Samar
Samar is the third largest and one of the least densely populated islands of the Philippine archipelago. As it is often hit by typhoons, agriculture has remained limited mainly to coconuts. As coconuts are not the most profitable agricultural produce, the island has remained poor. As poverty is a fertile ground for rebellion, Samar has long been nearly totally NPA controlled. As the Philippine state is rather interested in quelling rebellion in economically important provinces and islands, NPA control in the depressed areas of Samar is said not to be challenged much by the Philippine military. Therefore, the CPP and NPA use Samar as a training ground to practice the form of government they would like to apply to the whole country in the event of victory over the current Philippine state. There are numerous reports by journalists and travelers who have experienced NPA administration in the interior of the islands, and some have even seen public trials held in NPA-governed villages over so-called enemies of the people. NPA judges are said to be not lenient. But even as the NPA in general might be considered anti-foreign, there are few complaints by foreigners of harassment by the NPA when traveling on the island. The military, however, took note of foreigners, journalists and others, who traveled to Samar specifically to get an insight into the communist movement of The Country .
Some years ago the editor of Cockatoo's Handbook visited a friend's aunt in Hinabangan, Samar (about 35km, 22mi northeast of Leyte). Shortly after arrival the mayor sent for him and explained that he could provide protection (from the NPA) only as long as he remained in the town proper. The aunt raised small, native, black pigs in her kitchen. The pigs had been trained to stay in the kitchen (to avoid that they would be stolen) and were very friendly, especially at meal times.
On Homonhon island southeast of Samar, the Spanish explorers led by Ferdinand Magellan had their first Philippine landfall on March 17, 1521. After that, the history of Samar was marked by a number of cruel events. In 1901, after the US occupation of the archipelago, the natives in the southern Samar town of Balangiga first slaughtered a US company of 46 soldiers. In retaliation, US forces massacred all male inhabitants of Balangiga over 10 years of age.
GEOGRAPHY
Land Area: 13,429sqkm (5,158sqmi)
Topography: the northwestern portion of the island is rugged, the northeastern side has lowlands, the central and southern parts are mountainous
Mountains: Mt Capotoan near Matuginao 850m (2,789ft); Mt Yacgun near Tumaros 669m (2,195ft)
Rivers: Catubig, Ulut, and Gandara
POPULATION
Majority Group: Warays; Language: Waray
Minorities: Mamanua
Island Population: 1,248,000
Cities, Towns (Census of 1990, x1000)
Province Eastern Samar: Arteche 11, Balangiga 10, Balangkayan 8, Borongan 44, Can-avid 13, Dolores 31, Gen. MacArthur 10, Giporlos 11, Guiuan 34, Hernani 7, Jipapad 5, Lawa-an 8, Llorente 18, Maslog 3, Maydolong 11, Mercedes 5, Oras 27, Quinapundan 11, Salcedo 17, San Julian 11, Policarpo 10, Sulat 13, Taft 13.
Province Northern Samar: Allen 15, Biri 7, Bobon 14, Capul 10, Catarman 51, Catubig 22, Gamay 16, Laoang 42, Lapinig 8, Las Navas 22, Lavezares 19, Lope De Vega 9, Mapanas 8, Mondragon 21, Palapag 20, Pambujan 18, Rosario 7, San Antonio 7, San Isidro 18, San Jose 11, San Roque 14, San Vicente 6, Silvino Lobos 9, Victoria 9.
Continued
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