Death by Betrayal

Sumuroy was a skilled pilot of the sea and because of this account he was favored by the father and had enjoyed immunity from tribute and personal services.

Due to loses of galleons, it was necessary to maintain a shipyard in Cavite. Through a decree issued by Governor-general Diego Fajardo, carpenters from Manila were drafted and additional carpenters and laborers from each province were demanded. Provinces away from Manila resented the decree and immediately made demonstration of displeasure.

The men of Palapag declared themselves against the order. This lead to the eventual killing of the priest which was followed by burning almost all churches of the villages in the Ibabao (in Samar Island) coast.

Other provinces proceeded to follow the boldness of the men of Palapag. It was said (by the Spaniards) that these provinces was in communication with the Dutch who had promised to support them in their rebellion. Camarines declared itself against the Spaniards, the Father guardian of the Franciscans banished from Sorsogon. In Masbate the alferez was put to death. The peace in Cebu was disturbed, the natives defied the authority. In the province of Caraga, the men of Linao (Lanao) revolted. In the province of Iligan, which borders on Caraga, the Manobos, seized the peaceable village of Cagayan. The entire coast of northern Mindanao, and the adjacent island of Camigin, followed their example.

Consequently, seeing that the revolt is continually gathering strength, the Manila authorites dispatched an armada from Zamboanga. One of the captain of the fleet was Juan de Ulloa. He commanded Lutao1 soldiers along with his sargento-mayor Francisco Macombo, who was the most choice of the Spaniards to subdue the Sumuroy rebellion.

Meanwhile, upon the death of Father Barberan, Father Vicente Damian, was appointed to replace him. However, Don Pedro Caamug, who was one of the leaders of the uprising, descended from the mountain called Palapag Mesa (Table of Palapag) where they have fortified themselves, along with 200 of his men, and killed Father Damian and two of his aides and again burned the newly built church on October 11, 1649.

On the rainy evening of July 2, 1650, Macombo lead the assault on the fortification of Palapag Mesa. This ended the Sumuroy rebellion.

The victorious Don Gines de Rojas ascended the hill with his whole army, and destroyed the insurgent quarters by setting fire to them. Having published a general pardon, those who had been insurgents before, presented themselves in peace including Don Pedro Caamug.

Sumuroy and his father survived the battle but refused to give up.

The Dutch who were headquartered in Formosa (present day Taiwan) never came.

Sumuroy was beheaded by his own men as demanded by Don Xines de Roxas. At first this demand was not taken seriously that the men of Sumuroy would send a head of a pig instead Sumuroy's head. Later as a token of obedience, his head was presented without anyone asking for it.