TWO FACES OF 1872 CAVITE
CAVITE MUTINY 1872
2 MAJOR EVENTS IN 1872
1. An uprising of military personnel of Fort San Felipe,
the Spanish arsenal in Cavite, Philippines on
January 20, 1872.
2. Around 200 soldiers and laborers rose up in the
belief that it would elevate to a national uprising.
3. The mutiny was quickly crushed, but the Spanish
regime under the reactionary governor Rafael de
Izquierdo magnified the incident and used it as an
excuse to clamp down on those Filipinos who had
been calling for governmental reform.
4. The 1872 Cavite Munity was precipitated by the
removal of long-standing personal benefits to the
workers such as tax (tribute) and forced labor
exemptions on order from the Governor General
Rafael de Izquierdo.
5. Many scholars believe that the Cavite Mutiny of 1872
was the beginning of Filipino Nationalism that
would eventually led to the Philippine Revolution of
1896.
GOMBURZA
1. Father Mariano Gomez
2. Father Jose Burgos
3. Father Jacinto Zamora
MARTYRDOM OF THE THREE
PRIESTS
- On 17 February 1872 in an attempt of the Spanish
Government and Frailocracia to instill fear among
the Filipinos so that they may never commit such
daring act again, the GOMBURZA were executed.
- They were executed by Garrote in Luneta Field,
also known in Tagalog as Bagumbayan.
- This event was tragic but served as one of the
moving forces that shaped Filipino Nationalism.
DEDICATED EL FILIBUSTERISMO
“I dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil
which I undertake to combat…” – Jose Rizal
MUTINY (The Spanish Perspective &
The Filipino Perspective)
SPANISH PERSPECTIVE
1. JOSE MONTERO Y VIDAL
- Prolific Spanish Historian
- Documented the event and highlighted it as an
attempt in overthrowing the Spanish Government in
the Philippines.
2. GOV. GEN. RAFAEL IZQUIERDO
- Implicated the native clergy, which was then active in
the call for secularization.
- Highlighted the event in the attempt to overthrow the
Spanish Government to install “hari” in the likes of
Fathers Burgos and Zamora.
- Caused by the Spanish Government because they
took the rights and privileges of the people working in
Cavite Mutiny.
- People in the Mutiny revolted to the Spaniards who
were in the arsenal.
- Attempt of the Indios to overthrow the Spanish
Government in the Philippines.
- They killed the leaders of the Cavite Mutiny so that
the revolt of the Filipinos would not cause a big
problem.
- The GOMBURZA were tried by a court – martial and
were sentenced to die by strangulation.
FILIPINO PERSPECTIVE
1. DR. TRINIDAD HERMENIGILDO PARDO DE
TAVERA
- A Filipino scholar and researcher
- Wrote Filipino version of the Bloody Incident in
Cavite.
- Filipinos felt abused and oppressed by the Spanish
people.
- Spanish friars used the Cavite Mutiny as a powerful
lever by magnifying it as a full-blown conspiracy
involving not only the native army but also included
residents of Cavite and Manila, and more importantly
the native clergy to overthrow the Spanish
government in the Philippines.
- Members of the native clergy headed by the
GOMBURZA were tried and executed by Garrote.
- Thus, leads to the awakening of Nationalism and
eventually to the outbreak of Philippine Revolution of
1896.
 LIMASAWA AS THE SITE
ARGUMENTS
SITE OF FIRST MASS 1. Evi A ’ k
2. The evidence of Pigafetta
ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST MASS 3. Confirmatory evidence from the Legazpi Tradition
Antonio Pigafetta (Lombardo)
- “… Fr H , we took the course between west
ALBO’S ACCOUNT
and southwest, and passed amidst four small - “Fr h r ar a ai a i
islands, i.e., Cenalo, Pluinanghar, Ibusson, and with a large island called Seilani, which is inhabited,
Abarien. and contains gold; we coasted it, and went to west-
- “… h 28 h ar h havi h i h before southwest, to a small, inhabited island called
ir a i a … a h r a hi i a … Mazaba. The people are very good, and there we
This island is in 9 2/3 degrees north latitude … I i placed a cross upon a mountain from there were
25 leagues distant from … H a i a shown three islands to the west and southwest …”
Mazzava ”
PIGAFETTA’S ACCOUNT
Fernão de Magalhães / Fernando de - Pi a a’ i a r ar h r ak
the expedition from the Pacific Ocean to Cebu.
Magallanes / Ferdinand Magellan
- Presence of two natives kings.
- “… On Sunday, the last day of March, and feast of - The events of the seven days at the island of
Easter, the captain sent the chaplain ashore early to “Mazzaua”
say mass … When it was time for saying mass the - An argument from omission.
captain went ashore with fifty men, … dressed as
well as each one was able to dress … When the CONFIRMATION FROM LEGAZPI’S
offertory of the mass came, the two kings went to ACCOUNT
- Searched for Mazzaua
kiss the cross like us …”
- Intended to go to Butuan but the winds brought them
to Bohol.
- Legazpi Expedition: Mazaua was an island near
Leyte and Panaon.
- Stanley (1874) merely asserts in a footnote, without
any argument or proof: “It is doubtless the
Limasaua of the present day, off the south point
of Samar.”
- B & R (1903) merely declares: “It is now called the
island of Limasaua, and has an area of about ten
and one-half square miles.” Most succeeding
Philippine historians then accepted this as a fact.

MASAO AS THE SITE

ARGUMENTS OF MASAO, BUTUAN
1. NAME OF THE PLACE
- In the accounts of Pigafetta, Albo, the Genoese
pilot, and Ginés de Mafra the name of the
hr i a a i i h a a i i a i h i a a h
island starts with letter M (Mazaua)
- O a & R’ ra a i
ri i a ; h v ra a Pi a a’ “ aza”
i “h ” h i h “h ” (Schreurs); we
should rely on the manuscript of Pigafetta.
2. THE NAVIGATOR’S ROUTE FROM HOMONHON
- The travel from Homonhon to Mazaua took
THREE (3) DAYS, yet Limasawa is so near to
Homonhon.
h a h r a i a a a ar i a h aa hai
3. THE LATITUDE - “… a a hi i a Homonhon, and sailing
- Actual latitude of Limasawa is NINE (9) on his way arrived at another island of THREE OR
DEGREES, FIFTY-SIX (56) MINUTES; Masao’s FOUR (3 OR 4) leguas/leagues in circumference …
latitude is EIGHT (8) DEGREES, FIFTY-SEVEN This island is called Mazaua has a good harbor on its
(57) MINUTES. western side, and is inhabited.
- The latitudes given by Albo (9 1/3) and the
Genoese Pilot (9) point more to Masao. MASAO AS AN ISLAND IN 1521
4. THE ROUTE TO CEBU - “ h i ii a Pinamanculan Hills cannot be
- On its way to Cebu, the fleet sailed along taken for granted, especially now that it has been
“Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Baybay, Catighan established that the area used to be an island ”
and Canighan”
- Mazaua-Gatighan distance is TWENTY (20) IN PINAMANCULAN HILLS, BUTUAN CITY
leguas/leagues (80 n. miles) (Pigafetta)
- Actual Limasawa-Gatighan distance is only
ONE (1) legua/league (4 n.m.)
5. THE GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF THE
PLACE
➢ ARTIFACTS
- At the eastern edge of Pinamanculan,
balanghai boats, burial grounds, ceramics,
gold ornaments, and processing tools have
been excavated–they suggest a thriving ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNT: ALBO
community and port centuries ago. - “… W a i S ia i a -
➢ ECOFACTS southwest, to a small, inhabited island called
- The Butuan River has evolved; a deltaic Mazzaba. The people are very good, and there we
island existing in 1521 (geologists say it is a a r a ai … a hi i a i
the present Pinamanculan Hills in Butuan in 9 1/3 degrees north la i ”
City) has fused with the mainland.
A PAGE OF A MANUSCRIPT VERSION OF ALBO’S
- Another contemporary account of the voyage
LOGBOOK
describes Mazaua as THREE TO FOUR (3-
4) LEAGUES IN CIRCUMFERENCE (Ginés
de Mafra) which implies an area of TWO
THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FORTEEN
TO THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED
THIRTY (2,214 TO 3,930) HECTARES; but
Limasawa has only SIX HUNDRED
NINETY-EIGHT (698) HECTARES.

ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNT: GINÉS DE

MAFRA
- A drawing of Mazaua in a Pigafetta manuscript (left). ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNT: GENOESE
An island with a circumference of THREE TO FOUR - “… h a a h ra a h ri a hi h i
(3-4) LEAGUES and has an area of TWO named Macangor, which is in nine (9) degrees; and
THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FORTEEN TO in this island they were very well received, and they
THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THIRTY a a r i i ”
(2,214 TO 3,930) HECTARES; but Limasawa has
only SIX HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT (698) A SPANISH CARAVEL
HECTARES.
MERITS OF THE ARGUMENTS Pi a a’ j r a a ra y
identify the same locations on current maps. The only
LIMASAWA solution, therefore, remains the correct identification of
1. Evi A ’ k. h i a a ”
2. The evidence of Pigaffeta.
3. Confirmatory evidence from the Legazpi tradition.

