Satanas Gang

Name: Satanas
Also Known As: STS, Ese Te Ese
Founded: Early 1970s (commonly cited 1972)
Origin: Rampart area, Los Angeles, California
Original Connection: Filipino clique within Temple Street
Ethnic Background: Filipino-American
Affiliation: Historically associated with Sureños
Main Areas: Los Angeles (Rampart/Historic Filipinotown),
Long Beach, Cerritos, West Covina, La Puente,
Norwalk, Oxnard, Palmdale, San Diego County
Other Southern California communities
Identity: Pinoy Cholo culture

Satanas (STS) is a Filipino-American street gang that originated in Los Angeles, California. Satanas is one of the oldest Filipino-American street gangs in Los Angeles. The gang’s history is tied to the Rampart area, Historic Filipinotown, and Filipino-American communities throughout Southern California.

Temple Street Origins

Satanas originated from Filipino members of Temple Street, one of Los Angeles’ oldest street gangs. During the early decades of Temple Street, Filipino-American youth living around the Rampart area formed their own clique within the gang. Over time, this group developed its own identity and separated from Temple Street.

By the early 1970s, the clique became known as Satanas, creating one of Los Angeles’ first major Filipino-American street gangs. Satanas became an independent gang in 1972. The name Satanas, meaning “Satan” in Spanish and Tagalog, reflected the group’s attempt to create a distinct and intimidating identity.

Filipino-American Identity

Satanas developed a distinct identity within Los Angeles street culture through its Filipino-American roots. Members became associated with the term “Pinoy Cholo,” combining Filipino identity with elements of Chicano street style that influenced Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s.

The concept of “Pinoy Pride” became part of Satanas’ identity, reflecting Filipino-American solidarity among members. This identity separated Satanas from many other Los Angeles gangs while still connecting it to the larger street culture of the city.

Territory & Expansion

Satanas originated in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, where the gang developed from Filipino-American youth connected to the Temple Street neighborhood. The gang’s early presence was centered around Melrose Avenue and Vermont Avenue, placing it near the Rampart and East Hollywood areas. Unlike many older Los Angeles gangs that remained concentrated around one neighborhood, Satanas expanded through cliques established in communities throughout Southern California.

Over time, Satanas developed cliques and connections outside its original Los Angeles roots. The associated areas include Long Beach, Cerritos, La Puente, Norwalk, West Covina, Palmdale, Oxnard, and communities in San Diego County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. These cliques allowed Satanas to maintain its identity as members moved away from the original Rampart area.

Philippines Connection

Satanas also developed connections in the Philippines through Filipino migration and deportation patterns. Members returning to the Philippines helped spread the gang’s name and identity overseas, creating links between Southern California and Filipino communities abroad. Temple Street-linked Filipino groups, including Manila Boy Locos, also developed during this period, reflecting the movement of Los Angeles gang identities beyond the United States.

Culture & Identity

Satanas developed a distinct Filipino-American street identity that separated it from many other Los Angeles gangs. Members became associated with the term “Pinoy Cholo,” reflecting a combination of Filipino culture and the Chicano street style that influenced Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s.

The gang’s identity was shaped by Pinoy Pride, a sense of Filipino-American solidarity among members, and their connection to the communities where the gang developed. Satanas adopted elements of Los Angeles street culture while maintaining Filipino influences.

Members were also known for heavily starched khaki pants, a style popularized by earlier generations of Mexican and African American gangsters.

Documented Incidents

Avenues Conflict and Eagle Rock Shooting (1982)

One of the most significant incidents connected to Satanas occurred during a violent rivalry with the Avenues gang in Northeast Los Angeles.

In December 1982, Satanas member Edgar Pablo was killed during the conflict between the two groups. Following Pablo’s funeral on December 27, 1982, Satanas members carried out a retaliation that led to the death of Francisco Gamez and the shooting of Luis Silva in Eagle Rock.

Gamez and Silva were local residents who followed the suspect vehicles after gunfire occurred near their home in an attempt to record license plate information. The confrontation escalated, resulting in Gamez being killed and Silva being wounded.

Several Satanas members were later convicted in connection with the attack. The case brought increased attention to Filipino-American gang violence in Los Angeles and contributed to community efforts involving organizations such as Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).

Oxnard Shooting (1989)

In 1989, Satanas was involved in a violent confrontation with the Lemonwood Chiques in Oxnard, California. The incident occurred outside Channel Islands High School after a confrontation between members of the two groups. Satanas member Arnell Salagubang shot and killed Manuel Rodriguez, a member of Lemonwood Chiques.

Salagubang fled after the shooting but was arrested after an eyewitness provided information to police. The incident reflected how Satanas cliques outside Los Angeles developed their own rivalries as the gang expanded into other Southern California communities.

Temple Street and 18th Street Conflict (1979)

Although Satanas had become independent from Temple Street, the two groups maintained historical ties because of their shared origins in the Rampart area. In 1979, Satanas members were involved in retaliation against 18th Street following the killing of a Temple Street associate.

The incident reflected the continued relationship between Satanas and Temple Street during a period when both groups shared neighborhood connections and rivalries in Central Los Angeles.

Rivals & Alliances

In 1979, Satanas became involved in a conflict with 18th Street following the killing of a Temple Street associate. Because of Satanas’ origins as a Filipino clique within Temple Street, members remained connected to the older gang and participated in retaliation against 18th Street.

The incident occurred during a period when tensions between Central Los Angeles gangs were increasing, as groups competed for influence in neighborhoods around Rampart and Westlake.

The Avenues became one of Satanas’ major rivals. The feud intensified with the killing of Satanas member Edgar Pablo in 1982 and the retaliation that followed in Eagle Rock. The Avenues rivalry shaped Satanas’ reputation during the 1980s.

Satanas has also had a history of conflict with the Bahala Na Gang (BNG), another Filipino-American street gang. The rivalry developed as Filipino-American gangs competed for identity and influence within Los Angeles communities. Other rivals include MS-13.

News

Man Guilty of Killing Rival Gang Member

STS member convicted of  double homicide