The Cavite Mutiny

(1872)
Jose Montero y Dr. Trinidad
Vidal v.s Herminigildo
deTaver

Attempt of indios to Mere mutiny among

overthrow Spanish Filipino soldiers and
Government laborers.
Jose Montero y Vidal v.s
Gov. Gen. Izquierdo’s abolition of
Filipino worker’s privileges such as
payment of tribute and exemption in
force labor were the main reason for
revolution. Other causes enumerated
by Indios are the dirty propagandas
proliferated by unrestrained press,
democratic, liberal and republican
books and pamphlets reaching the
Philippines
Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo deTaver
Gov. Gen. Izquierdo’s cold blooded
policies such as abolition of privileges
of workers, unreasonable deduction
of their wages or unpaid wages and
unjust payment to Tobacco Farmers.
Native Filipino soldiers who were non-
commissioned and received racial
discrimination while Spanish armed
forces received high payments,
promoted to higher ranks and enjoyed
better food. Lastly, prohibition of the
founding school of arts and trades for
Filipinos.
Jose Montero y Vidal v.s
The presence of Native clergy who
out of animosity against Spanish
friars, “conspired and supported” the
rebels and enemies of Spain. Based on
Izquierdo’s report to the King of
Spain, the rebels wanted to
overthrow the Spanish Sovereignty to
install a new “hari” in the likes of
Father Burgos and Zamora. He added
that the native clergy enticed them
by giving charismatic assurance that
their fight will not fail because God is
with them coupled with promises of
rewards such as employment, higher
ranks in the army and wealth.
Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo deTaver
There was no clergy involved in the
revolution. Yet, clergy members
actively participates in secularization
movement in order to allow Filipino
priests to take hold of the parishes in
the country making them prey of the
Spanish friars.
It is noteworthy that during that time
the central government of Madrid
announce its intention to deprive the
friars of all the powers of
intervention in matters of civil
government and the direction of
management of educational
institution.
Jose Montero y Vidal v.s
The event in 1872 was a big
conspiracy by educated leaders,
mestizos, abogadillos or native
lawyers, residents in Cavite and
Manila and native clergy to liquidate
high-ranking Spanish Officers to be
followed by the massacre of the
friars.
On 20th of January 1872, the district
of Sampaloc celebrated feast of the
Virgin of Loreto, participants
celebrated with the usual firework
display. Those in Cavite mistook the
fireworks as a sign for the attack,
Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo deTaver
On Jan. 20, 1872, about 200 men
comprised of the soldiers and laborers
of the arsenal and residents of Cavite
headed by Sgt. La Madrid rose in arms
and assassinated the commanding
officer and Spanish officers in sight.
They were expecting support from
the bulk of army but none of the
came. The news about mutiny
reached authorities in Manila and Gov.
Gen. Izquierdo immediately ordered
reinforcement of Spanish troops in
Cavite and the mutiny subdued in two
days. La Madrid were killed in the
battle.
Jose Montero y Vidal v.s
About 200 men contingent headed by
Sergeant La Madrid launched an
attack and targeted Spanish officers
at sight and seized the arsenal. Upon
hearing the news, Izquierdo ordered
the enforcement of the Spanish forces
in Cavite to quell the revolt. It was
easily crushed when the
reinforcement from Manila did not
come ashore. Major instigators
including Sgt. La Madrid were killed.
Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo deTaver
Because of the Friar’s desire to
maintain their power in Philippines,
they used the incident in Cavite as an
advantage and present it in the
government in Spain as a vast
conspiracy organized to destroy
Spanish sovereignty.
Madrid government came to believe
that the scheme were true without
investigating the real facts behind
Izquierdo and friar’s report.
Jose Montero y Vidal v.s
Lastly, on Feb 17,1872, to instill fear
among the Filipinos so that they may
never commit such crime again, they
executed GOMBURZA the head of
native clergy through strangulation.
Patriot like Joaquin Pardo de Tavera,
Antonio Ma. Regidor, Jose and Pio Basa
and other abogadillos were suspended
by the Audencia (high court) from the
practice of law, arrested and were
sentenced with life imprisonment at
Marianas Island. Izquierdo dissolve the
native regiments of artillery and
ordered creation of artillery force to
be composed exclusively of the
Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo de Taver
Lastly, convicted educated men who
participated in the mutiny were
sentenced life imprisonment or forced
into harsh labor. While the native
clergy who were assumed by the
Spanish friars to be leaded by Father
Gomez, Burgos and Zamora which
later on named GOMBURZA were tried
and executed by garrote. This event
lead to awakening of nationalism and
eventually to the outbreak of
Philippine Revolution of 1896
Jose Montero y Vidal v.s Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo de Taver

Peninsulares.
This event was tragic but served as
one of the moving forces that shaped
Filipino nationalism.
 Group Stand

 The group will stand for the Filipino perspective. (Dr. Trinidad Herminigildo de
Taver)
 Based on what we’ve found out, the Cavite Mutiny was merely a mutiny for
the Filipinos, and the Spaniards exaggerated for their own benefit for
reasons: (1) that the happy days of the friars were numbered in 1872 when
the Central Government in Spain decided to deprive them of the power to
intervene in government affairs as well as in the direction and management
of schools prompting them to commit frantic moves to extend their stay and
power;(2) the Filipino clergy members actively participated in the
secularization movement in order to allow Filipino priests to take hold of the
parishes in the country making them pray to the rage of the friars.
 The injustice act of Spaniards led the Filipinos to be awakened for peaceful
Propaganda Movement in order to fight against the harsh Spanish Regime.
References:

 Agoncillo, Teodoro C. (1990). History of the Filipino People (8th ed.). Quezon
City: Garotech Publishing.
 Calilung, F.C. Delos Santos, Guevarra, Malabuyoc, et. Al. (2011). Philippine
History: Jimcyville Publishing Co. Manila.
 Constantino, Renato (2005). The Philippines: A Past Revisited, 20th Printing,
Manila
 Corpuz, O.D. (2005). Roots of the Filipino Nation. University of the Phillipines
Press.
 Guerrero, Leon Ma. (1998). The First Filipino. Philippines: Guerrero
Publishing.