Jose Rizal Life: Exile, Trial, and Death

Overview

Reasons Rizal was sent to Dapitan

Rizal’s Arrival in Dapitan
Important Individuals
Life of Rizal in Dapitan
End of his Exile

Reasons Rizal was sent to Dapitan

I. He published books and articles abroad that show disloyalty to Spain, anti-Catholic, and
anti-friar.

II. He was accused that the novel “El Filibusterismo” was dedicated to the three priests
(GomBurZa) who were proven traitors against Spain.

III.He was also believed to be an advocate of separation from Spanish for “El Fili”
contained an inscription written by Bluementritt stating that “Filipino, there is no
salvation except through separation from the Mother country.”

IV.He was also charged for seeking to “de-catholicize” the Philippines.

Rizal’s Arrival in Dapitan

Dapitan is a province in Zamboanga Del Norte, Mindanao
On July 15, 1892, aboard a steamer from Cebu, Rizal sailed to Dapitan. He arrived at
Dapitan at July 17 1892 at 7 in the evening. Captain Delgra handed Rizal to Don
Ricardo Carcinero who was the Spanish commandant of Dapitan.

Rizal could live in the parish convent under the following conditions:

Rizal publicly retracted his errors concerning religion and made statements that were
clearly pro-Spanish and against revolution.
He performs church rites and makes a general confession of his past life.
He conducted himself as a model for Spanish subjects and man of religion.

Important Individuals
Don Ricardo

Rizal lived at Don Ricardo Carcinero’s house for him to oversee Rizal’s activities
 Rizal lived at Don Ricardo Carcinero s house for him to oversee Rizal s activities.
Rizal admired the kind, generous Don Ricardo even though he is a Spanish captain.
In return, Don Ricardo sent good reports regarding Rizal to Gov. Despujol.

Josephine Bracken

Josephine Bracken together with his stepfather Mr. Taufer arrived at Dapitan at the
14th of March 1894 in search of a cure for Mr. Taufer’s blinding eye illness.
Rizal fell in love with Josephine Bracken which led to Rizal asking for her hand in
marriage.
They applied for marriage while ni Dapitan however it was denied by Padre Obach
unless Rizal was willing to retract his anti-friar views.

Pio Valenzuela

Pio arrived at Dapitan on June 15, 1896. He was a member of the Katipunan seeking
advice from Rizal regarding the upcoming revolution.
However, according to Pio Valenzuela Rizal opposed the armed rebellion for it was
premature.

Life of Rizal in Dapitan

Practiced medicine and treated patients, especially the poor ones for free
Made a waterworks system named Aqua duct
Establish a school which was attended by 16 boys
Discovered species of animal in Dapitan, namely; Draco Rizali (Flying Lizard),
Apogania Rizali (Beetle), Rhacoporus Rizali (Tree frog).

End of his Exile

On July 31, 1896, Rizal’s four-year exile ended due to Blumentritt recommendation that
he volunteer his services in Cuba. Which was later then accepted by Gov. Gen. Ramon
Blanco. On Sept. 30, on his way to Barcelona, Rizal was arrested and confined to his
Cabin. Moreover, Rizal's name kept coming up in the investigations of those arrested in
connection with the Revolution. He was, therefore, suspected of being the revolution's
secret leader. He was, accused of;

Rebellion,
Sedition and
Forming illegal associations.

He was held prisoner at Fort Santiago while the hearing on his trial was still ongoing. On
Dec. 29, Rizal was informed that he would be executed the following day.
On Dec. 30, 1896, at 7 o’clock in the morning, Rizal was executed before a firing squad at
the Bagumbayan (Luneta).