The History of The Philippine Revolution

Katipunan (KKK) Monument in Manila, Philippines | © Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock

RONICA VALDEAVILLA
WRITER
UPDATED: 30 JULY 2018

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The Philippine Revolution is one of the most important events in the
country’s history, awakening a proud sense of nationalism for
generations of Filipinos to come. In a period of heavy struggle and
conflict, Filipinos of different backgrounds united with a common goal:
to resist colonialism.

The revolution against Spain was sparked in 1896 after Spanish authorities
discovered the “Katipunan,” a Filipino revolutionary society plotting against
their colonisers. It ended in 1902, where Spain lost and ceded sovereignty of
the Philippines to the United States.

The Katipunan: the secret organization that initiated the revolt

Andres Bonifacio was the Supreme of the Katipunan (association), or as it

was also known: Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan (Highest and Most Venerated Association of the Sons and Daughters
of the Land). The organization drew inspiration from Dr. Jose Rizal,
whose literary works, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
exposed the cruelties of the Spanish colonisers. Before Katipunan was
established, both Bonifacio and Rizal were part of ‘La Liga Filipina’ – a
progressive organization initiated by Rizal that sought peaceful reforms.

Katipunan flag © Seav / WikiCommons

After Rizal’s arrest and deportation to Dapitan, La Liga Filipina dissolved. This
was later replaced by a call for aggressive reforms, put forward and favored
by Bonifacio. Upon hearing of Rizal’s arrest, Bonifacio and his fellows founded
the Katipunan. The anti-colonial secret organization eventually attracted
people from lower and middle classes across the country, enjoining them in
an armed revolt against Spain.
Rizal, the country’s national hero, refused to participate. He believed timing
wasn’t on their side and the nation was still unprepared. In spite of his friend’s
reservations, Bonifacio and his fellow Katipuneros continued with their plan.
Yet on August 1896, a Spanish friar found them out.

A series of bloody revolts

After the discovery of the Katipunan, Spanish authorities made several arrests
to identify their members. Bonifacio and his fellows were planning a
nationwide revolt. This led to an event called the ‘Cry of Pugad Lawin’, where
revolutionaries took part in a mass tearing of cedulas (community tax
certificates), symbolizing their fight against Spain.

A statue of national hero Andres Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines © Manolito Tiuseco / Shutterstock
Bonifacio simultaneously planned an attack on Manila. However they were
caught off guard, as though the revolutionaries were greater in number, the
Spanish authorities were more armed.

According to historical accounts, Bonifacio continued with his plan despite the
failure in his first attempt. The revolt flared up in the surrounding provinces,
including Central Luzon, San Juan del Monte and Southern Tagalog (which is
why this is also known as the Tagalog War).

After several unsuccessful revolts, rebels in Cavite finally had a taste of

victory. Under Emilio Aguinaldo (mayor of Cavite El Viejo) and Mariano
Alvarez (Bonifacio’s uncle), the Philippine Revolution was in full swing.

The revolution dragged down the name of Rizal. He was accused of being
associated with the secret militant society. Charged with sedition, conspiracy
and rebellion, Rizal was sentenced to death by firing squad.

Internal struggles, conflicts, and a surprising turn of events

Alongside the Spanish authorities, Katipuneros were soon fighting amongst

themselves. Rivalries emerged between commanders and territories, creating
big rifts in the association. The Katipunan divided into two councils, namely
the Magdiwang and Magdalo – that is, those who favoured Aguinaldo and
those who favoured Bonifacio.

To settle the leadership dispute, the Tejeros Convention was established. This
assembly of officials was intended to unite the two factions and elect officers
for the revolutionary government. After a makeshift election, Bonifacio lost to
Aguinaldo and leadership was turned over to him.

Bonifacio was given the role of Director of the Interior, but his qualifications
were questioned. Under this further scrutiny he left the assembly – Aguinaldo
took oath as President the following day.

A rival government

Bonifacio soon set out to Naic, Cavite, where he established a rival

government against Aguinaldo. Newly recognised as the leader of the
revolution, he issued a coup d’etat against Aguinaldo’s government. Upon
learning this, Aguinaldo ordered the official arrest of Bonifacio.

Bonifacio was captured and found guilty of sedition and treason by the War
Council. They were soon executed near Maragondon.

Aguinaldo and his fellows soon established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato and
drafted the first constitution.

They came up with a pact that called for an end to the revolution, which was
positively favored by the Spanish Governor-General. The pact’s agenda
included: the surrender of weapons to revolutionaries, amnesty, exile for
leaders, and payment to the revolutionaries worth $400,000 USD.

While the Spanish kept their word, other revolutionary generals took arms –
the Philippines was still not independent.

The arrival of the Americans and the Declaration of Independence

April 1898 marked the second phase of the Philippine Revolution. After a US
Navy warship exploded and sunk in Havana harbor, the Americans declared a
war against Spain known as the Spanish-American War.

The US Navy’s Asiatic Squadron, led by Commodore George Dewey, sailed

to Manila and defeated the Spanish Navy. In just a few hours all Spanish
ships were destroyed and the US gained control of the Philippine capital.

Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines © Kim David / Shutterstock

Meanwhile, Aguinaldo became friendly with the United States. He met with a
US consul who advised him to cooperate with the Americans. And so, from his
exile in Hong Kong, Bonifacio eventually returned to the Philippines and
resumed the attacks against the Spanish authorities.
And on June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo declared the country’s independence and
the birth of the Philippine Republic. From his balcony in his house in Kawit,
Cavite, the Philippine flag was unfurled. The Philippines’ National Anthem,
“Lupang Hinirang” was first heard by the Filipino people.

It was December of that year when the Spanish government ceded the
Philippines to the United States through the Treaty of Paris. While it ended the
Spanish-American War, the Americans took possession of the Philippines.
Independence had not really been achieved.

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