The Summary for Cavite Mutiny

The year 1872 is a historic year of two events: the Cavite mutiny and the martyrdom of the three
priest: Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora or the so-called GOMBURZA. These events are
very important milestone in Philippine history and have caused ripples through time directly influencing
the decisive events of the Philippine Revolution toward the end of the century.

While the significance is unquestioned, what made this year controversial are the different sides to
the story, a battle of perspective supported by primary sources. In this cas study, we zoom in to the events
of the Cavite Mutiny, a major factor in the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos of that time.

The following are the evidence for the spanish version: The Spanish historian jose Montero y Vidal
centered his documentation on how the event was an attempt in overthrowing the Spanish government
in the Philippines. So may proceed council to the account documented in Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide’s
Documentary Sources of Philippine History, volume 7, pages 269-273. It states that “The abolition
priviledges enjoyed by the laborers of the Cavite arsenal of exemption from the tribute was the cause of
the insurrection. The circumstances which give rise to the idea of the Filipinos to attain their independence
were the spanish revolution which overthrow a secular throne, attentatory of the most sacred respects
towards the dethroned majesty, the democratic and republican books and pamphletes, the speeches and
preachings of the apostles of hese new ideas in Spain and the outburst of American publicists and the
criminal policy of Governor whom revolutionary government sent to the Philippines.”

In 1872, authorities received anonymous communications with the information that a great
uprising would break out against the Spaniards, the minute the fleet at Cavite left fro the south and that
all would be assassinated, inclusing friars. The conspiracy had been going since the days of La Torre with
utmost secrecy. That time the principal leaders met either in the house of Filipino Spaniards, D. Joaquin
Pardo de Tavera, or in that of the native priest, Jacinto Zamora and these meeting were usaully attended
by the curate of Bacoor, the soul of the movement and has a strong influence.

Next is from the Official report of Governor Izquierdo on the Cavite Mutiny in Zaide’s Documentary
Sources of Philippine History, Volume 7, pages 281-286. It presents that “It seems that the insurrection
was otivated and prepared by the native clergy, by the mestozis and native lawyers and by those
abogadillos. The intergrators protested againsts the injustice of the government in not paying the
provinces for their tabacco crop and against the usury that some practice in documents that the Finance
department gives crop owners who have to sell them at loss. They encourage the rebellion by protesting
what they called the injustce of having obliged the workers in the Cavite arsenal to pay tribute starting
January 1 and to render personal service. Up to now, it is not clearly determined if they planned to
stablished a monarchy or a republic, bacuse the Indios have no word in their language to decribe their
different from of government whose head in Filipinos would be called “Hari” but it turned out that they
would place a priest. And the head selected would be D. Jose Burgos od D. Jacinto Zamora.”

Morever, according to Spaniards deemed that the event was planned earlier and was thought of it
as a big conspiracy among educated leaders, mestizos, abogadillos or antive lawyers, residents of Manila
and Cavite and the nativer clergy. Filipinos planned to liquidate high-ranking Spanish Officers to be
followed by the masacre of the friars. During the Sampaloc celebration of feast of Virgin of loreto, the
usual fireworks displays. People in Cavity mistook the fireworks as a sign of attack and as agreed, the 200-
men headed by Srgt. Lamadrid launched an attack against Spanish Officers. The revolution was easily
crush by Gov. Izquierdo since the reinforcement from Manila did not come ashore. Mostly killed such Sgrt.
Lamadrid, while Gombuza were sentenced to die by execution.

On the other hand, the Filipino version is on this way: the first evidence is from the account of Dr.
Trinidad hermenegildo Pardo de tavera who wrote the Filipino version of the bloddy incident in Cavity.
From Filipino version of the Cavite Mutiny of Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide’s Documentary Sources of
Philippine History, Volume 7, pages 274 to 280. It states that “this uprising among the soldier of Cavite
was used as a powerful level by the Spanish residents and by the friars to deprive the friars… the central
government in madrid has announced its intention to deprive the friars in these islands of powers of
intervention in matters of civil government .It was due to these facts and promises that the Filipinos had
a great hope of an improvement in the affairs of theri country, while the friars on the other hand, feared
that their power in the colony would soon be complete a thing of the past. “

Moreover,, Another account to compliment Tavera’s account, analysed and motivated would be
French writer Edmund Plauchut from his “The Cavite Mutiny in 1872 and the Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za,”
Zaide’s Documentary Sources of Philippine History, Volume 7, pages 251-268. It presents that “During that
time, most Filipinos introduce necessary reforms that they want to experienced at that time such were:
Changes in tarrif rate, customs and collections; removal of surcharges on foreign importation, reduced of
export fees, foreigners to reside in the Philippines, advisory council establishment; changes in primary and
secondary education, establishment of an Institute of Civil administration, study of direct tax-system and
abolition of Tabacco monopoly. However General Izquiedo put an end to their dream. The situation
becomes more oppressive. The Filipinos had a duty to render service on public road construction and pay
taxes every year. The showcased mutiny is part of the large conspiracy to cements the dominance of the
Spanish Government in the Philippines.”

Therefore, It clearly shows that the cold-bloded policies of the general that time, such as the
abolition of privileges of the workers and native army members of the arsenal and the prohibition of the
founding of school of arts and trades for the Filipino became a cover up for the organization of a political
club. It is noteworthy that during that time, the Central Government in Madrid announced its intention to
deprive the friars of all the powers of intervention in matters of civil government and the direction and
management of educational institutions. This turn out of events was believed prompted the friars to do
something drastic in their desire to maintain power in the Philippines.

The intention of installing reforms were quickly ended through the government of Gov. Izquierdo.
The mutiny happened for a bottom-line reason: the discontentment of the arsenal workers and soldiers
of Cavite fort. However, the Madrid Government believe that the scheme was true without any attempt
to investigate the real facts or extent of the alleged “revolution” reported by Spaniards. .

In overall, considering the four accounts, there were some basic facs that remained to be unvarying:

 Dissatisfaction among workers after privileges were drawn back by Gen. Izquierdo;

Gen. Izquierdo introduced rigid and strict policies that made Filipinos move;

 The Central Government failed to conduct investigation;

 Happy days in of friars were already numbered in 1872 when central government decided to
deprive them of power;
 Filipino clergy members actively participated in secularization movement;
 Filipinos were responding to whay they deemed as injustice
 The execution of GOMBURZA was blunder on the part of the Spanich government for the action
served the ill feelings of the Filipinos and the event inspired Filipinos to call for reforms and
eventually independence. That are just my point to discuss.