THE REVOLUTION

PHASE 1

The Katipunan became especially popular in the suburbs of Manila and in the
provinces of Central Luzon. But as the number of its affiliates increased, the
Spanish authorities began to suspect its underground character. The friars
began to denounce the nightly meeting held by the Katipuneros and on
August 19, 1896, Teodoro Patino exposed the society to Fr. Mariano Gil. With
the discovery of the Katipunan, Bonifacio had no other alternative than to
take to the field and on August 23, at Pugadlawin, he and his men declared
their intention to fight to the bitter end. The revolution spread to other
provinces. In Cavite, meanwhile, the two fanctions of the society were at
loggerheads and Bonifacio was invited to mediate between them. At Tejeros, it
was agreed to change the society with government responsive to the demands
of the times, and in the election that followed Bonifacio was chosen Director
of the Interior. Unfortunately, his election was questioned by Daniel Tirona.
Bonifacio, hurt by the insult, declared the results of the election null and void.
In april, he was ordered arrested, tried and executed. The Filipinos at the time
losing battle after battle, Aguinaldo retreated to Biyak-na-bato, where the
Republic was founded. Later, in December, the Truce of Biyak-na-Bato was
concluded between the rebels and the Spanish Government. The truce,
however, was a failure.

Rizal and the Revolution

Bonifacio wanted Rizals personal opinion on the

necessity of rising in arms against the Spaniards.
He, therefore, commissioned Dr. Pio Valenzuela to go to
Dapitan in June 1896 to confer with Rizal.
Dr. Pio Valenzuela revealed the real purpose of his
visit. He then related the founding of the Katipunan
and its aims, among which was to overthrow
Spanish authority.

Rizal pointed out that a revolution without sufficient

arms should not be started against an armed nation.
He suggested that influential and wealthy Filipinos
be attracted to the cause of the society in order to
ensure the success of the revolution.
He suggested that Antonio Luna be appointed to
direct all military operations against the enemy.

Valenzuela pointed out the difficulty of winning over the

wealthy Filipinos to the Katipunan side. This was one
problem Rizal failed to suggest a solution.

Rizal was not against the revolution but only in the

absence of preparation and arms on the part of
rebels.
Rizal feared that without arms the rebels would
surely be defeated and thereby caused
irreparable damage to the innocent people.
He believed that any revolution was useless
unless the rebels were at least as armed as the
enemy

PREPARATIONS
FOR
THE
STRUGGLE

The Katipunan began preparations geared for any emergency,

Bonifacio thought that sooner or later the revolution would explode,
and he did not want to be taken by surprise. He ordered the
manufacture of bolos to be distributed to the members of the
society. Bolos alone however, would not do, for the enemy was
armed with Remingtons and Mausers.

A ray of hope shown on the Katipuneros when Valenzuela told

Bonifacio that Japanese warship Kongo, with Admiral Kanimura on
board, had dropped anchor at Manila bay and that it might be
possible for them to seek the aid of admiral in the stuggle for
national liberation.
Japanese refused to commit his country to the revolutionary plans
of the society.
Bonifacio looked elsewhere for concrete help, but found that the
best help was self-help.
He called Tito Miguel and Ramon Ramos who were employed in
Maestranza (arsenal) and ordered them to steal rifles and pistols
for the Maestranza was a place where the ordinance was located.

The weapons of Katipunan increased but the quantity of such weapon

was not sufficient enough to start a revolution. More bolos were ordered
and hidden to prevent the authorities from discovering the intentions of
the society.

SPANISH SUSPICION AROUSED

The increase in the number

of the Katipunan affiliates,
while advantageous to
Bonifacio, was in a way a
disadvantage.
New members were
impatient and in their
impatience they met
nightly, a circumstance that
aroused the suspicion of the
authorities.
Rumors or such nocturnal
meetings reached Manila
and the Spanish population,
particularly the friars,
became jittery.

From Batangas, a rumor

circulated that there
were secret gathering
and that riffles and
ammunition from Hong
kong and Yokohama were
being landed.
The friars exploited this
rumor to advantage by
telling the governorgeneral to act at once
in order to prevent a
bloody uprising.
Blanco, the governor-general was
reluctant to act upon the suggestions
of the friars, for he was not exactly
sympathetic o the friars.

Many rumors were reported. Many of them were exaggerated and calculated to force the governorgeneral to act precipitately. Blanco refused to take any action. He rebuked the friars and told Father
Mariano Gils messenger:
Undeceive yourself, freemasonry and filibustering are like a pit in which you put your finger and at
once you touch the bottom. Both evils exist only in the minds of the friars and a few other fanatical
Spaniards
The friars continued to pester the governor-general with more reports of alleged secret meeting. To
them, the governor-general was a fathead who could not make up his mind.

