Opening Statement (Affirmative)

1872 Cavite Mutiny was an important event that has happened in Philippine history. This mutiny paved
way for a momentous 1898, the year the Philippines acquired its Independence. The mutiny also
awakens the nationalist and patriot hearts of Filipinos which encouraged them to fight for their
independence.

We the affirmative section believe that the Filipino version of Cavite Mutiny is more reliable and as the
first speaker I will tackle various reasons why Filipino version is more acceptable. The first reason is
based on the account of Edmund Plauchut a French adventurer and a journalist, vice president of the
board of directors of Association Internationale des Philippinistes in Paris who was then residing in
Manila and a witnessed of GOMBURZA execution, who wrote an account in the Parisian periodical
Revue des deux mondes (Review of the Two Worlds) about the event which was then published in La
Solidaridad in 1892. This makes his account a primary source because he is present in the said event and
thus reliable and has credibility. His version of the mutiny stated that the uprising was because of the
labor dispute and unfair decisions of the Governor General regarding the tributes and forced labor and
that the three martyr priests were innocent and even included in his account of the then secret letter of
Archbishop Meliton Martinez to the Spanish Regent, written in 1870, which contains the reasons for the
protest.
Additionally, he refers to the three priests on their way to execution as being cheered by the Filipinos as
“those who were going to die for having dreamed of the independence of their country” as well as the
conversation of Bosaca, the executioner of Gomez and Padre Gomez and after the said protest, Plauchut
continued to relay that the Archbishop of Manila sent an invitation to P. Jose Burgos and his friends to
sign a pledge of fidelity and loyalty to Spain. The second reason is the account of Dr. Trinidad
Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scholar and researcher. His version corroborated with
Plauchut’s version that the mutiny was because of the dissatisfaction of Filipinos with the abolition of
their privileges and that just reacted to the harsh policy of the new governor-general, Rafael de
Izquierdo, who whimsically terminated the old-time privileges such as the exemption from paying
annual tribute and from rendering forced labor or Polo y Servicio and not to overthrow the Spanish
rule.. They are too abusive of their power because they knew that we do not have the power to fight.
We Filipino are called Indios and know nothing but when it comes to rights we fight for it. Spaniards are
taking advantage of us in our own land. We are forced to do labors and everything is not enough for
them and that was really injustice. Because of this, the will of the Filipinos to fight for their freedom got
stronger that they initiate an uprising. Maybe this uprising is not a good way on fighting for what is right
and just but Filipinos left with no choice but to fight and give a shot in fighting their work. Filipinos
spread out the wrongdoings of Spanish. But is it bad to fight for your rights more especially to your own
country whether you know from the start you have small chances on winning it? If only the Spanish treat
us fairly, there will be no mutiny but since they are unfair it forces the Filipino to do what they think is
right. I do not speak because I am a Filipino but to the fact how Spanish see us as a laborer and not a
human.

Opening Statement (Negative)

We, the opposition side stand that the Spanish version is more reliable. This house believes that the
Cavite mutiny was an uprising by the Filipinos against the Spanish government. The Filipinos so clearly
revolted out of their own free will. Although it may seem like it was because of the abolition of benefits,
written evidence by Jose Montero y Vidal, a Spanish official in Manila at the time, an expert Spanish
historian who highlighted the Filipinos’ attempt to overthrow the Spanish government is the fullest
account of the mutiny itself. The writings show that a Spanish sergeant reported the plot of the Filipinos.
He discovered this through his lover and immediately reported it to Izquierdo. Izquierdo also received
other anonymous reports that put him on high alert even before the mutiny. According to him, the
event was premeditated and the primary instigator were the three priests ― GOMBURZA, and its
caused was not only just because of the uplifting of the tax exemptions to the laborers of the Cavite
Arsenal but also a revolt to overthrow the Spanish rule from assassination of the Governor-General to
general massacre of all Spaniards including the friars.

