From a young age, he was obsessed with independence for his country from the oppression of the Spanish. He is considered a de facto national hero of the Philippines. Bonifacio is also considered by some Filipino historians to be the first president of the Philippines, but he is not officially recognized.In the beginning he joined the ‘La Liga Filipina’ The Philippine League an organization that fought for reform during the Spanish rule. The group’s aims were to unite the whole archipelago into one vigorous and consistent organization.
For defense against all violence and injustice, ‘La Liga Filipina’ was a progressive organization created by Dr. Jose Rizal in the Philippines. Jose Rizal was a Filipino polymath, nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.He was a unique man of outstanding talents he was named patriot, physician and man of letters whose life and literary works were an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement. He was a defender of institutional reforms by peaceful means rather than by violent revolution. He is considered a national hero of the Philippines, but the Spanish government suspected the group was dangerous and a threat.
They had Rizal arrested and was implicated in the activities of the potential rebellion and in July 1892, was deported to Dapitan in the province of Zamboanga, a peninsula of Mindanao.Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution. When Bonifacio learned that Rizal had been exiled, he knew that the days of peaceful reform were over. He understood it would take no less than an armed revolution to free the Philippines from Spanish rule. Unlike Rizal and other people in the reform movement, Bonifacio believed that the Philippines should be completely separated from Spain. On the night of July 7, 1892 the same day he was told the news that Rizal had been exiled, Bonifacio met secretly with his friends at a house on Azcarraga Street Tondo.
Together with his two friends Ladislao Diwa and Teodoro Plata, he formed the first triangle of a secret society which created the initials K. K. K. The three letters stood for ‘Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan nang mga Anak nangBayan’ or ‘Katipunan’ for short.
p It wanted The Katipunan wanted to free the Philippines from Spain, by force of arms if necessary. Its members, called Katipuneros, were taught to make and use weapons. The Katipunan saw all men, rich or poor, as equals.The Katipuneros were taught to provide support for one another in times of sickness and need.
The society took care of its sick. If a member died, the Katipunan helped to pay the cost of a simple funeral. To keep the Katipunan from being discovered by the Spaniards, new members were enlisted through the ‘Triangle Method’. A recruiter would ask two members to join. That recruiter would know the names of the two members, but the recruits themselves would not know each other.
So therefore a member’s knowledge about the group was limited and controlled.Bonifacio and the other members performed a blood compact and used their blood to sign their names as members of the society. Being a freemason, meaning It is made up of men who are concerned with moral and spiritual values and who pursue a way of life that complements their religious, family and community relations. They searchfor a better way of life and treat all men as equal regardless of race, religion or social standing. The Katipunan used principles of masonry in its organization.
They implemented codes, hand signals, symbols and secret initiation ceremonies in accepting new members. The use of the ‘Triangle Method’, works well in their favour as it limits the risk of being exploited. Therefore the members are exclusive to the secrets and information that is shared within the ‘KKK’. The use of blood, represent the sincerity and loyalty that the members are willing to put there on life at risk to fight for the freedom for their country.
Apart from the use of blood as promise in the membership, a new recruit would be asked 3 significant questions.Any man who wanted to join the Katipunan had to pass first a number of tests to prove his courage and sincerity. Wearing a black robe, the new recruit was led blindfolded into a darkly lit room. He was told to answer these questions: (1) "In what condition did the Spaniards find the Filipino people when they came? ” (2) "In what condition do they find themselves now? ” and (3) what hope do the Filipino people have for the future? " This was followed by other tests for the new recruit.
The final test was the ‘sandugo’ or "Blood compact".The recruit was asked to make a small cut on his left forearm with a sharp knife. He then signed the Katipunan oat in his own blood. Afterwards, the new member chose a symbolic name for himself. For example, Bonifacio was called "Maypag-asa" (Hopeful). Women who joined the Katipunan were restricted to the wives, daughters, or close relatives of the Katipuneros.
The women’s chapter of the Katipunan was formed in July 1893. Only about thirty females were known to have joined this secret society. The women did not have to seal their membership with a blood compact.During Katipunan meetings, they wore green masks, and white sashes with green borders.
Sometimes they carried revolvers or daggers. They usually served as lookouts in the ‘outer sala’ (living room) while the men held their secret meetings in the backroom. This serves as another advantage to the ‘KKK’, by allowing women’s membership into the group works as an effective disguise. While the meetings are in session the women serve as lookouts and also messengers. They serve the members food in meetings and ceremonies.
As no enemy would suspect a woman behind rebellious movement like the ‘KKK’, the members were from a range of classes. Some men were poor and worked during the day as farmers and rebel soldiers in the night. Bonifacio also had experience the slavery and the abuse which fuelled his power and determination to lead the ‘KKK’ and the Philippenes to freedom. Even though Bonifacio lacked in education he managed to learn the basics of reading and writing, he read books that inspired his actions and leadership. Particularly the works of Jose Rizal, whose leadership and passion inspired him.
In March 1896 there was a publication of ‘Kalayaan’ featuring Bonifacio’s writings including a poem "Love for the Homeland". Katipunan membership increased from less than 300 members in January 1896 to about 300,000 to 400,000 by August. Bonifacio became the central force in uniting and organizing the society. It was only when the first set of leaders failed to live up to their responsibilities that Bonifacio established his leadership of the Katipunan and was eventually elected supremo. Due to it's size in numbers the Spanish soon discovered the Katipunan.
They began making arrests of any filipinos who were actual or suspected members of the group. Bonifacio gave orders to different chapters of the Katipunan in various parts of the Philippines and began the revolution. The revolutions spread rapidly throughout the country, most successfully in Cavite where they were able to set free town after town. In the province the Katipunan were divided in two; the Magdalo (headed by Emilio Aguinaldo) and the Magdiwang (headed by Mariano Alvarez). There was conflict between the two and Bonifacio was called to settle differences.Once Bonifacio arrived in Tejeros, it was decided that they would elect officials of a revolutinary government, and Bonifacio made it certain that the result was to be respected by everyone.
Aguinaldo was elected president, and Bonifacio, the Secretary of the Interior. Following this, Bonifacio's group went to Naik and drew up a Naik Military Agreement declaring a separate government from the one established at Tejeros. Because of this Aguinaldo ordered the arrest of Bonifacio and his men, being charged with treason against revolutionary government of Aguinaldo.On May 1897, Bonifacio was shot and executed at the foot of Mount Buntis.
He was buried in a shallow grave marked only by a few twigs and leaves. The ‘KKK’ faced many challenges as fellow Katipuneros within the group were in dispute and struggled to organize the members throughout the Philippines, the members and their families were continuously in hiding. As for Andres Bonifacio, he faced the challenge of betrayal from one of his own friend and member. Bonifacio is a recognized patriot in the Philippines for his efforts in overthrowing the Spanish, and is better known as 'The father of the revolution’.
He is honoured with his image on the current Philippine peso. Earlier this image was on both the 10 peso note and coin. November 30, the date of his birth, is Bonifacio Day and a national holiday. Which arise the dispute between who is the rightful hero of the Philippines? The nation believed that even though Jose Rizal believed that the country could fight without weapons and influenced others through his knowledge and written work, but it was Andres Bonifacio who made the action that won the Philippines their freedom.
