Batan is the cradle of pre-Spanish civilization in the Island of Panay during the 13^th century. They settled in Panay Island and framed their government by forming the confederation of Madya-as and divided the island into three sakups (provinces) Aklan (Capiz), Hantik (Antique), and Irong-irong (Iloilo).

Two hundred years after Datu Bangkaya confederacy Chief of Akean (Aklan). Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw, the new Chief Executive of Madya-as Confederation and its sakups with Batang (Batan) as the seat of his government. In 1433 A.D. he promulgated the famous Code of Kalantiaw which contains 18 sugos (orders). Datu Kalantiaw rule ended in 1435 and after his death, Datu Manduyog became the Chief of Akean.

Dr. Gregorio Zaide’s researched show that the real name of Kalantiaw was Lakan Tiaw. The native term Lakan means, “CHIEF or RULER” and Tiaw means “CHIEF OF BRIEF SPEECH”. The early Spanish writes made a translation or transcription of the original writing of Kalantiaw.

In the “Code of Sumakwel” read during the Maragtas symposium on January 27, 1968 in Manila, J.C. Orindain stated that, at first, Kalantiaw was believed to be an offspring of Datu Sumakwel but later, it was learned that he had no relations with the Bornean Datus who settled in Panay. Professor Teodoro A. Agoncillo however, surmised that Kalantiaw was probably a direct descendant of Sumakwwel.

In tagging Datu Kalantiaw in the New Province of Aklan, Digno Alba writes that Kalantiaw was a genuine Aklanon, being born in Aklan Sakup. According to Visayan tradition, Kalantiaw, born about 1410 A.D., was the only son of Rajah Bendahara Gulah, ruler of Aklan, one of the three kingdoms of ancient Panay, founded by Bangkaya about three centuries before Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521. The peaceful rule of Gulah was disturbed in 1420 by an unsuccessful revolt led by Datu Udtong who was executed and his property was confiscated.

On December 8, 1570 Spanish rule begun in Figure 3. Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw, Batan under the command of Martin De Goite and became an Encomienda of Miguel Rodriguez on June 15, 1571. Don Martin Dionisio was the first Governadorcillo and father Miguel S. Josef, Parish Priest during the first organized municipal government in 1789. In 1872, census in population was conducted, tobacco introduction, and church bells with Nuestra Senora De Immaculada Concepcion “inscription, the Patroness Saint of Batan town installed at the church belfry.

On June 1, 1902, the first Americans arrived in Batan and recruited teachers to teach English and in 1903 after the establishment of a civil government, Governor General William H. Taft started organizing local governments throughout the country.

On October 18, 1943 at about 4:00 in the afternoon, the Japanese Imperial army landed in Batan. They seized the civilians and about 85 people were held captive and at a dawn of the following day, October 19, 1943, seventy four people including children were brutally liquidated by the Japanese. The gruesome killing of those 74 innocent people is more commonly known to Batangnons as “Juez de Cuchillo”. This historical event of Batangnons is celebrated annually a non-working public holiday in Batan, Aklan. Peace returned in Batan after Japan surrendered to the United States of America in 1945. By virtue of R.A. 1414 and Presidential Proclamation No. 90 of the late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, on April 25, 1956, Batan was among the 17 municipalities that composed the Province of Aklan after its separation from the Province of Capiz through the initiative of the late Honorable Godofredo P. Ramos, the “Father of Aklan”.