Additionally, from the records of Schumacher, the populating reason behind the Cavite Mutiny is just
clothing. The idea that the arsenals and workers have initiated the uprising because of labor issues is not
the true reason. In fact, the event was planned with the goal of pulling off power the Spanish officials
and the secularization. It has been told the Filipino force has connived with the other troops in Manila
for greater force. However, the expected additional force from Manila did not happen. All Spaniards
were to be killed, including the friars, except the women, and they would proclaim the independence of
the country. Now isn’t this an act of revolution? Involving innocents in such mutiny is clearly a revolt to
overthrow the Spanish regime. Meanwhile, the interesting part of this event is that the troops involved
in the mutiny were not all Filipinos. In fact, Spaniards in the identity of Montesinos and Morquecho have
participated in this activity. The first speaker of the affirmative side mentioned the account of Pardo de
Tavera stating that Pardo denies that there was any plot to overthrow Spanish rule, and sees the Cavite
Mutiny simply as an uprising due to the disaffection of the arsenal workers who had been deprived of
their traditional exemption from tribute and the Filipino troops who sympathized with them. This is
wrong because the conspiracy had been going with utmost secrecy since the days of Liguria who served
as governor-general of the Philippines from 1869 to 1871 and is considered to be the most beloved of
the Spanish governor's general ever assigned in the Philippines. Take also as proof that those who had
expressed reformist or anti-friar sentiments under the governorship of De la Torre were plotting to
overthrow Spanish sovereignty. Hence they persuaded the government to inflict severe and exemplary
punishments on all kinds of people without inquiring carefully into their guilt. We should not believe
everything we read just because it was taken by our own race. In conclusion as your first speaker of the
opposition team believe that the side of Spanish is more reliable than what the Filipino version has been
saying thank you.

Rebuttal 1

Good morning everyone. To our judges and audience. The topic of this debate is about who is more
reliable: the Filipino or the Spanish Side. I am setting the parameter with the Philippines and Spanish
country only. To prove our side we will give arguments that will support our claim. First of, the unfairly
decision of the Spanish Gov’t which is lead by Governador- General Rafael Izquierdo threatens those
people to give taxes to the workers in that area but in the first place these taxes may be paid by means
of money or forced labor on the politician or the polo y servicio, other than that when the workers had
their salary it has already been reduced cause by the tax.
Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scholar and researcher. In his point of view, the
incident was a mere mutiny by the native Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal who turned
out to be dissatisfied with the abolition of their privileges. Indirectly, Tavera blamed Gov. Izquierdo’s
cold-blooded policies such as the abolition of privileges of the workers and native army members of the
arsenal and the prohibition of the founding of school of arts and trades for the Filipinos, which the
general believed as a cover-up for the organization of a political club.Rebellion starts when Spanish
Government sentenced unreasonable punishment to the innocent priest namely Fr. Jose Burgos, Fr.
Mariano Gomez, and Fr. Jacinto Zamora which is known as GomBurZa. Sentencing Death to the innocent
priest is a move of the Spanish Gov’t to increase their power in the society.

Rebuttal 1

To be reliable means to be trustworthy, Hello everyone, this is the leader of the opposition and this
house believes that the Spanish side is more reliable. I would like to state 3 arguments why I am in this
side. First, yes, it was stated in both version that the primary reason of the uprising is because of the
abolishment of privileges enjoyed of the labours of Cavite arsenal but according to the historian John
Schumacher there is a written proof that governor-general Rafael himself wrote the abolition of the
privileges such as non-payment of tributes and exemption from forced labour were not the main reason
but the desire of the Filipinos to be free from the ruling system of the Spanish well it was normal for the
Filipinos to fight for their rights but initiating the uprising is not a good way to get the freedom you
wanted, Meanwhile, Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo’s official report magnified the event and made use of it
to implicate the native clergy, which was then active in the call for secularization.

