MODULE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

CHAPTER 6: RZAL’S ARREST, EXILE, IMPRISONMENT TRIAL AND EXECUTION

Objectives:

a.) Analyze the cause of Rizal’s arrest.

b.) Appraise Rizal’s exile in Dapitan.
c.) Assess Rizal’s imprisonment. Trial and execution.

The arrival of Rizal in Manila on June 26, 1892 had become very sensational
among the Filipinos. Because the Spanish feared his popularity, they paid careful
attention to his every move. The houses where he had visited were searched and the
Filipinos seen in his company were suspected as collaborators.
His plan to put up the La Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892 was realized. The organization of
this secret society was held in the house of Doroteo Ongiunco in Tondo Manila.
On June 27, 1892, Rizal Boarded a Train in Tutuban Station in Tondo and visited
his friends in Malolos, Bulacan, San Fernando, Pampanga, Tarlac and Bacoor. He was
lavishly welcomed and entertained at the homes of his friends,
• June 28, 1892 – Rizal returned by train to Manila. The homes he visited were also
visited by the Guardia Civil which seized some copies of the Noli and Fili and some
“subversive” pamphplets.
• June 29, 1892 – After his visits to his friend in Central Luzon, Rizal had his
interview with Governor General Despujol at & 30 in the morning and ended at
9:15 in the evening.
• June 30, 1892 – Rizal and Governor General Despujol and talked about the
question of Borneo. The Governor General was opposed to it and told him to come
back Sunday.

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• July 3, 1892 – Rizal and Governor General Despujol discussed many things. Rizal
thanked the Governor General for lifting the exile of his sisters. Rizal told Governor
Despujol to return on Wednesday, July 6, 1892.
On the evening of this date (following his interview with the Governor), Rizal
attended a meeting of the patriots on Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila, at the home of
Doroteo Ongiunco
• July 6, (Wed), 1892 – Rizal went to Malacanang Palace to resume his series of
interviews with the governor-general. During the interview, Governor-General
Despujol suddenly showed him some printed copies of the Pobres Frailes (Poor
Friars) which were found in Lucia’s pillow cases. The incriminatory leaflets were
under the authorship of P. Jacinto (Rizal’s pen name) and printed by the Imprenta
de los Amigos del Pais, Manila. These leaflets were a satire, against the rich
Dominician friars who enriched themselves contrary to their vow of poverty. Rizal
denied owning these leaflets. Despite such denial and insistent demand for
investigation according to law, he was arrested and escorted to Fort Santiago by
Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of the Governor General.
• July 7, 1892 – The Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest. Rizal’s
arrest caused commotion among Filipinos, especially the newly decree deporting
Rizal to Dapitan. The decree mentioned the reasons for deportation as follows: (1)
the books and articles to Spain, anti- Catholic and anti-friars; (2) a bundle of
handbills found in one of his packages after his arrival in Manila entitled Pobres
Frailes satirized the Filipinos and anti-religious order; (3) El Filibusterismo was
dedicated to the Gomburza which the Spanish authorities considered as traitors;
(4) Rizal was pursuing the salvation of the Filipinos through their separation from
Mother country (Spain).
• July 5-July 15, 1892 – Rizal was imprisoned at Fort Santiago – before his exile to
Dapitan.
• July 15, 1892 – at 12:30 a.m. of July 15, Rizal was brought under heavy guard to
the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. The steamer under Captain
Delgras left Manila at 1:00 a.m. under cover of darkness.
• July 17, 1892 – After two days of sailing, the steamer Cebu reached Dapitan 7:00
p.m. of July 17. Captain Delgras handed Rizal to Captain Ricardo Carcinero, the
Spanish Commandant of Dapitan. That same night, Rizal was exiled in Dapitan for
a period of four (4) years, from July 17, 1892 to July 31, 1896.