MASAO
1. The name of the place.
2. Navi a r’ r r H h
3. The latitude.
4. The route to Cebu.
5. The geographical features of the place.

VERIFIED DISTANCE
According from the NATIONAL HISTORICAL
COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES:

- “Ear i r Pi a a r ha ‘24 a i q a
100 i r 160 9 k ’ a i q a 67
k … From an accurate map, the sea distance from
the eastern side of Homonhon going west southwest
… Limasawa is 167 kms; divided by 6.7 kms. It is
24.9 leagues and checks well with the Homonhon-
Mazaua distance of 25 leagues ”

DECEITFUL ACCOUNTS
- … h vari rar a a a ’
voyage … showed a purpose to deceive … in order
to claim possession of the Spice Islands … I h
a a ’ v a were to admit that the Spice
Islands fell with the Portuguese sphere, the rights of
Magellan in the Spice Islands would have been
nonexistent and the expenditures of Magellan and
his friends would have been in vain, according to the
grant of the emperor Char V…O h
Spanish followers of Magellan, Bustamante, on his
ah … ii ha r ai a a
r i a a ’ v a r rar h
truth.”

UNINTENTIONALLY WRONG
COORDINATES

“… Si i i a i r r r i r
Pi a a’ r r i … h rr
values were mainly due to the determination methods
used in those times. Therefore, the coordinates found in
FIRST CRY OF REVOLUTION Raging Controversies
● The historian Teodoro Agoncillo chose to
ha iz aa i ’ ari h a ax
Andres Bonifacio y de Castro receipt) before a crowd of Katipuneros who then
broke out in cheers.
● “A a R ” ● However, Guardia Manuel Sityar never mentioned
● “A a hi a ika ” in his memories (1896-1898) the tearing or
● “S r ” inspection of the cedula, but did note the pact de
● “Pa Hari Ka a a a ” sangre (blood pact) mark on every single Filipino he
● Unofficial President of the Philippines met in August 1896.
● Born in Tondo, Manila, on November 30, 1863
● Died on May 10, 1687 (Maragondon Cavite)
Where did it take place? Pugad Lawin or
Balintawak
Geography
● The barrios, hamlets, and farmsteads where the
revolution began were all within the municipality of
Caloocan in the province of Manila.
● Its total population in 1896 was tallied at just 7,829
● 2,694 lived in the town (poblacion) 977 lived in the
largest barrio, Balintawak, and the remaining 4,158
Kataas-taasang,Kagalang-galangang were scattered in ten other barrios - Baesa,
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) Bagobantay, Bahay Toro, Baniat, Culiat, Kangkong,
Loma, Marulas, Talipapa and Tangke
● Philippine revolutionary society founded by anti- ● No detailed maps of the municipality are known to
Spanish colonialism Filipinos in Manila in 1892. have survived from the Spanish area, and perhaps
● Its primary goal was to gain independence from none ever existed.
Spain through a revolution. ● a h r h “ r ” ar q
● On july 7, 1982, It was founded by Filipino patriots vague and inconsistent in how they identify and
Andres Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Ladisiao Diwa, locate the settlements, roads, and other features of
Deodato Arellano, and Valentin Diaz. the area.
● The Katipunan was a secret organization until it was
discovered in 1896. Main argument
● The First Cry of the Revolution remains unsolved due
to the different dates and places that were mentioned
by different eyewitnesses of the event.
● h i Pi Va z a’ “ r P a
a i ” Sa ia A var z” “ h r aha r ”
Gr ria J ’ “Fir r ” G i r
a a ka ’ “ h r a i a ak”

Philippine Revolution of 1896

● Tearing up of cedulas and proclaiming the start of the
fight for the independence on August 23, 1896.
● The event happened after the Katipunan was
exposed on August 19, 1896, and the Spaniards
began to track down suspected rebels.

Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account

● The National Historical Commission of the
Philippines (NHCP) claimed that the first cry of the
Philippine Revolution of 1896 happened on August
23, 1986 at Pugad Lawin, now part of project 8 in
Quezon city.
● The official date and place of the first Cry were
ar a Dr Pi Va z a’ A
● Dr. Valenzuela is an official of the katipunan and a
friend of Andres Bonifacio, who was present during
the event.
● Says the decision to revolt was taken at Kangkong
on August 23, 1911 and was taken by the general
assembly on august 23 at the house of Melchora
Aquino on Daan-malalim, in Pasong Tamo, also
known as Pacpac- a i ” 1917)
● Says the revolutionists met in Kangkong on August
22, but the decision was taken on august 23 at Juan
Ra ’ a a P a a i a “ h r ”
followed the decision (1920).
Santiago Alvarez’s Account
● One of the leaders of the Cavite Revolution.
● Alvarez presents an account devoid of any dramatic
description as it is merely a narration of the events
that happened in Bahay Taro.
● I r a vi ha A var z’ a
the meeting on August 24 is based on information he
obtained from Ramon Bernardo, a katipunan leader
r Pa a a h a a ar i i a i “ h r ”
Guillermo Masangkay’s Account
● A friend and fellow Katipunero of Andres Bonifacio.
● In his interview with the Sunday Tribute Magazine,
Masangkay said that the first Cry happened in
Balintawak on August 26, 1896.
● In another interview published in the newspaper
Bagong Buhay on August 26, 1957, He changed his
narrative stating that the revolution began on August
23, 1896, similar to the assertion of Dr. Pio
Valenzuela.
Cry of Pugad Lawin
Version 1
● Author: Pio Valenzuela
● Date: August 22, 1896
● Place: Kangkong, Balintawak. House and yard of
Apolino Samson
● No. of attendees: 500 members
● Discussion: Views were only exchanged, and no
resolution was debated or adopted.
Version 2
● Author: Pio Valenzuela
● Date: August 23, 1896
● Place: Pugad Lawin. House, storehouse andyard of
Jan Ramos
● No. of attendees: 1000 members
● Discussion: Whether or not the revolution should be
started August 26, 1896. Protested by Teodoro Plata.
Attendees tore their cedula certificates and shouted
Long Live Philippines!
The Cry of Bahay Toro
● Author: Santiago Alvarez
● Date: August 24, 1896
● Place: Barn of Kabesang Melchora Aquino,
Sampalokan Barrio of Bahay Torro
● No. of attendees: 1000 Katipuneros
● Discussion: I a 12 ’ k h h i
a j r a i ri “ iv h
h r ” a ha a a ak a a
The First Cry
● Author: Gregoria de Jesus
● Date: August 25, 1896
● Place: Near Caloocan (No exact location)
● No. of attendees: Not specified
● Discussion: The activities of Katipuneros had
reached nearly all corners of the Philippine
Archipelago.When it was discovered by Spanish
Authorities, some katipuneros were arrested. Some
were arrested and killed by exile.
The Cry of Balintawak
● Author: General Guillermo Masangkay
● Date: August 26, 1896
● Place: house of Apolonio Samson, Balintawak
● No. of attendees: Not specified
● Discussion: Discuss when the uprising was to take
place. Opposed by Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas
and Pio Valenzueala. Bonifacio sensing that he will
lose in the argument, he left the session hall and
convinced the people outside. He asked the people
to pledge by tearing the sign of slavery which is the
cedula.
 CRY OF BALINTAWAK OR PUGAD LAWIN
IT IS SURPRISING that there are different versions on the dates for first cry of the revolution as well as its
venue. This controversy up to this time remains unsolved. It is believed that the so-called Cry took place in
Balintawak, but others would say that it really happened in Pugad Lawin. Nevertheless, there are different
versions to consider in knowing the real date and place of the Cry. These include Pio Valenzuela's
Controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin", Santiago Alvarez's "The Cry of Bahay Toro", Gregoria de Jesus' version of
the "First Cry", and Guillermo Masangkay's "The Cry of Balintawak".

PIO VALENZUELA'S CONTROVERSIAL "CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN"

(August 23, 1896)

This controversial version of the "Cry of Pugad Lawin has been authorized by no other than Dr. Pio Valenzuela,
who happened to be the eyewitness himself of the event. In his first version, he said that the prime staging point
of the Cry was in Balintawak on Wednesday of August 26, 1896. He held this account when the happenings or
events are Still vivid in his memory. On the other hand, later in his life and with a fading memory he wrote his
Memoirs of the Revolution without consulting the written documents of the Philippine revolution and claimed that
the "Cry" took place at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896. Below is his account on this topic:

Source: Zalde, Gregorio and Sonia Zalde (1990). Documentary sources of Philippine History. Vol 5. Manila
Nation Book Store

"The first place of refuge of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Procopio Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Aguedodel
Rosario, and myself was Balintawak, the first five arriving there on August 19 and I, on August 20, 1896. The
first place where some 500 members of the Katipunan met on August 22, 1896, was the house and yard of
Apolonio at Kangkong. Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those who w were Briccio Pantas.
Alejandro Santiapa, Ramon Bernardo, Apolonio Samson, and Here, views were only exchanged, and no
resolution was debated or adonte Pugad Lawin, in the house, storehouse, and yard of Juan Ramos, son of
Melchora Aquino, where over 1,000 members of the Katipunan met and carried out con and discussion on
August 23, 1986. The discussion was on whether or against the Spanish government should be started on
August 29,1986. Only one man protested and fought against a war, and that was Teadoro Plata (Bonifacio’s
brother-in-law-Z). Besides the persons named above, among those present at this meeting were

--------------------------
Enrique Cipriano, Alfonso Pacheco, Tomas Remigio, Sinforoso San Pedro, and others. After the tumultuous
meeting, many of those present tore their cedula certificates shouted "Long live the Philippines! Long live the
Philippines!"

