Cavite Mutiny

• Two major events happened in 1872

  • Cavite Mutiny
  • martyrdom of the three martyr priests
• the execution of GOMBURZA was a major factor in the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos.
• On January 20, 1872, about 200 Filipino troops and workers of Fort San Felipe Arsenal in Cavite, Philippines staged a mutiny against the Spanish Government. This is commonly known as “THE CAVITE MUTINY.”
• The 1872 Cavite Mutiny was an outcome of the removal of the personal benefits of the workers such as tribute (the payment of taxes) and polo (the forced labor) exemptions.
• Governor Rafael de Izquierdo -he ordered the removal of personal benefits
• At the early stage, the mutiny was crushed by the Spanish authorities under governor Rafael de Izquierdo.
• Governor Rafael de Izquierdo - He was remembered for his cruelty to the Filipinos and the barbaric execution of the three martyr-priests blamed for the mutiny
• In 1871, Izquierdo replaced Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre.
• The death of the three priests ignited the fire in the patriotic spirit of the Filipino and led the way to the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
• two arguments

  1. Cavite Mutiny is a grand conspiracy
  2. Cavite Mutiny is not a grand conspiracy but merely a labor issue
• Affirmative Side

  Cavite Mutiny is a grand conspiracy

  • Vidal
  • Izquierdo
• Negative Side

  Cavite Mutiny is merely a labor issue.

  • Tavera
• Vidal - The Spanish revolution which overthrew a secular throne gave rise among certain Filipinos to the idea of attaining their independence.
• According to Vidal, this is an insurrection and conspiracy influenced by the following:

  • Spanish revolution which overthrew a secular throne
  • Propaganda against Monarchial principles
  • Democratic and Republican books and pamphlets
  • Speeches and preachings of new ideas
  • American publicists and criminal policy
• Vidal - Based on the anonymous communication, there would be an outbreak of a great uprising. (assassination of all Spaniards/ friars)
• Vidal - The conspiracy had been going on since the days of La Torre with utmost secrecy.
• Vidal - According to him, it is a conspiracy which involved native soldiers as well as multitude of civilians.
• INSURRECTION was MOTIVATED and PREPARED by the

  • NATIVE CLERGY,
  • MESTIZOS,
  • NATIVE LAWYERS, and
  • ABOGADILLOS.
• Izquierdo: There were Instigators of the insurrection. As quoted: “It was seem definite that the INSURRECTION was MOTIVATED and PREPARED by the NATIVE CLERGY, MESTIZOS, NATIVE LAWYERS, and ABOGADILLOS. Some were residents of Manila, Cavite and nearby provinces”
• Izquierdo - According to him, Cavite Mutiny is a CRIMINAL PROJECT and they use the following inducements:
• Cavite Mutiny is a CRIMINAL PROJECT and they use the following inducements:

  • staged protests against injustice of the government in bandala, usury, polo, and tribute.
  • seduced the native troops
  • offered wealth, employment, and rank
• Izquierdo - As quoted: “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.”
• Izquierdo - PLAN: to establish a monarchy or republic

  As quoted:

  “The Indios have no word in their language to describe this different form of government…. but it turns out that they would place at the head of the government priests, and there were great probabilities … D. Jose Burgos or D. Jacinto Zamora.
• Izquierdo -PLAN: Uprising(execution/confiscation/details)

  As quoted: “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… I suspended it indirectly…”
• Izquierdo: According to him, the instigators of Cavite Mutiny were inspired by the following:

  - Madrid

  - El Eco Filipino

  - Subscription
• Tavera:

  According to him: Gen. Izquierdo’s first official act to abolish the exemption privilege particularly from force labor and tribute caused the dissatisfaction and discontent of the workmen in the arsenal.
• Tavera :

  CROSS & SWORD - prohibition of the founding of school of arts and trades
• personas sospechosas (person who refused to servilely obey the whims of the authorities)
• According to Tavera:

  “The peace of the colony was broken by a certain incident, though unimportant in itself, was probably the origin of the POLITICAL AGITATION which was constantly growing for 30 years, and culminated in the overthrow of the Spanish sovereignty in the Philippine islands.”
• Tavera:Cavite Mutiny was a powerful lever by the Spanish residents and the friars.

  • colonial modus vivendi
  • secession
  • threat to Spanish sovere
• Tavera: REPRESSIVE MEASURES – STRICT AND SUDDEN “

  No attempt has been made to ascertain whether or not the innocent suffered with the guilty.”

  “The punishments mete out were unjust and unnecessary.”
• Tavera:

  According to him:

  “Persecution served as a stimulus and an educational force which nursed the rebellion in secret and the passive resistance to the abuses became greater day by day.”
• Tavera:

  Persecuted & punished without distinction

  • Condemned to death
  • Life imprisonment
  • Terrorized the Filipinos