Rebuttal 2

In line with this we stand that the Filipino version is more reliable because of the work of Antonio
Regidor which appeared in 1900 in the Madrid newspaper Filipinas ante Europa. Obviously an account
from one of those most involved in the reformist movement prior to 1872 is of the greatest value from
the point of view of the knowledge possessed by its author. He stated that the mutiny was the result of
a plan originating from a meeting of leading friars of all the orders, at which it was decided to create
such an occasion so as to bring about the elimination of the anti-friar reformists, particularly the leaders
of the Filipino secular clergy. The plot is attributed by Regidor to Fathers Castro and Treserra of the
Dominicans, Father Huertas of the Franciscans, Father Herrero of the Augustinians, and Father Cuartero
of the Recoletos. We stand that the Filipino version of Cavite munity is more reliable and it tells about all
the facts and issues that happened in that era, it includes injustices act that happen when Spaniard
killed more than 200 local soldiers including civilians that is not part of the mutiny just like the
GomBurZa. The Spaniards executed the soldiers that has a lower ranking local soldiers which is Filipino
soldiers and the other soldiers that participated in the mutiny that have a high rank which is the
Spaniards because only Spaniards are allowed to sit, led, and to have a higher position in that time and
that is also one of the injustice. The Spaniards don't have a fair treatment to Filipinos.
The higher ranking Spaniards or officers are thrown away to different countries instead of executing
them, they just thrown away in different countries as a punishment. It shows here the unfair practices
and injustice acts. Filipinos don’t deserve to be treated as a slave, Filipinos are not a tools, if only the
Spaniards gave the all the rights and needs of Filipinos there would not be mutiny or revolution. If only
the Spaniards treated Filipinos fairly and just. As a second speaker i stand and believe at the version of
the Filipino.

Rebuttal 2

The version of the mutiny from Governor General Raphael Izquierdo himself makes the Spanish version
more reliable. The two accounts complimented and corroborated with account of Montero. The military
events of the mutiny, together with an account of the nature of the plot behind it, and with his
suspicions as to its instigators, are contained in a sixty-page letter of Izquierdo to the Overseas Minister.
Izquierdo's comprehensive account- accompanied by a report to him of the acting commander of the
Navy, detailing its part is of great importance, inasmuch as it is a confidential letter to a superior, and
possesses great credibility for what in fact had happened, on which he was by this time well informed.
There was no reason for him to distort these facts to the Overseas Minister. According to Izquierdo, the
revolt was to begin in the early hours after midnight in Manila, with the signal to the rebels in Cavite
being given by skyrockets. It has been said that the rebels in Cavite mistook the fireworks from the
Sampaloc fiesta for the agreed upon signal. Meanwhile, the interesting part of this event is that the
troops involved in the mutiny were not all Filipinos. In fact, Spaniards in the identity of Montesinos and
Morquecho have participated in this activity most likely out of resentment at their own imprisonment,
especially Montesinos, who had been imprisoned for gambling debts several times and rearrested after
escaping. Their participation in the revolt is a strong argument to support Izquierdo’s contention that
the revolt was not a mere mutiny over grievances, but a revolt intending to throw off Spanish rule. I also
want to emphasize that the two accounts of Montero and the Rafael Izquierdo suggested that the
conspirators of Manila and Cavite planned to liquidate high-ranking Spanish officers to be followed by
the massacre of the friars. In conclusion, based on the evidence presented, we stand that the Spanish
version is more reliable.

Rebuttal 3

We, the affirmative side strongly stand the Filipino version is more reliable. Our reason for this is the
execution of three priest (GomBurZa). The Spaniard used this mutiny as a cloth to execute those who
are up for governmental reforms like secularization in which was led by Padre Burgos. The three priests
were innocent but were executed. We are already aware of what all Filipino suffered under the hands of
Spaniards rulings which Jose Rizal also provides an evidence about it, providing his books El
Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere. The Spanish government did not know and did not want to know
anything about the friars in the Philippines. Anyone who act with contradicting implication about Spain
government, considered as personal enemies as enemies of Spain, handling them over to the
constabulary to be tortured. When Father Burgos as the leader of Filipino secular clergy, appealed to the
Spanish throne for the recovery of the parishes which the Spanish government had taken from them
and given to the friars, confining themselves to missionary work. Although Burgos and his companions,
Gomez and Zamora, had worked for the rights, of a particular class and not of the people as a whole, yet
they asked for justice and died for having asked. Those in authority who refused to do what the friars
wished lost their jobs, and the most liberal minister in Spain, when in powers did whatever the friars
wanted. The friars wanted to make an example of Burgos and his companions so that the Filipinos
should be afraid to go against them from then on. But that patent injustice, that official crime, aroused
not fear but hatred of the friars and of the regime that supported them, and a profound sympathy and
sorrow for the victims. GomBurZa are proud of being executed disregards the reason that Filipino are
with the control of Spaniards but instead they believe that they are innocent and they believe that by
means of their execution, Filipino’s will become free and this colonization will end. They accept the
death, as sentenced with them with their faith.

