Pablo Astilla

Pablo Astilla y Huertasuela was a Filipino revolutionary and military officer who served as politico-military governor of the Distrito de La Infanta during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War.

Public Office

Before joining the revolutionary movement, Pablo Astilla served as Gobernadorcillo of Binangonan de Lampon (now Infanta, Quezon) from 1896 to 1897. A certification dated 31 August 1896 identifies him as the town's “Gobernadorcillo actual” (incumbent gobernadorcillo) and bears his signature. In the document, Astilla certified the prevailing price of white rice and the corresponding ration in the town.

Under the Revolutionary Government and First Philippine Republic, he was the Politico-Military Governor of District of Infanta where he led the Infanta resistance against the invading American forces during the Philippine-American War

After the war, Colonel Pablo Astilla continued his public service as the Town President (Mayor) of Infanta, Tayabas from 1908 to 1910.

Philippine Revolution

Pablo Astilla is reported to have participated in the Battle of Mount Puray on June 14, 1897, a significant engagement between Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish forces. The battle was a turning point in the revolution, as it enabled Emilio Aguinaldo to retreat safely and eventually reach Biak-na-Bato where he established a stronghold.

In a narrative written by Fr. Felix Angel, Astilla served as Jefe del Distrito within the local Katipunan organization. On July 20, 1898, he led the Infanta Katipuneros in an uprising against Spanish forces, resulting in Spanish surrender. This victory effectively ended Spanish political and military authority in Distrito de La Infanta.

Revolutionary Government and First Philippine Republic Following the collapse of Spanish colonial authority, Pablo Astilla emerged as the political and military leader of the Infanta district under the Revolutionary Government. Contemporary revolutionary records subsequently identify Pablo Astilla as a politico-military governor of Infanta. By 1900, Astilla was serving as Colonel and Politico-Military Chief of the District of Infanta. Astilla undertook the reorganization of local military forces, drawing both on volunteers and on former members of the colonial militia, to form a provincial regiment aligned with the Revolutionary Army. thumb Exhibit 461: Communication forwarding to the Treasury Department a list of the provincial chiefs of provinces subject to the revolutionary government.

Philippine–American War In a revolutionary document dated 19 March 1900 and issued at Binangonan, Pablo Astilla signed a military communication as colonel and commanding officer of his regiment. He transmitted to the regiment's detail officer a message attributed to revolutionary commander-in-chief Mariano Trías, which urged continued resistance against American forces through guerrilla warfare. The document provides contemporary evidence of Astilla's command of a revolutionary regiment during the Philippine–American War.

A revolutionary document dated June 30, 1900 provides direct evidence of Astilla's governmental role. The record identifies him as 'Politico-Military Governor' and places him at the government house in Binangonan, where he participated in discussions concerning revolutionary funds being transferred from Camarines to revolutionary forces in Laguna.

Regimental seal used by Colonel Pablo Astilla in his letters. On August 6, 1900, General Juan Cailles wrote a correspondence to Pablo Astilla, requesting him to join forces and launch a coordinated attack against the advancing American troops in Laguna. He also requested several thousand Mauser cartridges and indicated that a representative of Lieutenant Colonel Fidel Angeles of Cailles's brigade would present himself to Astilla concerning the request. The correspondence provides contemporary evidence of Astilla's recognized political-military authority and his role in coordinating military supplies with other revolutionary forces. Responding to this call, on September 14, 1900, Astilla led the Infanta column into Mabitac, where he joined forces with Cailles. On September 17, 1900, their combined forces—along with the Baybay column— engaged and defeated the American forces commanded by Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham, Jr. in the Battle of Mabitac.

Following the American defeat at Mabitac, on September 21, 1900, General Robert H. Hall was ordered to launch an expedition to assert control over revolutionary-held territories in the Infanta District. As part of this campaign, on October 9, 1900, American forces occupied the town of Binangonan de Lampon, then the district capital (now part of Quezon Province). Following American occupation of Infanta District's capital, revolutionary forces led by Colonel Astilla withdrew to the mountainous interior of the district, where they continued to mount guerilla resistance against American control. American military authorities referred to Astilla as the “insurgent governor” of the Province of Infanta. News about the capture of Licerio Geronimo, Lacuna and Pablo Astilla - El Comercio (Manila. 1869). 21/5/1901 On May 5, 1901, Colonel Pablo Astilla surrendered at Binangonan to American authorities. A U.S. War Department report identified him as “Colonel Astilla, insurgent governor, province of Infanta” and recorded that he surrendered with 10 officers and 180 men, 170 rifles, 10 revolvers, 20,000 rounds of ammunition, and 17 bronze cannon. His surrender was significant because of the number of men under his command and the quantity of arms, ammunition, and artillery surrendered with his force.

Personal life

Pablo Astilla was born in either 1853 or 1854. A notarized affidavit dated 26 June 1906 recorded his age as 52, placing his birth approximately within this period. Pablo Astilla's birth record has not yet been located.

He was the son of Felipe Astilla and Ana Huertasuela. He was a farmer and producer of lambanog , a traditional Filipino distilled spirit. He married Agripina Orozco, with whom records identify at least six children.

The date of his death is uncertain. A notarized affidavit concerning the division of his assets was filed on 31 December 1946, indicating that his estate was being settled by that date. Family testimony places his death around the period of the liberation of Infanta from the Japanese.

Colonel Pablo Astilla was the granduncle of General Guillermo Nakar, a World War II guerrilla leader and national hero. Astilla's sister Martina Astilla was the mother of Epifania Peñamante, who was the mother of Guillermo Nakar.