Arrest, Trial, and Execution

September 30

- Isla de Panay was sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, when they received a telegraphic message
ordering Rizal’s arrest
- Elements in the Philippines especially Manila Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda damored for the
arrest of Rizal who was said to be the spirit of the Philippine Revolution.

November 3

- The Colon arrived in Manila bay and Rizal was taken to Fort Santiago where he was held
incommunicado.
- Spanish authorities gathered evidence that can be used against Rizal. Torturing several
individuals, including the surrendered and captured Katipuneros, two members of the La Liga
Filipina and the Cuerpo de Compromisarios and even his relatives.

November 20, 1896

- Rizal was brought before a Spanish military tribunal Headed by Colonel Francisco Olive.
- A grueling five-day preliminary investigation ensued.
- Rizal was questioned by the Judge Advocate but he was not permitted to Confront witnesses
who testified against him.
- Fifteen document was used against him.

December 8, 1896

- Rizal was given a list of a hundred first and second Lieutenants of the Spanish army who could
defend him.
- Rizal’s arraignment was set on December 11, 1896. Rizal was Charged with the crime of
rebellion and the formation of illegal associations.

December 13

- The case was forwarded to Governor General Camilo de Polavieja who had just replaced
Governor Blanco. Rizal’s actual trial actually began on December 26, 1896 at the Hall of Fame
Banners of the Cuartel de Espana
- Rizal was allowed to address the court his own defense. He said:

That he could not be guilty of rebellion because the told the Katipunan emissary Dr. Valenzuela not to
rise in revolt.

- Rizal said that La Liga Filipina was not revolutionary organization but a civic Organization;
- After the trial, the judges debated whether to exile Rizal as the evidences do not directly link
him to the revolution or to execute Rizal.

December 28

- Polavieja signed Rizal’s death warrant ordering him to be shot at 7:00 in the morning at
Bagumbayan.

December 29, 1896

- Rizal protested saying that he was innocent and he objected being labelled as a Chinese mestizo.
Rizal’s Final Days

- After having heard his death sentence, Rizal was transferred to the prison chapel.
- At three in the afternoon, Fr. Balaguer returned and tried to persuade Rizal to retract his
Masonic beliefs. But Rizal remained firm.
- Rizal also told Trinidad to look inside his shoes after he is executed.
- The content of the alcohol stove was a small piece of paper which contained a poem which was
later known as Mi Ultirmo Adios.
- At around 10.00 o’clock in The evening, a draft of retraction arrived from Archbishop Bernardino
Nozaleda. Rizal rejected it because it was too long.
- At 11:30 in the evening. Rizal signed his retraction from the Freemasonry. It was witnessed by
Juan del Fresno the Chief of the guard detail and the Adjutant of the Plaza Elroy Moure.
- At 1:30 in the morning, Rizal woke up, prayed and confessed again.
- At 5:00 o’clock in the morning, Rizal had his last breakfast, autographed his remaining books
which became his last souvenir.
- Colonel who served as the Mayor de la Plaza made an announcement to the Spectator “en el
nombre del Rey, el que se levantar la voza favour del reo sera ejecutado”- In the name of the
King, anyone who raises his voice in favour of the traitor will be Executed. It was a warning for
those who would oppose the execution of Rizal.
- Colonel took Rizal to the site of his execution between two lamp posts.
- When the order to fire was given the saber dropped There was a simultaneous crack of gunfire
and Jose Rizal made one last effort to drop on His back with his face facing the sky-he intended
not to die as a traitor. It was exactly 7:03 in the morning.
- The Spanish spectators Shouted Viva España! And the military band played Marcha de Cadiz.
- Rizal’s body was sent to the Hospital of San Juan de Dios where a death certificate was
prepared. Then, it was secretly buried at the Paco Cemetery where later it was Traced by his
sister, Narcisa. Four days after Manila fell to the Americans on August 13 1898.