On the Trail of Rizal's Relation with the Katipunan

Rizal Stance?

Primary sources and what others termed as established facts point out that José Rizal disowned the 1896 Revolution led by Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan. In his manifesto to the Filipino people, written during his trial, he stated:

"On my return from Spain, I learned that my name had been used as a war cry among some who were in arms". ....

 "From the beginning, when I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it, fought it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. this is the truth, and there are living witnesses of my words. I was convinced that the idea (the revolution) was highly absurd and what was worse, would bring suffering. I did more. When later, in spite of my counsels, the movement broke out. I spontaneously offered not only my services but my life and even my name to be used in any manner thought opportune in order to suppress the rebellion."

 "Holding this ideas, I cannot do less than to condemn, and I do condemn, this absurd and savage rebellion, plotted behind my back, which dishonors the Filipinos and discredits those who could can be our advocates. I abhor this criminal activities and reject any manner of participation in them, condoling with all heartfelt sadness with those who have been unwary enough to have been fooled. Return then, to your homes, and may God forgive those who have acted in bad faith."


The mentioned manifesto was never published. The Spanish Judge Advocate General recommended to Governor Polavieja that it be suppressed. Many historians believe that Rizal was spared the potential shame of having his manifesto misinterpreted and disobeyed by the Filipinos in arms.

Rizal, in his defense against charges of his association with the Katipunan, pointed out to the court:

"I know nothing of the Katipunan and have had no relations or correspondence with them. I do not know Andres Bonifacio, even by name...

"I have absolutely nothing to do with politics from the 6th July 1892 until the 1st of July 1896  when I was informed by Pio Valenzuela that an uprising would be attempted, I advised against it and tried to reason him out of it".

Andres Bonifacio

Flashback: Before 1896

On July 3rd, 1892, merely a week after his return from Hong Kong, Jose Rizal established the "Liga Filipina." The inauguration took place that very July evening at No. 176 Ilaya, Tondo, Manila, with Ambrosio Salvador assuming the presidency, Agustin de la Rosa as the Fiscal, Bonifacio Arevalo as Treasurer, and Deodato Arellano as Secretary. Concurrently, Rizal encountered notable patriots—members of the recently formed "Liga"—who would later play significant roles in our history. Among these patriots were figures like Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Timoteo Paez, and others. 

The aims of the "Liga Filipina" were to unite the entire archipelago into a single cohesive entity, provide mutual protection in times of need, defend against all forms of violence and injustice, promote education, agriculture, and commerce, and engage in the study and implementation of reforms.

Four days after the founding of the "Liga Filipina," Rizal was arrested and subsequently deported to Dapitan. His deportation marked the end of the moderate approach and marked the beginning of belief in armed struggle. On that very day, in a concealed gathering, Andres Bonifacio and his compatriots within the besieged "Liga" established the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Katipunan). This more radical group had a primary objective: achieving the independence of the entire archipelago through armed revolution.

Bonifacio's Banner

One could not imagine a more fitting Tagalog translation for the Spanish term 'La Liga'; one word aligned perfectly: 'Katipunan.'

The clandestine society grew day by day. Even in exile, José Rizal played a significant role, at least in its rituals and daily practices. Teodoro Agoncillo, in his book 'The Revolt of the Masses,' wrote: 'When studying the method, procedure, and structure of the Katipunan, one is inevitably led to the conclusion that the society, as it was, drew inspiration from Masonry in terms of initiation rites and partly from Rizal's La Liga Filipina in matters concerning structure.'

Rizal's name served as a password and battle cry for the Katipunan. His portraits adorned the majority of its secret gatherings. Was José Rizal the living inspiration of the Katipunan?

The Women's Chapter of the Katipunan

When did Rizal first become aware of the existence of this secret society, which was gaining prominence day by day and even catching the attention of Spanish authorities? If he ever came across the term "Katipunan," did he perhaps perceive its nearly perfect correspondence with the word "Liga"? Was he preoccupied with his exile and Josephine Bracken, leaving him indifferent to such matters?

In Teodoro Agoncillo's "The Revolt of the Masses," it is mentioned: "Prominent women from different communities were initiated into the Katipunan in the mid-1893. Among these women were Josefa Rizal (sister of Jose Rizal) and Angelica Rizal Lopez (niece). Both women later held positions within the women's chapter. Josefa Rizal served as President, while Angelica Rizal Lopez held the position of Fiscal." Agoncillo, quoting the memoirs of Gregoria de Jesus, also referred to the Katipunan wedding rites of Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus, attended by officer-members of the secret society, including Trinidad and Josefa Rizal. Drawing from these sources, could it be speculated that substantial interactions existed between the Rizal sisters and the Katipunan before the revolution? Is it possible that Jose Rizal had prior knowledge of the Katipunan's existence long before his pivotal encounter with Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan in mid-July 1896? It seems highly unlikely that given his stature, Rizal would not have been consulted by his sisters regarding the Katipunan's existence. Perhaps Rizal was too absorbed to lend an ear, or maybe they intentionally refrained from discussing it? The latter, however, seems remote. Rizal's reputation was too prominent for his family to disregard. It is inconceivable that they would not have sought his counsel about this clandestine society.

