CHAPTER 3

ONE PAST BUT MANY HISTORIES:

CONTROVERSIES AND CONFLICTING
VIEWS IN PHILIPPINES HISTORY
 LESSON TWO:
CAVITE MUTINY
 MAIN CONTENTS

The Cavite Mutiny Spanish version of Filipino version of the Official Report of
thr Cavite Mutiny Cavite Mutiny Governor on the
Cavite Mutiny of 1872
The Cavite mutiny holds great importance in
Philippine History as it played a pivotal role in
fostering a sense of nationhood among Filipinos and
contributed to the subsequent Philippine Revolution.

This event is notable for the tragic martyrdom of

GomBurza, an acronym representing the surnames of
three Filipino priests executed on February 17, 1872.
 Timeline

Mariano Gomez Jose Apolonio Jacinto Zamora

Burgos
These priests became symbols of resistance and inspired a fervent desire
for justice and independence among Filipino people.

Spanish Version of the Cavite Mutiny

This version was published in the book "Historia General de Filipinas" by

the Spanish historian Jose Montero y Vidal.

In his story, the Spanish historian exaggerated how some disgruntled

troops and laborers turned their mutiny into a revolt against the Spanish
government, which complicated some nationalists like Gomburza and
others.
KEY POINTS OF THE
SPANISH VERSION:
➤ 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 Izquierdo, 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 insurrection.

➤ Spain faces an internal problem with their monarch, such as publications of pamphlets that promote
ideas of democracy and republicanism. American publicists also commented against the Spanish policies,
which influenced Filipino thinking.

➤ Spain sent a governor to the Philippines to enforce these new ideas, which upset many Filipinos.
Moreover, some Filipino priests who were upset with the Spanish friars, joined forces with those who
opposed Spain.
➤ 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 Izquierdo, 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 insurrection.

➤ Spain faces an internal problem with their monarch, such as publications of pamphlets that promote
ideas of democracy and republicanism. American publicists also commented against the Spanish policies,
which influenced Filipino thinking.

➤ Spain sent a governor to the Philippines to enforce these new ideas, which upset many Filipinos.
Moreover, some Filipino priests who were upset with the Spanish friars, joined forces with those who
opposed Spain.
➤ In early 1872, the authorities received anonymous tips warning about a major rebellion against Spaniards. It was
said that the uprising would happen as soon as the Spanish fleet left Cavite, and everyone, including the priests,
would be killed. However, these warnings were ignored.

➤ The rebellion had been secretly planned for a long time, starting during the time of Governor La Torre. Key leaders
sometimes met in the home of a Filipino Spaniard named D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera or in the house of a native priest
named Jacinto Zamora.

These meetings were often attended by the influential and wealthy priest of Bacoor (Cavite), who was the driving
force behind the movement.

➤ The conspiracy involved many native soldiers stationed in Manila, as well as many civilians. The plan was for the
soldiers to kill their officers, servants, masters, and the guards of the Captain-General at Malacañang, and then to
get rid of the Governor himself. After that, they would target the priests and other Spaniards.

➤ The signal to start the uprising in both Cavite and Manila was supposed to be rockets fired from the city walls.
Everything was set for the rebellion to begin on the evening of January 20, 1872. However, various unexpected events
disrupted their plans, and the conspiracy ended up failing miserably
➤ In the Sampaloc district, a grand celebration for the patron saint, the Virgin of Loreto, was happening. On
the night of January 20th, there were fireworks and rockets. The people in Cavite mistakenly thought this was
the signal for their planned revolt. At 9:30 PM, 200 native soldiers, led by Sergeant La Madrid, started the
uprising, killing the fort commander and injuring his wife.

➤ The military governor of Cavite, D. Fernando Rojas, sent two Spaniards to inform the authorities in Manila
about the uprising. However, on their way, a group of native soldiers, previously organized by La Torre, killed
them. Around the same time, an arsenal worker named D. Domingo Mijares left Cavite on a warship and
reached Manila at midnight. He reported the incident to the Marine commandant, who then informed
Governor Izquierdo.

➤ Early the next morning, two regiments led by D. Felipe Ginoves, the second-in-command, left for Cavite on
merchant ships named Filipino, Manila, Isabela I, and Isabela II. Ginoves demanded that the rebels surrender
and waited all day on the 21st, hoping to avoid unnecessary bloodshed by not attacking.