Rebuttal 3

We, the opposition side will present our evidence as to why the Spanish version of the Cavite Mutiny is
more reliable. Our evidence is based on the interrogation of Sgt. Bonifacio Octavo which can be
considered a primary source. From the interrogation of Sgt. Bonifacio Octavo the following September,
it became clear that the revolt had been planned at least as early as November or December 1871, when
Octavo says he was first approached by the marine corporal, Pedro Manonson, who urged him to give
his name to a list on a document urging the Filipino soldiers to rebel against Spain. Manonson told him
that the list had come from the Caviteño civilian, Francisco Zaldua. Zaldua recruited the soldiers in
Cavite, promising them various incentives, and assuring them that the priests and lawyers were behind
the revolt, perhaps even telling them, as claimed that the priests were offering masses for the success of
the revolt and thus it could not fail. From Zaldua they would learn that the king was to be Burgos,
probably including Zamora with him. Behind Zaldua, perhaps paying him for his activity, were the two
Caviteños, Maximo Inocencio and Crisanto de los Reyes, both wealthy men. From this, we came to an
analysis that cruel leaders are replaced only to have new leaders turn cruel. This definitely happened in
the Philippines. Although the revolution of the Filipinos became successful, in today it is in no denial that
we are still in the hands of cruel leaders. In conclusion, although the removal of the exemption of
arsenal workers from the tribute and compulsory labor was not the cause of the revolt, even though it
may have contributed to the unrest. The revolt in Cavite was not a mere mutiny, but part of a
plannedconspiracy.

Rebuttal 4

Tavera believed that the Spanish friars and Izquierdo used the Cavite Mutiny as a powerful lever by
magnifying it as a full- blown conspiracy involving not only the native army but also included residents of
Cavite and Manila, and more importantly the native clergy to overthrow the Spanish government in the
Philippines. It is noteworthy that during the time, the Central Government in Madrid announced its
intention to deprive the friars of all the powers of intervention in matters of civil government and the
direction and management of educational institutions. This turnout of events was believed by Tavera,
prompted the friars to do something drastic in their desire to maintain power in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, in the intention of installing reforms, the Central Government of Spain welcomed an
educational decree authored by Segismundo Moret promoted the fusion of sectarian schools run by the
friars into school called Philippine Institute. The decree proposed to improve the standard of education
in the Philippines by requiring teaching positions in such schools to be filled by competitive
examinations. This improvement was warmly received by most Filipinos in spite of the native clergy’s
zest for secularization.

Rebuttal 4

As to what Gov. Gen. Izguierdo reported to the King of Spain, the “rebels” wanted to topple the Spanish
government in order to place a new “hari” to lead them in the likes of Father Burgos and Zamora. Those
native clergy even inveigled other participants by providing them with a captivating guarantee that God
is with them, hence, their flight will not fail. They also promised them with enticing rewards such as
employment, wealth, and ranks in the army, just so they could persuade them. That is clear proof that
the native soldiers and laborers of Cavite are guilty of rebellion against Spanish authority. We believe
that the event of 1872 was a big conspiracy and was planned ahead by the educated leaders, mestizos,
native lawyers, residents of Manila and Cavite, and the native clergy. It is completely visible that it was
an act of rebellion, sedition, and revolt. Both Izguierdo and Montero insinuated that the participants of
the conspiracy plotted everything: from liquidating the high-ranking Spanish officers to the massacre of
the friars. Let me also add that the ring of rockets from the walls of Intramuros is said to be the alleged
pre-concerted signal among the conspirators of Manila and Cavite.