BEGINNING OF EXILE IN DAPITAN

The steamer Cebu carried a letter of Father Pablo Pastells, e Jesuit Superior of the Jesuit
Society of the Philippines. The letter was given to Father Antonio Obach, Dapitan Jesiut
parish priest. It stated that Rizal could live at the parish convent on the conditions that

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Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion, make his statement Pro-Spanish,
perform church rites, make a general confession of his past life, and to conduct himself
like a Spanish subject and a man of religion. Rizal did not agree to these conditions.
Consequently, he lived in the house of Captain Carcinero believed that Rizal had fine
qualities and personality and was not a Filibuster. As a result, the Captain gave Rizal
wrote a poem on August 26, 1892 on the occasion of the Captain’s birthday.
• September 21, 1892 – Rizal, Captain Carcinero and Francisco Equilior (Spanish
resident of Dipolog), the neighboring town of Dapitan, jointly owned the ticket that
won the second prize of Php 20,000 of lottery. The ticket no. is 9736. Rizal’s share
is Php 6,200. He gave his father Php 2,000 and Php 200 to his friend Basa in
Hongkong. The rest of the amount was invested in purchasing agricultural lands
along the coast of Talisay, one kilometre away from Dapitan.

Rizal Debated with Pastells on Religion – Rizal had a long and scholarly debate
with Father Pastells (Sept. 1, 1892 to April 1893) on religion. In his letter to Father
Pastells Rizal revealed his anti-Catholic ideas because of his bitterness of the
Spanish friars who committed certain abuses. Rizal believed that individual
judgment is a gift from God and everybody should use it. He further stressed that
the pursuit of truth may be in different paths and this religion may vary but they all
lead to one light. Father Patell refuted Rizal’s attack on Catholic dogmas, but in
spite of their religious differences, they remained good friends, Although Rizal did
not like Pastells’ interpretation of Catholic dogmas. He continued to be a Catholic
Church and celebrating Christmas.

Rizal Challenged a Frenchman to a Duel – While Rizal was still debating with
Father Pastells by means of exchanging letters, he became involved in a quarrel
with Mr. Juan Larder, a French acquaintance and business man. Mr. Larder
purchased many logs from the lands of Rizal but these were logs of poor quality.
Angered by the letter to Antonio Miranda, a Dapitan businessman, expressing his
disgust over the business deal, Rizal became mad and challenged Mr. Larder to a
duel. Mr. Larder was persuaded by the Commandant to apologize rather than
accept the challenge. Heeding the Commander’s advice, Larder wrote to Rizal on
March 30, 1893 apologizig for the bad comments. Rizal, being a gentleman,
accepted the apology.

Rizal Could not be Convinced by Father Sanchez – Father Francisco Paula

Sanchez, Rizal’s favourite teacher at Ateneo, was sent by Father Pastells to
convince Rizal to return to the Catholic faith. Father Sanchez failed to convince
Rizal to discard his unorthodox views on the Catholic religion.

• August 1893 – His mother and sister Maria arrived in Dapitan and lived with him
for 1 ½ year. He likewise operated the right eye of his mother. Few days after the

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operation, his mother, ignoring Rizal’s advice, removed the bandages from her eye
causing the wound to be infected. Nevertheless, the wound was treated and the
operation was successful.
• November 3, 1893 – In the early part of November, 1893, Rizal was living
peacefully and happily at his house in Talisay, a kilometer away from Dapitan. His
mother, sister Narcisa, and Trinidad and some nephews came to see Rizal and
decided to live with him. But on this date, a certain “Pablo Mercado” (real name
was Florencio Namaan), single, 30 years pld from Cagayan de Misamis, pretended
as a relative of Rizal. But it was found out later by Captain Juan Sitges (who
succeeded Captain Carcinero in May 4, 1893 as Commandant of Dapitan) that he
was hired by the Recollect Friars and was paid Php 75.00 and promised him more,
to spy on Rizal’s activities, and was asked to steal letters and writings which will
incriminate him in the revolutionary movement.
RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS IN DAPITAN
Rizal’s exile in Dapitan for 4 years and 13 days had beeb maximized devoting much of
his time in improving his artistic and literary skills,doing agricultural and civic projects,
engaging in business activities and writing letters to his friends in Europe, particulary to
Dr. Ferdinand Blumentrittand Reinhold Rost.

