The Cavite Mutiny

  • 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 Gomes, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA). However, not everyone 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.

The Spanish Version

  • Jose Montero y Vidal was a Spanish historian who wrote the book Historia General de Filipinas as the Spanish version of Cavite Mutiny of 1872. Montero, who was normally a good historian, narrated the Cavite episode and speaks as a Spaniard bet on perverting the facts at his pleasure and is mischievously partial. He exaggerated the mutiny of a few disgruntled native soldiers and laborers into a revolt to overthrow the Spanish rule despite of unsupported by documentary evidence.

  • Carlos Maria de la Torre was relieved from his post with the establishment in Spain of a government which was less radical.

  • Rafael de Izquierdo assumed control of government.

  • The abolition of the privileges enjoyed by the laborers of the Cavite Arsenal of exemption from the tribute was the cause of the insurrection.

  • Another version of this was a personal letter written by Izquierdo himself. The content was basically the same, and it was addressed to the new Spanish government after the monarchy was overthrown in Spain's own civil war.

 

The Filipino Version

  • According to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, this was merely a mutiny of native Filipino soldiers and laborers of Cavite arsenal against the harsh policy of despotic Governor and Captain-General Rafael de Izquierdo which abolished their old-time privileges of exemption from paying the annual tribute and from rendering forced labor (polo).

  • Filipinos had great hopes of an improvement in the affairs of their country. The loss of privileges resented by the soldiers and laborers was the primary cause of the revolt. Dissatisfaction and discontent with the government spread all over.

  • Gen. Izquierdo made it clear that there will be no changes in the government and intended to govern the people with a crucifix in one hand and a sword in the other. He also established the school of arts and trades in the country.

  • Those who supported ex-Governor de la Torre were classed as persona sospechosas (suspects) a term used to refuse to obey the wishes and whims of the authorities.

  • The peace of the colony was broken and culminated in the overthrow of the Spanish sovereignty in the Philippine islands.

  • Uprisings and assassinations in the entire garrison in Cavite were disaffected.

  • The uprising among the soldiers in Cavite was used as a powerful lever by the Spanish residents and by the friars.