Cavite Munity's Conflicting Evidences - Case Study

CASE STUDY 2: WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CAVITE MUTINY?

(1872) – It is a historic year of two events: the Cavite Mutiny and the martyrdom of three priests: Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).

• This events are very important milestones in the Philippine history and have caused ripples throughout time, directly influencing the decisive events of the Philippines Revolution toward the end of the century.

*In this case study, we zoom in to the events of the Cavite Mutiny, a major factor in the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos of that time.

NOTE: Martyrdom - the death or suffering of a martyr. -a display of feigned or exaggerated suffering to obtain sympathy or admiration. Mutiny - an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers. Nationalism- patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts. -an extreme form of this, especially marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries. -advocacy of political independence for a particular country. Revolution - a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

SPANISH ACCOUNTS OF THE CAVITE MUNITY

The documentation of Spanish historian Jose Montero y Vidal centered on how the event was event was an attempt in overthrowing the Spanish government in the Philippines. Although regarded as a historian, his account of the mutiny was criticized as woefully biased and rabid for a scholar. Another account from the official report written by the Governor General Rafael Izquierdo implicated the native clergy, who were then. Active in the movement toward secularization of parishes. These two accounts corroborated each other.

NOTE: Clergy- the body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church. Corroborated- confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding). Rabid- having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something. Secularization- to make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection or influences; make worldly or unspiritual; imbue with secularism. -to change (clergy) from regular to secular. -to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use. Woefully- in a manner expressing sorrow or misery.

PRIMARY SOURCE: EXCERPT FROM MONTERO’S ACCOUNT OF THE CAVITE MUTINY

Source: Jose Montero y Vidal , “Spanish Version of the Cavite Mutiny of 1872” in Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide , Documentary Sources of Philippine History, Volume 7 (Manila: National Book Store, 1990), 269- 273.

The abolition of privileges enjoyed by the laborers of the Cavite arsenal of exemption from the tribute was, according to some, the cause of the insurrection. There were, however, other causes.

The Spanish revolution which overthrew a secular throne; the propaganda carried on by an unbridled press against monarchical principles, attentatory [sic] of the most sacred respects towards the dethroned majesty; the democratic and republican books and pamphlets; the speeches and preachings of the apostles of these new ideas in Spain; the outbursts of the American publicists and the criminal policy of the senseless Governor whom the Revolutionary government sent to govern the Philippines, and who put into practice these ideas were the determining circumstances which gave rise, among certain Filipinos, to the idea of attaining the their independence. It was towards this goal that they started to work, with the powerful assistance of a certain section of the native clergy, who out of spite towards friars, made common cause with the enemies of the mother country.

At various times but especially in the beginning of year 1872, the authorities received anonymous communication with the information that a great uprising would break out against the Spaniards, the minute the fleet at Cavite left for the South, and that all would be assassinated, conspiracy had been going on since the days of La Torre with utmost secrecy. At times, the principal leaders met either in the house of Filipino Spaniard, D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, or in that of the native curate of Bacoor, the soul of the movement, whose energetic character and immense wealth enabled him to exercise a strong influence.

NOTE: Arsenal- an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipment Attentatory - Curate- The term is derived from the Latin curatus (compare Curator). -In other languages, derivations from curatus may be used differently. In French, the curé is the chief priest of a parish,[1] as is the Italian curato, the Spanish cura, and the Filipino term kura pároko (which almost always refers to the parish priest), which is derived from Spanish. Friars- a member of any of certain religious orders of men, especially the four mendicant orders (Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans, and Franciscans). Fleet-a group of ships sailing together, engaged in the same activity, or under the same ownership. Insurrection- a violent uprising against an authority or government. Monarchical- of, relating to, suggestive of, or characteristic of a monarch or monarchy Propaganda- capitalized : a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institutions -the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person -ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect Secular- not bound by monastic vows or rules; specifically : of, relating to, or forming clergy not belonging to a religious order or congregation a secular priest - occurring once in an age or a century -existing or continuing through ages or centuries -of or relating to a long term of indefinite duration secular inflation Unbridled- uncontrolled; unconstrained

PRIMARY SOURCES: EXCERPTS FROM THE OFFICIAL REPOST OF GOVERNOR IZQUIERDO

ON THE CAVITE MUTINY OF 1872

Source: Rafael Izquirdo , “Official Report on the Cavite Mutiny,” in Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide , Documentary Sources of Philippine History, Volume 7 (Manila: National Book Store, 1990), 281-286.