CAREERS AND ACHIVEMENTS WHILE IN EXILE IN DAPITAN

As a physician, Rizal provided free medicine to his patients, most them were
underpriviledged. However, he also had wealthy patients who paid him well enough for
his excellent surgical skill. Among them were Don Ignacio Tumarong who gave Rizal 3000
pesos, and Aklanon haciendero, DonFrancisco Azcarraga, who paid him a cargo of sugar.
His skill was put into test in August 1893 when his mother, Doña Teodora Alonzo, was
placed under ophthalmic surgery for the third time. The operation was a success,
however, Alonzo, ignored her son’s instructions and removed the bandages in her eyes
which lead to irritation and infection.
As an engineer, Rizal applied his knowledge through the waterworks system he
constructed in Dapitan. Going back to his academic life, Rizal obtained the title of expert
survey or (perito agrimensor) from the Ateneo Municpal. From his practical knowledge as
agrimensor, he widened his knowledge by reading engineering-related books. As a result,
despite the inadequacy of tools at hand, he successfully provided a good water system
in the province.
As an educator, Rizal established a school in Dapitan which was attended by 16 young
boys from prominent families. Instead of charging for the matriculation, he made the
students do community projects for him like maintaining his garden and field. He taught
them reading, writing in English and Spanish, geography, history, mathematic, industrial
work, nature study, morals and gymnastics. He encouraged his students to engage in
sports activities to stenghten their bodies as well. There was no formal room, like the
typical classroom nowadays. Classes were conducted from 2 p.m with the teachers sitting
on a hammock while the students sat on a long bamboo bench.

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As an agriculturist, Rizal devoted time in planting important crops and fruit-bearing trees
in his 16-hectare land (later, reaching as large as 70 hectares). He planted cacao, coffee,
sugarcane, and coconuts, among many others. He even invested part of his earnings
from being a medical practitioner and his 6000-peso winnings from a lottery on lands.
From the United States, he imported agricultural methods. Rizal also visualized of having
an agricultural colony in Sitio Ponot, within the Sindañgan Bay. He believed that the area
was suitable for cattle-raising and for cash-crops as the area had abundant water.
Unfortunately, this plan did not materialize.
As a businessman, the adventurous Rizal, with his partner, Ramon Carreon, tried his
luck in the fishing, hemp and copra industries. In a letter to his brother-i-law, Manuel T.
Hidalgo, he pointed out the potential of the fishing industry in the province (as the area
was abundant with fish and good beach). He also requested that two good Calamba
fishermen be sent to Dapitan to teach the fisher folks of the new fishing methods, using
a big net called pukutan. But the industry in which Rizal became more successful was in
hemp, shipping the said product to a foreign firm in Manila.
As an inventor, little was known of Rizal. In 1887, during his medical practice in Calamba,
he invented a special type of lighter called sulpukan which he sent to Blumentrits as a
gift. According to Rizal the wooden lighter’s mechanism was baried on the principle of
compressedair. Another of his inventions was the wooden brick-maker can manufacture
about 6,000 bricks a day.
As an artist, he had contributed his talent in the Sisters of Charity who were preparing
for the arrival of the image of the Holy Virgin, Rizal was actually the person who modeled
the images right foot and other details. He also conceptualized its curtain, which was oil-
painted by a Sister under his instruction. He also made sketches of anything which
attracted him in Dapitan. Among his collections were the three rare (auna species that he
discovered (dragon/lizard,frog and beetie) and the fishes he caught. He also sculptured
the statuette called “The Mother’s Revenge” which represented his dog, Syria avenging
her puppy to a crocodile which killed it.
As a scientist, Rizal shared his interest with nature to his students. With his boys, they
explored the jungles and searched for specimens which he sent to museums in Europe,
particularly in Dressed Museum, In return, scientific books and surgical instruments were
delivered to him from the European scientists. He also made a bulk of other reasearches
and studies in the fields of ethnography, archaeology, geology, anthropology and
geography. However, Rizal’s most significant contribution in the scientific world was his
discovery of three species. Draw rizali (flying dragon), Apogonia rizali (small beetie), and
Rhacophorus rizali (race frog).
Rizal also partook in civic works in Dapitan. Upon arriving in the province, he noticed its
poor condition. He drained the marshes of Dapitan to get rid of malaria-carrying
mosquitoes. He also provided out of what he earned from being a physician. He beautiful
Dapitan by remodelling the town plaza, with the aid of his Jesuit teacher, Fr. Francisco
Sanchez, and created a relief map of Mindanao (footnote using stones, soil and grass)
right in front of the church.

