THE BOOK OF PHILIPPINE KEY FACTS: 1896 (Part I of the Revolution of 1896-1897)

YEAR: 1896 SOCIETY: Statistics: Population subject to Spain: 6,261,339 (RFN :I,568 citing Gazeteer ) Total Spanish Troops in the Philippines from August 21 1896 -January 20,1897: Spanish officers and men -28,463 Native officers and men- 14,654 ( Source: PI : I,265) Members of the Katipunan at the Outbreak of the Revolution: from 15,000-45,000 - ( de los Reyes : 45) )Source:DPP: 77 fn. between 100,000- 400,00 (Le Roy : I,85) ) POLITICS January 1- The first ussue of the "Kalayaan"(Freedom/Independence), the official organ of the Katipunan released. (DPP:74) January 20- Barcelona, Spain.Death of Graciano Lopez Jaena ,orator and journalist. First editor of "La Solidaridad",official organ of Filipino reformist expatriates in Europe. May 3, 1896- KATIPUNAN PASIG ASSEMBLY at the residence of Valentin Cruz presided by Supremo Andres Bonifacio and attended by Katipuneros from the towns of Santa Ana, Mandaluyong, San Pedro Makati, Taguig,Pasig and the province of Cavite. Bonifacio informed the assembly that the secrets of the Katipunan was betrayed in the confessional by three women,wives of Katipunan members,two are from Tondo and the third from Santa Ana and he ended his speech "What is your decision?Shall we rise in revolt now?". Emilio Aguinaldo ,Santiago Alvarez and Benigno Santi ,all from Cavite objected due to lack of arms annd the consequences of defeat are terrifying. May 4- 2:00 A,M- continuation of the Pasig Assembly. It was agreed upon to sent a delegation to sent Dr.Pio Valenzuela as secret envoy of the Katipunan to enlist Rizal to favour the revolution. (KR:9-13) July 4- Barcelona,Spain.Death of MARCELO H.del PILAR.. July 5- Lt. MANUEL SITYAR of the Spanish Civil Guard stationed in Pasig sent a confidential information about the growth and expansion of a secret subersive organization. ( HP : 10 ) August 13- Fr.AGUSTIN FERNANDEZ of Makati reported to the authorities about secret meetings of seperatists. (HP:11) August 19- ( A.M )- THE SECRETS OF KATIPUNAN BETRAYED.Teodoro Patino, a Katipunan member revealed the existence of the Katipunan to his younger sister and the Mother Portress of the Orphan Assylum in Mandaluyong. ( 6:15 p.m) Patino betrayed the secrets of the Katipunan to Fr. Mariano Gil,parish priest of Tondo. Katipunan paraphernalia and documents found in the printing press of "Diario de Manila". Mass arrests follows. (Min.:123-124) August 21- 10:00 p.m . Meeting house of Vidal Acab presided by Supremo Andres Bonifacio aided by Emilio Jacinto (Secretary) and Dr. Pio Valenzuela (Prosecutor),Among those who attended were Aguedo del Rosario, Ramon Bernardo,Romualdo Vicencio,Teodoro Plata,Pantaleon Torres,Ariston de Jesus,Jose Dizon and Severino Baltazar, the incumbent town mayor of Caloocan. (MK:17) 11:00 P.M- 2:00 A.M- Rain. Trek to the house of Apolonio Samson in Pook Kankong,Balintawak,Caloocan. Bonifacio with no less than 300 men armed with bolos,spears,daggers.a dozen of small revolvers and a hunting rifle. (MK:18) After dining with his cousin,he ( Dr.Pio Valenzuela---D) was told by a druggist that "a man in civilian clothes,who appeared to be a soldier called at his home (in Buenavides St., Divisoria---D) annd inqiure abpout him".( PVT in MK.:148 ) August 22- Katipunan headquarter on San Jose corner of Azcarraga Drive (now C.M.Recto Ave.) abandoned.Katipuneros escaped at the hills of Daang Toro,Caloocan.(HI:1) Andres Bonifacio and other Katipunan leaders " under the care and protection of Katipunan Chapter in Caloocan ".(MK:16 ) AM- At 6 Magdalena St.Tondo,Manila. Josefa Dizon ,mother of Emilio Jacinto told Dr.Valenzuela that her spn and Andres Bonifacio,fled the city to evade arrest and advised him to go into hiding.(PVT in Min.: 148) PM-Dr.Valenzuela took a coach going to Polo,Bulacan. 8:00 PM- When he reached Caloocan,his coach was stopped and some one told him that Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto wanted to talk to him. (PVT in MK.: 148) 11:00 pm- Dr.Valenzuela met the outlaw "Laon" who detained and forced persons passing through to become members of the Katipunan. (PVT in MK: 148) Aug.23- Pook Bahay Toro,Balintawak , Caloocan at the house yard and warehouse of Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora),more tha 500 men gathered,she"opened her granary annd have plenty of rice pounded and animals slaughtered to feed us", wrote Santiago Alvarez. (MK:19) The Katipunan general uprising was decided at the general assembly held at the yard of Melchora Aguino (Tandang Sora/Old Woman Sora). ( PVTUS in