Rizal and Burgos

Rizal and Burgos

Roman Catholic priest who advocated the reform of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

Burgos studied at San Juan de Letran College and the University of Santo Tomás in Manila, earning a doctorate of philosophy and a licentiate in canon law. His scholarship and ability enabled him to rise quickly within the Philippine hierarchy, serving both in the university cathedral at Manila and as university chaplain. Si Padre Burgos ay naging aktibong kasapi ng kilusan na pinamumunuan ni Padre Pedro Pelaez. He was dismayed, however, by the apathetic and reactionary attitudes of the clergy, who supported the most oppressive aspects of Spanish rule. In “To the Spanish People,” an open letter of 1871, he appealed for reform and a greater measure of self-determination for the Filipinos and attacked the power and privilege of the church. When 200 Filipino soldiers and workers mutinied at Cavite, a town across the bay from Manila, the Spanish authorities, as a retaliatory measure, arrested Burgos, although he was in no way associated with the revolt. On Feb. 17, 1872, he and two other priests, Mariano Gómez and Jacinto Zamora, were publicly executed in Manila.

After the Cavite Mutiny on January 20, 1872, the trial of mutineer Sergeant Bonifacio Octavo revealed that a man named Zaldua had been recruiting people for an uprising. Octavo testified that this man claimed to be under the orders of Burgos, but inconsistent details during Octavo's cross-examinations called into question the validity of his testimony. Nevertheless, Gov. Rafael Izquierdo reported to Madrid that the testimony had confirmed his suspicions, and pinned the blame on Burgos and two other priests, Fr. Jacinto Zamora and Fr. Mariano Gomez.

Burgos’ death, in convincing many Filipinos that Spanish rule was an intolerable evil, sparked a movement that was to culminate in the expulsion. Died at 35.

Rizal and Bonifacio

They both wanted freedom for the Filipinos that long been controlled by the...