Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 17, 1872
Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jose Burgos and Fr. Jacinto Zamora, more known as the GOMBURZA priests, were publicly executed by garrote at Bagumbayan by Spanish colonial authorities on false charges of treason and sedition arising from the 1872 Cavite mutiny.
On January 20, 1872, two hundred people composed of soldiers and laborers employed at the Cavite arsenal led by Sergeant Fernando La Madrid staged a revolt and killed Spanish officers on sight including the commanding officer, after Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo imposed a personal tax on them.
General Felipe Ginoves led a regiment and besieged Fort San Felipe until all the mutineers surrendered. Most were executed while some were imprisoned.
The Spanish authorities then used the mutiny to tag as masterminds prominent Filipinos, and the three secular priests for their advocacy in promoting equal rights among priests and leading a campaign against Spanish friars.
They were at the forefront for secularization in the Philippines and became a threat to the Spanish clergy.
The martyrdom of the priests angered the Filipinos. It paved the way for the first stirrings for the Philippine Revolution.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal dedicated his second book, El Filibusterismo to the memory of GOMBURZA.
He wrote, “The Government, by enshrouding your trial in mystery and pardoning your co-accused, has suggested that some mistake was committed when your fate was decided; and the whole of the Philippines, in paying homage to your memory and calling you martyrs, totally rejects your guilt. The Church, by refusing to degrade you, has put in doubt the crime charged against you.”
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
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