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ROMANTIC AFFAIR WITH JOSEPHINE BRCAKEN

Rizal had always been missing his family and their happy moments together in Calamba
and his despair doubled upon the announcement of Leonor Rivera’s death. Not soon, to
his surprise, an Irish girl enlightened his rather gloomy heart. The girl was the 18-year old
Josephine Bracken who, to Wenceslao Retana’s words, was “slender, a chesnut blond,
with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an atmosphere of light (gaiety).”
From hongkong, she arrived in Dapitan in February, 1895 with his blind foster father,
George Taufer, and a Filipina named Manuela Orlac. Rizal’sfame as an opthaimic
surgeon reached overseas, and one of Rizal’s friends Julio Llorente referred the group to
Rizal. Rizal and Bracken instantly fell in love with each other as “Love at First Sight” and
in just one month, they agreed to marry which appalled and disturbed Taufer. However,
the parish priest of Dapitan, Father Pedro Obach, refused to do so unless they be
permitted by the Bishop of Cebu.
On the other hand, Taufer returned to Hongkong uncured. Because no priest was willing
to marry the two, the couple exchanged their vows before God in their own way, which
scandalized Fr. Obach. In 1896, their love bear its fruit – Josephine was pregnant.
Unfortunately, Bracken gave birth to a one-month premature baby boy who lived only for
three hours. The child was buried in Dapitan, bearing the name Francisco, after Rizal’s
father.
Katipunan Seeks Rizal’s Advice
Prior to the outbreak of the revolution, the Katipunan leader, Andres Bonifacio, soughtthe
advise of Jose Rizal. In a secret meeting on May 2, 1896 at Biltukang Manok river in
Pasig, the group agreed to send Dr. Pio Valenzuela as a representative to Dapitan who
will inform Rizal of their plan to launch a revolution against the Spaniards. On board the
steamer Venus, Valenzuela left Manila on June 15, 1892 and in 6 days (June 21, 1896),
arrived at Dapitan with a blind companion, Raymundo Mata. At night, Rizal and
Valenzuela had a talk in the former’s garden. There, Valenzuela told him of the
Katipunan’s plan. Regarding this Rizal outspokenly objected Bonifacio’s “premature” idea
for two reasons:
1. The Filipinos were still unready for such bloody revolution; and
2. The Katipunan lacked machinery – before plotting a revolution, there must be
sufficient arms and funds collected.

Valenzuela also told Rizal of their plan to rescue him in Dapitan. Again, the exiled hero
disagreed because he had no plan of breaking his word of honor to the Spanish
Authorities.
• July 30, 1896 – Months before Rizal was contacted on the plan of Katipunan, Rizal
offered his medical service in Cuba, which was then in the throes ofa revolution
and there was an outbreak of yellow fever epidemic. Rizal wrote Governor General

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Ramon Blanco, Despujol’s successor of his plan and serve as a military doctor in
Cuba.

It was only in July 30, 1896 that he was given a go-signal to go to Cuba through a
letter from Governor General Blanco.
RIZAL’S DEPARTURE FROM DAPITAN (AS A PRISONER)
Rizal’s destination is Cuba, as a military doctor.
• July 31, 1896 – On the midnight of July 31, 1896, he bade goodbye to the Dpitan
folks. He was accompanied to the shore by Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica
(Narcisa’s daughter), his three nephews, six pupils and some Dapitan residents,
he embarked on board the steamer España. Many wept as the steamer sailed
away. The town brass band played the dolorous farewell music “Funeral March” of
Chopin.
• August 6, 1896 – The España arrived in Manila on a Thursday morning he failed
to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon because it had earlier departed midnight of
the same day. Governor- General Blanco, on orders, transferred Rizal to the
Spanish cruiser Castilla. Captain Enrique gave Rizal a good accommodation
because Rizal was told that he was not a prisoner but a guest on board in order to
avoid difficulties from friends and enemies. Rizal stayed in the cruiser for about a
month (August 6 to September 3, 1896) pending in the availability of a Spain-
bound ship.
• August 19, 1896 – The Katipunan’s plot to overthrow the Spanish rule means of
revolution was discovered by the Fray Mariano Gil, an Augustinian cura of Tondo.
• August 26, 1896 – The Cry of Balintawak was raised by Bonifacio and his valiant
Katipuneros.
• August 30, 1896 – Bonifacio and Jacinto attacked San Juan (Battles of San Juan).
In the afternoon, Governor- General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the first
eight provinces – Manila (as a province), Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac.
• September 2, 1896 - At 6:00 p.m., Rizal was transferred to the steamer Isla de
Panay which was to sail for Barcelona, Spain. This was his last trip to Spain.
Among his fellow passenger on board were Don Pedro Roxas (rich Manila
industrialist) and his son Periquin.
• September 7, 1896 – Rizal arrived in Singaporein the evening of Sepetember 7.
Together with other passengers, he went sightseeing and shopping. He was,
however, placed under arrest by the ship skipper Captain Alimany, upon instruction
from Manila government.
• September 30, 1896 – The steamer Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona about
10:00 o’clock in the evening. The trip from Manila to Barcelona lasted for 30 days.