➤ However, when the rebels didn't surrender, Ginoves ordered an assault early on the moming of the 22nd.
Most of the rebels were killed, and the rest were taken prisoner. That same
Because of statements made by some of the captured rebels, several people were
identified as leaders of the uprising. As a result, the following individuals were arrested:

• Don Jose Burgos and Don Jacinto Zamora, priests of the Cathedral

• Don Mariano Gomez, priest of Bacoor (Cavite)

• Several other Filipino priests

• Don Antonio Maria Regidor, a lawyer and council member

• Don Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, a government advisor Pedro Carillo, Gervasio Sanchez,
and Jose Mauricio de Leon

• Lawyer Enrique Paraiso

• Jose and Pio Basa, government employees

• Crisanto Reyes, Maximo Patemo, and several other Filipinos

➤ The military court handling the Cavite uprising sentenced forty-one rebels to death. The Captain-
General approved this sentence on January 27. On February 6, eleven more rebels were sentenced
to death, but the Governor General changed their sentences to life imprisonment the next day.

➤ On February 8, another rebel, Camerino, was sentenced to death, and eleven members of the
"Guias de La Torre were sentenced to ten years in prison for killing the Spaniards who were sent to
Manila to report the uprising on January 20.

➤ On February 15, the military court sentenced Filipino priests Don Jose Burgos, Don Jacinto Zamora,
Don Mariano Gomez, and Francisco Saldua to death by strangulation. Maximo Inocencio, Enrique
Paraiso, and Crisanto de los Reyes were sentenced to ten years in prison.

➤ Early in the moming of February 17. a huge crowd gathered at Bagumbayan to watch the
executions. Filipino troops were present, and the fort's cannons were aimed at the execution site,
ready to fire if there was any sign of an uprising. Gomez was executed first. followed by Zamora,
Burgos, and then Saldua
➤ On April 3, 1872, the Audiencia (the colonial court) suspended several men from practicing law:
Don Jose Basa y Enriquez, Don Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Don Antonio Ma. Regidor. Don Pedro
Carillo, Don Gervasio Sanchez, and Don Jose Mauricio de Leon.

➤ Governor Izquierdo asked for Spanish troops to be sent to Manila because most of the soldiers
there were natives. As a result, on April 4, 1872, the government dissolved the
native artillery regiment and created a new artillery force made up only of Spanish soldiers
(Peninsulares). These new troops arrived in Manila in July 1872.

➤ When the Spanish troops arrived, the Sto. Domingo Church held a special mass. High government
officials, religious leaders, and the general public attended this mass, invited by the Governor and
Captain-General of the Philippines
KEY POINTS ON
THE FILIPINO
VERSION
➤ When General Izquierdo arrived in 1871, everything changed. He made it clear that he had different ideas from the previous
governor, La Torre. Izquierdo said he would govern with both religious and military authority ("with a crucifix in one hand and
a sword in the other").

➤ One of his first actions was to stop the creation of a school of arts and trades that locals were trying to start with their
own money. The religious orders didn't like the idea of the school, and Izquierdo thought it was just an excuse to form a
political group. He not only stopped the school from opening but also publicly accused the Filipinos involved in the project.

➤ Anyone who had supported the previous governor, La Torre, was now seen as a suspect. This term, "personas
sospechosas," started to be used for anyone who didn't blindly follow the authorities. The conservative forces in the islands
took control of government policy, and educated Filipinos increasingly faced suspicion and disfavor from the governor.

➤ The peace in the colony was disrupted by a seemingly small incident, which later sparked significant political unrest that
eventually led to the end of Spanish rule in the Philippines. For a long time, workers in the Cavite arsenal and military barracks
didn't have to pay certain taxes or work on public projects on specific days
➤ When General Izquierdo came into power, he decided to end these exemptions. He ordered that these workers now had to
pay taxes and contribute to public projects like everyone else. This decision made the workers very unhappy, especially those
in the Cavite arsenal, who went on strike in protest. However, under pressure and threats from the authorities, they eventually
returned to work.

➤ This incident, though seemingly minor, contributed to growing discontent and fueled political movements that aimed to
challenge Spanish authority in the Philippines over the next three decades.

➤ A period of dissatisfaction and discontent with the government spread throughout the area, even affecting the troops. On
January 20, 1872, there was a rebellion among soldiers at San Felipe fort in Cavite. They killed their commanding officer and
other Spanish officers. About 40 marines from the arsenal and 22 artillerymen under Sergeant La Madrid joined the uprising.
It seemed like the entire garrison at Cavite was unhappy and possibly involved.

