El "Padre Capitán" Julián Bermejo y la defensa contra la piratería mora en Cebú

Abstract

This essay tries to be a state of the matter on the outstanding figure of the Augustinian Julián Bermejo (1777-1851). The main focus are the actions he took to remove the systemic threat of Moorish piracy over Cebu and adjacent islands, presenting the interesting project to this regard which he put forward as parish priest of Boljoon, aiming for the establishment of an ample defensive structure, the development of a communications system and the commissioning of a navy of Barangayanes. Such projects were also successfully applied to other islands of the Philippines and laid the foundations of a significant progress and development in the region. There is also a record of the economic development promoted by Fr Bermejo in the fields of agriculture, industry and commerce. The article offers a detailed study of some of his main jobs as Augustinian superior (definer, provincial Father and prior of the convent of Santo Niño of Cebu), whose main objectives were the maintenance and expansion of the Order.