THE "CRY OF BAHAY TORO"

(August 24, 1896)

This version of the "Cry" was written by Santiago Alvarez, a well-known Katipunero from Cavite and a son of
Mariano Alvarez. Santiago is a relative of Gregoria de Jesus who happened to be the wife of Andres Bonifacio.
Unlike the author of the first version mentioned (Valenzuela), Santiago Alvarez is not an eyewitness of this
event. As a result, this version of him is not given of equal value as compared with the other versions for
authors of other accounts are actually part of the historic event. Below is his account:
Source Zalde, Gregorio and Sonio Zolde (1990). Documentary Sources of Philingine History, Vol. S. Mowla
National Book Store

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1896

As early as 10 o'clock in the morning, at the barn of Kabesang Melchora (Melchora Aquino-Z.), at a place called
Sampalukan, barrio of Bahay Toro, Katipuneros met together. About 500 of these arrived, ready and eager to
join the “Supremo" Andres Bonifacio and his men...

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1896

There were about 1,000 Katipuneros ... The Supremo" decided to hold a meeting inside the big barn. Under his
leadership, the meeting began at 10 o'clock in the morning.... It was 12 o'clock noon when the meeting
adjourned amidst loud cries of "Long live the Sons of the Country" (Mabuhay ang mga anak ng Bayan)

GREGORIA DE JESUS' VERSION OF THE FIRST "CRY"

(August 25, 1896)

This version was written by no other than the "Lakambini of the Katipunan wife of Andres Bonfacio, Gregoria de
Jesus. She has been a participant of this event and became the keeper of the secret documents of the
Katipunan. After the Revolution August 1896, she lived with her parents in Caloocan then fled to Manila when
she was told that Spanish authorities wanted to arrest her. Eventually, she joined her husband in the mountains
and shared adversities with him. In her account, the First “Cry” happened near Caloocan on August 25, 1896.
Source: zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide (1990. Documentary Series of Philippine Water Vol 5. Manila Book
Store.

“The activities of the Katipunan had reached nearly all corners of the Philippine Archipelago so that when its
existence was discovered and some of the members arrested, we immediately returned to Caloocan. However,
as we were closely watched by the agents of the Spanish authorities, Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros
left the town after some days. It was then that the uprising began, with the first cry for freedom on August 25,
1896. Meanwhile, I was with my parents. Through my friends, I learned that Spanish was coming to arrest me.
Immediately, I fled town at eleven o'clock at night, secretly going through the rice fields to Le Larna, with the
intention of returning to Manila. I was treated like an apparition, for, sad to may, in every house where I tried to
get a little rest, I was driven away as if people therein were Frightened for their own lives. Later, I found out that
the scepants of the houses which I had visited were seized and severely punished- and some even exiled. One
of them was an uncle of mine whom I had visited on that night to kiss his hand, and he died in exile."

THE "CRY OF BALINTAWAK"

(August 26, 1896)

This version is written by the Katipunan General Guillermo Masangkay. He is an eyewitness of the historic
event and a childhood friend of Bonifacio. According to him, the first rally of the Philippine Revolution happened
on August 26. 1896 at Balintawak. Correspondingly, the date and site presented were accepted by the
preliminary years of American government. Below is General Guillermo Masangkay's version of The "Cry of
Balintawak"

Source: Zalde, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide (1990). Documentary sources of Philippine History. Vol. S. Moni Natal
Bok Stare

"On August 26th (1896-2.), a big meeting was held in Balintawak, at the house of Apolonio Samson, then the
cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan. Among those who attended, I remember, were Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto,
Aguedodel Rosario, Tomas Remigio, Briccio Pantas, Teodoro Plata, Pio Valenzuela, Enrique Pacheco, and
Prancisco Carreon. They were all leaders of the Katipunan and composed the board of directors of the
organization. Delegates from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite and Morong (now Rizal.) were also present.

At about nine o'clock in the morning of August 26, the meeting was opened with Andres Bonifacio presiding and
Emilio Jacinto acting as secretary. The purpose was to discuss when the uprising was to take place. Teodoro
Plata (Bonifacio's brother-in-law-z). Briccio Pantas, and Pio Valenzuela were all opposed to starting the
revolution too early. They reasoned that the people would be in distress if the revolution started without
adequate preparation. Plata was very forceful in his argument, stating that it could not very well be started
without the arms and food for the soldiers. Valenzuela used Rizal's argument about the rich not siding with the
Katipunan organization. Andres Bonifacio, sensing that he would lose in the discussion then, left the session
hall and talked to the people, who were waiting outside for the result of the meeting of the leaders. He told the
people that the leaders were arguing against starting a revolution early and appealed to them in a fiery speech
in which he said: "You remember the fate of our countrymen who were shot in Bagumbayan. Should we return
now the towns, the Spaniards will only shoot us. Our organization has been discovered and we are all marked
men. If we don't start the uprising, the Spaniards will get us at What then, do you say?"
"Revolt!" the people shouted as one
Bonifacio then asked the people to give a pledge that they were to revolt. He told them that the sign of slavery
of the Filipinos were (sic) the cedula tax charged each citizen. "If it is true that you are ready to revolt," Bonifacio
saved, "I want to see you destroy your cedulas. It will be the sign that all of us have declared our severance
from the Spaniards."
With tears in their eyes, the people as one man, pulled out their cedulas and tore them to pieces. It was the
beginning of the formal declaration of the separation from Spanish rule. With their cedulas destroyed, they could
no longer go back to their homes because the Spaniards would persecute them, if not for being katipuneros, for
having op cedulas. And people who had no cedulas during those days were severely punished.
When the people's pledge was obtained by Bonifacio, he returned to the session hall and informed the leaders
of what took place outside. "The people want to revolt, and they have destroyed their cedulas," Bonifacio said.
"So now we have to start the uprising: otherwise, the people by hundreds will be shot”. There was no
alternative. The board of directors, in the spite of the protests of Plata, Pantas, and Valenzuela, voted for the
revolution. And when this was decided, the people outside shouted: "Long Live the Philippine Republic!
I still remember Bonifacio as he appeared that day. Although a mere bodeguero (warehouseman) and earning
P25 (Mex.) a month, he was a cultured man. He always wore an open coat, with black necktie, and black hat.
He always carried an umbrella. At the meeting that morning of August 26, Bonifacio took off his coat and was
wearing only his shirt, with collar and tie. Bonifacio's hobby was weaving bamboo hats. During his spare time,
he wove dozens of them and sold them in Manila. Thus he made extra money. At about 5 o'clock in the
afternoon, while the gathering at Balintawak was celebrating the decision of the Katipunan leaders to start the
uprising, the guards who were up trees to watch for any possible intruders or the approach of the enemy gave
the warning that the Spaniards were coming Led by Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and other leaders of the
Katipunan, the men were distributed in strategic positions and were prepared for attack of the civil guards was
with a group stationed on the bank of a small creek, guarding the places where the Spaniards were to pass in
order to reach the meeting place of the Katipuneros. Shots were then fired by the civil guards, and that was the
beginning of the fire which later became such a huge conflagration.
 THE CAVITE MUTINY
MANY BELIEVED that one of the factors that ignited the Filipino sense of nationhood and eventually led to the
Philippine Revolution in 1896 was the Cavite mutiny. This event has been remarkable among Filipinos because
it prompted to the martyrdom of Gomburza (the acronym that represents the surnames of the priests Mariano
Gómez José Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, who were executed on February 17, 1872). However, there
are three versions that every Filipino student must read for them to articulate arguments that would support their
stand about the issue on the terms used. causes, effects and the unraveling truth about the Cavite Mutiny.
SPANIARDS VERSION OF THE CAVITY MUTINY OF 1872 This version was written by Jose Montero y Vidal,
a Spanish historian, in his book entitled, Historia General de Filipinas. It was dolefully biased that Dr. T.H. Pardo
de Tavera stated that he, in narrating the Cavite episode, does not speak as a historian, he speaks as a
Spaniard bent on perverting the facts at his pleasure he is mischievously partial". The Spanish historian in his
account overstated the mutiny of some dissatisfied soldiers and laborers into a revolt to bring down Spanish rule
and this intricated some patriots like Gomburza and others. Below is Montero y Vidal's version of the Cavite
episode of 1872 in English translation. Source: Zalde, Gregorio and Sonia Zolde (1990). Documentary Sources
of Philippine Motory Vol. S. Monite: Notions Book Store "With the Establishment in Spain of a government less
radical than the one that appointed La Torre, the latter was relieved from his post. His successor D. Rafael de
Esquerdo, assumed control of the government of these islands April 4, 1871. The most eventful episode in his
rule was the Cavite revolt of 1872 The abolition of the privileges enjoyed by the laborers of the Cavite arsenal of
exemption from the tribute was, according to some the cause of the insurrection. There were, however, other
causes. The Spanish revolution which overthrew a secular throne; the propaganda carried on by an unbridled
press against monarchical principles, attentatory of the most sacred respects towards the dethroned majesty
the democratic and republican books and pamphlets the speeches and preachings of the apostles of these new
ideas in Spain, the outbursts of the American publicists and the criminal policy of the senseless Governor whom
the revolutionary government sent to govern the Philippines, and who put into practice these ideas were the
determining circumstances which gave rise, among certain Filipinos, to the idea started to work, with the
powerful assistance of a certain section of the native Eir Independence. It was towards this goal that vey, who
out of spite toward the friars, made common cause with the enemies of the mother country. At various times but
especially in the beginning of the year 1872, the authorities received anonymous communications with the
information that a great uprising would beak out against the Spaniards, the minute the fleet at Cavite left for the
South, and stall would be assassinated, including the friars. But nobody gave importance to these notices. The
conspiracy had been going on since the days La Torre with utmost secrecy. At times, the principal leaders met
either in the house of the Filipino Spaniard, D. Joaquin Dando de Tavera, or in that of the native priest. Jacinto
Zamora, and these meetings were usually attended by the curate of Bacoor Cavite), the soul of the movement,
whose energetic character and immense wealth enabled him to exercise a strong influence. The garrison of
Manila, composed mostly of native soldiers, were involved in this conspiracy, as well as a multitude of civilians.
The plan was for the soldiers to assassinate their officers, the servants, their masters, and the escort of the
Captain-General at Malacañang, to dispose of the government himself. The friars and other Spaniards were
later to have their turn. The pre-concerted signal among the conspirators of Cavite and Manila was the firing of
rockets from the walls of the city. The details having been arranged. It was agreed that the uprising was to
breakout in the evening of the 20th of January, 1872. Various circumstances, however, which might well be
considered as providential, upset the plans, and made the conspiracy a dismal failure. In the district of
Sampaloc, the fiesta of the patron saint, the Virgin of Loreto, was being celebrated with pomp and splendor. On
the night of the 20%, fireworks were displayed and rockets fired into the air. Those in Cavite mistook these for
the signal to revolt, and at nine-thirty in the evening of that day two hundred native soldiers under the leadership
of Sergeant La Madrid rose up in arms, assassinated the commander of the fort and wounded his wife. The
military governor of Cavite, D. Fernando Rojas, despatched two Spaniards to inform the Manila authorities of
the uprising but they were met on the way hy a group of natives, belonging to the Guias established by La
Torre, who put them instantly to death. At about the same time, an employee of the arsenal. D. Domingo
Mijares, left Cavite in a war vessel for Manila, arriving there at midnight. He informed the Commandant of
marine of what had occurred, and this official immediately relayed the news to Governor Izquierdo.. Early the
next morning two regiments, under the command of D. Felipe Ginoves, Segundocabo, left for Cavite on board
the merchant vessels Filipino, Manila, Isabela i and Isabela II. Ginoves demanded rendition and waited the
whole day of the 21 for the rebels to surrender, without ordering the assault of their position in order to avoid
unnecessary shedding of blood. After waiting the whole day in vain for the rendition of the rebels, Ginoves
launched an assault against the latter's position, early in the morning of the 22 putting to the sword the majority
of the rebels and making prisoners of the rest. On the same day, an official proclamation announced the
suppression of the revolt
As a result of the declarations made by some of the prisoners in which several individuals were pointed out as
instigators, Don Jose Burgos and D. Jacinto Zamora curates of the Cathedral, D. Mariano Gomez, curate of
Bacoor (Cavite), several other Filipino priests, D. Antonio Maria Regidor, lawyer and Regidor of the
Ayuntamiento, D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Conseiera de administracion Pedro Carillo, Gervasio Sanchez and
Jose Mauricio de Leon, lawyer Enrique Paraiso and Jose and PioBasa, employees, and Crisanto Reyes,
Maximo Paterno and several other Filipinos, were arrested.