➤ However, the soldiers who started the attack believed more troops would support them in a general rebellion against
Spain, but they were mistaken. When news of the uprising reached Manila, General Izquierdo sent the commanding general
to Cavite. He reinforced the native troops, took control of the fort, and defeated the rebels. Sergeant La Madrid was blinded
and badly injured by a powder explosion and was killed while trying to escape. Some rebels were captured and taken to
Manila, and after this incident, there were no more disturbances.
➤ This uprising among the soldiers in Cavite became a powerful tool for Spanish residents and friars. During
General La Torre's time in the Philippines, influential Filipinos openly opposed the power of the religious orders. In
Madrid, the central government announced plans to reduce the friars' influence over civil matters and the
university's management. Colonial Minister Moret proposed reforms to align with the principles of the recent
revolution in Spain.

➤ Because of these changes and promises, Filipinos hoped for improvements in their country's affairs. In contrast,
the friars feared losing their influence in the colony entirely.

➤ The uprising in Cavite gave the conservative leaders, who wanted to keep the existing colonial system, a
chance to tell the Spanish government that a large rebellion was being planned across the islands to overthrow
Spanish rule. They blamed the Spanish government in Madrid for spreading harmful ideas and giving false hopes
to Filipinos. They also pointed out that previous leaders sent by Spain had sympathized with Filipino aspirations.

➤ After Spain's new rulers fell from power, events seemed to support the conservatives' claims that Spanish
control in the islands was in danger. The Madrid authorities couldn't counter these claims effectively. Instead of
investigating thoroughly, they quickly imposed harsh measures to suppress what they thought was a rebellion.
Innocent people suffered along with the guilty as the government tried to scare everyone from even thinking
about independence.
➤ Many well-known Filipinos, including those of mixed Spanish-Chinese descent and pure Filipino ancestry (referred to as Philippine Malays),
were accused and persecuted by the military authorities. This happened after they opposed the influence of the friars, who were powerful in local
affairs. For instance, priests like Burgos, who had Spanish and Filipino heritage, and Zamora, who had Chinese and Filipino heritage, along with
Gomez, a pure Filipino, were condemned to death for challenging the friars' control over church positions in various provinces.

➤ Others, such as lawyers and priests, were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Mariana Islands. These harsh punishments were meant to
intimidate the Filipino population, even though there was no actual plan to overthrow Spanish rule. In fact, many Filipinos felt a strong bond with
Spain during the time before Governor Izquierdo took severe actions that led to unnecessary suffering and injustice.

➤ Studying the history of that time reveals the significant role played by religious orders in the Philippines. After the so-called revolution in
Cavite, the power of the friars grew stronger. The Spanish government, which had initially planned to limit their influence, ended up supporting
them more than ever. From then on, the friars were seen as crucial in maintaining Spanish control over the colony. They were trusted by the
government, and Filipinos viewed them as powerful representatives of Spain.

➤ However, Governor Izquierdo's policies had unintended consequences. Before his time, Filipinos didn't seek independence from Spain but
wanted better economic and educational opportunities. They blamed local officials for mismanagement rather than the Spanish nation. Izquierdo
wrongly assumed Filipinos wanted independence and began persecuting them. Many intelligent and wealthy Filipinos, regardless of their
background, were unfairly punished some even sentenced to death or exiled because they were thought to support independence. This
persecution sparked admiration for those who stood up for Filipino rights and fueled secret rebellions and passive resistance against unjust
government actions.
➤ Many well-known Filipinos, including those of mixed Spanish-Chinese descent and pure Filipino ancestry (referred to as Philippine Malays),
were accused and persecuted by the military authorities. This happened after they opposed the influence of the friars, who were powerful in local
affairs. For instance, priests like Burgos, who had Spanish and Filipino heritage, and Zamora, who had Chinese and Filipino heritage, along with
Gomez, a pure Filipino, were condemned to death for challenging the friars' control over church positions in various provinces.

➤ Others, such as lawyers and priests, were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Mariana Islands. These harsh punishments were meant to
intimidate the Filipino population, even though there was no actual plan to overthrow Spanish rule. In fact, many Filipinos felt a strong bond with
Spain during the time before Governor Izquierdo took severe actions that led to unnecessary suffering and injustice.

➤ Studying the history of that time reveals the significant role played by religious orders in the Philippines. After the so-called revolution in
Cavite, the power of the friars grew stronger. The Spanish government, which had initially planned to limit their influence, ended up supporting
them more than ever. From then on, the friars were seen as crucial in maintaining Spanish control over the colony. They were trusted by the
government, and Filipinos viewed them as powerful representatives of Spain.