The
Discovery
of
the
Katipunan

THE
DISCOVERY
OF THE
KATIPUNAN

The discovery of the Katipunan was the result of a

misunderstanding between two Katipuneros. The
Katipuneros were Teodoro Patio and Apolonio de la
Cruz. Both of them were working at the Spanishowned Diario de Manila. As an action against de la
Cruz, Patio revealed the secrets of the society to his
sister, Honoria, an inmate at the orphanage in
Mandaluyong in the suburbs of Manila. She was
shocked about the revelation and she cried. A madre
portera, Sor Teresa saw her cry. Then the sister
asked Patio to tell all he knew to Father Mariano Gil,
the parish priest of Guadalupe and one of those
trying to convince Governor-General Blanco to act
quickly.
In the afternoon of August 19, 1896, Patio disclosed
the secrets he knew to Father Gil. The friar rushed to
the printing shop of Diario de Manila and, with its
owner, conducted a search of the premises. The friar
sought hidden evidence of the existence of the secret
society. They found the lithographic stone used to
print Katipunan receipts, which was confirmed by
Patio. So here they are, Father Gil might have
whispered. A locker was forced open. There he
found a dagger and other documents.
http://choy123.blogspot.com/2011/03/discovery-of-katipunan.html

of the
Katipunan
was
immediately
followed by
mass arrests
of filipino
suspects.
Others,
though
innocent,
were throw

Wealthy Filipinos Implicated

As Valenzuela feared, the wealthy Filipinos refused to join the

Katipunan. Bonifacio thought that in order to force them
sympathize with the members of the society a trick should be
played on them in such a way to make it appear that they were
deeply involved in the Katipunan. Jacinto then drew up a list of
wealthy Filipinos, while some of the Katipuneros were ordered to
study their signatures for thr purpos of forging them on some
documents they were about to prepare. This done, fake letters
with the forged signatures of the wealthy victims were made.
The alleged documents contained the information that such
wealthy en were heavy contributors to the Katipunan fund and
that they were in sympathy with the principles and plans of the
society. The result of this trick was unexpected: instead of
forcing the wealthy Filipinos to join to the society, they
denounced it and denied any knowledge of its existence. The
authorities did not believe them. Francisco L. Roxas was
executed, while Yangco and others were saqved by bringing
some highly-placed Spanish officials.

The Cry of

The news of the discovery of theKatipunanspread throughout Manila

and the suburbs. Bonifacio, informed of the discovery, secretly
instructed his runners to summon all the leaders of the society to a
general assembly to be held on August 24. They were to meet at
Balintawak to discuss the steps to be taken to meet the crisis. That
same night of August 19, Bonifacio, accompanied by his brother
Procopio, Emilio Jacinto, Teodoro Plata, and Aguedo del Rosario, slipped
through the cordon of Spanish sentries and reached Balintawak before
midnight. Pio Valenzuela followed them the next day. On the 21st,
Bonifacio changed the Katipunan code because the Spanish authorities
had already deciphered it. In the afternoon of the same day, the rebels,
numbering about 500, left Balintawak for Kangkong, where Apolonio
Samson, aKatipunero, gave them food and shelter. In the afternoon of
August 22, they proceeded to Pugadlawin. The following day, in the yard
of Juan A. Ramos, the son of Melchora Aquino who was later called the
"Mother of the Katipunan", Bonifacio asked his men whether they were
prepared to fight to the bitter end. Despite the objection of his brotherin-law, Teodoro Plata, all assembled agreed to fight to the last."That
being the case, "Bonifacio said,"bring out yourcedulasand tear
them to pieces to symbolize our determination to take up
arms!"The men obediently tore up theircedulas, shouting"Long live
the Philippines!"This event marked the so-called "Cry of Balintawak,"
which actually happened in Pugadlawin.

FIRST

In the midst of this dramatic scene, some Katipuneros who had just arrived from Manila and
Kalookan shouted: Dong Andres! The civil guards are almost behind us and will reconnoiter
the mountains. Bonifacio at once ordered his men to get ready for the expected attack of
the Spaniards. Since they had inferior arms the rebel decided, instead, to retreat. Under
cover of darkness, the rebels marched toward Pasong Tamo, and the following day, August
24, they arrived at the yard of Melchora Aquino, known as Tandang Sora. It was decided
that all the rebels in the surrounding towns be notified of the general attack on Manila on
the night of August 29,1896.

