CHAPTER 8: THE CAVITE MUTINY OF 1872

“History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” —Karl Marx

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this chapter, the student is expected to: ‘
1. Demonstrate the ability to formulate arguments in favor or against a particular issue using primary sources

Chapter Outline:
The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny by Chris Antonette Piedad-Pugay

a. Spanish Version: Planned Conspiracy

b. Filipino Version: A Response to Injustice
c. Unvarying Truth

The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny

by Chris Antonette Piedud-Puguy
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
September 5, 2012

The 12th of June of every year since 1898 is a very important event for all the Filipinos. In this particular day, the entire
Filipino nation as well as Filipino communities all over the World gathers to celebrate the Philippines’ Independence Day. 1898
came to be a very significant year for all of us— it is as equally important as 1896—the year when the Philippine Revolution
broke out owing to the Filipinos’ desire to be free from the abuses of the Spanish colonial regime. But we should be reminded
that another year is as historic as the two — 1872.
Two major events happened in 1872, first was the 1872 Cavite Mutiny and the other was the martyrdom of the three
martyr priests in the persons of Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA) However, not all of us
knew that there were different accounts in reference to the said event. All Filipinos must know the different sides of the story —
since this event led to another tragic yet meaningful part of our history —the execution of GOMBURZA which in effect a major
factor in the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos.

a. Spanish Version: Planned Conspiracy

Jose Montero y Vidal, a prolific Spanish historian documented the event and highlighted it as an attempt of the Indios to
overthrow the Spanish government in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Gov. Gen. Rafael lzquierdo’s official report magnified the
event and made use of it to implicate the native clergy, which was then active in the call for secularization. The two accounts
complimented and corroborated with one other, only that the general’s report was more spiteful. Initially, both Montero and
lzquierdo scored out that the abolition of privileges enjoyed by the workers of Cavite arsenal such as non-payment of tributes and
exemption from force labor were the main reasons of the “revolution” as how they called it, however, other causes were
enumerated by them including the Spanish Revolution which overthrew the secular throne, dirty propagandas proliferated by
unrestrained press, democratic, liberal and republican books and pamphlets reaching the Philippines, and most importantly, the
presence of the native clergy who out of animosity against the Spanish friars, "conspired and supported” the rebels and enemies
of Spain. In particular, Izquierdo blamed the unruly Spanish Press for “stockpiling” malicious propagandas grasped by the
Filipinos. He reported to the King of Spain that the “rebels” wanted to overthrow the Spanish government to install a new "hari"
in the likes of Fathers Burgos and Zamora. The general even added that the native clergy enticed other participants by giving
them charismatic assurance that their fight will not fail because God is with them coupled with handsome promises of rewards
such as employment, wealth, and ranks in the army. lzquierdo, in his report lambasted the Indios as gullible and possessed an
innate propensity for stealing.
The two Spaniards deemed that the event of 1872 Was planned earlier and was thought of it as a big conspiracy among
educated leaders, mestizos, abogadillos or native lawyers, residents of Manila and Cavite and the native clergy. They insinuated
that the conspirators of Manila and Cavite planned to liquidate high-ranking Spanish officers to be followed by the massacre of
the friars. The alleged pre-concerted signal among the conspirators of Manila and Cavite was the firing of rockets from the walls
of Intramuros.
According to the accounts of the two, on 20 January 1872, the district of Sampaloc celebrated the feast of the Virgin of
Loreto, unfortunately participants to the feast celebrated the occasion with the usual fireworks displays. Allegedly, those in Cavite
mistook the fireworks as the sign for the attack, and just like what was agreed upon, the ZOO-men contingent headed by Sergeant
Lamadrid launched an attack targeting Spanish officers at sight and seized the arsenal.
When the news reached the iron—fisted Gov. lzquierdo, he readily ordered the reinforcement of the Spanish forces in
Cavite to quell the revolt. The “revolution” was easily crushed when the expected reinforcement from Manila did not come ashore.
Major instigators including Sergeant Lamadrid were killed in the skirmish, while the GOMBURZA were tried by a court—martial
and were sentenced to die by strangulation. Patriots 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 the Marianas Island. Furthermore, Gov. Izquierdo dissolved the native regiments of artillery and ordered the
creation of artillery force to be composed exclusively of the Peninsulares.
On 17 February 1872 in an attempt of the Spanish government and Frailocracia to instill fear among the Filipinos so that
they may never commit such daring act again, the GOMBURZA were executed. This event was tragic but served as one of the
moving forces that shaped Filipino nationalism.

