Distrito de La Infanta

On May 23, 1855, the alcalde mayor of Nueva Ecija wrote to the Gobernador General of the Philippines, proposing the division of the towns of contracosta to their respective provinces. He cited the considerable distances of these towns from their provincial capitals, which made it difficult for government authorities to effectively administer and promote development in the area.^[1]

Subsequently, on March 18, 1858, the Superior Government, under the direction of Governor-General Fernando de Norzagaray, issued a decree creating two military commandancies in the eastern Luzon. The first commandancy, El Príncipe, was carved out of territory that formerly belonged to Nueva Ecija. The second, La Infanta, was organized within the jurisdiction of La Laguna.^[1]

Further administrative clarification came on July 2, 1858, with an agreement proposing to grant judicial powers to the leaders of both El Príncipe and La Infanta. This agreement was officially sanctioned by a higher decree on July 23, 1858.^[2] Felix Huerta's book Estado, refers to the creation of the district as having taken place in 1856.^[3]

According to the Estado geográfico, topográfico, estadístico, histórico,^[3] the District of Infanta occupies an estimated area of 1,900 square kilometers, encompassing within its jurisdiction the Polillo Archipelago, consisting of twenty-six islands. Though separated from the mainland district by a distance of approximately twenty-four miles, these islands are administratively attached to it.

The district is bounded as follows: to the north, by Nueva Ecija; to the east, by the Pacific Ocean; to the south, by the province of Laguna; and to the west, by both Laguna and Bulacan.

The population, at the time of reporting, does not exceed 9,000 inhabitants. Of these, approximately 8,700 are Tagalogs, while the remainder are Dumagat Negritos, indigenous peoples who inhabit the mountainous interior regions, particularly in the environs of Binangonan de Lampon. The Banatangan mountain range, running from west to south, forms a formidable natural barrier between Infanta and its neighboring provinces. The range is characterized by steep precipices, torrential ravines, and a complete lack of developed infrastructure. As of the date of the report, there exists no road worthy of the name. The only passage is a treacherous and rugged trail traversing deep ravines and fast-flowing rivers—some over twenty fathoms deep—making communication with the town of Siniloan (Laguna) extremely difficult and perilous.

Economically, the primary agricultural product of the district is palay (rice), while its principal industry is the distillation of nipa wine. On Polillo Island, there is limited timber exploitation, along with a more significant trade in balate (sea cucumber) and beeswax, both of which are found in relative abundance.

The capital of the district is Binangonan de Lampon, located approximately three kilometers inland from the coast. Here lies Puerto Real, a port of historical significance that, during the 16th century, was highly esteemed by Spanish galleons as one of the finest harbors for trans-Pacific communication with New Spain. Binangonan de Lampon and the town of Polillo, located on the island of the same name, are the only notable settlements within this modest yet strategically situated province.

According to an article published in El Estado on July 12, 1859^[4]—, as well as reports from various newspapers of the time, the district capital, the town of Binangonan de Lampon, had undergone a complete transformation. What was once a disordered and forest-like settlement had been thoroughly renovated and systematically arranged to resemble a proper colonial town.

The streets, formerly irregular and overgrown, were neatly aligned, following a deliberate urban plan. Each plot of land was enclosed with elegant hedges made of mangrove wood, all constructed in uniformity according to an established model.

Significant improvements in local infrastructure were also noted. Sturdy wooden bridges had been erected to replace the former makeshift crossings made merely of coconut or palm trunks, greatly enhancing both accessibility and safety.

In the vicinity of Puerto Real de Lampon, extensive works were also carried out. These included land clearing, the systematic spacing of terrain, and the extraction of stone from nearby quarries as part of the Spanish colonial government's commitment to developing the eastern frontier of Luzon.

The Philippine Revolution, which erupted in August 1896, quickly spread beyond the central provinces of Luzon. By September 1896, signs of unrest had already reached the Distrito de La Infanta. During that month, Rafael Luna, the District Politico-Militar Comandante, issued a public announcement indicating concern over the presence of revolutionary activity in the area.^[18]

"I consider it appropriate, in accordance with the rights granted to me by the Law for the surveillance of public order in this district while the current circumstances we are going through last, to grant broad powers and authorize the Reverend Parish Priest to represent me as a delegate of my authority of Polillo, Fr. Román Prieto, granting him the powers to dictate what they deem appropriate regarding the public order and tranquility of the neighborhood, and to act according to the rigor of the Law to those who fail in their duties and to the current institutions, being also authorized If there is a need to search the home of a neighbor, do so; and obey all your orders as my representative at said point, as if there were also any suspicious neighbor, you will have him arrested and taken to it conveniently; He may also, of course, in my name, suspend from his employment the Gobernadorcillo, Justice of the Peace, Senior Lieutenant and Heads of Barangay who he sees did not faithfully carry out the position he is required to perform, sending him at the same time imprisoned under my authority.

He will not give a written account of any matters he orders in the political-military sphere that I represent to inform my superiors. And for the record, I issue this power of attorney so that (no) neighbor of my civil authority and of the principality of that town may claim any ignorance, of not obeying my representative Reverend Parish Priest, in which case the rigor of the Law will be applied, that I am willing to do it.

Given in Binangonan de Lampón, on the twelfth of September, eighteen hundred and ninety-six.

RAFAEL LUNA. - There is a stamp to say Comandacia P. M. of La Infanta."

On July 4, 1898, in the town of Polillo, Filipino revolutionaries apprehended Father Félix Pinto, a Spanish priest, along with his coadjutor, Father Anastasio Gutiérrez. Later that month, on July 20, Pinto and Gutiérrez were taken to the district capital of Binangonan de Lampon. There, they were detained alongside other Spanish captives, notably Father Félix Ángel, and Father Eduardo de la Torre.^[19] Additionally, members of the Spanish regiment stationed in the district were also held in custody.

Based on narrative of parish priest of Binangonan de Lampon at that time, Fr. Felix Angel, a teacher from Anoling reveals to him about the outbreak of the revolution, also revealing the names of those implicated in it. After the surrender, the entire town served a farewell dinner to the members of the detachment. They remained at Binangonan de Lampon until August 9 before heading to Malolos.^[20]

The 20th of July 1898, signified the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Distrito de La Infanta. In recognition of this momentous occasion, the main street of Binangonan de Lampon capital (now part of Infanta, Quezon) was named "20 de Julio"—a name that remains in use to this day, serving as a lasting tribute to the dates historical significance. For over four decades, the date was commemorated annually by the local community, with celebrations continuing until 1941.^[21]

Though the names of many revolutionaries from the district have been unaccounted, a few individuals who have been identified in P.I.R. documents include:^[22][23]

• Pablo Astilla, Colonel
• Rufino Ortiz, Major
• Azcárraga
• Mariano Portales
• Estevan Juntereal
• José Garin