HIST 100
READING IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
7:30-8:50 AM MWF
CAVITE MUTINY
Group 2 Members
BRIONES, PATRISHA ARECELLE (A)
CALBE, AHMAD (A)
LAPISAC, MARK DENVER (A)
MIRANDA, KIM XAVIER (A)
ROJO, TRISH MAXINE (A)
SIGMAN, ASHLEY JAMES (A)
Instructor
ILLUMINADA ISICAN
OCTOBER 2024
1872 CAVITE MUTINY
CONTENT
2 Major Events in 1872
1. 1872 Cavite Mutiny
2. Martyrdom of GOMBURZA
2 Accounts of Cavite Mutiny:
1. Filipino version
2. Spanish perspective
Mutiny
● A rebellion against authority
● A situation in which a group of people refuse to obey orders and try to take
control away from the person who commands them
● “mutine” (old verb”) means “revolt”
1. Filipino version:
● wrote by Dr. Trinidad Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera
- a Filipino scholar and researcher
According to Pardo de Tavera:
● The Filipino version of the Cavite Mutiny, as documented by Dr. Trinidad
Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera presents a starkly different narrative from the
Spanish accounts. Tavera argues that the mutiny was a mere protest against the
harsh policies of Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo.
● the incident was merely a mutiny by Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite
arsenal to the dissatisfaction arising from the draconian policies of Gov. Gen.
Rafael Izquierdo (the abolition of privileges)
- exemption from the tribute (form of tax)
- exemption from polo y servicio (forced labor)
- prohibition of the founding of the school of arts and trades
Key Points of Tavera's Perspective:
• Limited Scope: The mutiny was a localized event, primarily involving disgruntled
soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal. It was not a widespread rebellion aimed at
overthrowing Spanish rule.
• Triggering Factor: The immediate cause was the abolition of privileges enjoyed by the
arsenal workers, including tax exemptions and exemption from forced labor.
• Spanish Overreaction: Izquierdo, a staunch conservative, saw the mutiny as a sign of
widespread rebellion and used it as a pretext to crack down on Filipino liberals and
secular priests.
• Friar Influence: Tavera believed that the friars, fearing a loss of their power and
influence, exaggerated the mutiny's significance and encouraged the Spanish
government to take harsh measures.
● Uprising of military personnel of Fort San Felipe (the Spanish arsenal in Cavite) on
January 20, 1872.
● Around 200 soldiers and laborers rose up in the belief that it would elevate to a
national uprising.
● The mutiny was unsuccessful and government soldiers executed many of the
participants.
GOMBURZA
● three martyred priests (Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora)
● Tagged as the masterminds of the Cavite Mutiny
● They were prominent Filipino priests charged with treason and sedition.
● The Spanish clergy connected the priests to the mutiny as part of a conspiracy to
stifle the movement of secular priests who desired to have their own parishes
instead of being assistants to the regular friars.
Secularization
■ “nationalizing” the Catholic Church h by replacing the friars with
native secular priests
Regular friars = Spanish priests
Native friars = Filipino priest
February 15, 1872
● the Spanish colonial sentenced the three martyr to death by garrote at
Bagumbayan
February 17, 1872
Execution of GOMBURZA
● They were publicly executed by garrote
● As a threat to Filipinos never to attempt to fight the Spaniards again
● This scene was witnessed by the young Jose Rizal.
Along with GOMBURZA execution,
January 28, 1872
● the military court sentenced 41 mutineers to death.
January 29, 1872
● Gov. Gen. Izquierdo pardoned 28 mutineers and the rest were confirmed to
sentence.
February 6, 1872
● 11 mutineers were sentenced to death but Izquierdo commuted their death
sentences to life imprisonment
1. Spanish perspective
● wrote by Jose Montero y Vidal
■ a Spanish historian who documented the event and
highlighted it as an attempt of the Indios to overthrow the
Spanish government in the Philippines
● Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo’s official report to the King of Spain magnified the
event and made use of it to implicate native clergy, which was then active in
the call for secularization.
According to the Spanish accounts:
● It was premeditated, a part of big conspiracy among educated leaders,
mestizos, lawyers, and residents of Manila and Cavite.
● They allegedly plan to liquidate high-ranking Spanish officers then kill friars.
January 20, 1872
○ the district of Sampaloc celebrated the Feast of the Virgin Loreto, came
with it were some fireworks display.
○ The Caviteños mistook it as the signal to commence with attack.
● 200 men was led by Sergeant Lamadrid
● They attacked Spanish officers at sight and seized the arsenal
● Izquierdo, upon learning the attack, ordered reinforcement of Spanish forces in
Cavite to quell the revolt.
● The revolution was easily crushed, when Manileños who were expected to aid
the Caviteños did not arrive.
● As a result, the leaders of the plot were killed.
● The GOMBURZA were tried by a court-martial and sentenced to be executed.
● Others who were implicated such as Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Antonio Ma.
Regidor, Jose Basa, Pio Basa and other Filipino lawyers were suspended from the
practice of law, arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Marianas
Island.
SUMMARY
The Cavite Mutiny (January 20, 1872) was a brief rebellion of 200 Filipino soldiers and
workmen at the Cavite arsenal that served as a justification for Spanish persecution of
the burgeoning Philippine nationalist movement. Ironically, the Spanish government'
strong reaction ultimately served to strengthen the nationalist movement.
The rebellion was promptly put down, but the Spanish authority, led by reactionary
governor Rafael de Izquierdo, exaggerated the episode and used it as a reason to
crack down on Filipinos who were advocating for government change. A number of
Filipino intellectuals were arrested and accused of collaborating with the mutineers.