The council of war, which from the beginning took charge of the causes in connection with the Cavite uprising,
passed the sentence of death on forty one of the rebels. On The 27th of January the Captain-General fixed his
“cumplase” on the sentence. On the of the following month, cleven more were sentenced to death, but the
Governor General, by decree of the day following, commuted this sentence to life imprisonment. On the 8the
sentence of death was pronounced on Camerino and ten years imprisonment of eleve individuals of the famous
"Guias de la Torre," for the assassination of the Spaniards who, on the night of January 20, were sent to Manila
to carry news of the uprising The same council on the 5 of February, sentenced to die by strangulation the
Filipino priesta, D. Jose Burgos, D. Jacinta Zamora and D. Mariano Gomez, and Francisco Saldua; and Maximo
Inocencio, Inrique Paraiso and Crisanto de los Reyes to ten years imprisonment. Early in the morning of the
seventeenth of February, an immense multitude appeared on the field of Bagumbayan to witness the execution
of the sentence. The attending force was composed of Filipino troops, and the batteries of the fort were aimed
at the place of execution, ready to fire upon the least sign of uprising Gonnez was executed first, then Zamora,
then Burgos, atid lastly, Saldua. On the 3 of April, 1872, the Audiencia suspended from the practice of law the
following men: D. Jose Basa y Enriquez, D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, D. Antonio Ma. Regidor, D. Pedro Carillo,
D. Gercasio Sanchez and D. Jose Mauricio de Leon. Izquierdo had requested the sending to Manila of Spanish
troops for the defense of the fort as most of these found here were natives. In pursuance of Izquierdos request,
the government, by decree of April 4, 1872, dissolved the native regiment of artillery and ordered the creation of
an artillery force to be composed exclusively Peninsulares. The latter arrived in Manila in July, 1872. On the
occasion of the arrival of the troops, the Sto. Domingo Church celebrated a special mass at which high officials
of the Government, the religious corporations, and the general public, attended, upon invitation by the Governor
and Captain-General of the Philippines.

FILIPINOS VERSION OF THE CAVITE MUTINY OF 1872

This version was written by Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scientist. scholar and historical
researcher. In his account, Cavite Mutiny was simply a mutiny by the Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite
arsenal who turned out to be dissatisfied with the eradication of their privileges. Tavera, in his account blamed
Gov. General laquierdo's harsh policies like the abolition of their privileges of exemption from paying yearly
tribute and rendering forced labor. This eventually resulted to a bloody incident on the night of January 20, 1672
when some of the soldiers, laborers and residents assassinated the Commanding officer and some Spanish
officials in sieht. Dr. Pardo de Tavera's version is as follows:

Source: Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide (131 Documentary Sources of Philippine History, Vol. 5. Manila
National Book Store
"The arrival of General Izquierdo (1871-1873) was the signal for a complete change in the aspect of affairs. The
new governor soon made it clear that his views were different from those of La Torre--that there would be no
change in the established form of government--and he et once announced that he intended to given the people
with a crucifix tone hand and a sword in the other."

His first official act was to prohibit the founding of a school of arts and trades, which was being organized by the
efforts and funds raised by natives of standing in the community, but the founding of which did not tally with the
views of the religious orders. Governor Inquierdo believed that the establishment of the new school was merely
a pretext for the organization of a political club, and he not only did not allow it to be opened but made a public
statement accusing the Filipinos who had charge of the movement. All of those who had offered their support to
ex Governor La Torre were classed as personas sospechosas (suspects), a term that since that time has been
used in the Philippine Islands to designate any person who refused to servilely obey the wishes and whims of
the authorities. The conservative element in the islands now directed the governmental policy, and the educated
Filipinos fell more and more under the displeasure and suspicion of the governor.

The peace of the colony was broken by a certain incident which, though unimportant in itself, was probably the
origin of the political agitation which constantly growing for dirty years, culminated in the overthrow of the
Spanish sovereignty in the Philippine Islands. From time immemorial the workmen in the arsenal at Cavite and
in the barracks of the artillery and engineer corps had been exempt from the payment of the tribute tax and from
obligation to work certain days each year on public improvements. General Izquierdo believed the time
opportune for abolishing theses privileges and ordered that in the future all such workmen should pay tribute
and labor on public improvements. This produced great dissatisfaction among the workmen affected and the
men employed in the arsenal at Cavite went on a strike but, yielding to pressure and threats made by the
authorities, they subsequently returned to their labors.

