GOMBURZA: The Execution of the Three Priests

The execution of these three priests is known in Philippine History as one of the grossest displays of sheer antagonism towards democracy. It is true that the phenomenon was precipitated by the 1872 Cavity Mutiny ; that is,when the enjoyment of the long-standing advantage of laborers was overthrown by the burdensome claws of tyranny. Unfortunately, the dawning of these gloomy clouds of abuse started off when Governor General Rafael Ezquierdo replaced Carlos Maria dela Torre to take control the whole territory for two years. He imposed his iron-fist rule. Forced the Filipino laborers to pay heavy taxes and disallowed any form of reformation be it local or national.

Meanwhile, when the mutineers arrived and captured the Fort, they killed Spanish officers and in turn resulted to a menacing skirmish between Spaniards and Filipino insurrectionists. Later on, it was found out by Ezquierdo's Spanish court martial on the 15th of February 1872, that the three priests [collectively called at later time as "Gomburza"] were found out to be treacherous also on the account that the Archbishop of Manila, Rev. Meliton Martinez, did not cooperate with them in their anti-political endeavor. Not only these three priests were defrocked of their office, but at later time, were sentenced to die with a judgment of felony. 

1.) Father Mariano Gomez is a parish priest of Bacoor, was "a native of Kabite, a Chinese half-breed and very old, perhaps more than 70. He had aroused the suspicions of the Spanish authorities more than once, but in view of his age and experience in the cure of souls he had been made his archbishop's vicar in the province, having under his jurisdiction a number of Dominican and Recollect friars who had parishes in it."

• During his execution, he held his head high, blessing the Filipino who knelt at his feet, heads bared and praying..
  
• When his confessor, a Recollect friar, exhorted him loudly to accept his fate, he replied: "Father, I know that not a leaf falls to the ground but by the will of God. Since he wills that I should die here, His holy will be done."

2.) Father Jacinto Zamora according to the same newspaper was also a Spaniard born in the Philippines and parish priest of Marikina. "He was troublesome character, not very friendly to Spaniards, and had given serious offense to the authorities, mainly Brigadier Oran, governor of Manila in 1867 to whom, on a trip he made to Marikina, Father Zamora denied the honors due to any provincial governor.

• Upon hearing their sentence, It is reported that Zamora lost his mind and never recovered it.
  
  
• Zamora went up to the scaffold without a word and delivered his body to the executioner; his mind had already left it. 

3.) Father Jose Burgos is described by the Spanish Newspaper, La Nacion, as a "Spaniard born in the Philippines, parish priest of the Manila Cathedral, and a man of rather valuable social graces."

Although Father Burgos was considered to be modest in its character disposition, he was nevertheless ruled by his opposing passion constituting his so-called political errors.

• It is said that during his execution, Father Burgos wept like a child, he broke into tears for fear.
  
  
• Being the last to be executed, Leon Ma. Guerrero records his last words:“But what crime have I committed? Is it possible that I should die like this? My God, is there no justice on earth?”
  
  
• There were dozens of friars surrounded him and pressed him down again upon the seat of garrote, pleading with him to die a Christian death.
  
  
• He obeyed but, feeling his arms tied round the fatal post, protested once again, "But I am innocent!"; "So was Jesus Christ!" said one of the friars.
  
  
• At this Burgos resigned himself. The executioner knelt at his feet and asked his forgiveness; "I forgive you, my son. Do your duty." And it was done.

It was reported that the news scattered abroad rapidly to all Filipinos from the nearby up to remote areas. Apparently, there was a massive influx of Filipinos who gathered together at Bagumbayan to witness their beloved priests indicted and executed for the crimes they believed they were innocents about.

What can we draw from this historical fact is that the nation of Philippines were enslaved under the cruel hands of the Spaniards. They afforded us no reform and took advantage on us. But because of the bravery of our fellow Filipinos who stood up against our oppressors, it paved the way for the later heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal to continue the battle that was started by our undaunting forefathers. May our own history enliven our love for our country and seek reform not in view of our advantage but by the benefits of the multitudes. 

REFERENCES:

• Ma. Guerrero, Leon. "The First Filipino: The Award-Winning Biography of Rizal" 
• Dr. Eusebio Kuh. "Manitoba Filipino Journal: The Pulse of Filipino Community Since 1987" [The Cavity Mutiny: Vol 26, No. 04]