b. Filipino Version: A Response to Injustice

Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scholar and researcher, wrote the Filipino version of the bloody
incident in Cavite. In his point of view, the incident was a mere mutiny by the native Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite
arsenal who turned out to be dissatisfied with the abolition of their privileges. Indirectly, Tavera blamed Gov. lzquierdo’s cold—
blooded policies such as the abolition of privileges of the workers and native army members of the arsenal and the prohibition of
the founding of school of arts and trades for the Filipinos, which the general believed as a cover-up for the organization of a
political club.
On 20 January 1872, about 200 men comprised of soldiers, laborers of the arsenal, and residents of Cavite headed by
Sergeant Lamadrid rose in arms and assassinated the commanding officer and Spanish officers in sight. The insurgents were
expecting support from the bulk of the army unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The news about the mutiny reached authorities in
Manila and Gen. Izquierdo immediately ordered the reinforcement of Spanish troops in Cavite. After two days, the mutiny was
officially declared subdued.
Tavera behaved that the Spanish friars and Izquierdo used the Cavite Mutiny as a powerful lever by magnifying it as a
full-blown conspiracy involving not only the native army but also included residents of Cavite and Manila, and more importantly
the native clergy to overthrow the Spanish government in the Philippines. It is noteworthy that during the time, the Central
Government in Madrid announced its intention to deprive the friars of all the powers of intervention in matters of civil government
and the direction and management of educational institutions This turnout of events was believed by Tavera, prompted the friars
to do something drastic in their dire sedire to maintain power in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, in the intention of installing reforms, the Central Government of Spain welcomed an educational decree
authored by Segismundo Moret promoted the fusion of sectarian schools run by the friars into a school called Philippine Institute.
The decree proposed to improve the standard. of education in the Philippines by requiring teaching positions in such schools to
be filled by competitive examinations. This improvement was warmly received by most Filipinos in spite of the native clergy’s
zest for secularization

The friars, fearing that their influence in the Philippines would be a thing of the past, took advantage of the incident and
presented it to the Spanish Government as a vast conspiracy organized throughout the archipelago with the object of destroying
Spanish sovereignty. Tavera sadly confirmed that the Madrid government came to believe that the scheme was true without any
attempt to investigate the real facts or extent of the alleged “revolution” reported by Izquierdo and the friars.

Convicted educated men who participated in the mutiny were sentenced life imprisonment while members of the native
clergy headed by the GOMBURZA were tried and executed by garrote. This episode leads to the awakening of nationalism and
eventually to the outbreak of Philippine Revolution of 1896. The French writer Edmond Plauchut's account complimented
Tavera’s account by confirming that the event happened due to discontentment of the arsenal workers and soldiers in Cavite fort.
The Frenchman, however, dwelt more on the execution of the three martyr priests which he actually witnessed.

c. Unvarying Truth
Considering the four accounts-of the 1872 Mutiny, there were some basic facts that remained to be unvarying:
1. First, there was dissatisfaction among the workers of the arsenal as well as the members of the native army after their
privileges were drawn back by Gen. Izquierdo;
2. Second, Gen. Izquierdo introduced rigid and strict policies that made the Filipinos move and turn away from Spanish
government out of disgust;
3. Third, the Central Government failed'to conduct an investigation on what truly transpired but relied on reports of
Izquierdo and the friars and the opinion of the public;
2. Fourth, the happy days of the friars were already 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;
3. Fifth, 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 prey to the rage of the friars;
4. Sixth, Filipinos during the time were active participants, and responded to what they deemed as injustices; and
5. Lastly, the execution of GOMBURZA was a blunder on the part of the Spanish government, for the action severed the
ill—feelings of the Filipinos and the event inspired Filipino patriots to call for reforms and eventually independence.
There may be different versions of the event, but one thing is certain, the 1872 Cavite Mutiny paved way for a momentous
1898.
6. The road to independence was rough and tough to toddle, many patriots named and unnamed shed their bloods to attain
reforms and achieve independence. 12 June 1898 may be a glorious event for us, but we should not forget that before we
came across to Victory, our forefathers suffered enough. As we enjoy our freedom, may we be more historically aware
of our past to have a better future ahead of us. And just like what Elias said in Noli me Tangere, may we “not forget those
who fell during the night." (Piedad-Pugay, 2012)