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The Katipunan Finally Starts a Revolution
The Katipunan is born
Andres Bonifacio was also a member of
La Liga Filipina,
although he soon lost hope in gaining reforms though peaceful means. This
feeling was especially heightened when Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan.
Bonifacio became convinced that the only way the
Philippines could
gain independence was through a revolution.
Bonifacio then founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga
Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro
M. Recto), in Tondo Manila.
The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they
performed the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed
his name with his own blood..
The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of
enlistment. Each original member would recruit tow new members who were not
related to each other. Each new member would do the same thing, and so on down
the line. Members were also asked to contribute one
Real (about 25 centavos)
each month in order to raise funds for the association.
The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:
▪ The political goal was to completely separate the
Philippines from Spain after declaring the country’s independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good
manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard themselves against
religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help
themselves and to defend the poor oppressed.
The “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) was the highest governing body
of the Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a
“Sangguaniang Bayan” (Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council).
The Leaders of the Katipunan:
▪ Deodato Arellano -Supremo
▪ Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal
▪ Teodora Plata -Secretary
▪ Valentine Diaz -treasurer
▪ Andres Bonifacio -controller
Jose Rizal and the Katipunan
 Jose Rizal never
became involved in the organization and activities of the Katipunan; but the
Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizal’s name was used
as a password among the society’s highest-ranking members, who were called bayani.
Andres Bonifacio had
already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days, although Rizal did not know
Bonifacio personally Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected Rizal’s intelligence and
talent that in June 1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek Rizal’s
advice on the planned revolution.
Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people
were not yet ready and they did not have enough weapons. He suggested that the
Katipunan obtain the support of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in
order to gain financial assistance. He also recommended Antonio Luna as
commander of its armed forces, since Luna had much knowledge and expertise in
military tactics.
Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizal’s advice to
Bonifacio, who admitted that it would indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight
without enough weapons. However, there was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacio
ordered his men to prepare for battle. He directed them to store enough food and
other supplies. Battle plans were made with the help of Emilio Jacinto. It was suggested
that the revolutionary headquarters be located near the seas or mountains to provide
for an easy retreat, if necessary.
The Katipunan is Discovered
Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had
long been in circulation, although no solid evidence could be found to support them.
The big break as far as the Spanish authorities was concerned, came on August 19, 1896
when a KKK member, Teodoro Patiño told his sister Honoria about the existence of the
Katipunan. Patiño was a worker in the printing press of Diario de Manila. Honoria
was then living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.
The information upset Honoria so much that she told the orphanage’s Mother Superior, Sor Teresa de Jesus,
what her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek the advice of Father Mariano Gil, the
parish priest of Tondo.
After hearing Patiño’s revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several
Guardias Civiles immediately searched the premises of Diario de Manila and found
evidence of the Katipunan’s existence. The governor general was quickly
informed. The printing press was padlocked and hundreds of suspected KKK members
were arrested.
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