THE TIMELINE OF THE CAVITE MUTINY

1774: SECULARIZATION

Before, there was two classifications of a priest- the regular and the secular. The former belonged to the
congregations of the Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Augustinians. The latter do not belong to any religious order.
They were assigned to run the parishes under the supervision of the bishop. To make the story short, the secular priests
just defended their rights to serve the parishes in the Philippines. They planned to organize an association called the
secularization and led by Fr. Pedro Pelaez, and they were supported by many of the Filipinos which threatened the
regular priests. After his death, Fr. Jose Burgos continued the said movement.

1869 - 1871: DE LA TORRE ADMINISTRATION

Carlos Maria de la Torre y Nevacerrada was the 82 nd Governor-General of the Philippines. His administration
gave the Filipino a happy and contented life. He was the exact opposite to the Governor General who replaced him.

1871 - 1873: DE IZQUIERDO ADMINISTRATION

Rafael Geronimo Cayetano de Izquierdo y Gutíerrez served as the 83 rd Spanish Governor-General of the
Philippines from 1871 until 1873. He neglected the liberal, reform, and pro-Filipino rule of the former Governor General
de la Torre. His government was known as an iron fist which resulted for the people to revolt against him. According to
him, the silence of the Filipino reach the point to disapprove his government. He also said that the people are no longer
paying for their taxes properly.

JANUARY 20, 1872: The Cavite Mutiny

It was an uprising led by Sgt. Fernando La Madrid which had reached 200 Filipino soldiers in an arsenal in Fort
San Felipe, Cavite. The Spanish colonial government urgently punched the clashes but it became significant in history
because it was used as an excuse to subdue Filipino patriots and demand government reforms. La Madrid and his troops
mistakenly thought about the reinforcement. They thought that the sound they heard from afar was a sign for back-ups
but in reality, it was just a firecracker in celebration of the feast in the town nearby. Initially, they had killed 11 Spanish
soldiers but later, they were outnumbered and resulted their defeat – majority died including La Madrid himself as he
try to escape the battlefield.

THE CAPTURE OF GOMBURZA

De Izquierdo, who was just finding the chance to bring down Fr. Burgos to prevent the secularization movement,
used the Cavite Mutiny as an excuse and captured Burgos and his friends or companions in the association – Gomez and
Zamora. Francisco Saldua testifies against Burgos for he thought that he will be saved from death in doing that and
eventually, he was also included in the strangulation.

FILIPINOS’ PERSPECTIVE

The Cavite Mutiny emerged because of the immorality and maltreatment of the Spaniards during de Izquierdo’s
administration. The government even removed the Filipinos’ privilege. For instance, their exemption for the poly y
servicios. The soldiers get mad at this which resulted to the revolt.

SPANIARDS’ PERSPECTIVE

According to Governor-General, the Filipinos already planned to oust them from the government and the
Spaniards do not want this to happen.
CONCLUSION

Without the 1872 Cavite Mutiny, there would be no 1896 Philippine Revolution for Rizal wouldn’t have written
the two novels – Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo. The latter was dedicated for the three martyrs. It is also
believed that the death of the three martyr priests was the start of the so-called Philippine Nationalism.