Who is Aman Dangat?

Kenan, Aman Dangat "Buenaventura", Protomartyr Ivatan Chieftain executed under Spanish rule in 1791 for defending his people's indigenous rights and freedom

		Kenan, also called Aman Dangat, was Mangpus (Datu) of Malakdang in Sabtang island, upon the establishment of Spanish rule in Batanes on June 26, 1783, he continued to govern his people in accordance with indigenous custom laws. Ordered by agents of the new regime to follow Spanish policies, he asked for explanation why he should, but he received none. When non-Ivatan Filipino agents of the Spanish government got supplies and timber from his people without just compensation in 1791, he protested, but his men were put in chains instead. Under his leadership, over a hundred leading men from all over Sabtang joined him in revolt and killed seven Spanish government officials. In the ensuing conflict, Aman Dangat and his men were overpowered by superior Spanish arms, and were subsequently convicted and their valuables confiscated.
Aman Danagt's statue in front of Provincial Capitol in Basco. (photo: BatanesOnline.com)

Aman Dangat, being a chieftain and leading champion for native rights and freedom, was executed by hanging in late September 1791. And the people of Sabtang were exiled for the next fifty years (1791-1841) in the districts of San Felix and San Vicente in the municipality of Ivana on Batan Island.