Asiong Salonga

Nicasio "Asiong" Rodriguez Salonga (nicknamed the "Hitler" or "Hito" of Tondo) was an infamous Filipino gangster whose notorious life had been portrayed in several movie versions in 1961 (by Joseph Estrada), 1977 (by Rudy Fernandez), 1990 and 2011 (both played by George Estregan Jr.).

Contents

• Manila Kingpin The Asiong Salonga Story Remake
• Facts
• Biography
• Nicasio Asiong Salonga
• Media portrayal
• References

Facts

• He led a notorious gang in Manila's Tondo district with a network of 12 members and four hideouts.
• His activities included arms dealing, homicide, and extortion, but he often avoided arrest.
• Despite his criminal record, he was viewed as a local hero and was nicknamed the "Robin Hood of Tondo".
• Interestingly he also had a nickname of "Hitler" or "Hito" of Tondo.
• His criminal exploits frequently made newspaper headlines.
• He was shot dead in 1951, allegedly in a double cross by a rival gang.
• His life has been portrayed in several films, with notable performances by Joseph Estrada, Rudy Fernandez, and E.R. Ejercito.
• A parody of Salonga, called "Asong Salonga", appeared in the Pugad Baboy Vol. 26 Comic Book.

Biography

Asiong was considered one of the Philippines' Public Enemy where he reigned and dominated the Manila's then-known mob district, Tondo, for several years. Asiong as a gang leader had solid loyal 12 members of his group, with 4 hideouts in Manila (Tondo, Binondo, Quiapo & Pier). Salonga's name had been linked to several illegal possession of firearms, murder, selling of firearms, homicide, collection of sum of money from businessmen, and other unknown nefarious cases from which somehow he had always managed to squirm out of arrest. Despite this reputation, Salonga was still considered a hero by many local residents, and thus earning him a nickname the "Robin Hood of Tondo". Asiong was recognized by many in Metro Manila due to the frequent appearances of his name in the headlines of the journal news. The only record of Salonga in the Supreme Court was dated March 28, 1946, which was concerned with his arrest without warrant on January 10 of the same year.

The 2011 awarded film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story is based on his life story. He was shot dead in 1951 by one of his companions, allegedly in a drinking spree, Ernesto Reyes, which had been speculated as a double cross for fellow gang leader, and also Salonga’s rival, Carlos Capistrano (alyas Totoy Golem) whom Reyes worked for. Some sources also pointed politics as another angle behind the killing. Salonga's death occurred prior to his 27th birthday.

Media portrayal

Portrayed by E.R. Ejercito in the 2011 film, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.