MARTINEZ, PORSHIA R.

CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE SPANIARDS

BPA 1-3 SIR ARVIN LLOYD PINGUL

CITATIONS:

Zaida, Gregorio F., Philippine magazine, Volume 27, Number 6, November 1930

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the

islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in
contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and
religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the
beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 7], Blair, Emma Helen, ed. d.1911., Robertson,
James Alexander, joint ed. 1873-1939., Bourne, Edward Gaylord, 1860-1908. Cleveland, Ohio:
The A. H. Clark company, 1903-09. [https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1252/the-
magat-salamat-conspiracy-against-the-spaniards-in-15881589]

Scott, William Henry (1994). Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture and Society.
Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Dery, Luis Camara (2001). A History of the Inarticulate. Quezon City: New Day
Publishers. [https://www.revolvy.com/page/Agustin-de-Legazpi]

In V. Almario (Ed.), Sagisag Kultura (Vol 1). Manila: National Commission for Culture and
the Arts. [https://philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/magat-salamat/]

SUMMARY:

In hopes to escape from the grasp of the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, leaders
from different regions took part in a conspiracy led by Don Agustin de Legazpi and Magat
Salamat whom were paramount rulers of Tondo, hence the name Tondo Conspiracy. After
Agustin de Legazpi and the others got out of jail because of their certain acts, they started
planning the plot of their wanted freedom from Spain. They expressed their frustrations with
the inequality of Spaniards’ jurisdiction and the conflict of interests happening when it comes
to ruling over the native chiefs’ lands. The conspirators succeeded in spreading the word
through whispers and other datus started joining the movement, as well. It wasn’t until a year
later when the plot that they came up for three days came into a run. They also had help with a
Japanese sea boat captain, Joan Gayo, along with his interpreter, Dionisio Fernandez. They
made an agreement; the Japanese would give them weapons and soldiers and Agustin would
be king after the supposed revolution and in return, they would have half the winnings and
tribute. But eventually Gayo backed out and didn’t help in the attack because either he lost
interest or betrayed the conspirators. Anyway, when failed meetings were all they’re getting,
they started seeking out the help of the Borneans. So, Magat Salamat took the chief position
and went to Borneo to lay out the plan and communicate with them. He recruited people on
the way there, including Antonio Surabao, who pretended to be a supporter of the conspiracy.
He told Captain Sarmiento everything the rebels fed him and eventually, the news made it to
Doctor Santiago De Vera. Magat and the other men never made it to Borneo for they were
captured and went into trial. The Tondo conspirators had harsh penalties: death, exile, and all
their properties were confiscated. The plan to invade Manila, kill the Spaniards and claim
freedom would never happen; not until centuries later in 1898.

ANALYSIS:

 The Conspiracy against the Spaniards was a testimony to the events that were
investigated under the rule of Doctor Santiago De Vera; it was explained in detail what
happened and who were involved in the secret movement.
 What triggered the most for the chiefs to plan a revolution was their inability to rule
over their lands because of the Spaniards; the conflict of interests in having jurisdiction
to these regions got in the way.
 The abolishment of slavery angered the datus for the slaves would pay tribute not to
them, but to the Spaniards; flaming the desire of the natives to overthrow them.
 It was not until 15 months later that the plan would materialize for there were many
delays in coming up with effective plans and holding meetings for the chiefs; signs that
the conspiracy was not ready yet for an attack at all.
 Betrayal was the thing that indeed ended their attempt to freedom; showing how naïve
they could be in trusting other men. Their lack of security in telling their plans to
strangers was what got them arrested.
 Tondo Conspiracy was a fail but it was the first katipunan, Wenceslao Retana stated. It
did make way for generations later to polish the plans and avoid the mistakes the Tondo
conspirators did and an inspiration to end what their ancestors started. A Philippine
Revolution took place after centuries. The lives of the late chiefs contributed to the
freedom the country has now.