Chapter 21: Second Homecoming And The Liga Filipina June 26, 1892

Second homecoming of Rizal. Return to Manila It marked his re-entry into the hazardous campaign for reforms. He firmly believed that the fight for Filipino liberties had assumed a new phase; it must be fought in the Philippines not in Spain. In going home to lead anew reform movement, he was like the biblical Daniel bearding the Spanish lion in its own den.

Arrival in Manila with Sister

June 26, 1892 Rizal and his widowed sister, Lucia (wife of the late Mariano Herbosa) arrived in Manila. At 4:00 oclock, he went to Malacanang Palace to seek audience with the Spanish governor general, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe. At 7pm he was able to confer with Governor Genreal Despujol, who agreed to pardo his father but not the rest of his family and told him to return on Wednesday. After, he visited his sisters in the cityfirst Narcisa and later Neneng (Saturnina).

Visiting Friends in Central Luzon

June 27: Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in Malolos, San Fernando, Tarlac, and Bacolor. He took the opportunity to greet his friends (who were his supporters in the reform crusade) personally and discussed the problems affecting their people. The next day, Rizal returned to Manila. He was shadowed by government spies who watched carefully his every movement. The homes he had visited were raided by the Guardia Civil which seized some copies of the Noli and Fili and some subversive pamphlets.

Other Interviews with Despujol

June 29: he did not succeed to have the penalty of exile lifted, but Despujol gave him hopoe with regard to his sisters. As it was the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, the interview ended at 9:15. June 30: they talked about the question of Borneo. The general was opposed to it and told him to come back on Sunday. Sunday: they talked about the sundry things and thanked Despujol for having lifted the exile of his sisters.

Founding of the Liga Filipina

July 3, 1892: following his interview with Governor General Despujol, Rizal attended a meeting of the patriots at the home of the Chinese-filipino mestizo, Doroteo Ongjunco. Among those present were; o Pedro Serrano Laktaw (Panday Pira) a mason and school teacher. o Domingo Franco (Felipe Leal) Engraver, printer, owner of Bazar Gran Bretana and first Worshipful Master of Nilad (first Filipino Masonic lodge) o Ambrosio Salvador gobernadorcillo of Quiapo and Mason o Bonifacio Arevalo (Harem) dentists and Mason o Deodato Arellano brother-in-law of M.H del Pilar and civilian employee in the army o Ambrosio Flores (musa) retired lieutenant of infantry o Augustin de la Rosa bookkeeper and Mason o Moises Salvador (Araw) contractor and Mason o Luis Villareal tailor and Mason o Faustino Villarruel (Ilaw) pharmacists and Mason o Mariano Crisostomo landlord o Numeriano Adriano (Ipil) notary public and Mason.

o Estanisio Legaspi artisan and Mason o Teodoro Plata court clerk and Mason o Andres Bonifacio warehouse employee o Apolinario MAbini (Katabay) lawyer and Mason o Juan Zulueta playwright, poet, and government employee. Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to establish and its role in the socio-economic life of the people. He presented the Constitution of the Liga which he had written in Hong Kong and discussed its provisions. Officers: Ambrosio Salvador (President); Deodato Arellano (Secretary); Bonifacio Arevalo (treasurer); Augustin de la Rosa (fiscal).

Constitution of the Liga Filipina

The aims of the Liga Filipina, as embodied In its Constitution, were the following: o To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous body; o Mutual protection in every want and necessity; o Defense against all violence and injustice; o Encouragement of education, agriculture, and commerce; o Study and application of reforms. The motto of the Liga Filipina was: Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All) The governing body of the league was the Supreme Council which had jurisdiction over the whole country. There was a Provincial Council in every province and a Popular Council in every town. All Filipinos who have at heart the welfare of their fatherland are qualified for membership. Every member pays an entrance fee of two pesos and a monthly due of 10 centavos. The duties of the Liga members are as follows: o Obey the orders of the Supreme Council o To help in recruiting new members o To keep in strictest secrescy the decisions of the Liga authorities

o To have a symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of his council o To report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga o To behave well as befits a good Filipino o To help fellow members in all ways.

Rizal Areested and Jailed in Fort Santiago

July 6: Rizal went to Malacanang Palace to resume his series of interviews with the governor general Despujol. During his interview, Despujol suddenly showed him some printed leaflets which were allegedly found in Lucias pillow cases. These incriminatory leaflets were entitled Pobres Frailes (Poo Friars) under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila. They were a satire against the rich domnican friars who amassed faboulus riches contrary to their monastic vow of poverty. Rizal vigously denied having those leaflets in either his or Lucias baggage, which had been thoroughly searched upon their arrival from Hong Kong by the custom authorities who found nothing. Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation in accordance with the due process of law, he was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of Gov. Gen. Despujol. In Fort Santiago, he was kept incomunicado. July 7: The Gaceta de Manila published a story of Rizals arrest which produced indignant commotion among the Filipino people, particularly the members of the newly organized Liga Filipina.

Arbitrary Deportation to Dapitan

The same issue of the Gaceta contained Gov. Gen. Despujols d ecree deporting Rizal to one of the islands in the South. Reasons of Rizals deportation to Dapitan:

o Rizal had published books and articles which showed disloyalty to Spain, and which were frankly anti-Catholic and imprudently anti-friar. o A bundle of handbills entitled Pobres Frailes was found on his packages in his arrival in Manila. o His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three traitors, GOMBURZA. And on the title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, the only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country. o The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breasts the treasures of our holy Catholic Faith. July 14: Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. This steamer under Captain Delgras departed at 1am July 17: reached Dapitan at 7 in the evening. Captain Delgras went ashore and handed Rizal over to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, Spanish commandant of Dapitan. That same night, Rizxal began his exile in lonely Dapitan which would last until July 31, 1896, a period of four years.