At ten in the morning of August 25, some women came rushing in and notified Bonifacio that
the civil guards and some infantrymen were coining. Soon after, a burst of fire came from
the approaching Spaniards. The rebels deployed and prepared for the enemy. In the
skirmish that followed, they lost 2 men and the enemy 1. Because of their inferior weapon
they decided to retreat. Spaniards also retreated because they are finding themselves
greatly outnumbered.
This was the first skirmish fought in the struggle for national emancipation.
On august 26, Spanish reinforcements were dispatched to Pasong Tamo to drive away the
rebels. But the latter who were going to, or were already in balara could not be found.

Meanwhile, the rebels,

skirting the mountain trails
day and night finally arrived
at Mariquina. Later that day,
however, they abondoned it
and preceeded to Hagdang
Bato on August 27. The
following day, bonifacio
issued a manifesto inciting
the people to take up the
Filipino cause and to go set
for a concerted attack on the
Spaniards on August 29

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 country 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 29th of the current month, 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 regulations we have put
in force. Mount of Liberty, 28th August 1896.

The intend attack on

manila did not
materialize
Bonifacio and Jacinto
lead their men in an
attack on the powder
magazine at San Juan
del Monte on August
30
With the defending
Spaniards,
outnumbered and
weak, fought a
delaying battle until
reinforcements could
arrive.
Fresh Spaniards troops
arrived, Bonifacio and

The Revolution Spreads

The Revolution Spreads- Meanwhile,

south of Manila the rebels grew in
strength. A thousand marched
toward Pasig and attacked the small
force of civil guards. At almost the
same time, about 400 rebels
attacked the church of Pandakan
and captured it without any
resistance, for the priest ran to the
belfry to save his life. Pateros,
Tagig, Kalookan, Kawit, San
Francisco de Malabon (now General
Trias), Noveleta, San Pedro
Makati,nand other towns rose as
one man and pursued the Spanish
enemy. Bonifacio and his men
shifted the rebel attack to San
Mateo, Mariquina, and Montalban,
which they captured but which were
later recaptured by the Spaniards.
With the defeat of the Filipinos in
the battle of Langka River, near San
Mateo, Bonifacio ordered them to
retreat to Balara. The spaniards

In the north, the rebels of San Isidro, armed

with bolos and pointed sticks attacked the
Spanish garrison on September 2, 3, and 4.
Led by Mariano Llanera and accompanied by
musikong bumbong. (band with bamboo
instruments), the rebels attacked furiously
but were repulsed by the heroic defense of
the Spaniards.

The Reign
of Terror

The flames that now engulfed many provinces worried the Spanishes to no end. To frighten
the population into submission the authorities resorted to a reign of terror. Only by this
means could they hope to prevent the revolutionary movement from becoming national in
scope. The Spanish volunteers and Corps of Vigilantes promptly invaded the homes of
Filipinos in order to secure evidence against those who were directly orr indirectly involved
in the uprising. In trozo, Captain Carlos march of the Spanish volunteers found
incriminating evidence against Katipuneros. All suspect were immediately arrested and
thrown in to jail.

Governor General Ramon Blanco issued a decree on August 30 declaring the provinces of Manila,
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva ecija in a state of war and placing
them under martial law. The decree further provided that any person accused with treachery and
those against the presnt form of government would be handed over to the military court for trial.
Blsnco, however emphasized that those who would surrender within forty-eight hours after
publication of the decree would not be turned over to the military court, except, of course, the leaders
of Katipunan. They tortured many Filipinos to confess what they knew about the Katipunanan. Many
who were innocent were also jailed and tortured, some were executed. Those executions, however,
only served to make the Filipinos more bitter and to fight with fiercer determination.

Katipunan in Cavite

Two Factions:
1.Magdalen- Baldovero
Aguinaldo (Cavite El
Viejo)
2.Magdiwang-Mariano
Alvarez (Noveleta)

BONIFACIO
IN CAVITE

The rivalry that existed between the Magdalo and

Magdiwang led to a series of reverses early in January
1897. To patch up matters, they invited Andres
Bonifacio to intervene in the conflict. On December 31,
an assembly of revolutionist was held in Imus to
determine whether the Katipunan should be
superseded by another form of government. The
Magdalo believed that with the outbreak of the
revolution, the Katipunan ceased to be a secret society
and should, therefore, be superseded. The magdiwang
contended that the Katipunan should remain the
government of Revolutionist because it already had a
Constitution and by-laws recognized by all. The

