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Rizal in Singapore
● September 7, 1896 - The Isla de Panay arrived at Singapore.
The following morning Rizal and other passengers went ashore for
sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs. In his travel diary, Rizal wrote “I
have observed some changes: There are more Chinese merchants and
less Indian . . . I bought a Chinese gown . . . Singapore has changed much
since I saw it for the first time in 1882.”
Rizal was unaware that since his departure from Manila Bay on his
way to Spain, Blanco and the Ministers of War arm and colonies were
exchanging coded telegrams and confidential messages for his arrest
upon reaching Barcelona and that he was a deportee and was being
secretly kept under surveillance.
A passenger on board has just told me a news that I can hardly believe and shou
ld it be true, would bring to an end the prestige of Philippine authorities.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
I cannot believe for it would be the greatest injustice and the most abominable i
nfamy, unworthy not of a military official but of the bandit. I have offered to serve
as a physician, risking life in the hazard of war and abandoning all my business. I a
m innocent and now in reward they are sending me to prison!!
I cannot believe it! This is infamous, but if it turns out to be true, as everybody
assures me, I am communicating to you these news so that you may appraise my
situation.
Yours,
There was nothing official yet about his impending arrest; it was still
merely shipboard gossip.
● September 29, 1896 - Rizal wrote in his travel diary: “There are people
on board who do nothing but slander me and invent fanciful stories
about me. I’m going to become a legendary personage.”
● September 30, 1896 at 4:00 pm - Rizal officially notified by Captain
Alemany that he should stay in his cabin until further orders from Manila.
Rizal graciously complied with the captain’s directive.
Rizal was not able to visit the famous island-fortress of the Christian
crusaders. “I saw through a tiny window” he wrote in his diary, “ the
beautiful view of the port with its monumental and magnificent castle in
three levels . . . illuminated by the lingering afternoon lights.”
After the interview, Rizal was taken aboard the Colon, which was
“full of soldiers and officers and their families.”