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He was kept under heavy guard in the cabin for three (3) days by General Eulogio
Despujol and his men. The General happened to be the same person who ordered
his banishment to Dapitan in July 1892.
• October 6, 1896 - At 3:00 a.m. of October 6, he was awakened and escorted to
the infamous prison-fortress MOnjuich. He spent the whole morning inside the cell.
At 2:00 p.m. he was taken out of the cell and brought to the headquarters of
General Despujol. He was told that he would be shipped back to Manila on board
the ship Colon. At 8:00 p.m. Rizal was taken aboard the ship which was full of
soldiers, officers and their families. The ship left Barcelona with Rizal on board.
• October 11, 1896 – Rizal’s diary was taken away before reaching Port Said. His
diary was critically scruntinized by the Spanish authorities but nothing dangerous
was found in its content. The cabin was also thoroughly searched but no
subversive materilas.

RIZAL WAS SHIPPED BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES TO UNDERGO TRIAL

• November 2, 1896 – Rizal’s diary was returned to him. At this time, news reports
on Rizal’s predicament reached his friends in Europe and Singapore. Dr. Antonio
Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez requested Atty. Fort,an English lawyer in Singapore
to institute a writ of habeas corpus to the Supreme Court for the removel of Rizal
from the steamer.
• Novemeber 3, 1896 – The steamer Colon reached Manila. Meanwhile, the
Spanish authorities who wanted to get evidence against Rizal arrested Deodato
Arellano, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco,
Temoteo.

RIZAL’S TRIAL
• November 20, 1896 – On this day, a preliminary 5-day investigation began. He
appeared before the Judge Advocate Colonel Francisco Olive. Documentary and
testimonial evidences were presented against Rizal. The documentary evidences
were:
1. Antonio Luna’s letter to Mariano Ponce on October 16, 1888 which showed
Rizal’s connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. Rizal’s letter to his family on August 20, 1890 in which he stated that the
deportations are good for they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
3. Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s letter to Deodato Arellano on January 7, 1889
implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign in Spain.
4. A poem “Kundiman” allegedly written by Rizal in September 12 1891 which
mentioned that “in a land of beauty, despot reigns and where the slaves
are oppressed in the tyrant’s grips”.

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5. Carlos Oliver’s letter to an unidentified person on September 18, 1891

describing Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish
oppression.
6. A Masonic document dated February 9, 1892 which honoured Rizal for his
patriotic services.
7. Dimasalang’s letter (Rizal’s pen name) to Tenchuz (Juan Zulueta’s name)
dated May 24, 1892 which stated that Rizal was preparing a safe refuge
for Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
8. Dimasalang’s (Rizal) letter to an unidentified committee on June 1, 1892
soliciting the aid of the committee in his “Patriotic work”.
9. Anonymous undated letter to the editor of the Hongkong Telegraph
censoring the banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. Ildefonso Laurel’s letter to Rizal on mentioning that Filipinos look up to Rizal
as their savior.
11. Ildefonso Laurel’s letter to Rizal dated September 3, 1893 informing an
unidentified correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes
and Ambrosio Salvador.
12. Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s letter to Don Juan A. Tenchuz (Juan Zulueta) dated
June 1, 1893 recommending the establishment of a special organization,
independent of masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people.
13. Transcript of speech of Tik-Tik (Emilio Jacinto), in reaunion Katipunan on
July 23, 1893 in which the following cry was uttered “Long Live the
Philippines! Long Live Liberty! Long Live Doctor Rizal’s Unity!”.
14. Transcript of speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago), in the same
Katipunan reunion wherein in the Katipuneros uttered: Long Live the
Philippines! Long Live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death to the oppressor of
nation!”
15. Laong Laan’s (Rizal) poem “Talisay” in which the author made the
schoolboys of Dapitan sing.

