153. Palawan Iwahig Penal Colony Postcards

 

The Spanish regime had earlier designated Puerto Princesa, Palawan as a place where offenders sentenced to banishment were exiled, often as a death sentence due to endemic malaria. Yet, the facility was established only during the American occupation. Governor Luke Wright authorized the establishment of a penal colony in the province of Palawan on November 16, 1904. This penal settlement, which originally comprised an area of 22 acres, served as a depository for prisoners who could not be accommodated at the Bilibid Prison in Manila. A prison facility was created by the American military in the rainforest of Puerto Princesa. Lieutenant George Wolfe, a member of the U.S. expeditionary force was the prison's first superintendent. 

(1) Park and Colonist Band (2) Reviewing Colonists on the Plaza and (3) Police Force

William Cameron Forbes, in his capacity as Secretary of Commerce and Police (1904–1909), conceived of the Palawan penal colony following the model of the George Junior Republic. According to Forbes, "The plan is to allow these prisoners to cultivate little lots of land for good conduct and industry." Three classes of colonists were established, the lowest being the newly arrived convicts, followed by a middle class living in the Home Zone on a two-hectare plot where they could build a house and live with their family, and finally, the top class living in the Free Zone, also with 2 hectares of land. The first group of 61 convicts arrived in Nov. 1904, with the population reaching 313 prisoners in June 1905, and 446 in June 1908, plus 20 families.

 

Major John R. White, Philippine Constabulary, became superintendent in Sept. 1906. Forbes directed White to establish a "form of self-government in the colony." Under White's rule, the mortality rate due to disease dropped, as the land was drained and sanitation improved. Barracks, an administration building, and a parade ground were built, while cash crops and coconut trees were planted. The work squads were controlled with a system consisting of a foreman and assistant foremen. By the time he departed in Sept. 1908, White stated the 500 convicts lived under "moral constraints" and "interior discipline maintained without guards." Carroll H. Lamb took over as superintendent, and during his 3-year tenure, self-government was established. In 1909, Justice of the Peace Courts and a Court of Last Resort were established, and by 1910, the top class of colonists could elect minor officials, police, and petty officers. By 1911, with a population over 1000, Forbes stated "the colonists were allowed to govern themselves – elect their own president and council, or legislature, from among the men who by good conduct and industry had earned a promotion to the highest grades."

 

The Philippine Commission of the United States government passed Act No. 1723 in 1907, classifying the settlement as a penal institution. Prison escape attempts were an initial problem the colony experienced during its first 2 years, including 33 escapees on 20 Sept. 1905. Yet, through White's efforts, the settlement became a successful colony. Vocational activities included farming, fishing, forestry, and carpentry, from which the prisoners were free to choose.

Source: Wikipedia