Republic of Zamboanga
Encyclopedia
The Republic of Zamboanga (Zamboangueño Chavacano and Spanish: República de Zamboanga) was a short-lived revolutionary republic, founded after the collapse of Spanish colonial rule in Zamboanga
in 1899.
to the Revolutionary Government of Zamboanga under the leadership of General Vicente Alvarez
. On May 23, 1899, the Spaniards finally evacuated Zamboanga
, after burning down most of the city's buildings in contempt of the Zamboangueños' revolt against them.
and went into hiding. In December 1899, Captain Pratt of the 23rd U.S. Infantry arrived at Zamboanga and took control of Fort Pilar
. Thereafter, the nascent republic became a U.S. protectorate and allowed Midel to continue as president of the republic for about sixteen months.
as capital of the newly established Moro Province
which served as the provincial entity of Mindanao with Brigadier General Leonard Wood
as its governor.
, Basilan
and Sulu
encompassing all of the southern Philippines amidst of war against the Spanish, Americans and natives of the said islands. However, Zamboanga's actual sovereignty extended only to the current boundaries of Zamboanga City
.
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
in 1899.
End of Spanish Occupation
The republic began on May 18, 1899, with the surrender of Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de ZaragozaFort Pilar
Fort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
to the Revolutionary Government of Zamboanga under the leadership of General Vicente Alvarez
Vicente Alvarez
General Vicente Alvarez is a Philippine revolutionary general who led the revolution in Zamboanga which forced the last Spanish troops stationed there to flee from the Philippines.-Early life:...
. On May 23, 1899, the Spaniards finally evacuated Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
, after burning down most of the city's buildings in contempt of the Zamboangueños' revolt against them.
American Protectorate
General Alvarez served as president of the new republic until November 16, 1899 when opposition leader Isidro Midel sided with the occupying American forces which led to the overthrow of Alvarez' government. Alvarez and his allies were forced to flee to the nearby town of Mercedes then to the island of BasilanBasilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
and went into hiding. In December 1899, Captain Pratt of the 23rd U.S. Infantry arrived at Zamboanga and took control of Fort Pilar
Fort Pilar
Fort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
. Thereafter, the nascent republic became a U.S. protectorate and allowed Midel to continue as president of the republic for about sixteen months.
Decline and aftermath of the Republic
In March 1901, the Americans allowed the republic to hold elections and elected Mariano Arquiza to succeed Midel as the new president of the Zamboanga Republic. However, Arquiza's government didn't exercise effective authority over Zamboanga and finally in March 1903, the Republic of Zamboanga was dissolved. After, the American colonial government designated ZamboangaZamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
as capital of the newly established Moro Province
Moro Province
Moro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
which served as the provincial entity of Mindanao with Brigadier General Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood was a physician who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines. Early in his military career, he received the Medal of Honor. Wood also holds officer service #2 in the Regular Army...
as its governor.
Legacy
The Republic of Zamboanga during President Alvarez' term claimed its territorial rights over the islands of MindanaoMindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
and Sulu
Sulu
Sulu is an autonomous island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Its capital is Jolo and occupies the middle group of islands of the Sulu Archipelago, between Basilan and Tawi-Tawi...
encompassing all of the southern Philippines amidst of war against the Spanish, Americans and natives of the said islands. However, Zamboanga's actual sovereignty extended only to the current boundaries of Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
.
See also
- Zamboanga City
- List of historical unrecognized countries
- The Monkeys Have No Tails in ZamboangaThe Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga"The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga" is a song, probably written during the Spanish American War or the Moro Rebellion. It was popular with US soldiers in the Pacific in World War II.-History:...