And when Pio Valenzuela sought consultation with Rizal in Dapitan, it's noteworthy that he arrived on the same ship as Trinidad did—could this be mere coincidence?

Trinidad Rizal

A Family Oppressed

If there was a family in 19th century Philippines that can truly be said to have endured the heavy burdens imposed by both the friars and a dysfunctional colonial system, it would undoubtedly be the Mercado-Rizal family of Calamba, Laguna.

The saga commenced with Doña Teodora Alonzo, the family matriarch, who found herself ensnared in an unjust web of accusations. She was falsely charged with attempting to poison her brother's wife, an ordeal that led to her being compelled to undertake a grueling 50-kilometer walk from Calamba to the provincial capital of Santa Cruz. Subsequently, she endured nearly two and a half years of imprisonment within the capital.

Following this, the Calamba land dispute erupted in the 1890s, inflicting further hardship upon the Rizals and neighboring families. They were ruthlessly uprooted from their homes and lands by Spanish authorities, acting upon the behest of the alleged owner of the estate, the Dominicans. Paciano and two brothers-in-law faced exile in Mindoro, while another was banished to Bohol. Doña Teodora, along with her sisters Josefa and Trinidad, were summoned by the authorities. Astonishingly, Doña Teodora was subjected to yet another preposterous allegation, this time regarding the manner in which she declared her name. Authorities contended that she should identify herself as Teodora Realonda y Rizal, rather than the simple Teodora Alonzo. Thus, for a second time, the mother of Rizal, then aged 64 and nearly blind, was compelled to traverse the entire afternoon's journey to Santa Cruz, with one of her daughters serving as her guide.

In the face of such profound injustice, who could resist radicalization? Who could remain unmoved by the allure of the Katipunan? Did the women of the Rizal family perceive the society as a means to rectify the wrongs they had endured?

Survival Mode?

During Rizal's defense, wherein he staunchly denied any affiliation with the Katipunan, he found himself engaged in an intense battle for his very survival. What tumultuous thoughts occupied his mind during those moments? Conceivably, a desire to elude the clutches of death, to endure and continue the struggle on a future occasion, might have coursed through his consciousness. Could it be that he was already privy to the Katipunan's existence well before his encounter with Pio Valenzuela, and that his apparent discouragement of armed uprising wasn't borne out of an outright opposition, but rather a conviction that the timing was premature?


Overtaken by Event - Devoured by Saturn

Overtaken by the events, by the inexorable sweep of the revolution—such is the characterization that befits Rizal during his final days. Delving deeper into this narrative, it becomes evident that Rizal was not the sole individual consumed by these events. The grip of being overtaken extended to all those embroiled in this history: Bonifacio, the Katipunan, the Rizal Family, and indeed, the entire nation. The ideas that Rizal disseminated, the sparks of inspiration ignited in 1872, unfurled like a wildfire that spiraled beyond restraint. The envisioned changes Rizal harbored, the kind of revolution he aspired to, had assumed an altered visage.

"Like Saturn, the revolution devours its own children," a quotation attributed to Genevan Jacques Mallet du Pan, serves as a poignant allusion to the tumultuous days of the French Revolution, during which some of its prominent figures faced execution. Drawing a parallel, the haunting masterpiece by Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, titled "Saturn Devouring His Children," paints a grim tableau of the revolution's offspring meeting tragic ends sequentially. As the relentless currents of change swept through, Rizal found himself among the initial casualties, soon to be joined by the fate of Bonifacio, their roles absorbed by the insatiable forces of transformation. In similar fashion, the Katipunan, as an entity, would encounter the same destiny—engulfed by the unyielding maw of unceasing change.

  

Uncommon Silence

Did Rizal manage to reconcile the complexities surrounding him and the Katipunan? One could speculate. Before his execution, he surreptitiously concealed papers and messages within his shoes and garments. Could one of those messages have been another manifesto aligning with the revolution? Regrettably, we shall never gain certainty.

In the aftermath of Rizal's execution, the Rizal family recovered a note from within his gas burner. This note transpired to be a verse, his poignant farewell—a poem now renowned as "Ultimo Adios." The initial recipients of copies were the Katipuneros, dispatched to them by the Rizals.

The intricate interplay between Rizal and the Katipunan inevitably directs us toward one central figure: Paciano Rizal. He stands as the individual who likely possessed the deepest insights. During his early involvement with Father Burgos, Paciano exposed the young Rizal to socio-political matters, such as the events of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny. Allegedly, the two brothers entered a mutual commitment: Jose Rizal would pursue his studies for the country's redemption. Paciano orchestrated Jose's journey to Spain and meticulously shepherded his educational pursuits, even making pivotal decisions about the choice of institution. As the leader of the Calamba tenants, Paciano confronted the Dominicans. Under duress, he was interrogated regarding his brother's association with the Katipunan. Furthermore, he dissuaded the Katipunan from executing a planned rescue of Rizal.

Paciano embodied the "concealed Katipunero" within the family, even ascending to the rank of General. Given his evident influence among the organization's leaders, it is conceivable that his ties with them ran deeper than traditionally perceived.

However, with the onset of the American occupation, Paciano's voice fell silent. Curiously, he never revisited the topic of his younger brother. Why this uncommon silence?