MK.:238) Aug.24-Katipunan meeting at Pook Kankong, Balintawak ,Caloocan attended by more tha 1,000 men voted to start the uprising on the midnight of 29 August 1896. Brigider generals were appointed to capture Manila:Aguedo del Rosario ,Ramon Bernardo,Gregorio Coronel to take the offensive and converged inside the walled city (Intramuros ,Manila). (MK:19-20) The inaguration of the REPUBLIKA NG KATAGALUGAN (Republic of the Katagalugan/ Philippines).War Cabinet composed of: Andres Bonifacio ----- President Emilio Jacinto---------Secretary of State Teodoro Plata---------Secretary of War Briccio Pantas------- Secreatary of Justice Enrique Pacheco------Secretary of Finance Aguedo del Rosario ----Secreatry of Administration Silverio Baltazar -------General Treasurer The formation of the Katipunan Army. The following were appointed "Jefes Generales"( Generals in Chief ): Guillermo Masangkay Aguedo del Rosario Apolonio Samson Emilio Jacinto Alejandro Santiago Pio Valenzuela Tomas Remigio Lucino ( Luciano San Miguel ? ) August 25-2:00 P.M- Katipuneros engaged the Spanish troops between Pook Kankong and Bahay Toro,Balintawak . Caloocan, a non combatant youth was killed. (MK:20) (P.M, Balintawak ,Caloocan)-Bonifacio gathered the members of the Supreme Council ,and appointed Teodoro Plata, general-in-chief;Emilio Jacinto and Aguedo del Rosario,generals of division and Pio Valenzuela, chief surgeon. (MK,150) Dr.Valenzuela left Balintawak to induce the town peoples of Montalban and San Mateo to join the general uprising. August 26- Skirmish in Pasong Tamo,Caloocan.Bonifacio appointed Gregorio Tapalla (Matandang Leon),a former bandit to led the troops. Among those killed was Tapalla and a Lieutenant Manuel,flag and the valise containing the funds of the Katipunan was left. Bonifacio escaped at a site between Balara and Krus -na-Ligas ( now part of the Univ.of the Philippines). (MK:20-21) Aug.27 Dr.Valenzuela in Mariquina. August 28 - Daylight. From Mariquina ,Dr.Pio Valenzuela reached Escolta,Manila as far as Pasaje de Perez where he embarked in a lake steamer going to Binang, Laguna.He call on the house of Don Silvino Manalo, a native cleric,where he recieved a copy of Gov.Gen.Ramon Blanco's proclamation of amnesty. (PVT in MK.:150-151) Bundok ng Kalayaan /Sitio Balakbak,Mandaluyong. Andres Bonifacio issued a proclamation on the start of the revolution by simoultaneous attack on Manila (Intramuros) and the Katipuneros to attack their respective towns and free their brethren that were imprisoned and suffering from torture. Aug.29- Malacanang Palace,Manila. Dr.Pio Valenzuela, surrendered himself to Governor General Blanco. ( PVT in MK : 151) Aug.29-30 - Bonifacio led the Katipunan simultaneous attack on Manila (Intramuros/Walled City) . The Start of the Revolution against Spain. August 30- Gov.Gen.Ramon Blanco issued a decree placing the provinces of Manila,Bulacan,Pampanga,Nueva Ecija,Ratlac,Laguna,Cavite and Batangas under martial law. "Batalion de los Voluntarios Leales"( Batallion of Loyal Volunteers) compost mostly of members of "Sociedad de Tiro de Manila"( Manila Shooters Society) forme to safeguard Spanish interests in the Philippines. ( AKM: 58) August 31 (Cavite) (San Francisco de Malabon,Cavite,between 10 and 11:00 A.M ) Katipuneros of the Magdiwang Council led by Artemio Ricarte,a school teacher,captured the town hall and its barracks. (RM : 8-9 ) Mariano Alvarez,the founder and President of the Magdiwang Council led the rebels capture the town hall of Novaleta (KR:39) 3:00 P.M- Municipal mayor Emilio Aguinaldo annd Candido Tirona of the Magdalo Council ,captured the tribunal of Cavite Viejo (Kawit). August 31- Twenty two prisoners died of suffocation in Fort Santiago. Sept.2- BATTLE OF BACOOR ,Cavite. Emilio Aguinaldo met his first defeat . (CHC:62) Sept.3- BATTLE OF IMUS,Cavite . Emilio Aguinaldo defeated Spanish troops under Gen. Ernesto Aguirre. (CH:63) Sept.4- Spanish government ordered the first executions. Sept.12- Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite " executed. (HP ;16) Sept.16- Twenty two prominent persons of Manila imprisoned in Fort Santiago.,among them were : Telesporo Chuidian, Mariano Limjap, Luis R. Yanco, Lorenzo del Rosario, Ambrosio Salvador ,Bonifacio Arevalo, Maximo Paterno, Ambrosio Rianzarez Bautista,Nazario Constatino, Antonio Salazar, Juan Luna, Dr.Jose Luna, Isidro Soto Villaruel, Dr.Felipe Zamora, Numeriano Adriano , Ambrosio Flores, Dr.Jose Albert,Isaac Fernando Rios,Marcelino de los Santos and Rosario Villaruel. (HP:17-19) Oct.31- Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo issued a manifesto addressed "To the Filipino People"calling for a creation of a revolutionary government declaring the real purpose of of the revolution:Liberty and Independence.