Juan Ponce Sumuroy

Juan Ponce Sumuroy (also spelled as Sumoroy or Sumudoy) was a Waray hero and leader of a rebellion in Eastern Visayas against the Spaniards from 1649-1650. (Other sources list his name as Juan Agustin Sumoroy rather than "Juan Ponce Sumuroy"). The rebellion has subsequently been named after him, hence Sumuroy Rebellion (another name for it is Sumuroy Revolt). The rebellion originally started in the towns of Palapag in present-day Northern Samar but gradually spread throughout the region. Some accounts of the rebellion claim that it even reached the Bikol region and as far south as Mindanao.His trusted co conspirator David Dula sustained the quest for freedom with greater vigor but he was wounded, captured and later executed in Palapag, Northern Samar by the Spaniards together with his seven key lieutenants, one of who was the great great grandfather of current Northern Samar Governor Raul Daza. [http://pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p070828.htm&no=7&date=08/28/2007]

The main reason for the Sumuroy Rebellion was the Spaniards' forcible conscription of workers from Eastern Visayas and neighboring regions to work in the shipyards of Cavite. The rebellion however despite being popular throughout the region was suppressed by the Spaniards.

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