Historical Context
• Over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule
• Discovery of the Katipunan in August 1896
• Outbreak of the Philippine Revolution
• Rizal volunteers as a doctor for Cuba
• Rising tensions between reformists and revolutionaries
Arrest and Detention
• Oct 6: Arrested in Barcelona en route to Cuba
• Nov 3: Arrival in Manila aboard the steamer *Colon*
• Nov 3–20: Held incommunicado at Fort Santiago
• Nov 20–26: Preliminary investigation
• Dec 8: Assigned military defense counsel
The Charges
• Rebellion – Promoting armed uprising
• Sedition – Inciting resistance through writings
• Illegal Association – Founding La Liga Filipina
Penalties ranged from fines to death.
Defense Representation
• Lawyer: Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade
• Only military officers allowed as counsel
• Limited access to evidence and witnesses
The Prosecution
• Lt. Enrique de Alcocer – Prosecutor
• Col. Francisco Olive – Investigation Judge
• Capt. Rafael Domínguez – Judge Advocate
• Don Nicolás de la Peña – Advocate General
• Gov. Gen. Polavieja – Final authority
Documentary Evidence
Letters, writings, Masonic documents, political correspondence, and 15 total exhibits linking Rizal to reformist or revolutionary ideas.
Testimonial Evidence
11 witnesses testified, including Pío Valenzuela and Deodato Arellano. Rizal was not allowed to cross-examine any of them.
Rizal’s Defense Strategy
• Opposed armed rebellion
• Katipunan used his name without consent
• Could have escaped if guilty
• La Liga Filipina was civic, not revolutionary
• Advocated peaceful reform
The Manifesto
His December 15 manifesto condemned the revolution and appealed for peace, but was suppressed by Spanish authorities.
The Trial
Dec 26, 1896 – Military court martial at Cuartel de España. Prosecution demanded death; defense argued justice; Rizal presented his 12-point defense.
Verdict and Sentence
• Guilty on all charges
• Execution by firing squad
• Signed Dec 28 by Gov. Gen. Polavieja
• Scheduled for Dec 30, 1896
The Execution
• 6:30 AM march to Bagumbayan
• Final words: “Consummatum est!”
• Time of death: 7:03 AM
• Execution turned him into a national martyr