DIFFERING ACCOUNTS OF THE EVENTS OF 1872

Two other primary accounts that seems to counter the accounts of Izquierdo and Montero. First, the account of Dr. Trinidad Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera , a Filipino scholar and researcher, who wrote a Filipino version of the bloody incident in Cavite.

PRIMARY SOURCE: EXCERPT FROM PARDO DE TAVERA’S ACCOUNT OF THE CAVITE MUTINY

Source: Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, “Filipino Version of Cavite Mutiny,” in Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide, Documentary Sources of Philippine History, Volume 7 (Manila; National Book Store, 1990),274—280.

This uprising among soldiers in Cavite was used a powerful level by the Spanish residents and by the friars.. General Government in Madrid had announced its intention to deprive the friars in these islands of powers of intervention in the matters of civil government and of the direction and management of the university... it was due to these facts and promises that the Filipinos had great hopes of an improvement in the affairs of their country, while the friars, on the other hand, feared that their power in the colony would soon be complete a thing of the past.

.. to that time there had been no intention of secession from Spain, and the only aspiration of the people was to secure the material and education advancement of the country...

According to this account, the incident was merely a multiply by Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal to the dissatisfaction arising from the draconian policies of Izquiedor, such as the abolition of privileges and the prohibition of the founding of the school of arts and trades of Filipinos, which the General saw as a smokescreen to creating a political club.

Tavera is of the opinion that the Spanish friars and Izquierdo used the Cavite Mutiny as a way to address other issues by blowing out proportion the isolated mutiny attempt. During this time, the Central Government in Madrid was planning to deprive the friars of all the powers of intervention in the matters of civil government and direction and management of educational institutions. The friars needed something to justify their continuing dominance in the country, and the mutiny provided such opportunity.

However, the Central Spaniards Government introduced an educational decree fusing sectarian schools run by the friars into a school called the Philippine Institute. The decree aimed to improve the standard of education in the Philippines by requiring teaching positions in these schools to be filled by competitive examinations, an improvement welcomed by most Filipinos.

NOTE: Artillery - large-caliber guns used in warfare on land. Liquidate – wind up the affairs of (a company or firm) by ascertaining liabilities and apportioning assets. -eliminate, typically by violent means; kill. Lofty – of imposing height. "the elegant square was shaded by lofty palms" synonyms: tall, high, giant, towering, soaring, skyscraping "a lofty tower"

• (of wool and other textiles) thick and resilient. Quell- put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.

Another account, this time by French writer Edmund Plauchut , complemented Tavera’s account and analyzed the motivations of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny

PRIMARY SOURCE: EXCERPTS FROM PLAUCHUT’S ACCOUNT OF THE CAVITE MUTINY

Source: Edmund Plauchut , “The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and the Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za,” in the Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide , Documentary Sources of Philippine History, Volume 7 (Manila: National Book Store, 1990), 251-268.

General La Torre ... created a junta composed of high officials.. some friars and six Spanish officials.. the same time there was created by the government in Madrid a committee to investigate the same problems submitted to the Manila committee. When the two finished work, it was found that they came to the same conclusions. Here is the summary of the reforms they considered necessary to introduced:

1. Changes in tariff rates at customs, and the methods of collection.
2. Removal of surcharges on foreign importations.
3. Reduction of export fees.
4. Permission for foreigners to reside in the Philippines, buy real state, enjoy freedom of worship, and operate commercial transports flying the Spanish flag.
5. Establishment of an advisory council to inform the Minister of Overseas Affairs in Madrid on the necessary reforms to be implemented.
6. Changes in primary and secondary education.
7. Establishment of an Institute of Civil Administration in the Philippines, rendering unnecessary the sending home of short-term civil officials every time there is a change of ministry.
8. Study of direct-tax system.
9. Abolition of the tobacco monopoly.

.. arrival in Manila of General Izquierdo.. a sudden end to all dreams of reforms... the prosecutions instituted by the now Governor General were probably expected as a result of the bitter disputes between the Filipino clerics and the friars. Such a policy must really end in a strong desire on the part of the other to repress cruelly.

In regard to schools, it was previously decreed that there should be in Manila a Society of Arts and Trades to be opened in March of 1871.. repress the growth of liberal teachings, General Izquierdo suspended the opening of the school.. day previous to the scheduled inauguration...

NOTE: Artillery - large-caliber guns used in warfare on land. Liquidate – wind up the affairs of (a company or firm) by ascertaining liabilities and apportioning assets. -eliminate, typically by violent means; kill. Lofty – of imposing height. "the elegant square was shaded by lofty palms" synonyms: tall, high, giant, towering, soaring, skyscraping "a lofty tower"

• (of wool and other textiles) thick and resilient. Quell- put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.