The Katipunan is born

Andres Bonifacio was also a member of La Liga Filipina, although he soon lost hope in
gaining reforms though peaceful means. This feeling was especially heightened when Jose
Rizal was exiled to Dapitan. Bonifacio became convinced that the only way
thePhilippines could gain independence was through a revolution.

Bonifacio then founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga Anak ng

Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro M. Recto), in
Tondo Manila.

The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they
performed the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed his
name with his own blood..

The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment. Each
original member would recruit tow new members who were not related to each other. Each
new member would do the same thing, and so on down the line. Members were also asked
to contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in order to raise funds for the
association.

The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:

▪ The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the
country’s independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals,
and how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor
oppressed.

The “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) was the highest governing body of the
Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a “Sangguaniang
Bayan” (Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council).

The Leaders of the Katipunan:

▪ Deodato Arellano -Supremo

▪ Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal
▪ Teodora Plata -Secretary
▪ Valentine Diaz -treasurer
▪ Andres Bonifacio -controller

Jose Rizal and the Katipunan

Jose Rizal never became involved in the organization and activities of the
Katipunan; but the Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact,
Rizal’s name was used as a password among the society’s highest-ranking
members, who were called bayani.

Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days,
although Rizal did not know Bonifacio personally
Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected Rizal’s intelligence and talent that in
June 1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek Rizal’s advice on
the planned revolution.

Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people were not yet
ready and they did not have enough weapons. He suggested that the Katipunan obtain the
support of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in order to gain financial assistance. He also
recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its armed forces, since Luna had much
knowledge and expertise in military tactics.

Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizal’s advice to Bonifacio, who
admitted that it would indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight without enough weapons.
However, there was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacioordered his men to prepare for
battle. He directed them to store enough food and other supplies. Battle plans were made
with the help of Emilio Jacinto. It was suggested that the revolutionary headquarters be
located near the seas or mountains to provide for an easy retreat, if necessary.

The Katipunan is Discovered

Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long been in circulation, although no solid
evidence could be found to support them. The big break as far as the Spanish authorities
was concerned, came on August 19, 1896 when a KKK member, Teodoro Patiño told his
sister Honoria about the existence of the Katipunan. Patiño was a worker in the printing
press of Diario de Manila. Honoria was then living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.

The information upset Honoria so much that she told the orphanage’s Mother Superior, Sor
Teresa de Jesus, what her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek the advice
of Father Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo.

After hearing Patiño’s revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several

Guardias Civiles immediately searched the premises of Diario de Manila and found evidence
of the Katipunan’s existence. The governor general was quickly informed. The printing press
was padlocked and hundreds of suspected KKK members were arrested. -Continue to Cry of
Pugad Lawin & Andres Bonifacio's Execution.