The workmen in the Cavite arsenal were all natives of that town and the neighboring town of San Roque. In a
short while the dissatisfaction and discontent with the government spread all over that section and even the
entire troops became disaffected. On the night of January 20, 1872, there was an uprising among the soldiers in
the San Felipe fort, in Cavite and the commanding officer and other Spanish officers in charge of the fort were
assassinated Forty marines attached to the arsenal and 22 ardilerymer under Sergeant La Madrid tot part in this
uprising, and it was believed that the entire garrison in Cavite was disafferta and probably implicated. But if the
few soldiers who precipitated the attack beliewd the would be supported by the bulk of the army and that a
general rebellion against Spain would be declared in the Islands, they were deceived. When the news of the
uprising was received i Manila, General laquierdo sent the commanding general to Cavite, who reinforced the
neth troops, took possession of the fort, and put the rebels to the sword. Sergeant La Madrid has been Winded
and badly burned by the explosion of a sack of powder and, being unable to esca was also cut down. A few of
the rebels were captured and taken to Manila and there was no further disturbance of the peace or
insubordination of any kind.

This uprising among the soldiers in Cavite was used as a powerful lewer by the Spanish residents and by the
friars. During the time that Gen. La Torre was chief executive in the Philippine Islands the influential Filipinos did
not hesitate to announce their hostility to the religious orders, and the Central Government in Madrid has
announced its intention to deprive the friars in these islands of all powers of intervention in matters of civil
government and of the direction and management of the management of the university. Moret, the colonial
minister, had drawn up a scheme of reforms by which he proposed a radical change in the colonial system of
government which was to harmonize with the principles for which the revolution in Spain had been fought. It
was due to these facts and promises that the Filipinos had great hopes of an improvement in the affairs of their
country, while the friars, on the other hand, feared that their power in the colony would soon be completely a
thing of the past.
The mutiny in Cavite gave the conservative element, that is, those who favored a continuation of the colonial
modus vivendi opportunity to represent to the Spanish Government that a vast conspiracy was afoot and
organized throughout the archipelago with the object of destroying the Spanish sovereignty. They stated that
the Spanish government in Madrid was to blame for the propagation of pernicious doctrines and for the hopes
that had been held out from Madrid to the Filipino people, and also because of the learnings of ex-Governor La
Torre of other public functionaries who had been sent to the Philippine islands by the Govern that succeeded
Queen Isabella. The fall of the new rulers in Spate within the few days, as well as other occurrences, seemed to
accentuate the claims made by the conservative element in the Philippine Islands regarding the peril which
threatened Spanish sovereignty in the islands, appeared as though the prophecies were about to be fulfilled.
The Madrid authorities were no able to combat publik opinion in that country: no opportunity was given a
thorough investigation of the real facts or extent of the alleged revolution the conservar time taken to make
element in the Philippine Islands painted the local condition of affairs in somber tints andere Madrid
Government came to helleve, or at least to suspect, that a scheme was being concocted throughout the islands
to shake Make off Spanish sovereignty. Consistent with the precedents of their Jastal rule, the repressive
measures adopted to a ll the supposed insurrection were ad sudden. No attempt appears to have been more to
see whether or not the innocent suffered with the guilty, and the only end sought appeared to be to inspire terror
in the minds Foll by making examples of a certain numbers that man the future should attempt, nor were dream
of any attempt at secession

Many of the best known Filipinos were denounced to the military authorities, and they, the sons of Spaniards
born in the islands and men of mixed Wood (Spanish and Chinese), as well as indians of pure blood, as the
Philippine Malays were called, were persecuted and punished without distinction by the military authorities.
Those who dared to oppose themselves to the friars were punished with special severity: among others may be
mentioned the presta Burgos, half blood Sparidard, Zamora, a half-blood Chinaman, and Gomez , a pure blood
Tagalog, who had vigorously opposed the friars in the litigation over the curacies in the warlous province. The
three priests mentioned were condemned to death by a military court-martial and Antonio M. Rexidor, a lawyer
and councilman of Manila, Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, lawyer and member of the administrative council, P.
Mendoza, curate of Santa Cruz, Guevarra, curate of Quiapo, the priests Mariano Sevilla, Feliciano Gomez,
Ballesteros, Jose Base, the lawyers Carillo, Base, linriquez, Crisanto Reyes, Maximo Paterno, and many others
were sentenced to life imprisonment on the Marianas Islands. The Government this secured its object of
terrorising the Filipino people, but the punishments meted out were not only unjust bur were from every point of
view unnecessary, as there had not been the remote intention on the part of anyone to overthrow the Spanish
sovereignty. On the contrary, the attitude of Moret, Labra, Becerra, and other high officials in the Madrid
Government had awakened in the breasts of the Filipinos allowed friendship for the home government, and
never had the ties which bound the colony to Spain been as close as they were during the short interval
between the arrival of General La Torre and the time when General Izquerdo, in the name of the home
government was guilty of the atrocities mentioned above, of which renascent men were made victims.

A careful study of the history and documents of that time brings to light the part which the religious orders
played in that sad drama. One of the results of the so called revolution of Cavite was to strengthen the power of
the friars in the Philippine Islands in such manner that the Madrid Government, which up to that time has
contemplated reducing the power of the religious orders in these islands, was obliged not only to abandon its
intention, but to place a yet greater measure of official influences at the service of the friars, and from that time
they were considered as an important factor in the preservation of the Spanish sovereignty in the colony. This
influence was felt throughout the islands, and not only were the friare taken into the confidence of the
Government, but the Filipino people looked upon the religious anders as their real masters and as the
representatives, powerful and unsparing of the Spanish Kingdom.
 But there were other results following upon the unfortunate policy adopted by Governor Izquierdo. Up to that
time, there had been no intention of secession from Spain, and the only aspiration of the people was to secure
the material and educational advancement of the country. The Filipino people had never blamed the Spanish
nation for the backward condition in which the islands existed, nor for the injustices committed in the islands by
the Spanish officials; but on the contrary it was the custom to la all the blame for these things on the individual
officers guilty of maladministration and no attempt had been made to investigate whether or not the evils under
which the islands suffered were due to fundamental causes. The persecutions which began under Governor
Izquierdo were based on the false assumption that the Filipino people were desirous of independence, and
although this was an unfounded accusation, there were many martyrs to the cause, among whom were found
any of the most intelligent and well-to-do people, without distinction of color or race or nationality, who were
sentenced to death, to imprisonment, or were expatriated because they were believed to aspire to the
independence of these islands. The fear which the people felt of the friars and of the punishments meted out by
the Government was exceeded only by the admiration which the Filipino people had for those who did not
hesitate to stand up for the rights of the country. In this manner, the persecutions to which the people were
subjected served as a stimulus and an educative force, and from that time the rebellion was nursed in secret
and the passive resistance to the abuses of the official power became greater day by day,

No attempt was made to allay the ill-feeling which existed between the Filipinos and the Spaniards, especially
the friars, caused by the mutiny in Cavite and the cruel manner in which the punishment was theted out. Many
years would have been necessary to heal the wounds felt by the large number of families whose members were
made the victims of the unjust sentences of the military courts-martial. Nothing was done by the Government to
blot out the recollections of these actions on the contrary, it appeared to be its policy to continually bring up the
memory of these occurrences as a reminder to the malcontents of what they had to expect, but the only thing
accomplished was to increase the popular discontent. It was from that time that every disagreement between
the Spaniards and the Filipinos, however trivial, was given a racial or political character every time a friar was
insulted or injured in any way, it was claimed to be an act of hostility to the Spanish nation."

THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GOVERNOR IZQUIERDO ON THE CAVITE MUTINY OF 1872

Gav. General Rafael Izquierdo made a report to the Spanish Ministry of War January 23, 1872. In his report he
blamed the native clergy, scholars, and some residents of Manila and the neighboring provinces as the
instigators of Cavite Mutiny. He expressively describes Cavite Mutiny as an 'insurrection', 'uprising and a
revolution Below is the text of Gov. General Izquierdo's report.

Source: Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide (1990). Documentary Sources of Philippine History Ver 5 National
Book Store

From the summary of Information received, that is, from the declaration made before the fiscal-t seems definite
that the insurrection was motivated and prepared by the native clergy, the mestizos and native lawyers, and by
those known here as abogadillos. Some are residents of Manila, others from Cavite and some from the nearby
provinces.

The instigators, to carry out their criminal project, protested against the injustice of the government in not paying
the province for their tobacco crop, and against the usury that some (officials) practice in (handling) documents
that the Finance department gives crop owners who have to sell them at a loss. They encouraged the rebellion
by protesting what they called the injustice of having obliged the workers in the Cavite arsenal to pay tribute
starting January 1 (1872) and to render personal service, from which they were formally exempted.

To seduce the native troops, they resorted to superstitions with which the indios are so prone to believe;
persuading them that the Chief of State (hari) would be an ecclesiastic and the rest of the clergy who lacked the
uprising would celebrate daily for its success. Thus the rebellion could not fail because God was with them; and
those who would not revolt they would Hill immediately. Taking advantage of the ignorance of those classes and
the propensity of the Indio to steal, they offered to those who revolted) the wealth of the Spaniards and of the
regular clergy, employment and ranks in the army, and to this effect they said that fifteen native battalions would
be created, in which the soldiers who revolted would have jobs as officers and chiefs. The lawyers and
abogadillos would direct the affairs of government of the administration and of justice.