The restimonial evidence included the oral testimonies of Martin Constantino, Aguedo
del Rosario, Jose Reyes, Moises Sabado, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato
Arellano, Ambrosio Salvador, Pedro Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar,
Francisco Quison, and Timoteo Paez.
• Novemeber 26, 1896 – After the preliminary investigation, Colonel Olive
transmitted the records of the case to Governor General Ramon Blanco, who was
thereupon transmitted to them to Don Nicolas de la Pena, Judge Advocate
General. Among Pena’s recommendation for Rizal to be defended in court by an
Army officer, not by civilian lawyer.

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• December 8, 1896 – Rizal chose his defender from a list of 100 first and second
lieutenants in the Spanish Army. He chose Don Luis Traviel de Andrade, Rizal’s
bodyguard in Calamba in 1887.
• December 11, 1896 – The information of charges was formally read to Rizal in
his prison cell, with his counsel present. Rizal was accused of three (3) crimes.
(1) rebellion, (2) sedition (3) illegal association.
• December 13, 1896 – Ramon Blanco was replaced by Camilo Polavieja, a more
ruthless character, a governor general of the Philippines. Dominguez submitted
the papers of the Rizal case to Malacañan Palace.
• December 15, 1896 – Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people appeling to them to
stop shedding of blood and to achieve liberties by means of education and
industry. The judge Advocate General recommended to the Governor General
Polavieja that the manifesto be suppressed and so Rizal’s manifesto was not
issued to the people.
• December 25, 1896 – It was the saddest Christmas for Jose Rizal because this
was his last Christmas. Rizal wrote a letter to Lt. Traviel de Antrade that his case
was a hopeless one.
• December 26, 1896 at 8a.m. – The court-martial of Rizal was held in Cuartel de
Espana, a military building. Sealed behind a long table on an elevated dais were
the seven members of the military court in their respective uniforms – Lt. Col. Jose
Togores Arjona (president); Cpt. Rzardo Munoz Arias, Capt. Manuel Reguero,
Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio; Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nunez, Capt. Manuel
Escribano, and Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez.

Cuartel de España is used to be the present site of Pamantasan ng lungsod ng

Maynila.
Present inside the countroom were Dr. Rizal (accused), Lt. Traviel de Andrade
(defense counsel), Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate), Lt. Enrique de Alcocer
(Prosecuting Attorney), Josephine Bracken, some newspaper men, many Spaniards
and other spectators.

TRIAL PROPER
The trial was opened by Judge Advocate Dominguez who explained the case
against Rizal. After him, Prosecuting Attorney Alcocer delivered a speech summarizing
the charges against Rizal and urged the court to give the verdict death. The Spanish
spectators applauded noisily.
After Alcocer finished his speech, Defense Counsel Traviel de Andrade took the floor
and read the eloquent defense of Rizal and admonished the members of the military. His
admonition fell on deaf cars. After the defense counsel took his seat, the court asked

