Mindanaotoday.com | Cotta Fort in Ozamiz, defender of freedom, peace
By: Jasper Marie O. Rucat
OZAMIZ CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – In 17th century, when pirate attacks were so common, Cotta Fort, specifically Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo in Ozamiz City, stood as the wall that protected Ozamiznons and Misamisnons.
How many lives were saved because of this? In one account, one day of battle led to the deaths of about 5,000 men, said Michael E. Fuentes, Ozamiz City spokesperson.
Built in 1756, the fort was intended to repel the attacks of the Moro pirates, specifically for kidnapping people for slavery.
“Kidnapon ka, kwaon ka then you will be sold as slaves to other places, and since nag-rampant na siya sauna kaayo, a certain priest, a Spanish priest, ang nag-initiate nga mahimo gyud ni siya og fuerte [You will be kidnapped, taken away, then sold as slaves to other places, and since it has become rampant, a certain priest, a Spanish priest, initiated to make a fort],” said Fuentes.
Before the Spanish colonizers came, the Subanens were already in the place; some of the structures, like the stones, were already stationed, but Spain had to fortify them because they had seen the place as very strategic when it came to that, he said.
“They would not want other colonizers to come,” Fuentes said.
What character does it bring? “It brings strength, solidarity, and unity to the people. Dili mi ganahan og dili mu asenso [we don’t want it if it is not progress],” he added.
People want progress; people want Asenso [progress] in their lives, he shared.
Not only young people come to Cotta Fort; even the schools have successful individuals. They don’t go to malls or buy more things; they go to museums and historical places.
Why should the young come visit? One is history, and the second is knowledge to empower.
“We are so blessed that we have this,” he said.
At a glance, it is a tourist destination with a structure for tourist attractions, but it is just more than that. It has helped and defended many people.
In one account, 5,000 men died to defend Ozamiz. (JMOR/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
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