Up to now it has not been clearly determined if they planned to establish a monarchy or a republic, cause the
Indios have no word in their language to describe this different form of government, whose head in Tagalog
would be called hari, but it turns out that they would place at the head of the powerment a priest, and there were
great probabilities-hay, a certainty that the head selected would be D. Jose Burgos, ar D. Jacinto Zamora,
parish priests of S. Pedro of Manila.

All the Spaniards, including the friars, would be executed except for the women and their belongings
confiscated. Foreigners would be respected.

This uprising has roots, and with them were affiliated to a great extent the regiments of infantry and artillery,
many civilians and a large number of mestizos, indios and some ilustrados from the provinces.

To start the revolution, they planned to set fire to the district of Tondo, Once the fire was set and while the
authorities were busy putting it out, the regiment of artillery with the help of the part of the infantry would seize
Fort Santiago of this capital (they would then) fire cannons to inform the rebels of Cavite (of their success). The
rebels in Costa mounted on the artillery detachment that occupied the fort and on the navy helped by 500
natives led by the pardoned leader Camerino. This person and his men located at the town of Bacoor and
separated from the fort of San Felipe by reach the fort where they would find arms and ammunition would cross
the water and reach the fort where they would find arms and ammunition.

The rebels in Cavite) made the signals agreed upon by means of lanterns, but the native civilians (in Bacoor)
although they tried it, failed because of the vigilance of the Spanish) navy that had placed there a gunboat and
armed vessels.
Loyalists who went to arrest the parish priest of Bacoor found an abandoned vessel loaded with arms, including
carbines and revolvers.

The uprising should have started in Manila at midnight abetted by those in Cavite, but the rebels of this city went
ahead of time. The civil-military governor of Cavite and the commanders of regiment 7 took very timely
precautions; they knew how to keep the soldiers loyal (although these had been compromised) and behaved
with valor and gallantry, obliging the rebels to take refuge in the fort of San Felipe.

Such is your Excellency, the plan of the rebels, those who guided them, and the means they counted upon for
its realization. For a long time now, through confidential information and others of the vaguer character, I have
been told that since 1869-taking advantage of a group that had left behind plans for an uprising but was not
carried out because of the earthquake of 1862 there existed in Manila a junta or center that sought and found
followers; and that as a pretext they had established a society for the teaching of arts and trades. Months ago, I
suspended it indirectly, giving an account to Your Excellency in my confidential report No. 113 dated August 1.
(1871) to which Your Excellency has not yet replied.

It has also been said that this center or junta received inspiration from Madrid, where newspapers of advanced
ideas flourish; to sustain them subscriptions are (locally) solicited; in effect, newspapers such as El Eco Filipino
were sent here from Madrid which were distributed by persons now imprisoned, whose articles thundered
against everything that can be found here.
 As in the case of my worthy predecessor, I have continuously received anonymous letters, but because I was
confident that I could put down and punish any uprising. I gave no credit to these reports) in order not to cause
alarm, and instead continued a vigilan watch wherever possible within the limited means at my command. I had
everything ready (for any untoward possibility), taking into account the limited peninsular force which composes
the army.

Taxes during the Spanish period were compulsory. All the
Spanish colonies in America and the Philippines were
required to pay for two reasons.
1. As recognition of Spain's Sovereignty over the Colonies.
2. To defray the expenses of pacification (The act of
forcibly suppressing hostility within the colonies) and
governance,
TRIBUTO - was a general tax paid by the Filipinos to Spain
which amounted to eight reales. Those who were required
to pay the tributo were;
a. 18 to 50 year old males
b. Carpenters, bricklayers, blacksmiths, tailors and
shoemakers
c. Town workers such as those in road construction,
and those whose is public in nature.
SANCTORUM - was the tax in the amount of three reales.
These were required for the cost of christianization,
including the construction of churches and the purchase of
materials for religious celebrations.
DONATIVO - was the tax in the amount of half real for the
military campaign of the government against the muslims.
in the later years, however, the amount collected from
donativo was almost exclusively used for the Spanish fort
in Zamboanga.
CAJA DE COMUNIDAD - was the tax collected in the
amount of one real for the incurred expenses of the town
on the construction of roads, repair of bridges, or the
improvement of public buildings.
SERVICIO PERSONAL - is the system of forced labor
which evolved within the framework of the encomienda
system, introduced into the south african colonies by the
conquistadores and catholic priests who accompanied
them. it was present in almost all of the Spanish colonial
government around the world. Polo Y Servicio is the forced
labor for 40 days of men ranging from 16 to 60 years of
age who were obliged to give personal services to
community projects. One could be exempted from polo by
paying the FALLA (corruption of the spanish falta, meaning
“absence”), a daily fine of one and a half real.
REVOLTS AGAINST TRIBUTE
There are several revolts that are against the
implementation of tax by the Spanish authorities.
CAGAYAN AND DINGRAS REVOLTS (1589) - The
Cagayan and Dingras revolts against the tribute occurred
on Luzon in the present-day provinces of Cagayan and
Ilocos Norte in 1589. Ilocanos, Ibanangs and other
Filipinos revolted against alleged abuses by the tax
collectors, including the collection of high taxes. It began
when six tax collectors who had arrived from Vigan were
killed by the natives. Governor-General Santiago de Vera
sent Spanish and Filipino colonial troops to pacify the
rebels. The rebels were eventually pardoned and the
Philippine tax system reformed.
SUMUROY REVOLT - In the town of Palapag today in
Northern Samar, Augustine Sumuroy, a Waray and some
of his followers rose in arms on June 1, 1649 over the Polo
y Servicio or forced labor system being undertaken in
Samar. This is known as the Sumuroy Revolt, named after
Augustine Sumuroy.
The government in Manila directed that all the natives
subject to the polo are not to be sent to places distant from
their hometowns to do their forced labor. However, under
orders of the various town alcaldes or mayors. The Waray
were being sent to the shipyards of Cavite to do their Polo
y Servicio, which sparked the revolt. The local parish priest
of Palapag was murdered and the revolt eventually spread
to Mindanao, Bicol and the rest of the Visayas, especially
in places such as Cebu, Masbate, Camiguin, Zamboanga,
Albay, Camarines and parts of northern Mindanao, such as
Surigao.A rebel government was successfully established
in the mountains of Samar.
The defeat, capture and execution of Sumuroy in June
1650 Delivered a big setback to the revolt. His trusted
co-conspirator David Dula sustained the quest for freedom
with greater vigor but in one of the fierce battles several
years later, he was wounded, captured and later executed
in Palapag. Northern Samar by the Spaniards together with
his seven key lieutenants.
The Maniago Revolt - was an uprising in Pampanga
during the 1660s named after its leader. Francisco
Maniago. During that time, Pampanga drew most of the
attention from the Spanish religious orders because of its
relative wealth. They also bore the burden of more tribute,
forced labor, and rice exploitation. They were made to work
for eight months under unfair conditions and were not paid
for their labor and for the rice purchased from them. Their
patience was put to the limit and they signified their
intention to revolt by setting their campsite on fire. The fight
soon began and because the Spaniards were busy fighting
against the Dutch, they were badly depleted by the
Kapampangans. The Maniago revolt was the start of a
much bigger and even bloodier revolt in Pangasinan. This
battle was led by a man named Andres Malong who had
heeded the call of Maniago to revolt against the Spaniards

MALONG’S REVOLT - Andres Malong was the maestro

de campo of Binalatongan, now San Carlos City,
Pangasinan in the 1660s. He assisted many Spaniards in
governing different towns in Pangasinan, and as such, had
learned and was trained to use force and cruelty. He hoped
of being the King of the province, however, set this plan
aside when a war, led by Francisco Maniago, broke out in
Pampanga Malong started his campaign in a small
barangay called Malunguey, but failed. Having the same
condition as in Pampanga, he led the people in
Pangasinan to take up arms against the Spaniards. It
spread like wildfire in Pangasinan. Because of his success,
he proclaimed himself King of Pangasinan

TAX REFORM OF 1884

One of the good reg=forms which Spain introduced in the

19th century was the Tax reform of 1884, as provided by
the Royal Decree on March 6, 1884, this tax reform
contained two important provisions.

1. Abolition of the hated Tribute and its replacement

of cedula tax and:
2. Reduction of the 40-day annual forced labor (polo)
to 15 days.

CEDULA PERSONALES - Cedulas were first issued

based on the Royal Decree on March 6, 1884. All men and
women residents of the island-Spaniards, foreigners, and
natives- who were over 18 years old were required to
obtain a cedula. The only exceptions were the Chinese,
who paid another poll tax, the remontados d infieles that
were not subject to local administration, and the natives
and colonist of the archipelago of Jolo and of the islands of
Balabac and Palawan

All in all, there were 16 different classes of cedulas.

