Philippine cult leader and guerilla fighter Faustino Ablen.
as pictured in a pair of photographs, 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 and 6 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches, each mounted on heavy card stock (rubbed, corners bumped or badly chipped); images a little spotted and faded, but very good. (Item ID: 49820)
$1,500.00
Ablen (fl. 1885-1907) was arrested in the late 1880s for organizing a revolt on Leyte against Spanish authorities, as a leader of the Pulahanes cult, eventually escaping to continue his activities. Following the American victory over Spanish forces in 1898, Ablen's followers loosely join the forces of rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo and other groups continuing to fight for independence. Aguinaldo was captured and acknowledged United States sovereignty over the Philippines in 1901, effectively ending the insurrection, though others, including Ablen on Leyte, continued guerilla activity. Ablen and his followers suffered a number of defeats during the period 1904-1907, and, with his capture, during which he was shot in the head, the last of the "outlaws" was taken. In the first photograph, a recently wounded and captured Ablen sits shackled between a standing member of the Philippines constabulary and an African-American officer from the 8th United States Infantry, the unit responsible for his apprehension; the second photograph, a closer view, pictures pictures a seated shackled Ablen alone. A contemporary inscription on the verso of the first photograph reads "Pulahani Chief Ablen Faustino [sic] operating against troops in the Island of Leyte, P.I., 1906-'07. Wounded and captured near Dagami, Leyte, P.I., June 11, 1907, by Det. Of 8th Infantry under 2nd Lieut. James, and a Det. Of Philippines Constabulary." Some controversy over Ablen's detention exists to the present; these photographs tend to support the official story of his capture. More information on Ablen and Pulahanism may be found at www.faustinoablen.com and other websites.