BRIDGING THE GAP
Oto: 'Ang tagpangapin' of Central Panay
Despite the surrenders and subsequent accommodations in the U.S. colonial government of prominent resistance fighters against the American occupation of the Philippines, peace was not really attained after 1901. As can be recalled, Panayanon leaders such as Delgado, Fullon, Contreras, Hernandez and Salas had laid down their arms in 1901 but this did not end the struggle against the Americans. Resistance which the Americans dubbed as "outlawry" or "banditry" persisted throughout the island. It was precisely because of these "activities of the bandits" that, despite the organization of the Philippine Constabulary in the country, the Americans still had to maintain a strong military presence in the area up to 1907 though the retention of garrisons.
The leaders of the supposed "outlaws" in Panay were men like Oto, Punso, Torribio, Sano, and Virtuoso in Iloilo; Ompong and Pitoc in Antique; and Vertosa in Capiz, who established names for themselves after surrender of the ilustrado leaders of the resistance movement in Panay. Were these men plain outlaws as the Americans wanted them to appear, or did they assume the mantle of leadership for the cause after the more prominent leaders went over to the American side?
Oto was reported to be the most notorious of these so- called "bandits." He was assisted by his two equally notorious brothers, Sano and Punso and were considered a pain on the neck of the colonial government. A native of Maasin, Iloilo, Oto resided in Barangay Tranka which is approximately fifteen kilometers away from the poblacion. No records show his real name. He was just popularly called "Oto". Maasin folks described him as a "tough and robust man, five feet and seven inches tall, had a fair complexion and long hair down to his shoulders."
Oto was considered as a leader and protector of the folks. Whenever certain individuals in Maasin were harmed by enemies from other places, none of the latter could get out of the municipality without injuries as a penalty for their actions. This was the way Oto vindicated the harm done to his people. Because of his noble deeds, he was provided by the folks with plenty of food and was duly respected by them. Strangers suspected to have bad intentions could not go near his territory for his loyal followers surrounded and guarded the place. The areas under the influence and protection of Oto were the barangays of Trangka, Bolo, Dagami, and Nagba.
Branded by the American colonial authorities and their native collaborators as a bandit, Oto was accused of stealing rice and properties from other barangays and of having murdered some people who were supporting the U.S. administration. All these allegations of the Americans were "false" from the point of view of the Maasin folks for to them Oto was not a bandit but their tagpangapin or "protector". There were also frequent harassments waged by other "outlaw groups" and Oto and his two brothers were blamed for these. Because of these accusations against him, Oto and his followers plundered the poblacion of Maasin and harassed the American garrison, and engaged the U.S. troops in many encounters. Thus, to many, Oto was also a resistance fighter.
In a study made by Ricel Rendaje (1998), she found out that the folks in Maasin believed that Oto had an amulet called "Mutya sa Daplak" given by a giant monkey which rendered him invulnerable to his enemies, both natives and Americans. The presence and approach of enemies attempting to harm him or his followers were detected right away because of his supernatural powers. It was said that "every time he place his hands on the ground he would know if there were enemies around because he felt that somebody was moving". Another story reveals that "whenever he found birds, cats and dogs trailing him, he interpreted this as a sign that his enemies were approaching." Thus, the American authorities and their collaborators who attempted to capture or kill him failed to do so because of this special ability and also because of the cooperation of the mountain folks who were always willing to help him. The only weapons in his possession, according to the folks, were a bankaw and sibat.
Oto's struggle against the Americans and their collaborators lasted for more than two decades. In the late 1920s, through the efforts of Gonzalo Salinas, a constabulary but a sympathizer and a friend, convinced him to surrender. Oto had lived as a fugitive for many years and may have already felt the sign of weariness due to middle age. Salinas promised Oto that he will help him avail of an amnesty and assured him of the safety of his three children after his surrender. Upon his surrender, thousands of people from the nearby towns who knew his fame came to Maasin to get a good view of him. He also was paraded in Iloilo City together with Salinas.
Indeed, true to the promise of Salinas, Oto was not sent to prison for he was granted an amnesty. Unfortunately, however, an unknown disease afflicted him and he died in his 50s. With his surrender and death, the resistance movement in Maasin also eventually died down.