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THE START OF PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

The Philippine Revolution against over three centuries of Spanish domination began with Andrés
Bonifacio, leader of the Katipunan, a liberalist movement that sought independence for the Philippines
from Spanish colonial rule.

The Katipunan was an offshoot from José Rizal’s La Liga Filipina, a movement that sought to
bring about political reform in the colonial government of the Spanish. Rizal had been deported just
after his organization was formed with their first meeting.

After a few years had passed with virtually no changes in the constitution, Bonifacio and others
lost all hope of any peaceful reform being brought about by La Liga Filipina. Abandoning the
organization altogether, they concentrated their efforts into the Katipunan to bring about a revolution
with the use of violence and arms. The organization consisted of both male and female supporters,
including Bonifacio’s wife, who led the female faction.

Bonifacio recognized the strategic importance of the city of Manila and resolved to take control
of it, convinced that once he did the residents, being fed up with Spanish rule, would support his cause.
However, this plan was foiled before it got off the ground as a result of a conflict between two
Katipuneros, one of whom spilled the beans about the plot to the Spanish friars.

The traitor was one Mariano Gil who, along with other friars, had previously been trying to get
the Spanish Governor to take action regarding his suspicions of a revolution.

A late 19th century photograph of armed Filipino revolutionaries, known as the


Katipuneros.1898
Without concrete proof, the Governor merely saw their suggestions as accusations and could
do nothing about it. The parish priest of Tondo reported his findings to the owner of the Diary de Manila,
the printing press where the two Katipuneros worked, and on searching the place they found the
paraphernalia used in printing Katipunan documents and other items proving the existence of the
Katipunan, it was August 19, 1896.

A series of arrests of Katipuneros in Manila followed and several Filipinos were jailed or
imprisoned. Amongst them were some wealthy and prominent Filipinos, some of whom were innocent.

Rizal’s execution in what was then Bagumbayan.1896

Jose Rizal was tried and executed later at the old Bagumbayan field on December 30. With the
hunt for Katipunan members still ongoing, Manila had become a dangerous place for them. As many
as five hundred arrests had been made and many fled the city for fear of been captured, tortured or
killed.

Bonifacio was not amongst those captured, however. He and many others had escaped to
Pugadlawin, and in a meeting at the house of Juan Ramos on 23 August 1896, Bonifacio urged his
followers to tear into pieces their Cédulas (residence certificates) as a sign of revolt against the Spanish
government.
The men, highly motivated by the killings and arrest of their members in Manila, tore up the documents
and let out the cry “Long live the Philippines,” which is known as the Cry of Pugadlawin in Philippine
history.
Bonifacio Monument Photo by Mello47 CC BY SA 3.0

It was decided that all their supporters in the surrounding towns be alerted of the impending
strike on Manila which would take place on 29 August. To this effect, Bonifacio released a manifesto
on the 28th:

“This manifesto is for all of you. It is absolutely necessary for us to stop at the earliest possible
time the nameless oppressions being perpetrated on the sons of the people who are now suffering the
brutal punishment and tortures in jails, and because of this please let all the brethren know that on
Saturday, the revolution shall commence according to our agreement.

For this purpose, it is necessary for all towns to rise simultaneously and attack Manila at the
same time. Anybody who obstructs this sacred ideal of the people will be considered a traitor and an
enemy, except if he is ill or is not physically fit, in which case he shall be tried according to the regulation
we have put in force.”

The first battle of the Philippine Revolution took place on 30 August 1896 at San Juan del Monte
with a thousand men behind Andrés Bonifacio. On the eve of the 29th, they attacked civil guards present
at San Felipe Neri, a city located east of Manila, who on seeing the mob surrendered their weapons
and were taken captive.

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