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SETTING:
In August, 1896,
the Katipunan was
prematurely
discovered by the Spanish authorities. Bonifacio escaped
capture and on the
26th of that month, at Balintawak on the outskirts
of Manila, raised
the cry of revolt
[NOTE: The action commonly referred to as “The Cry of Balintawak” actually
happened in Pugadlawin, History of
the
Filipino People
by Agoncillo, 8th ed.].
Rizal, who had
earlier
refused to lead
the revolt, volunteered for service in Cuba as an army
surgeon, but was
brought back when already on his way there to stand
trial for his life
on a charge of treason. While awaiting trial, he
tried to stop the
rebellion by writing a "Manifesto to Certain
Filipinos." The
Spanish authorities decided not to release it,
for as
the Judge Advocate
General noted, "Dr. Jose Rizal limits himself
to
criticizing the
present insurrectionary movement as premature," and
that "as far as
Rizal is concerned, the whole question is one of
opportunity, not
of principles and objectives;" and hence that "a
message of this
sort, far from promoting peace, is likely to stimulate
for the future the
spirit of rebellion." -- by Horacio de la Costa, Readings in Philippine
History (Bookmark, 1992)
MANIFESTO TO CERTAIN FILIPINOS
by José Rizal
Fellow countrymen: Upon my return from Spain I learned that my name
was being used as a
rallying cry by some who had taken up arms. This
information surprised
and grieved me but thinking that the whole
affair was finished, I
refrained from commenting on something that
could no longer be
remedied. Now, rumors reach me that the
disturbances have not
ceased. It may be that persons continue to use
my name in good or in
bad faith; if so, wishing to put a stop to this
abuse and to undeceive
the gullible, I hasten to address these lines
to you that the truth
may be known. From the very beginning, when I
first received
information of what was being planned, I opposed it, I
fought against it, and
I made clear that it was absolutely impossible.
This is the truth, and
they are still alive who can bear witness to my
words. I was convinced
that the very idea was wholly absurd -- worse
than absurd -- it was
disastrous. I did more than this. When later on,
in spite of my
urgings, the uprising broke out, I came forward
voluntarily to offer
not only my services but my life and even my good
name in order that
they may use me in any manner they may think
opportune to smother
the rebellion. For I was convinced of the evils
which that rebellion
would bring in its train, and so I considered it
a privilege if at
whatever sacrifice I could ward off so much useless
suffering. This is
also of record.
Fellow countrymen: I
have given many proofs that I desire as much as
the next man liberties
for our country; I continue to desire them. But
I laid down as a
prerequisite the education of the people in order
that by means of such
instruction, and by hard work, they may acquire
a personality of their
own and so become worthy of such liberties. In
my writings I have
recommended study and the civic virtues, without
which no redemption is
possible. I have also written (and my words
have been repeated by
others) that reforms, if they are to bear fruit,
must come from above,
for reforms that come from below are upheavals
both violent and
transitory. Thoroughly imbued with these ideas, I
cannot do less than
condemn, as I do condemn, this ridiculous and
barbarous uprising,
plotted behind my back, which both dishonors us
Filipinos and
discredits those who might have taken our part. I
abominate the crimes
for which it is responsible and I will have no
part in it. With all
my heart I am sorry for those who have rashly
allowed themselves to
be deceived. Let them, then, return to their
homes, and may God
pardon those who have acted in bad faith. |