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Rizal to say something. Rizal read a supplement to his defense. But the military court
remained indifferent to Rizal’s pleading.
Lt. Col. Togores Arjona, the president considered the trial over and ordered the hall
cleared. After a short deliberation, the military court unanismously voted for Rizal’s
sentence of death. The Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Pena – affirmed the death
verdict.
December 28, 1896 – Governor General Polavieja approved the decision of the court –
martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at the back by a firing squad on December 30, 1896
at 7:00 in the morning in Bagumbayan field (Luneta)
Rizal Received Visitors – Rizal was busy meeting visitors such as Jesuit priests,
Josephine Bracken, members of his family, and some newspapermen. His first visitors
were Father Miguel Sadero Mata (Rector of Ateneo Municipal) and Father Luis Viza,
Jesuit teacher.
December 29, 1896
6:00 a.m. – Rizal was read his verdict by Captain Rafel Dominguez. To be shot the next
day at 7:00 a.am at the Luneta de Bagumbayan (Rizal Park)
29 December, 7:00 AM: Rizal was transferred to the chapel cell which were adomed by
religious images to convince him to go back to Catholic fold. His first visistors were
Fathers Miguel Sadera Mata and Luis Viza.
29 December, 7:15 AM: After Father Saderra left, Rizal asked Fr. Viza for the Sacred
Heart statuette which he carved when he was an Ateneo student. From his pocket the
same statue appeared.
29 December, 8:00 AM: Father Viza was realived by Father Antonio Rosell who joined
Rizal for breakfast. Lt. Luis Traviel de Andrade joined them.
29 December, 9:00 AM: Fr. Federico Faura, who once said that Rizal would lose his head
for writing Noli Me Tangere, arrived. Rizal told him, “Father, you are indeed a poet.”
29 December, 10:00 AM: Fathers Jose Vilaclara and Estanislao March visited Rizal,
followed by a spanish journalist, Santiago Mataix of El Heraldo Madrid, for an interview.
29 December, 12:00-3:00 PM: Rizal was alone in his cell. He had lunch, wrote letters
and probably wrote his last poem of 14 stanzas which he wrote in his flowing handwriting
in a very small piece of paper. He hid it inside his alcohol stove, The untitled poem was
later known as Mi Ultimo Adios (My Lat Farewell). In its second stanza, he already praised
the revolutionaries in the battlefield in giving their lives “witout doubt, without gloom.”
First page of the “Mi Ultimo Adlos” in Rizal’s own handwriting
29 December, 3:00 PM: According to an account of the agent of the Curpo de Vigilancia
guarding Rizal’s cell. Rizal signed what seems to be the document retracting his anti-

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Catholic writings and his membership in masonry, This event in a contentious issue
among Rizal experts.
29 December, 4:00 PM: Visit of Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonzo. Them Rizal’s sister
Trinidad enterd to get her mother and Rizal whispered to her in English referring to the
alcohol stove, “There is something inside.” They were also accompanied by Narcisa’s
eleven-year-old son, was not allowed to enter the cell. While leaving for their carriages
an official handed over the alcohol stove to Narcisa. After their visit, Father Vilacdara and
Estanislao March returned to the cell followed by Father Rosell.
29 December, 6:00 PM:Rizal was visited by the Dean of the Manila Cathedral, Don Sivino
Lopez Tuñon. Father March left Father Vilaclara to be with the two.
29 December, 8:00 PM: Rizal’s last supper where he informed Captain Domnguez that
he already forgave those who condemnedhim.
29 December,9:30 PM: Rizal was visited by the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila,
don Gaspar Cestaño with whom Rizal offered the best chair of the cell. According to
accounts, the fiscal left with “a good impression of Rizal’s intelligence and noble
character.”

THE SO-CALLED RIZAL RETRACTION

• December 29,1896 at 10:00 p.m. – The draft of the retraction sent by the anti-
Filipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (1890-1903) was submitted by Father
Balaguer to Rizal for signature but Rizal rejected it at first because it was too long.
Another shorter retraction was prepared by Father Pio Pi, Superior of the Jesuit
Society in the Philippine, which was acceptable to Rizal. Rizal wrote his own
retraction in which he abjured masonry and his religious ideas which were anti-
Catholic. The Rizal’s retraction is now controversial document. The Rizalist
scholars were anti-Mason or anti-Catholic claimed it to be forgery.
• December 30, 1896 at 3:00 a.m. – Rizal heard a mass, confessed his sins and
took Holy communion. At 5:30 a.m., he took his last breakfast. Also, Josephine
Bracken accompanied by Josefa (Rizal’s sister) arrived. Before Josephine
Bracken left, Rizal gave her a religious book “ Imitation of Christ” by Thomas
Kempis, which was autographed: “To my dear unhappy wife, Josephine.
December 30, 1896.”
• 30 December, 5:00 AM: Teary-eyed Josephine Bracken and Josefa Rizal came
aacording to the testimony of the testimony of the agent of the Cuerpo de
Vigilancia, Josephine and Rizal were married. Josephine was gifted by Rizal with
the classic Thomas a Kempis book Imitataion of Christ in which he inscribed. “To
my dear and unhappy wife, Josephine, December 30th, 1896, Jose Rizal,”
embraced for the last time.

