Philippines Major Isabelo 'Belong' Abaya and the Igorot Freedom Fighters

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 On March 25, 1898, Major Frederico Isabelo 'Belong' Abaya, led the so called "Ikkis ti Kandon" (Cry of Candon), drove away the Spaniards from the town and beheaded the Spanish parish priest (Fr Rafael Redondo) and two visiting friars. 


He served in the Philippine Army under Gen Manuel Trinio, and later became guerilla commander in southern Ilocos under Col Juan Villamor of Bangued, Abra Province.

He commanded the Igorot warriors from the Cordilleras of northern Luzon to fight the Americans in Caloocan. He and 10men were at the mountain village of Guilong, Galimuyod, 11 miles east of Candon, when they encountered a 30-man patrol of Company G, 33rd Infantry of United States Volunteers, led by 2Lt Donald McClelland. Abaya died (May 3, 1900) with two of his men and three were captured. Guilong has been renamed "Abaya" in honor of the hero.


The Igorots soon fell out with the Philippine Army and became U.S. allies, acting as guides for American troops in the rugged highlands of northern Luzon. A Tingguian Igorot, Januario Galut, led U.S. troops to a position where they could surround and defeat the forces of Gen Gregorio del Pilar at Tirad Pass on 2 December 1899.

Many of the Igorot who served in Aguinaldo's army later joined the colonial Philippine Constabulary.


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