Gen. Candido Iban Y Irreguas

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 3, 1863

General Candido Iban y Irreguas (October 3, 1863 - March 23, 1897), the leader of the Katipunan in the Visayas was born on October 3, 1863 in Liloan, Malinao, Capiz (now Aklan) to Florentino Iban and Maria Irreguas Iban, who were farmers. 

At a young age, he went to Iloilo then to Negros where he worked as a sugar laborer. Together with Francisco del Castillo, they travelled to Australia where they were hired as pearl divers. 

In 1894, they won the lottery and decided to return to Manila. They met and became friends with Procopio Bonifacio, the brother of Supremo Andres Bonifacio, the founder of the Katipunan.

Procopio convinced them to join the Katipunan and mentioned the need for a printing press to print revolutionary materials to gain more members. Without hesitation, the two donated their savings and the money left from their lottery winnings. 

The printing press became the catalyst that increased Katipunan membership from 300 members in January 1896 to 30,000 when the Spanish authorities discovered the movement. It was also used to print the Katipunan forms, the Kartilla of the Katipunan, and the Kalayaan, the official newspaper of the Katipunan. 

When the Philippine Revolution broke out, upon orders of Bonifacio, Candido and Francisco left for Aklan and organized a Katipunan branch in Liloan, the first in the Visayas. 

On March 17, 1897, Gen. Francisco del Castillo, riding on a white horse led his men to Kalibo. As they approached the mansion of Capitan Municipal Juan Azaraga, he was greeted by a hail of bullets from Moises Ilicito, a guardia sibil. The bullets killed him instantly. 

Meanwhile 82 Katipuneros from Lilo-an marched to the poblacion to persuade the local authorities to join the revolution. This failed uprising is called "El Levantamiento de los 82 de Lilo-an." The leaders were captured including Gen. Candido Iban. Many Katipuneros were able to escape and fled to the mountains. 

Colonel Ricardo Carnicero Monet, head of the Spanish forces in the Visayas issued a proclamation granting pardon to those who surrendered but it was a trap. All those who surrendered were jailed in Kalibo. 

Later, 19 prisoners were handpicked and executed by firing squad on March 23, 1897. Among the 19 Martyrs of Aklan were the Iban brothers, Candido and Benito.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org and NCCA