Originally, there were 9 classes taxed, the rates of Taxes
ranged from 150 to 25 Pesos, and a tenth. grantis, for
priest, soldiers and privileged classes

The Treaty of Paris (1898)
● A treaty was signed between the Spanish and
American peace commissioners.
● Agreement: Spain will give the Philippines to the
United States and in return, the US will give the
sum of 20,000 US dollars as payment for the
improvements Spain had made in the country.
● The US agreed to permit the Spaniards to ship and
sell commodities to the Philippines for a period of
ten years on the same terms as those of the US.
● Spain has no right to transfer the Philippines to the
US because when the treaty was signed, Spain
had already been ousted from the Philippines by
the Filipinos.
● Spain has no right over the Philippines. The
Philippines were already independent with a
government of its own.
● The Filipino- American War was brought.
● Filipinos at the end, accepted the American rule in
the country.
● The Americans used the wealthy Filipinos to
persuade the people to cooperate with the
Americans.
Bases of American Rule
● The Military ruled in places where aggression was
shown. It was the US's aim to pacify the provinces
which had not recognized the authority of the US.
Banishment of the Patriots
● Most of these wealthy Filipinos proposed to the
Americans that the Philippines and its people were
not prepared and ready for self-government.
● Many wealthy and educated Filipinos were already
collaborating with the enemy.
American Influences
● The Philippine Bill of 1902
-This bill proposed and approved all acts of the
President of the US relative to the Philippines.
-It provided for a bill of rights which guaranteed to
Filipinos the right of free speech, free press, and
freedom to petition for the redress of grievances.
-It provided for a bill of rights which guaranteed to
Filipinos the right of free speech, free press, and
freedom to petition for the redress of grievances.
● Sedition law
-Passed in 1901
-Any Filipino advocating independence or
separation from the US will be severely punished.
● Political Parties
-Federal Party was created and led by Trinidad H.
Pardo de Tavera whose platform was based on
making the Philippines a state of the US
-.Nacionalista Party (1901), The Liberal Party
(1902), The First Democrata Party (1902).
● The Public School System
-Considered their greatest achievement of the
Americans in the Philippines.
-Free and open education.
-American teachers were brought to the
Philippines.
-English language was used as the medium of
instruction
● Position of Women
-Women were allowed to enroll in colleges and
universities.
-Some of them studied as pharmacist's, dentists,
lawyers, physicians, teachers, and even scientists.
Commonwealth Government
● A transition government for 10 years to prepare the
Philippines for independence.
● Jones Law of 1916 (William Atkinson Jones)
● The Independence Missions (Os-Rox Mission
-1919-1933)
● The 1935 Constitution (Tydings McDuffie Act)-Jul
30, 1934
● The 1935 Constitution (Tydings McDuffie Act)-Jul
30, 1934
Policies of the Commonwealth Government
● National Defense Measures
● Government reorganization
 ● Social Justice Program
● Economic measures
● Women’s Suffrage
● National Language
American Influences
● Democratic Partnership
● Education and School System
● Public Health and Welfare
● Transportation and Communication
● Political Consciousness
● Language and Literature
Bad results of American occupation
● Filipinos became dependent exclusively on the US
to continue to prosper economically.
● Filipinos were so American and not extending to
other foreign markets.
● American dictated the prices of Philippine
commodities
● Brainwashing the Filipinos in their educational
system.
● The Filipino attitude of placing material things
above spiritual things
At the dawn of December 8, 1941, the Japanese bombers
under the command of General Masaharu Homma
conducted air attacks in various places of the Philippines.
● They destroyed the air naval defenses in Davao,
Tuguegarao, Baguio , Iba, Tarlac and Clark field.
● Americans' places on the ground were caught by
surprise.
● Death march in Bataan happened for a span of
three months (80,000 perished due to malnutrition)
● Pres. Manuel Luis Quezon was urged by Pres.
Theodore Roosevelt to flee to the US since the
Japanese could inevitably use him as leader to
rally the Filipinos behind Japan
● On Jan. 3, 1942- the end of the American rule and
the imposition of Martial Law in the country
Life During the Wartime Years
● The Japanese military authorities instituted outright
confiscation and direct management of banking
institutions and public utilities, including
transportation.
● Japanese culture and language were taught and
disseminated.
● Tight instructions on the movement of commodities
by the Japanese had made the supply of rice,
sugar, and other crops scarce.
● Prices of supplies at higher costs.
● The worsening food crises reached a point where
the populace started eating plain lugaw.
● Many families were forced to sell their furniture and
other personal belongings.
● The trade that prospered during the era was the
making of fakes and forgeries.
● The trade that prospered during the era was the
making of fakes and forgeries.
Reforming the Filipino Government
● On Dec. 2, 1942, the Japanese Military
Administration announced that political parties had
been dissolved “of their free will.”
● The Kapisan sa Paglilingkod Sa Bagong Pilipinas
(KALIBAPI),” a non-political organization was
established. (aim was to bring about the
reconstruction of the Filipino people)
The Second Republic of the Philippines
● On Oct. 14, 1943 were the proclamation of
Philippine Independence and the inauguration of
the Republic of the Philippines.
● Jose P. Laurel was elected president of the 2nd
republic
● Under the Laurel admin, media was used to
influence more Filipinos , urged them to support
the republic
● Japanese forces discouraged the Filipinos from
writing English
Resistance and Restoration
● Anyone caught violating the rules were punished
through the water cure.
● Pedestrians who refused to bow to the Japanese
military were slapped on their faces hit with close
fists.
● Health and living conditions deteriorated
throughout the Japanese occupation.
● TB, Malaria,and nutrition ailments became
common illnesses. Some died due to starvation.
● The Filipinos could not simply trust the motives of
the Japanese in promoting national culture.
● Many Filipinos resisted and signed up to fight the
maltreatments of the Japanese
● HUKBALAHAP- Hukbong Bayan Laban sa
Hapon- a guerilla movement that confronted
Japanese forces.
● March 3, 1945- The Americans had won the war in
Manila against the Japanese forces headed by
Gen. Douglas Mc Arthur.
● Sep. 2, 1945- Japan had formally accepted the
defeat upon signing a treaty on board USS
Missouri at Tokyo Bay.

