin Delgado, leader of the Filipino forces in the Visayas during the Philippine-American War did not end the resistance movement. It continued under the young, determined and courageous revolutionary Col. Quintin Salas.

He defied the American authorities whom other Visayan revolutionary leaders already accepted as the new master in the island. This man, who became known because of his exploits especially during the ‘Battle of Balantang’, took the cudgels of the Filipinos. He took the fight to the hills. Salas was, in fact, the last Visayan revolutionist to surrender to the Americans later.

He was born October 31, 1870 in Dumangas, Iloilo, and hometown of his mother. He came from quite large family, the seventh of the 11 children of Nicolas Salas and Nicolasa Dicen. His youth was replete with interesting youth escapades in the countryside of Dumangas, Iloilo. Like the other children, he learned a formal education from his parents. His father taught him the rudiments of reading and writing. Thereafter, he obtained his formal education at Jaro seminary, completed studies at the ‘Instituto de Molo’ then managed by famous Visayan educator, Manuel Locsin.

Even at an early childhood, his love for his people, was evident. He often come along with the children of the poor families, defending them against mischievous children of  the local community’s wealthy families.

Prior to the outbreak of the Revolution, Salas became a member of the Spanish-organised voluntaries. Later he was appointed ‘teniente mayor’ of Dumangas, and rose to the position  of ‘capitan del pueblo’ helping hs town mates whenever he can.

The post of ‘capitan’ was a cover to his underground activities. He played his part perfectly. The Spaniards were impressed by his devotion to work, unaware of his underground activities. It was during his stint in the Spanish Army that he organised the revolutionary group, with Martin Delgado.

A year after the outbreak of the revolution in Luzon, the Ilongos followed suit on October 28, 1898, with their own ‘Cry of Freedom and Liberty’ in Iloilo. Iloilo took up arms against the Spaniards who were caught off-guard, their trusted voluntaries headed by Salas having gone against them. The Spaniards and the friars were jailed their arms and ammunitions confiscated.

Commissioned as Colonel, Salas won his first battle by liberating the town of Barotac Nuevo on the same day that the revolution broke out in the Visayas. The Spaniards, although heavily armed, were cornered and placed under his custody.

After this, Col. Salas proceeded to Pototan, Iloilo, and helped Filipino forces liberate the Passi and Banate. The news of these victories catapulted Salas into overnight revolutionary hero.

In a short span, most of Iloilo was liberated, with the exceptions of Jaro, La Paz, Molo and the old town of Iloilo.

When the Americans landed in Iloilo in February 1899, Salas was assigned to lead the line of defence extending from Balatantang to Ticud and Tacasa. The Americans could not spread their troops throughout Panay as they were resisted, for eight months, by Salas’ group. It was in this battle Salas earned the title of Hero of the Battle of Balantang.

The Filipino resistance could have lasted longer had the Americans poured massive reinforcement, Cabatuan, the last seat of the Visayas revolutionary government soon fell.

Later, US military governor Elwell S. Otis granted amnesty to all Visayan revolutionary leaders. But Salas continued to fight.

Salas became the primary target of the America forces in the entire Visayas. Many times, he eluded capture. After a year in hiding, Col. Salas finally surrendered to the Americans on October 4, 1901, not because he was afraid of the Americans but rather, he crystallised the uselessness of continued resistance.

After his surrender, Salas continued helping his people. His political foes worked hard to oust him from the province.

To escape his tormentors, he moved to Manila to resume his law studies at Escuela de Derencho, graduating and passing the bar in 1912.

Justice Secretary Victoriano Mapa interceded for his re-admittance to Iloilo where he was later considered the most brilliant law practitioner. He became president of the Iloilo Bar Association and the Veterans of the Philippines.

Hardwork contributed to the failure of his health. He died a tubercular on January 24, 1917, and was buried in Molo. As a recognition of his exemplary contribution to the revolutionary cause, his remains were transferred to the ‘Mausoleum de los Veteranos de loa Revolucion’ in Manila.  As a tribute to his wartime heroism, the province of Iloilo, named after him a barrio where he fought his battles in his honour.