Under the "encomienda" system, Filipinos had to pay tribute to the "encomendero" of the area, and in return the "encomendero" taught them the Christian faith and protected them from enemies. Although Spain had used this system in America, it did not work as effectively in the Philippines, and the missionaries were not as successful in converting the natives as they had hoped. In 1579, Bishop Salazar and clergymen were outraged because the "encomenderos" had abused their powers. Although the natives were resistant, they could not organise into a unified resistance towards the Spaniards, partly due to geography, ethno-linguistic differences.