CASE STUDY

1st Yr. BSA

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CAVITE

MUTINY?
INTRODUCTION

 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

(Pugay, 2012). 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 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 (Pugay, 2012).

BODY

Cavite Mutiny, (January 20, 1872), brief uprising of 200 Filipino troops and

workers at the Cavite arsenal, which became the excuse for Spanish repression of the embryonic

Philippine nationalist movement. Ironically, the harsh reaction of the Spanish authorities served

ultimately to promote the nationalist cause (Augustyn, 2020).

The mutiny was quickly crushed, but the Spanish regime under the reactionary governor

Rafael de Izquierdo magnified the incident and used it as an excuse to clamp down on those
Filipinos who had been calling for governmental reform. A number of Filipino intellectuals were

seized and accused of complicity with the mutineers. After a brief trial, three priests José Burgos,

Jacinto Zamora, and Mariano Gómez were publicly executed. The three subsequently

became martyrs to the cause of Philippine independence (Augustyn, 2020).

Cavite Mutiny 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. Izquierdo’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 (Tavera, 2012).

       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, 2012).

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 desire to

maintain power in the Philippines (Tavera, 2012).

Izquierdo used the mutiny to implicate Gomburza and other notable Filipinos known for

their liberal leanings. Prominent Filipinos such as priests, professionals, and businessmen were

arrested on flimsy and trumped-up charges and sentenced to prison, death, or exile. These

include Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Jose Basa, and Antonio M. Regidor. When the Archbishop of

Manila, Rev. Meliton Martinez, refused to cooperate and defrock the priests, the Spanish court-

martial on February 15 went ahead and maliciously found Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora

guilty of treason for instigating the Cavite mutiny. Two days later, the three priests were put to

death by garrotte in Bagumbayan, now known as Luneta (Koh, 2020).

Considering the four accounts of the 1872 Mutiny, there were some basic facts that

remained to be unvarying: 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;

Second, Gen. Izquierdo introduced rigid and strict policies that made the Filipinos move and turn

away from Spanish government out of disgust; 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; 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; 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; Sixth, Filipinos

during the time were active participants, and responded to what they deemed as injustices; and
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.

CONCLUSION

        The Cavite Mutiny 1872, this event was an essential part in the Philippine history because it

sparked the start of the resistance against the authority for Philippine Independence in 1898.

During the Spanish colonization, tax reforms were implemented that required the soldiers to

serve the army and pay taxes.

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.”

It is well to remember that the seeds of nationalism that was sown in Cavite blossomed to

the Philippine Revolution and later to the Declaration of Independence by Emilio Aguinaldo

which took place also in Cavite (Koh, 2020). The 1872 Cavite Mutiny bolstered the stereotypical

belief that Caviteños were the most courageous of my fellow Filipinos. 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.

REFERENCES

Electronic Devices

Cavite Mutiny

https://www.britannica.com/event/Cavite-Mutiny

Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny

https://nhcp.gov.ph/the-two-faces-of-the-1872-cavite-mutiny/

What happened in the Cavite Mutiny?

https://www.slideshare.net/KyleHydenManalo/readings-in-the-philippine-history-what-happened-in-
the-cavite-mutiny

Case Study 2

https://www.scribd.com/document/437069034/Case-Study-2

Journals

The 1872 Cavite Mutiny

https://filipinojournal.com/the-1872-cavite-mutiny/