Agrarian Reform
● Essentially the rectification of the whole system of
agriculture (an important aspect of the Philippine
economy,y. Why is it so?)
● Centered on the relationship between production &
the distribution of land among farmers.
● Also focused on the political & economic class of
the relations of production & distribution in farming
& related enterprises & how these connect to the
wider class structure.
● Genuine & comprehensive agrarian reform are
needed in order for PH to gain more from
agriculture potential & uplift the poor Filipino
farmers.
● Gained great significance all over the world as it
aims to achieve social justice & full human
development of human dignity.
● Issue of land reform has been persistent
throughout time, demanding measures to stop
social unrest.
● Worst scenarios were observed during the colonial
era when the Spanish colonizers introduced new
land-holding systems to caciques.
● Introduction of Torrens system created serious
problems.
● The natural inhabitants lost their ancestral domains
to the colonialists.
Pre-Spanish Period
● Filipinos already lived in villages & barangays.
● The settlements were ruled by the chieftains or
datus who comprised the nobility.
● Maharlikas (freemen), Aliping Namamahay(serfs)
& Aliping Saguiguilid, (slaves) Despite the
existence of social structure, everyone had access
to the fruits of the soil.
● Rice was a medium of exchange as money is yet
unknown.
Spanish Period (1521-1896)
● Spaniards introduced the concept of encomienda
to the Philippines.
● Encomienda is a system of giving lands (Royal
Land Grants) to the Spanish conquerors that were
loyal to the monarch.
● As a matter of policy, encomenderos must defend
his encomienda from
● external attack, maintain peace & order within, &
support the missionaries.
● In turn they were given the right to collect taxes
(tribute) from the indios.
● Encomenderos started to abuse their powers by
renting their lands to a few powerful
● landlords, & the natives who once freely cultivated
the land became share tenants.
Agrarian Uprisings (1745-46)
● Taxation was not only the reason for the revolts of
the Filipinos but agrarian unrest as well.
● Agrarian Revolt happened between 1745 & 1746
in Batangas, Laguna & Cavite, & Bulacan. In the
towns of Lian & Nasugbu in Batangas.
● Grabbing of lands by the Catholic religious orders
angered the native land owners & demanded that
their lands be returned based on ancestral domain.
● Spanish priests refused which resulted in riots &
massive looting of convents & the burning down of
churches & ranches.
● Troops were sent from Manila to Batangas to quell
the disturbance.
● Encounter was bloody & those who surrendered
were pardoned.
● Uprising resonated in other towns of the
neighboring provinces, notably Binan, Imus,
Silang, Kawit, Bacoor, San Mateo, Taguig,
Paranaque & Hagonoy.
● Agrarian conflicts reached the ear of King Philip VI
who appointed Oidor (a judge of the Royal
Audiencias & Chancillerias) Pedro Calderon
Enriquez to investigate the charges brought
against the religious orders & to ascertain validity
of their titles to the lands in question.
● The friars were ordered to submit their titles to a
secular judge, but refused to comply claiming
ecclesiastical exemption.
● As a result, the governor general dispossessed the
friars of the lands said to have been illegally
occupied by them & which they continue holding
without legitimate titles restoring the lands to the
crown.
● Case appealed by the friars to the Royal Audiencia
of Manila but it upheld the first decision; further
appealed to the council of Indies in Spain & again
the decision was confirmed.
● Subsequently the friars won their case & retained
the disputed lands; ownership of the lands
remained intact even after the end of the spanish
regime.
First Philippine Republic
● When Emilio Aguinaldo came to power in 1899,
The Malolos Constitution which they
 crafted intended to confiscate the so-called Friar
lands & other large estates.
● However the First Philippine Republic was
short-lived so that the plans to confiscate was
never materialized.
American Period (1898-1935)
● Some noteworthy regulations enacted during the
American period:
a) Philippine Bill Of 1902-set the ceilings on
the hectarage of private individuals to 16
hectares & 1,024 hectares for corporations
b) Land Registration Act of 1902 (Act No.
496) -provided for a comprehensive
registration of land titles under the Torrens
system
c) The Public Land Act of 1903-introduced
homestead in PH. Tenancy Act of 1933
(Act No. 4054 & 4113)-regulated
relationships bet. landowners & tenants of
rice (50-50 sharing), & sugar cane lands.
● However The Land Registration
Act of 1902 didn't completely solve
the problem of land registration
under the Torrens System,
landowners might not have been
aware of the law & they cant pay
the cost of having the land
surveyed & other fees required for
a Torrens title
Commonwealth Period (1935-1942)
● President Manuel L. Quezon advocated the Social
Justice Program to block the increasing social
unrest in Central Luzon
Impt. Legislations enacted during this period:
● The 1935 Constitution, which was promulgated for
the promotion of social justice to ensure the
well-being & economic security of all people
● The Commonwealth Act No. 178 (An Amendment
to Rice Tenancy Act No.4045), enacted on Nov.
13, 1936, provided for certain controls in the
landlord tenant relationships
● The National Rice & Corn Corporation (NARIC) of
1936 established the price of rice & corn that
helped the poor tenants as well as consumers.
● The Commonwealth Act No. 461, 1937, specified
the reasons for dismissal of tenants & only with the
approval of the Tenancy Division of the Dept. of
Justice
● The Rural Program Administration, created on
March 2, 1939,provided the purchase & lease of
haciendas & their sale & lease to tenants.
● The Commonwealth Act no. 441 enacted on June
3, 1939, created the National Settlement
Administration with a capital stock of P20,000,000.
Japanese Occupation
● During The Second World War (that started in
Europe in 1939 & in the Pacific in 1941), the
Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon
(HUKBALAHAP) controlled the areas of Central
Luzon. Composed of peasants & workers (took up
arms against the Japanese forces)
● Peasants who supported them earned fixed
rentals, while landowners who supported the
Japanese lost their lands to peasants.
● Problems of land tenure inPH remained even after
the Philippine Independence in 1946. PH
Congress revised the tenancy law.
President Manuel Roxas (1946-1948)
● RA No.34 established the 70-30 sharing
arrangements & regulated the sharing contracts.
● RA No. 55 - provided for a more effective
safeguard against arbitrary ejectment of tenants.
President Elpidio Quirino (1948-1950)
● Issued EO No. 355 on October 23, 1950, replaced
the National Land Settlement Administration with
Land Settlement Development Corporation
(LASEDECO) that took over the responsibilities of
the Agricultural Machinery Equipment Corporation
& the Rice & Corn Production Administration.
President Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957)
● RA No. 1160 of 1954 abolished the LASEDECO &
established the National Resettlement &
Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) to resettle
dissidents & landless farmers.
● Particularly aimed at rebel returnees providing
home lots & farmlands in Palawan & Mindanao .
● RA No.1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954)-
governed relationship bet. Landowners & tenant
farmers organizing share-tenancy & leasehold
system.
● Also created the Court Agrarian Relations.
● RA No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955)- created
the Land Tenure Administration (LTA) that was
responsible for the acquisition & distribution of
large tenanted rice & corn lands over 200 hectares
for individuals & 600 hectares for corporations
● RA NO. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit
Cooperative Financing Administration)provided
small loans to small farmers & share tenants with
interest rates of as low as six to eight percent.

President Garcia (1953-1957)
● who succeeded the presidency after the death of
President Ramon Magsaysay continued the
program.
President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965)
● RA No. 3844 of Aug. 8 1963 (Agricultural Land
Reform Code)- abolished share-tenancy contracts,
institutionalized leasehold, set retention limit at 75
hectares, invested rights of preemption &
redemption for tenant farmers, provided for an
administrative
● Machinery for implementation, institutionalized a
judicial system of agrarian cases, incorporated
extension, marketing & supervised credit system of
services of farmer beneficiaries.
President Ferdinand Marcos (1961-1965)
● "New Society" (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) was
ushered in by the Proclamation no. 1081 on Sept.
21, 1972
● Agrarian Reform program was put into law & land
reform program was implemented
● Decreed RA No. 6389 (Code of Agrarian Reform)
& RA No. 6390 of 1971 that created the DAR & the
Agrarian Reform Special Account Fund &
expanded the scope of agrarian reform.
● Presidential Decree No. 2 Sept. 26, 1972: declared
the country under land reform program & activated
the Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council .
● All govt. agencies were ordered to fully cooperate
& assist the DAR.
● Presidential Decree No.27, October 21, 1972,
restricted the land reform scope to tenanted rice &
corn lands & set retention limit at 7 hectares.
President Corazon C. Aquino (1986-1992)
● Article II, Sec. 21 of the 1987 Constitution provides
that " The State shall promote comprehensive rural
development & agrarian reform".
● With this Pres. Aquino signed into law the
following:
1. EO No. 228, July 16, 1987, which declared
full land ownership to qualified farmer
beneficiaries covered by the PD 27
2. EO No. 229 July 22, 1987, provided the
mechanism for the implementation of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP)
3. Proclamation No. 131, July 22, 1987-
instituted the CARP as a major program of
the government
● Provided for a special fund known as the Agrarian
Reform Fund (ARF) with an initial amount of 50
billion to cover the estimated cost of the program
from 1987-1992.
1. EO No. 129-A, July 26, 1987- streamlined
& expanded the power & operations of the
DAR.
2. RA No. 6657 aka Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law (CARL) which was signed into
law on June 10, 1988 88
-this law instituted a comprehensive
agrarian reform program to promote social
justice & industrialization. Still at work till
the present.
1. EO No. 405, June 14, 1990- which
conferred LBP the LBC responsibility to
determine land valuation & compensation
for all lands covered by CARP.
2. E0 No. 407, June 14, 1990 accelerated the
acquisition & distribution of agricultural
lands, pasture lands, fishponds,
agroforestry lands & other lands of the
public domain suitable for agriculture.
President Fidel V. Ramos (1922-1998)
● enacted laws that would promote a more
meaningful agrarian reform program.
1. RA No. 7881 of 1995- this law amended
certain provisions of RA 6657 & exempted
fishponds & prawns from CARP coverage.
2. RA No. 7905 of 1995, which strengthened
CARP Implementation.
3. RA NO. 363 of 1997, which prescribed the
guidelines for the protection of areas
non-negotiable for conversion &
monitoring compliance with sec. 20 of the
Local Government code.
President Joseph E. Estrada (1998-2002)
● ERAP initiated the enactment of EO No. 151,
September 1999 (Farmers Trust Fund) which
established the farmers trust development program
& provided institutional reforms & fund
mechanisms for mobilizing long term private sector
capital for rural development.
● Launched the Magkabalikat para sa kaunlarang
Agraryo. Or MAGSASAKA.
● DAR forged into joint venture with private investors
into an agrarian con venture with private investors.
● Agrikulturang Maka Masa" was also launched that
achieved an output growth of 6 percent, lowered
the inflation rate from 11 percent in January 1999
to just a little over 3 percent by Nov. of the same
year.
 ● Record high at the time President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino
(2010-2016)
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010)
● Aquino, together with farmers, Catholic bishops, &
● Envisioned to make countryside economically other land reform advocates developed a plan of
viable for Filipino family by building action for the implementation of the
● partnership & promoting social equity & new Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
economic opportunities towards lasting peace & Extension with Reforms (CARPER).
sustainable rural development. ● Established the multi-stakeholders mechanisms,
1. Signed EO No. 379 s 2004 (Sept. 27, 2004) composed of representative from DAR & other
amending EO No. 364 entitled Transforming the CARP implementing agencies of the government,
Department of Agrarian Reform into the church officials, non governmental organizations,
Department of Land Reform (DLR), broadened the peoples organizations & other farmers groups &
scope of the Dept. making it responsible of all land, federations to monitor the implementation of the
reform in the country. CARP, specifically focusing on:
● also placed the Philippine Commission on 1. Coverage & distribution of Agricultural
Urban Poor (PCUP) under its supervision lands.
& control 2. Movement & performance of DAR
● DLR also responsible for the recognition of personnel.
the ownership of ancestral domain by IP, 3. Delivery of support services to the
under the National Commission on beneficiaries.
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 4. Budget the allocation & utilization.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (2016-Present)

● The issue of land reform has been persistent even

up to the present time. Current administration is
committed to pursuing the agrarian reform program
in the country
● The president, also Chairman of Presidential
Agrarian Reform Council (PARC), included land
tenure security in his 10-point socio-economic
agenda to improve the quality of life of farmers &
raise their productivity.