(DPP:78 ) Nov.3 Dr.Rizal arrived in manila aboard ship "Colon". Heavily guaded,he was transferred to Fort Santiago and held "incumunicado". Nov.9-11- BATTLE OF BINAKAYAN and DALAHIKAN,Cavite . Four attempts of the Sapniards to capture fort of Dalahikan failed.Magdiwang trops led by Gen. Santiago Alvarez( KR:63-64) Nov.10- Battle of Binakayan- Death of CANDIDO TRIA TIRONA.(CHC:77) Nov.11- Battleof Binakayan.Gen.Emio Aguinaldo defeated Spanish forces under Gov.Gen.Ramon Blanco.(CHC:78) Nov.3- Rizal arrived in Manila aboard 'Colon',he was closely guarded ,tranferred to Fort Santiago and held 'incommunicado. (JR, :338-339) Dec.3- Arrival of CAMILO de POLAVIEJA, who succeeded Ramon Blanco,as governor-general on Dec.13.(JR:345) Dec 14- Executions in Tarlac. Dec.17- Andres Bonifacio,the Supreme President of the Katagalugan /Filipinas,arrived in Cavite.He stayed at the house of Juan Castaneda at Imus (KR :67) Dec.18- Emilio Aguinaldo,Baldomero Aguinaldo,Daniel Tirona,Vicente Fernandez and others paid their respect to Supreme President Andres Bonifacio.The Supremo ordered the arrest of Fernandez for insubordination . His order ignored by the above mentioned Magdalo Council officers. Dec.15- (Fort Santiago ) Rizal presented to the court martial a manifesto which condemned the revolution as"absurd and savage uprising ploted behind my back,which dishonors the Filipino" and he advised the rebels to "return to your homes..." ( full text in JR :346-347).The manifesto's publication was opposed by court auditor De la Pena. DEC.26- (Cuartel de Espana,Fort Santiago) Rizal faced the Council of War presided by Lt.Col.jose Tagores with six captains of different arms.Beside him was his lawyer Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade. The trial started with the reading of accusations against Rizal,followed by the defense by Lt. Andrade. Rizal read his arguments as addition to his defense. After a short deliberation the council found Rizal guilty of "the crimes of rebellion,sedition and illegal association...and hereby condemned to death...annd pay to the State an indemnity of P 100,000.00..."(JR.349-355) December 30- (7:00 A.M ,Bagumbayan Field now Rizal Park)-JOSE P.RIZAL EXECUTED by a firing squad composed of eight native soldiers belonging to regiment no.70 ( JR :369-371 394;FF:415) Dec.31- IMUS ASSEMBLY(Cavite)- The Magdiwang and Magdalo Councils met to unify the province under one leadership. Instead the Magdalo Council in the person of Baldomero Aguinaldo advocated the establishment of a revolutionary goverment to replace the Katipunan and submitted a constitution drafted by a foriegn educated engineer Edilberto Evangelista. Capitan Emilio Aguinaldo proposed to head the revolutionary government because "Evangelista was the best educated"in contrast with self educated Andres Bonifacio,the Supreme President of the Katipunan.The meeting was stormy ,accomplished nothing and was adjourned because of the arrival of Paciano Rizal,the hero's brother and Josephine Bracken, Dr.Rizal's widow. ( MGAR:25-27 , PAR :182-184) Reorganization of two Provincial Councils in Cavite followed 'as some of of the towns were cleared of the Civil Guards': I. Sangguniang Bayan Magdiwang (Magdiwang Provincial Council ) Officers: (Source:MGAR :13) Mariano Alvarez ........................President Pascual Alvarez...........................Vice President Emiliano Riego de Dios...............Minister of Commerce Mariano trias Closas ..................Minister of Welfare and Justice Ariston Bautista ......................... Minister of War Diego Mojica .................................Minister of Finance Santiago Alvarez .........................Captain General and General in Chief Mariano Alvarez..........................) Artemio Ricarte )Brigader Generals II. Sanguniang Bayan Magdalo (Magdalo Provincial Council) (Source: MGH:130 ) Pangulo (Presidente).................. Baldomero Aguinaldo Secretario de Guerra.................. Candido Tirona Secretario de Hacienda.............. Cayetano Topacio Secretario de Formento ........... Glicerio Topacio Secretario de Justicia ............... Sixto Espinosa Teniente General en Jefe Abanderado ................ Emilio Aguinaldo Note: Gen.Artemio Ricarte listed Emilio Aguinaldo as Captain General and General of the jurisdiction of the Sangguniang bayan Magdalo; Edilberto Evangelista ( Lt. General) and Vito Belarmino and Crispulo Aguinaldo (Brig.Generals). (MGAR: 13)