Following a brief trial, three priests, Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora, and Mariano Gomez,
were publicly executed. The three eventually became martyrs for the cause of
Philippine independence.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Cavite Mutiny was a significant event in our Philippine history as it marked the
beginning of the national struggle against the Spanish colonial rule. The mutiny ignited
nationalism among the Filipino people and it showed the unfairness and injustices of the
Spanish colonial rule. Because of that, it inspired the Filipino people a sense of pride and
desire movements advocating for reform and independence. The harsh response of the
Spanish government, which includes the execution of leaders like Jose Burgos, Mariano
Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora, turned them into martyrs. The deaths of these individuals
just motivated the people to fight against the oppression. It promoted awareness on
the importance of fairness and representation for Filipinos, particularly in the church and
military. The mutiny made an impact on the policies of the Spanish government in
which they imposed a stricter controls, which only created more resentment and
pushed Filipinos to seek autonomy and reform. The mutiny set the stage for future
uprisings and revolutions, including the Philippine Revolution of 1896 led by figures like
Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal's writings, which further fueled the call for
independence.
CONCLUSION
The 1872 Cavite Mutiny was a small but very important event in the history of the
Philippines, helping to spark the Filipino people's desire for freedom from Spanish rule. It
began when Filipino soldiers and workers at the Cavite naval shipyard rebelled against
unfair treatment. They were upset because the Spanish government had removed their
exemption from paying taxes and required them to do forced labor without proper
compensation. These harsh conditions, combined with long-standing grievances
against the Spanish authorities, pushed them to rise up.
Even though the mutiny was small and did not last long, the Spanish government
reacted with extreme measures. They blamed not just the soldiers and workers involved
but also many other people they thought might be challenging their control. This led to
the arrest and execution of three prominent Filipino priests—Mariano Gómez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—who were accused of being part of the rebellion, even
though they were not directly involved. These priests, who are now known as
Gomburza, were seen as defenders of Filipino rights and voices for justice. Their
execution shocked and angered many Filipinos, especially the educated class, who
saw it as a clear example of the cruelty and injustice of Spanish colonial rule.
The deaths of Gomburza became a rallying point for Filipinos. Many began to see the
fight against the Spanish as not just about fixing unfair labor practices or taxes, but
about achieving equality and self-rule. The execution of these priests helped awaken a
sense of nationalism, as Filipinos realized they needed to stand together to demand
their rights. One of the people who was deeply moved by this event was Jose Rizal, who
later became one of the most important figures in the fight for Philippine
independence. He wrote books that opened people’s eyes to the abuses of the
Spanish government, and his efforts eventually helped inspire the Philippine Revolution.
Even though the Cavite Mutiny itself was quickly crushed, its impact was long-lasting. It
became clear that the Filipino people were no longer willing to accept the oppressive
rule of the Spanish government. The execution of Gomburza made many Filipinos see
the need to unite and fight for justice, equality, and eventually, independence. The
mutiny may have started as a small, local rebellion, but it sparked a much larger
movement that would eventually lead to the country’s freedom. The Cavite Mutiny
remains a key moment in the history of the Philippines, marking the beginning of a
broader struggle for national identity and independence.
Our Philippine independence can be traced back from the Cavite Mutiny
Cavity Mutiny > Death of GOMBURZA > Jose Rizal’s El Filibuterismo and Noli Me Tangere
> 1896 Philippine Revolution
REFERENCES
https://sinaunangpanahon.com/cavite-mutiny-1872/
https://filipinojournal.com/the-1872-cavite-mutiny/
https://thephilippinestoday.com/the-cavite-mutiny-and-the-gomburza/
QUIZ (with answers)
Instruction/s: Choose the correct answer.
1. Which of the following was NOT a key point of Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de
Tavera's perspective on the Cavite Mutiny?
a) The mutiny was a localized event, primarily involving disgruntled soldiers and laborers
of the Cavite arsenal.
b) The immediate cause was the abolition of privileges enjoyed by the arsenal workers,
including tax exemptions and exemption from forced labor.
c) The mutiny was a deliberate attempt to overthrow Spanis rule, fueled by a
conspiracy involving native clergy.
d) Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo, a staunch conservative, saw the mutiny as a
sign of widespread rebellion and used it as a pretext to crack down on Filipino liberals
and secular priests.
2. TRUE OR FALSE. . The Cavite Mutiny (January 20, 1872) was a long rebellion of 200
Filipino soldiers and workmen at the Cavite arsenal that served as a justification
for Spanish persecution of the burgeoning Philippine nationalist movement. FALSE
3-4. List 2 profound impacts of Cavite Mutiny on Philippine History. There are 3.
Rise of Nationalism, Martyrdom of GOMBURZA, and/or Propaganda Movement
5. What was the immediate outcome of the Cavite Mutiny?
a) The Spanish government was overthrown.
b) The rebellion was quickly suppressed.
c) The Indios gained independence.
d) The Spanish government implemented reforms.
6. What was a significant consequence of the Cavite Mutiny that directly contributed to
the rise of Filipino nationalism?
a) The Spanish government's decision to grant greater autonomy to the Philippines.
b) The successful overthrow of Spanish rule by Filipino revolutionaries.
c) The execution of the Gomburza, three secular priests accused of instigating the
mutiny.
d) The establishment of a Filipino-led government in Cavite.
7. Based on Jose Montero Vidal’s historical reports, what was the main reason of the
revolution? Removal of benefits
8. The GOMBURZA were tagged as the masterminds of Cavite Mutiny and were charged
with what? List one. Treason and sedition.
9. True or False. The mutiny ignited nationalism among the Filipino people and it showed
the unfairness and injustices of the Spanish colonial rule. TRUE
10. What did the Manilenos mistake as a signal to commence with attack? Fireworks
display
