CHAPTER 10

Second Homecoming and the La Liga Filipina

In Hong Kong, Rizal laid down the basis of the La Liga Filipina or the Philippine League, which he
planned to establish in the Philippines upon his return. With the assistance of Jose Ma. Basa, he
drafted the constitution of the la Liga Filipina. The organization works on the motto: UNUS ISNTAR
OMNIUM or One like All.
It sought to preserve Spanish-Philippine relations by opposing that the colonial authorities and the
Filipino leaders work together to unite the Philippine archipelago, provide mutual protection in every
want and necessity, defends against all violence and injustice, encourage, education, agriculture, and
commerce, and study and apply the required reforms.
On July 3, 1882, Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina in the home of Doroteo Ongjuangco at Calle Ilaya,
Tondo. The organization elected Ambrosio Salvador as President, Agustin dela Rosa as Fiscal,
Bonifacio Arevalo, Treasurer, and Deodato Arellano, Secretary. Dr. Jose Rizal functional as its adviser.
As an organization, the La Liga Filipina showed the commitment of Filipinos to pursue peaceful means
of pushing reforms before adopting revolutionary methods. It believes that by exhausting peaceful
avenues the Filipinos can forge unity and still carry out substantive changes that they wish to attain.

Second Homecoming
Rizal arrived in Manila with his sister Lucia at noon of June 26, 1892. A meticulous diarist described his
second homecoming as follows:
“I arrived at Manila on 26 June 1892, Sunday, at 12:00 noon. I was
met by many carabineers headed by a major. There were in addition
one caption and one sergeant of the Veteran Civil Guard. I came
down with my luggage and they inspected me at the customhouse.
From there, I went to hotel de orient where I occupied room No 22,
facing the church of Binondo.
In the afternoon, at 4:00 pm, he went to Malacañang palace to seek
audience with the Spanish governor general, Gen. Eulogio Despujol,
Conde de Caspe. He was told to come back at that night at 7:00 pm. promptly at 7 pm, he returned,
was able to confer with the rest of his family, and told him to return on Wednesday (June 29).
After the interview with the Governor-General, he visited his sister in the city, Narcisa (Sisa, wife of
Antonio Lopez), Neneng (Saturnina, wife of Manuel T. Hidalgo).
The following day, June 27 at 6pm, Rizal boar a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in
Malolos, Bulacan, San Fernando, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bacolor, Pampanga. These friends were good
patriots, who were his supporters in the reform crusade, and he took the opportunity to greet them
personally an discussed the problems affecting their people.

On the evening of Sunday July 3, 1892, following his morning interview with Gov. Despujol, Rizal
attended a meeting of the patriots at the home of the Chinese-Filipino mestizo, Doroteo Ongjunco, on
Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila
On June 28, Rizal returned by train to Manila whether he knew it or not, he shadowed by government
spies who was carefully his every movement. The homes he had visited were raided by the Guardia
Civil which seized some copies of the Noli and Fili and some “subversive” pamphlets.
On June 29 at 7:30-9:15 I saw his Excellency. I did not succeed to have the penalty of exile lifted, but
he gave me hope with regard to my sisters. As it was the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. And June 30
We talked about the question of Borneo. The general opposed to it, very much opposed. He told me to
come back Sunday.
On July 3 We talked about sundry things and I thanked him for having lifted the exile of my sisters. I
told him that my father and brother would arrive on the first boat. He asked me if I would like to go
abroad to Hong Kong. I told him Yes. He told me to return on Wedsday.
On July 3, 1892 (Sunday evening)  Rizal attended a meeting of the patriots at the home of the
Chinese-Filipino mestizo on Ylaya Street, Tondo,Manila . Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga
Filipina, a civic league of the Filipinos. He presented the Constitution of the Liga which he had written in
Hong Kong. The patriots were impressed and approved the establishment of The Liga.
OFFICERS OF THE NEW LEAGUE: The cover page of the constitution of La Liga Filipina Directors:
Jose Rizal, Founder Ambrosio Salvador, President Agustin dela Rosa, Fiscal Bonifacio Arevalo,
Treasurer Deodato Arellano, Secretary and first Supreme leader of Katipunan Exile of Rizal Domingo
Franco, President and Supreme leader Deodato Arellano, Secretary/Treasurer Isidro Francisco, Fiscal
Apolinario Mabini, Secretary
Rizal denied having those leaflets. Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation. He was
placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol the nephew and aide of
Governor General.
On July 6 -(Wednesday) RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO
On July 7 (Thursday) RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO Gaceta de Manila
published the story of Rizal arrest the same issue the gubernatorial decree gave him the reasons for
Rizal deportation as follows:
1. Rizal published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain which were “frankly anti
Catholic and “prudently anti-friar.
2. A few hours after his arrival “there was found in his packages… a bundle of handbills entitled
“Pobres Frailes”.
3. His novel “El Filibusterismo” was dedicated to the memory of the three traitors.
4. The end to which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breats the
treasures of our “catholic faith”.
On July 15, 1892 (12:30 a.m.) Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the streamer Cebu which was
sailing to Dapitan (1:00 a.m.) the streamer under Captain Delgras departed sailing south, passing
Mindoro and Panay July 17, 1892 Reached Dapitan at 7:00 in the evening. Captain Delgras handed
Rizal over to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, Spanish commandant of Dapitan the same night, Rizal began
his exile in Dapitan which would last until July 31, 1896, a period of four years.
Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to
establish and its role in the socio-economic life of the people. He presented the Constitution of the Liga
which he had written in Hong Kong and discussed its provision. The patriots were favorably impressed
and gladly approved the establishment of the Liga.

