“There is one past, but many histories.

”
 Jose Montero y Vidal Dr. T.H. Pardo de TaveraGov. Gen. Rafael De Izquierdo

The Three (3) Versions of the Cavite

Mutiny of 1872
 •“Two major events happened in 1872:
first was the 1872 Cavite Mutiny and
the other was the martyrdom of the
three martyr priests in the persons of
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos
•National Historical and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA). 
However, not all of us knew that there
Commission of the were different accounts in reference to
the said event.  All Filipinos must
Philippines know the different sides of the story—
since this event led to another tragic
Retrieved from yet meaningful part of our history—
the execution of GOMBURZA which
http://nhcp.gov.ph/t in effect was a major factor in the
he-two-faces-of-th awakening of nationalism among the
Filipinos.”
e-1872-cavite-muti
ny/
Historical Background

• 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.”
Historical Background

• 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
- an order from the Governor General Rafael
de Izquierdo. At the early stage, the mutiny
was crushed by the Spanish authorities under
governor Rafael de Izquierdo.
Historical Background

• In 1871, Izquierdo replaced Governor General Carlos

Maria de la Torre. He imposed his iron-fist rule over the
Filipino troops and workers. He was remembered for
his cruelty to the Filipinos and the barbaric execution of
the three martyr-priests blamed for the mutiny: Fathers
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora
known as the “GOMBURZA.” 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.
Presentation of the
analysis
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.

Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Vidal:
The Spanish revolution which overthrew a
secular throne gave rise among certain
Filipinos to the idea of attaining their
independence.
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
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
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
These influences triggered certain Filipinos
to develop an idea of attaining
independence.

To attain the goal of becoming

independent, they started to work with the
powerful assistance of the native clergy.
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Vidal:
Based on the anonymous communication,
there would be an outbreak of a great
uprising.
(assassination of all Spaniards/ friars)
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Vidal:
The conspiracy had been going on since
the days of La Torre with utmost secrecy.
Example of these are the Secret Meetings in the house
of D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Jacinto Zamora and D.
Mariano Gomez.
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Vidal:
According to him, it is a conspiracy which
involved native soldiers as well as multitude
of civilians.
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
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”
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Izquierdo:
According to him, Cavite Mutiny is a
CRIMINAL PROJECT and they use the
following inducements:
1. staged protests against injustice of the
government in bandala, usury, polo, and tribute.
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Izquierdo: (Continuation)

2. seduced the native troops

3. offered wealth, employment, and rank
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
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.”
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
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.”
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
• 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…”
Synthesis
(Affirmative)
Izquierdo:

According to him, the instigators of Cavite Mutiny were inspired

by the following:

• Madrid
• Newspapers of advanced ideas (El Eco Filipino)
• Subscription
Negative Side

Cavite Mutiny is merely a labor issue.

Synthesis (Negative)
Tavera:
Cavite Mutiny is not a grand conspiracy but merely a
labor issue.

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

Government policy: 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)
 Synthesis (Negative)
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.”
Synthesis (Negative)
Tavera:
Cavite Mutiny was a powerful lever by the Spanish
residents and the friars.
- colonial modus vivendi
- secession
- threat to Spanish sovereignty
Synthesis (Negative)
Tavera:
REPRESSIVE MEASURES – STRICT AND SUDDEN
“No attempt has been made to ascertain whether or not
the innocent suffered with the guilty.”
“The punishments meted out were unjust and
unnecessary.”
Synthesis (Negative)
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.”
Synthesis (Negative)
Tavera:

Persecuted & punished without distinction

•Condemned to death
•Life imprisonment
•Terrorized the Filipinos
Resolution

POSITION PAPER
Thank
you!