The Tejeros Convention

They called another meeting of both factions in order to solve their internal problem. March 22, 1897,
the two factions again met at Tejeros. Bonifacio prudently acceded to the wish of some that a new
government should replace Katipunan. However he stated he principle that the will of majority should
be respected and obeyed. The Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed.
Elected were: Emilio Aguinaldo President
Mariano Trias Vice-President
Artemio Ricarte Captain General
Emiliano Riego de Dios Director of War
Andres Bonifacio Director of the Interior
When Bonifacio was being proclaimed, Daniel Tirona, A Magdalo stood up and said: The position of
Director of the Interior is an exalted one and it is not proper that a person without a lawyers diploma
should occupy it. We have in our province a lawyer, Jose Del Rosario! Bonifacio was hurt and felt
insulted, for it had been previously agreed that whoever got elected was to be respected.

Second meeting at Tejeros

Aguinaldo, wanting to bring back bonifacio, to the fold, sent a

delegation to him to persuade him to cooperate with the new
constituted government.But Bonifacio refused to return to the
revolutionary fold headed by Aguinaldo.

THE NAIK MILITARY AGREEMENT

At Naik, Bonifacio and his men drew up another document in which they resolved to establish a government independent
of, and separate from, that established at Tejeros. An army was to be organized by persuasion or force and aa military
commander of ttheir own choice was to take command of it. The document read: We who sign these presents with our true
names, all officersof the army who have met in convention headed by Supreme Chief, on account of the critical situation of
the pueblos and the war, having discovered the treason commited by certain officers who have been sowing discord and
conniving with the Spaniards, our enemies, corrupting the army and being guilty of criminal neglect in the care of the
wounded, have agreed to deliver people from this grave danger by the means hereinafter enumerated:
First: All combatants shall, by persuasion or force, be incorporated in an army corps and placed under the
command of General Pio Del Pilar
Second: We shall recognize no one as being vested wih full power except Right in the first place, and those
courageous officers who, since the beginning of the war and ad until the present moment have never gone back on
their oath and have conducted themselves loyally.
Third: Any disloyal person shall be punished on the spot, according to his desserts.

THE TRIAL AND

EXECUTION OF
ANDRES
BONIFACIO

Aguinaldo ordered the arrest of Bonifacio brothers. A

group of soldiers under the command of Colonel Agapito
Bonzon was dispatched to Limbon to effect the arrest.
Bonifacio was stabbed in the larynx, Ciriaco was
killed,and Procopio was wounded. Bonifacio was placed
in hammock and brought to Naik, the capital of the rebel
government. Andres and Procopio were found guilty of
treason and seditionin spite of lack of evidence.

THE
REVOLUTION
CONTINUES

General Camilo de Polavieja,

tired of the endless battles,
asked for his relief as governorgeneral. He was replaced by
Fernando Primo de Rivera.

He issued a decree granting pardon

to those who, up to may 17, would
give up their arms and surrender to
the government

He issued another decree extending

the benefit of his pardon beyond May
17

Aguinaldo went to Biyak-na-Bato

HE GOVERNMENT OF CENTRAL LUZON

The rebels met in the camp of General licerio Geronimo.
Those assembled established the Department
Government of central Luzon. The assembly elect6ed the
following:
Pedro Dandan - President
Anastacio farancisco Vice President
Paciano Rizal Secretary of the treasury
Cipiano Pacherco Secretary of the War
Teodoro Gonzales Secretary of the Interior
Feliciano Jocson Secretary of Welfare

The Biak-na-Bato
Republic

Primo de Rivera
issued a decree which
prohibited all
inhabitants to leave
their village and towns

Aguinaldo issued a
proclamation in July
To the Brave Sons of the
Philippines in which he
listed the revolutionary
demands

The Biak-na-Bato constitution was signed on

November 1, 1897

THE TRUCE OF BIYAK-NA-BATO

Pedro A. Paterno, a mestizo, who had spent a part of his
life in Spain, approached, Primo de Rivera and asked
that he be made a mediator between the Filipinos and
the Spaniards. Paterno wanted the stop the conflict
between Filipinos and Spaniards because He loved Spain
and Philippines. Rivera agreed. Paterno negotiated with
Aguinaldo and Primo de Rivera from August to
December. They decided to sign the document of the
truce.

FAILURE OF THE TRUCE

Filipino generals left at Biyak na Bato did everything in

their power to surrender the arms given up by the
rebels. Some of the Filipino rebels, however, were
suspiciousof Spanish aims and continued to hold their
weapons. The Spanish authoriies on the other hand, did
not trust the Filipinos. The result was that periodic
clashes occurred.