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Cavite Mutiny

1. In January 1872, 200 Filipino soldiers and workers at the Cavite arsenal mutinied against the harsh policies of the Spanish governor Rafael de Izquierdo, who had abolished their privileges and imposed forced labor. 2. On February 15, 1872 three prominent Filipino priests - Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora - were sentenced to death by garrote for their alleged involvement in inciting the Cavite Mutiny. They were executed on February 17 in front of a large crowd. 3. The executions of the three priests, known as Gomburza, inflamed nationalist sentiment in the Philippines and marked a turning point in the struggle for independence

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167 views

Cavite Mutiny

1. In January 1872, 200 Filipino soldiers and workers at the Cavite arsenal mutinied against the harsh policies of the Spanish governor Rafael de Izquierdo, who had abolished their privileges and imposed forced labor. 2. On February 15, 1872 three prominent Filipino priests - Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora - were sentenced to death by garrote for their alleged involvement in inciting the Cavite Mutiny. They were executed on February 17 in front of a large crowd. 3. The executions of the three priests, known as Gomburza, inflamed nationalist sentiment in the Philippines and marked a turning point in the struggle for independence

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Daryl Gevana
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Cavite Mutiny

The Court-Martial Decision on GomBur-za was done in Manila on February 15, 1872.

Rafael Izquerdo blaming the Cavite Mutiny on , the native clergy, some local residents,
intellectuals, and even El Eco Filipino , a Madrid –based reformist newspaper. Significantly he
calls the military mutiny an “Insurrection” an uprising,and a revolution.

1. A mutiny by the native Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal against the harsh
policy of the despotic governor and Captain general Rafael de Izquierdo which abolished
their old-time privileges of exemption from paying the annual tribute and the rendering of
polo (forced labor).

2. There are 4 Primary sources accounts have varied description and interpretation of the
event of the Cavite Mutiny. The 3 Primary sources namely Spanish version of the Cavite
Mutiny in 1872, the Official report of Governor Izquierdo on the Cavite Mutiny of 1872, and
the The Court-Martial Decision on the Gom-Bur-za are documents that speak in the side of
the Spanish sentiment about the event. These are documents of the “head”, and these
were accounts tend to made use the letter of the law on the time of the Spanish occupation.
On the other hand the Filipino version account made by Trinidad Pardo de Tavera is an
account made from the heart. As one of the Filipino participants he made use in his
accounts in an actual participation thereby having his own biases in the issue.

200 Filipino soldiers and workers in the Cavite arsenal mutinied on the night of January 20,
1872 headed by Lamadrid, a Filipino sergeant.

The mutineers believed that Filipino soldiers in Manila would join them in a concerted
uprising, the signal being the firing of rockets from the city walls on the night. Unfortunately,
the suburb of Sampaloc in Manila celebrated their fiesta on that very night with a gay display
of fireworks. The Cavite plotters thinking that the hostilities had been started by the Manila
troops. Immediately, the mutineers raised their arms and killed their Spanish officers and took
control of the arsenal and fort. The following morning, government troops under Don Felipe
Ginoves were rushed to Cavite wherein a bloody fight ensued. Many of the mutineers
including Lamadrid killed in fighting. On January 22, the survivors ere subdued, taken
prisoners and brought to Manila.

Spanish writers alleged that it was a seditious revolt against the Spanish rule founded by
Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Zamora and other Filipino leader’s ad that
charge justified the government to punish the Filipinos who agitated for reforms. Immediately
after the mutiny, Filipino priests and patriots were arrested and thrown to jail; 41 mutineers put
into death; 11 for a life imprisonment; ten years imprisonment of Maximo Inocencio, Enrique
Paraiso, and Crisanto de los Reyes; deportment to Marianas like Father Agustin Mendoza,
Jose Guevarra, Miguel Lasa, Mariano Sevilla, Toribio H. del Pilar (brother of Marcelo),
Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Jose Maria Basa, Pio Basa, etc.

On February 15, three heroic Filipino priests: Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and
Jacinto Zamora sentenced to death by the military court through garrotte approved by
Izquierdo who set the execution on February 17, 1872. Unfortunately, the co-accused,
Francisco Saldua, a Bicol ex-soldier bribed with a sum of gold and a promise of a pardon to
act as star witness of the government against the three priest was not fulfilled nor saving
himself.
One of the counsels of Burgos, Jose Arieta proved that his client was innocent but no effort to
plea instead requesting clemency, declaring that Burgos confessed his guilt. Burgos flared up
in the courtroom and exclaimed: “I have not confessed any guilt, for I am not guilty! That is
not my defense (pointing to Arieta) has changed it. I deny all the charges against me. They
have no foundation in fact or law.”

At sunrise of February 17, 1872, Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Zamora was
escorted under heavy guard to the Luneta. A vast crowds both Filipinos and foreigners
witnessed the execution. The co-accused Francisco Saldua who testified falsely against the
martyrs was executed first.

Father Gomez at the age of 84 was the first to be garrotted as he dignifiedly walked towards
the garrotte (strangulation machine).

Father Gomez spectacles accidentally fell to the ground. He picked them up calmly put hem
on and uttering his last words: “Let us go where the leaves never move without the will of
God.”

He was followed by Father Jacinto Zamora, aged 37, who was unaware of his fate for he had
lost his mind.

The last to be executed was Father Jose Burgos, aged 35, the youngest among the three and
the most brilliant martyred triumvirate. The executioner knelt before him and said: Father
forgive me, for I am going to kill you.” Calmly, the priest replied: “You are forgiven, my son, I
know you are complying with your duty. Proceed then with your work.” As he was being
strangled, Father Burgos prayed: “My Lord, Father of Mine, receive into your Bosom the soul
of an inno…” Death cut short his last prayer.

From Gregorio Zaide

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