Rebuttal 5

Meanwhile, in the intention of installing reforms, the Central Government of Spain welcomed an
educational decree authored by Segismundo Moret promoted the fusion of sectarian schools run by the
friars into a school called Philippine Institute. The decree proposed to improve the standard of
education in the Philippines by requiring teaching positions in such schools to be filled by competitive
examinations. This improvement was warmly received by most Filipinos in spite of the native clergy’s
zest for secularization.

The friars, fearing that their influence in the Philippines would be a thing of the past, took advantage of
the incident and presented it to the Spanish Government as a vast conspiracy organized throughout the
archipelago with the object of destroying Spanish sovereignty. Tavera sadly confirmed that the Madrid
government came to believe that the scheme was true without any attempt to investigate the real facts
or extent of the alleged “revolution” reported by Izquierdo and the friars.

F Rebuttal 5

The two Spaniards ( Montero and Izquirdo) deemed that the eventof 1872 was planned earlier and
wasthought of it as a big conspiracy amongeducated leaders, mestizos, abogadillos ornative lawyers,
residents of Manila andCavite and the native clergy. They insinuated that the conspirators of Manilaand
Cavite planned to liquidate high-ranking Spanish officers to be followed bythe massacre of the friars. The
alleged pre-concerted signal among the conspirators ofManila and Cavite was the firing of rocketsfrom
the walls of Intramuros.
According to the accounts of the two, on 20January 1872, the district of Sampaloccelebrated the feast of
the Virgin of Loreto,unfortunately participants to the feastcelebrated the occasion with the
usualfireworks displays. Allegedly, those inCavite mistook the fireworks as the sign forthe attack, and
just like what was agreedupon, the 200-men contingent headed bySergeant Lamadrid launched an
attacktargeting Spanish officers at sight andseized the arsenal.

Rebuttal 6

Convicted educated men who participate in the mutiny were sentenced life imprisonment while
members of the native clergy headed by the GOMBURZA were tried and executed by garrote. This
episode leads to the awakening of nationalism and eventually to the outbreak of Philippine Revolution
of 1896.

The French writer Edmund Plauchut’s account complimented Tavera’s account by confirming that the
event happened due to discontentment of the arsenal workers and soldiers in Cavite fort. The
Frenchman, however, dwelt more on the execution of the three martyr priests which he actually
witnessed

Rebuttal 6

Major instigators including SergeantLamadrid were killed in the skirmish, whilethe GOMBURZA were
tried by a court-the mutiny was officially declared subdued martial and were sentenced to die
bystrangulation. Patriots like Joaquin Pardode Tavera, Antonio Ma. Regidor, Jose andPio Basa and other
abogadillos weresuspended by the Audencia (High Court)from the practice of law, arrested and
weresentenced with life imprisonment at theMarianas Island.

Furthermore, Gov. Izquierdo dissolved thenative regiments of artillery and orderedthe creation of
artillery force to becomposed exclusively of the Peninsulares.

On 17 February 1872 in an attempt of theSpanish government and Frailocracia toinstill fear among the
Filipinos so that theymay never commit such daring act again,the GOMBURZA were executed. Thisevent
was tragic but served as one of themoving forces that shaped Filipino nationalism.

Closing Statement (Affirmative)

With this I conclude that Filipino version is factual that it features an unbiased and it tells about all the
facts and issues that happened in that era, it includes injustices act that happen when Spaniard killed
more than 200 local soldiers including civilians that is not part of the mutiny just like the GomBurZa.
They say that the reason why they executed gomburza is because of treason, sedition, and subversion.
where in fact the real reason is to stop the development of Filipino priest in the matter of return on their
parishes.
Filipino priests were deprived of their parish. Because of this, the Secularization Movement was founded
by Father Pedro Pelaez, a Filipino priest. The purpose of this movement is to demand equality of rights
fof all priest and to stop the discrimination of Spaniards against them.