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• 30 December, 5:30 AM: Rizal took his last meal. According tostories told to Narcis
by Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, Rizal threw some eggs in the corner of a cell for the
“poor rats,” “Let them have their fiesta too.” Rizal wrote to his family and to his
brother.

RIZAL’S EXECUTION AND DEATH

• 30 December, 6:00 Am: Rizal wrote his father, Francisco Mercado “My beloved
Father, Pardon me for the plain with which I repay you for sorrows and sacrifices
for my education. I did not want nor did I prefer it. Goodbye, Father, goodbye…
Jose Rizal.” To his mother, Sra. Doña Teodora Alonso 6 o’clock in the morning
December 30, 1896. Jose Rizal.”
• 30 December, 1896 at 6:30 AM: A trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to
begin the death march to Bagumbayan. The four (4) soldiers who acted as
advanced guards with bayoneted rfles moved first. A few meter behind, Rizal
walked calmly with his defense counsel on one side and two Jesuit priests on the
other. Behind them were the soldiers. With the sounds of the drum, the cavalcade
marched slowly, passing the narrow Postigo Gate (one of the gates of the city wall),
and reached the Malecon (now Bonifacio drive). Rizal walked serenely to
Bagumbayan field and was told to stand on a grassy lawn by the shore of the
Manila Bay, between two lamp posts.
Rizal bade farewell to Fathers March snd Villariclara and to his defender Lt. Luis
Taviel de Andrade. One of the priests blessed him and offered him a crucifix to
kiss. Rizal requested that he be shot facing the firing squad but his request was
denied because the orders was to shot him in the back. Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo,
the Spanish military physician who took his pulse was amazed to findit normal.

RIZAL’S DEATH
30 December, 7:03 AM: With the captain shouting “Fuego!” Shouts rang out from the
guns of eight indio soldiers. Rizal, being a convicted criminal was not facing the firing
squad. As he was hit, he resists and turns himself to face his executors. He falls down
and dies facing tha sky.
But in two years after Rizal’s death, the victorious Philippine revolutionaries will sealed
the fate of the Spanish Empire in the east. Three hundred thirthy-three years of Spanish
Colonialism ended in 1898.
30 December 1896, Narcisa, after a long search, discovered where her brother’s body
was secretly buried, at the old unused Paco Cemetry. She asked the guards to place a

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marble plaque designed by Doroteo Ongjungco containing Rizal’s initials in reverse –

“RPJ”.
17 August 1898: Four days after the Mock Battle of Manila when the Americans took over
the city, the remains of Rizal were exhumed. They were brought to Narcisa’s house,
washed and cleansed and were placed in an ivory um designed by Romualdo Teodoro
de Jesus. The um stayed there until 1912.
29 December 1912: From Estraude Street in Binondo, Manila, the um was transferred in
a procession headed by the masons and the Knights of Rizal to the marble hall of the
Ayuntamiento de Manila, where it stayed overnight with the Knights on guard.
30 December 1913, morning; In a solenn procession, the um began its last journey to
Rizal’s final resting place the base of the soon-to-rise national monument to Jose Rizal.
30 December 1913: The Rizal National Monument at the Luneta was inaugurated. Its
original design name was “Motto Stella” (Guiding Star) and was made bySwiss sculptor
Dr. Richard Kissing who earlier also made the National Monument to William Tell, the
National Hero of Switzerland.
30 December 2012: The transfer of the remains of Rizal from Binondo to the site of the
Rizal Monument was recreated one hundred years later by the Order of the Knights of
Rizal and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in commemoration of
Rizal’s 116th Martyrdom Anniversar

To know more about this Chapter, please click the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgIudvTEGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT2LLpRQUt4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFPKSaPyniQ

Dr. Mariano M. Ariola The Life and Works of Rizal. Unlimited Books Library Service & Publishing
Inc.: 2018

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