Evolution of the Seal
Panguluhang Digma - Batangan
The adoption by Malvar of the symbol of S. Miguel (Saint Michael) is not just a tribute to the saint but also suggests a strong faith of General Miguel Malvar to the Archangel Michael.
On the iconography of the Saint, the archangel Michael we can find out some important symbols as the sword and the scale. According to a religious meaning the sword was the symbol of the fight against Satan and the scale had the purpose to weigh souls.
Miguel Malvar knew well those meanings but maybe he was aware of another interpretation made by common people seeing those symbol: the archangel Michael represented the “libertador” that fought against colonial yoke and the sword was the instrument to fight it, the scale was instead a symbol of justice and equality of all people.
Segundo Jefe - Jefatura Superior Sur Luzon
Miguel Malvar was deputy or Segundo Jefe to Mariano Trias who was Jefe Superior of the Southern Luzon command from the start of the war until the surrender of Trias in March 1901. The Malvar edict of February 1901 bore the logo Segundo Jefe - Jefatura Superior Sur Luzon.
Jefatura Superior Politico Militar Filipinas
On July 13, 1901, several months after the surrender of Trias and the capture of Aguinaldo in March 1901, General Malvar finally assumed command over all the forces. In succeeding letters and proclamations, his seal, though with the same symbols and orientation of the previous one, bore a different designation -- Jefatura Superior Politico Militar de Filipinas.