Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Region IV-B)
Category: Buildings/Structures
Type: Penitentiary
Status: Level I- National Historical Landmark
Legal basis: Resolution No. 6, s. 2004
Marker date: 1954
Installed by: Philippines Historical Committee (PHC)
Marker text:
IWAHIG PENAL COLONY
ORIGINALLY NAMED IUHUIT PENAL SETTLEMENT, THIS COLONY WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION, 16 NOVEMBER 1904. THE SITE WAS SELECTED BY A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF G.N. WOLFE, W.S. LYON AND ARLINGTON POND, CREATED BY AN EXECUTIVE ORDER OF GOV. GEN. LUKE E. WRIGHT. THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT WAS AN AMERICAN, R.J. SHIELDS. THE EARLY POLICY OF SENDING THE WORST PRISONERS TO THE PLACE WAS ABANDONED AFTER THE MUTINY OF THIRTY-THREE PRISONERS ON 20 SEPTEMBER 1905. PRISONERS OF GOOD CONDUCT WERE SENT AND GIVEN LANDS, TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES AND IN CERTAIN AREAS THEIR FAMILIES WERE ALLOWED TO LIVE WITH THEM.
RAMON VICTORIO, FIRST FILIPINO SUPERINTENDENT, 1921.
