CAVITE MUTINY:

REBELLION OR
EMANCIPATION?
(A Position Paper about the Two Versions in
the 1872 Cavite Mutiny)

CHANZ EZRA P. CELESTE

BMMA 1.1B
MA’AM MARIANE KATRINE SERRANO
 INTRODUCTION

History, without a doubt, has a significant role of influence in our present time. It only
explains why we're in specific situations and what happened to get us there. With the perspective
of Philippine history, we may be able to address our problem if we know and comprehend the
causes for the tiny occurrences that lead to our "present" condition. In relation to this, this position
paper will briefly discuss about an historical event that happened back in 1872 known as the
“Cavite Mutiny”, a fearless action of showing rebellion that started it all in achieving the countries’
earliest attempt of emancipation against the longest-running colonization in the Spanish rule.
Moreover, this will serve as an open discussion in determining which narrative of the said timeline
mattered the most, either the Spanish or Tagalog version?

SIDES AND/OR EVIDENCES OF THE CONTROVERSY

For a simple overview, according to Britannica, the Cavite Mutiny (January 20, 1872)
was emphasized as a temporary rebellion of 200 Filipino soldiers and employees at the Cavite
arsenal that served as a justification for Spanish persecution of the fledgling Philippine nationalist
movement. Ironically, the Spanish government' violent retaliation ultimately aided the nationalist
cause. Moreover, the rebellion was promptly put down, but the Spanish authorities, led by
reactionary governor Rafael de Izquierdo, exaggerated the episode and used it as a reason to crack
down on Filipinos who were pushing for reform. Several Filipino intellectuals were apprehended
and charged with collaborating with the mutineers. However, in the year 1872, two big events
occurred which were the 1872 Cavite Mutiny and the martyrdom of the three martyr priests who
were consists of Father Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).
Three priests, José Burgos, Jacinto Zamora, and Mariano Gómez, were publicly executed after a
brief trial. Following that, the three became martyrs in the fight for Philippine independence.
Spanish Version
As we all know, Filipinos were clearly revolted in the said situation based on their own
independent will. Although it may be due to elimination of benefits, but in writing as evidenced
by Jose Montero y Vidal, a Spanish historian, a Spanish official in Manila at that time and an
expert historian, he wrote a book that entitled “Historia General de Filipinas” the Filipinos' attempt
to overthrow the Spanish government is the whole
narrative of the uprising itself. The authors are
shows that a Spanish sergeant reported the plot
of the Filipinos. He discovered it by her lover and
it immediately reported to Izquierdo. While also
received Izquierdo of other anonymous reports
that put him on high alert before the uprising.
Furthermore, the two Spaniards
believed that the 1872 incident had been
organized in advance and that it was the result of
a large conspiracy including educated leaders,
mestizos, abogadillos (local lawyers), people of
Manila and Cavite, and the native clergy. They
said that Manila and Cavite conspirators planned
to assassinate high-ranking Spanish officers,
followed by a massacre of the friars. The firing of
rockets from the walls of Intramuros was allegedly a pre-planned signal among the conspirators of
Manila and Cavite. According to their testimonies, the district of Sampaloc celebrated the feast of
the Virgin of Loreto on January 20, 1872, but regrettably, the festivities were marred by the typical
fireworks displays. As per reports, people in Cavite mistook the fireworks for an attack signal, and
the 200-man detachment led by Sergeant Lamadrid launched an attack on Spanish officials on
sight, seizing the arsenal, as arranged. In conclusion, it made sense that the Mutiny is an attempt
to remove and overthrow the Spanish Colonizers in Philippines and not just due to such deletion
of their tax privilege.
Tagalog Version
First of all, the uprising against the Spanish took place because of the unfair decision of
the Spanish Gov't headed by Governador-General Rafael Izquierdo, threatened that they would
give up on tax on Arsenal workers but in the first place, these taxes were payed by money or forced
labor also called polo y servicio. As a result, when the workers have done their tasks, it will
eventually be reduced due to such taxation.
The Filipino version of the deadly incident in Cavite was written by Dr. Trinidad
Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino academic and researcher. According to him, the episode
was only a mutiny by the Cavite arsenal's native Filipino soldiers and employees, who were upset
with the removal of their privileges. Indirectly, Tavera blamed Gov. Izquierdo's cold-blooded
policies, such as the abolition of workers' and native army members' arsenal privileges, and the
prohibition on the establishment of schools of arts and trades for Filipinos, which the general saw
as a cover-up for the formation of a political
club.
Lastly, the execution of GOMBURZA
was a blunder on the part of the Spanish
government, for the action severed the ill-
feelings of the Filipinos and the event inspired
Filipino patriots to call for reforms and
eventually independence. The Spaniards used
this mutiny as a cloth to execute those who are
up for governmental reforms like secularization
in which was led by Padre Burgos. We Filipinos
are called ‘Indios’ and no one knows but
coming on the right we fight for it. The
Spaniards are taking advantage of us on our
own land. We are forced to do work and
everything is not enough for them and that really is injustice.
 THE STAND
Positive Stand
In my opinion, the reason for the mutiny of the workers, laborers of the Cavite arsenal,
and local troops were the abolition of their privileges, as stated by Dr. Trinidad Tavera in the
Filipino version of the Cavite Mutiny. The workers', laborers', and local troops' devotion shown
that they oppose the Spanish government's tyrannical and cold-hearted rule in the Philippines. The
assassination of three native clerics led by GOMBURZA reawakened Filipino nationalism and
triggered the Philippine Revolution of 1896, which is an important element of our history that
Filipinos will never forget.

Negative Stand
Humans despise the Spanish government's decision not to investigate Gen. Izquierdo and
the friars' report on the Cavite Mutiny, and their decision to sentence those involved to life in
prison, as well as the execution of the GOMBURZA, for which the Spanish prosecutors bribed a
witness testifying against the GOMBURZA charged with sedition and treason. The unfairness and
partiality of the Spanish government became a vital and indelible part of our history, which our
forefathers lived through.

Final Stand
The 1872 Cavite Mutiny was an important event that occurred in Philippine history. This
rebellion also paved a way for a very important 1898, the year that we finally gained the
Independence of the Philippines. The uprising was also awakened the patriotism and the patriotic
heart of Filipinos who encouraged them to fight for their freedom. If only the deal was fair to us
both Spaniards, there will be no no revolt but because they are the ones who were unfairly forcing
the Filipino to do what they think is right. Not me speaking because I am a Filipino but in truth,
we are seen by the Spaniards as a worker and not a man. Yes, we have no power to govern our
own country, accept it or not, we have nothing to do here but to manipulate ourselves, that's too
much. We as Filipinos do not deserve this. As conclusion, I stand and believe in Filipino version.
 REFERENCES
• https://nhcp.gov.ph/the-two-faces-of-the-1872-cavite-mutiny/
• https://www.britannica.com/event/Cavite-Mutiny
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/42634842
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/42635001?read-
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