CONSTITUTION OF LA LIGA FILIPINA

AIMS OF LA LIGA FILIPINA
 To unite the whole archipelago into one vigorous and homogeneous organization
 Mutual protection in ever want necessity
 Defense against all violence and injustice
 Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and
 Study and application of reforms.
The Government body of the league was the Supreme Council, which had jurisdiction over the whole
country. It was composed of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a fiscal. There was a Provincial
Council in every province and a Popular Council in every town.
The La Liga Filipina Members
Jose P. Rizal Adviser
Ambrosio Salvador President
Agustin Dela Rosa Fiscal
Bonifacio Arevalo Treasurer
Deodato Arellano Secretary
Other Members as Follows
Bonifacio, Mabini, Natividad, Bautista, Salvador, Dizon, Franco, Paez, Del Rosario, Andriano,
Lanuza, and Ongjungco

All Filipinos who have at heart the welfare of their fatherland is qualified for membership. Every member
pays an entrance fee of two pesos and a monthly due of 10 centavos. The duties of the Liga members
are as follows;
  Obey the orders of the Supreme Council,
 Help in recruiting new members,
 Keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities,
 Have a symbolic name, which he cannot change until he becomes president of his council.
 Report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga to behave well as befits a
good filipino, and
 Help fellow members in all ways.
On Wednesday, July 6, Rizal went to Malacañang palace to resume his series of interviews with
governor general. During the interview, Despujol suddenly showed him some printed leaflets, which he
allegedly found in Lucia’s pillowcase. These incriminatory leaflets were entitled “Pobres Fariles” (Poor
Friars) under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila.
They were satire against the Dominican friars who amassed fabulous riches contrary to their vow of
poverty.
Rizal vigorously denied having those leaflets in either his Lucia’s baggage, which had been thoroughly
searched ipon their arrival in Hong Kong by the customs authorities who found nothing. Despite his
denial and insentient demand for investigation in accordance with the due process of law, he was
placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of the
governor general. In Fort Santiago, he was kept incommunicado, as he relates in his diary.
They assigned Rizal a furnished room with a bed, a dozen chairs, one table, a washbasin, and a mirror.
The room had three windows; one without grill, which opens on a patio, another with, grills which looks
out on the city walls and the beach and another which was the door closed with a padlock. Two
artillerymen as sentinels guarded it. They had orders to fire on anyone who might signal from the
beach. He could not write nor speak with anyone except the officer on duty.

Arbitrary Deportation to Dapitan

The same issue of the Gaceta (July 7, 1892) contained Gov. Gen. Despujol decree deporting Rizal to
“one of the islands in the south”. The gubernatorial decree gives the reasons for Rizal’s deportation, as
follows:
1. Rizal had published books and articles abroad, which showed disloyalty to Spain and which were
“frankly anti-Catholic” and “imprudently ant-friar”.
2. A few hours after his arrival in Manila “there was found in one of the packages, a bundle of handbills
entitled Pobres Frailes in which patient and humble generosity of Filipinos is satirized, and which
accusation is published against the customs of the religious orders”.
3. His novel El Fili was dedicated to the memory of three “traitors”, and on the title page, he wrote that
in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, “the only salvation for the Philippines was
separation from the mother country.
The end, which he pursues in his efforts and writings, is to tear from the loyal Filipino breasts the
treasures of our holy Catholic Faith.
Shortly after the midnight of July 4, 1892, Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the steamer CEBU
that was sailing for Dapitan. This steamer under Captain Delgras departed at 1:00 am of July 5, sailing
south, passing Mindoro and Panay, and Reaching Dapitan on Sunday, the 17 th of July, at 7:00 in the
evening.
Captain Delgras went ashore and handed Rizal over to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, Spanish
commandant of Dapitan. That same night, July 17, Rizal began his exile in lonely Dapitan that would
last until July 31, 1896, a period of four years.