STI College Meycauayan

The Cavite Mutiny

Jamesmar P. Martin
BSIT-21(A)
Gobres, Jerremie
November 5, 2022
INTRODUCTION

Most young people are unaware of the value of studying history because it helps us comprehend the past.
History repeats itself, so we must look to the past for an explanation of how and why our world is the way
it is today. We can learn or understand a lot from the things that happened in the past, as a result of which
we can learn a lesson and pave the way for us to understand what is happening in the present. The Cavite
Mutiny of 1872 and the deaths of three martyred priests Father Mariano Gomes, Father Jose Burgos, and
Father Jacinto Zamora will be the two main topics of discussion in this controversy. But there are two
versions of the Cavite Mutiny the Spanish and Filipino Version, Jose Montero y Vidal author of Spanish
Version and Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera author of Filipino version. The opposing viewpoints of the
two historians created a controversy.
SIDES AND/OR EVIDENCES 
SPANISH VERSION
Jose Montero y Vidal was a Spanish historian who wrote the
Spanish version of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny, Historia General
de Filipinas. The Spanish version emphasized how the event
was an attempt to overthrow the Spanish government in the
Philippines; the mutiny was also criticized in this version as
being totally biased. Carlos Maria de la Torre was removed
from his position as a less radical government was formed in
Spain. Rafael de Izquierdo took control of the government.
The removal of the exemption from tribute privileges enjoyed
by the Cavite Arsenal laborers was the catalyst for the
insurgency.

FILIPINO VERSION
According to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, this was
merely a mutiny of native Filipino soldiers and laborers of
Cavite arsenal against the harsh policy of despotic
Governor and Captain-General Rafael de Izquierdo which
abolished their old-time privileges of exemption from
paying the annual tribute and from rendering forced labor
(polo). Filipinos had great hopes of an improvement in the
affairs of their country. The loss of privileges resented by
the soldiers and laborers was the primary cause of the
revolt. Dissatisfaction and discontent with the government
spread all over. Gen. Izquierdo made it clear that there will
be no changes in the government and intended to govern the
people with a crucifix in one hand and a sword in the other.
He also established the school of arts and trades in the country. Those who supported ex-Governor de la
Torre were classed as persona sospechosas (suspects) a term used to refuse to obey the wishes and whims
of the authorities. The peace of the colony was broken and culminated in the overthrow of the Spanish
sovereignty in the Philippine islands. Uprisings and assassinations in the entire garrison in Cavite were
disaffected. The uprising among the soldiers in Cavite was used as a powerful lever by the Spanish
residents and by the friars.
Based on the sides/evidence of the Cavite Mutiny, each side has its own perspectives; however, not all of
us were aware that there were various accounts of the said event. Because this event resulted in another
tragic yet significant period of history, we must understand all sides of the story, which also resulted in
the awakening of the nationalism among Filipinos.
THE STAND
As stated in the given evidences, I am going to stand with the Filipino version of the Cavite Mutiny.
POSITIVE STAND
In my own opinion, the positive stand of the controversy of Cavite Mutiny deals with the Filipino version.
It fuelled the Filipinos' strong desire to rebel against the colonizers. Due to this incident, they have
demonstrated that Filipinos can also fight, particularly if we have the necessary numbers and artillery for
the uprising. Aside from that, the Filipinos' nationalism and patriotism were rekindled, and individuals
eventually realised the true scope of oppression perpetrated by the Spanish colonizers. For me, it was fate
that it did happen, yet so many lives had been lost, including the allegedly involved of three Filipino
priests who had been executed by garrotte. The hunger for justice and freedom will undoubtedly be
satisfied if we have cooperation and unity.
NEGATIVE STAND
I oppose to the spanish version of jose montero y vidal, because based on the evidences of his book
"historia general de filipinas", it is not focused on the major reasons why the Filipino rebelled, which is
the labor issues, it only focuses with the three priests as the leader of the Cavite Mutiny, and the
prosecutor used Gov. Izquierdo's interpretations based on the report of Izquierdo that the three priests
were the cause of the widespread uprising due to the dissemination of the events. That is why the Cavite
Mutiny was blamed on GOMBURZA, and they claim that the labor issue was not a strong enough
argument to cause or occur the Cavite Mutiny.
FINAL STAND
I am convinced that the Filipino version ignited the patriotism and nationalism of every Filipino, because
as Filipino citizens, we know we have our own rights and have lived to fight for them, just as the laborers
fought against the Spanish friars, even though they were dominated by the Spaniards. The Filipino
version demonstrates how eager a Filipino is to achieve freedom and justice.

REFERENCES:

Images: https://opac.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/cgi-bin/koha/opac-imageviewer.pl?biblionumber=17347
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_Pardo_de_Tavera

Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1990). Documentary sources of Philippine history. 12 vols. Manila:
National Book Store.