As our first speaker said, plauchut one of the witness and documented the execution of gomburza and is
considered a primary sources, he also compliment tavera’s account by confirming that the event
happened due to discontentment of the arsenal workers and soldiers in cavite fort Tavera believed that
the Spanish friars and izquerdo used the cavite mutiny as a powerful lever by magnifying it as a full
blown. The Spaniards become desperate to create something for nothing and they take cavite mutiny as
a opportunity
In addition the writer of the Spanish version is a Spaniard himself and focusing only on the of
the Spanish account, and even changing and exaggerating the facts of the evidence so that the incident
lwould be favor to them. the Spanish historian didn’t include the struggles of the Filipinos and focusing
only in his recital, wherein the Filipino version included and talked about both accounts, which makes
the Filipino version more believable. And just to add up the most important person Dr. Jose Rizal who
caused the Philippine revolution because of his work “el filibusterismo” which is dedicated to the
GOMBURZA many Filipinos participate on the revolution.
Closing Statement (Negative)

The uprising in Cavite, Philippines was primarily motivated by the abolishment of privileges for laborers
at the Cavite arsenal. However, historian John Schumacher argues that the main reason for the uprising
was the desire for Filipinos to be free from the Spanish ruling system. While it was normal for Filipinos to
fight for their rights, initiating an uprising was not a good way to achieve freedom. Gov. Gen. Rafael
Izquierdo's official report emphasized the event and implicated the native clergy, which was active in
calling for secularization.

The Spanish version of the mutiny, supported by Governor General Raphael Izquierdo and Montero, is
more reliable due to its comprehensive account of the military events and plot behind it. Izquierdo's
sixty-page letter to the Overseas Minister contains detailed accounts of the revolt, including the signal to
rebels in Cavite given by skyrockets. The rebels in Cavite may have mistook fireworks from the Sampaloc
fiesta for the agreed signal. The revolt was not solely a mutiny over grievances, as Spaniards, including
Montesinos and Morquecho, participated, likely out of resentment at their own imprisonment.
Montesinos, who had been imprisoned for gambling debts and rearrested after escaping, was a key
figure in the revolt. Their participation supports Izquierdo's contention that the revolt was not merely a
mutiny over grievances but a revolt intending to throw off Spanish rule. Both Montero and Izquierdo's
accounts suggest that the conspirators of Manila and Cavite planned to liquidate high-ranking Spanish
officers, followed by the massacre of the friars. In conclusion, the Spanish version is more reliable based
on the evidence presented.

The opposition side presents evidence supporting the Spanish version of the Cavite Mutiny, based on
the interrogation of Sgt. Bonifacio Octavo. Octavo was questioned about the revolt's planning as early as
November or December 1871, when he was approached by marine corporal Pedro Manonson.
Manonson revealed that the list was from Caviteño civilian Francisco Zaldua, who recruited soldiers in
Cavite, promised incentives, and assured them that priests and lawyers were behind the revolt. Zaldua
also revealed that the king was likely Burgos, possibly including Zamora. Wealthy Caviteños Maximo
Inocencio and Crisanto de los Reyes were behind Zaldua's activities. This analysis suggests that cruel
leaders are replaced only to have new leaders become cruel, as happened in the Philippines. Although
the revolution was successful, it is evident that the Philippines is still under the control of cruel leaders.
The revolt in Cavite was not a mere mutiny, but part of a planned conspiracy.

Based on the three arguments presented, it can be concluded that the Cavite Mutiny was not simply a
mutiny over grievances but a planned conspiracy to overthrow Spanish rule in the Philippines. The
Spanish version of events, supported by Governor General Rafael Izquierdo and Montero, provides a
more comprehensive and reliable account of the events that took place. However, evidence presented
by the opposition side suggests that the revolt was part of a larger conspiracy involving wealthy
Caviteños and the involvement of priests and lawyers. Overall, the Cavite Mutiny was a significant event
in Philippine history that highlights the desire for freedom and the lengths to which people will go to
achieve it.