➤ However, Governor Izquierdo's policies had unintended consequences. Before his time, Filipinos didn't seek independence from Spain but
wanted better economic and educational opportunities. They blamed local officials for mismanagement rather than the Spanish nation. Izquierdo
wrongly assumed Filipinos wanted independence and began persecuting them. Many intelligent and wealthy Filipinos, regardless of their
background, were unfairly punished some even sentenced to death or exiled because they were thought to support independence. This
persecution sparked admiration for those who stood up for Filipino rights and fueled secret rebellions and passive resistance against unjust
government actions.
➤ The government did nothing to ease the tension between Filipinos and Spaniards, especially the
friars, after the Cavite mutiny and the harsh punishments that followed. The wounds caused by unjust
military trials would take many years to heal for the affected families. Instead of trying to forget these
events, the government seemed to want to remind dissidents of the consequences they could face,
which only made people more discontented. From then on, every disagreement between Filipinos and
Spaniards, no matter how small, was seen as either a racial or political issue. Any harm done to a friar
was viewed as an attack on Spain itself.
KEY POINTS IN
IZQUIERDO ACCOUNT
➤ Based on the information gathered, it appears certain that the uprising was planned and incited by the local clergy,
mixed-race individuals (mestizos), native lawyers, and what are known as minor lawyers. Some are from Manila, others from
Cavite, and nearby provinces.

➤ The instigators of this rebellion argued against what they saw as unfair treatment by the government. They protested the
government's failure to compensate provinces for their tobacco crops and criticized officials for allegedly charging
excessive fees for documents issued by the Finance department, which forced crop owners to sell at a loss. They also
opposed the new requirement, starting January 1, 1872, for workers at the Cavite arsenal to pay taxes and perform labor
duties, which they were previously exempted from. These grievances fueled their motivation to incite rebellion.

➤ To persuade the native troops to join their cause, the instigators used superstitions that many indigenous people are
inclined to believe. They convinced them that the leader of their new government (hari) would be a religious leader, and
that supporting the uprising would ensure daily blessings from the clergy for its success. They claimed that God was on their
side, making failure impossible, and threatened to kill those who refused to join.

➤ Exploiting the ignorance of these groups and their tendency to believe in supernatural influences, they promised wealth
taken from Spaniards and Catholic clergy to those who joined the rebellion, along with jobs and promotions in the military.
They said they would create fifteen new battalions composed of native soldiers who revolted, where these soldiers would
hold positions as officers and leaders. The lawyers and minor lawyers (abogadillos) would oversee government,
administration, and legal matters under this new arrangement.
➤ It's still unclear whether they planned to establish a monarchy (ruled by a king or queen) or a republic
(where people elect leaders). The native Filipinos didn't have a word in their language for these types of
governments; they would call their leader "hari," which is akin to a king. It was likely that they intended to
appoint either Father Jose Burgos or Father Jacinto Zamora, parish priests from Manila, as their leader.

➤ They planned to execute all Spaniards, including the friars, except for the women, and seize their
belongings. Foreigners, however, would be left unharmed.

➤ This uprising had deep roots and attracted a significant number of infantry and artillery troops, civilians,
mestizos (mixed-race people), native Filipinos (indios), and some educated individuals (ilustrados) from the
provinces.

➤ They planned to start the revolution by setting fire to the district of Tondo. While the authorities were
distracted putting out the fire, a regiment of artillery, with help from part of the infantry, would capture Fort
Santiago in Manila. They would then fire cannons from the fort to signal their success to the rebels in Cavite
➤ The rebels in Cavite relied on an artillery detachment already occupying the fort and support
from the navy. They expected 500 natives led by a pardoned leader named Camerino, stationed
in Bacoor. These rebels planned to cross a small body of water to reach Fort San Felipe, where
they would find weapons and ammunition.

➤ The rebels in Cavite signaled each other using lanterns as agreed, but the native civilians in
Bacoor failed in their attempt due to the vigilance of the Spanish navy, which had stationed a
gunboat and armed vessels there.

➤ When loyalists went to arrest the parish priest of Bacoor, they found an abandoned vessel
loaded with weapons, 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
the 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 a vaguer character, I
have been told that since 1869 taking advantage of a group that had been left behind plans for un 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 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 newspaper of
advanced ideas flourish; to sustain them subscriptions are (locally) solicited; in effect, newspapers such as El
Eco Filipino 1 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 vigilant watch wherever possible within the limited means of my
command. I had everything ready (for any untoward possibility), taking into account the limited peninsular
force which composes the army.
THANK
YOU