CHAPTER 21

Second Homecoming

and The Liga Filipina

June, 1982 • Rizal’s bold return to Manila

•His second homecoming

August, 1887•His first homecoming from abroad.

• “ The Battlefield is in the Philippines”

• - Dr. Jose P. Rizal

he reiterated this belief in a letter to mentritt.

Two months later, on December 31, 1891

“ I believe that La Solidaridad is no longer our battlefield; now is a new struggle. . . the fight Is no longer in Madrid” .

June 26, 1892

• At noon Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia(wife of the late Mariano Herbosa) arrived in Manila

ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER

RIZAL DESCRIBED HIS SECOND HOMECOMING AS FOLLOWS:

I arrived at Manila on 26 June (1892),Sunday, at 12:00 noon. I was met by manycarabineers headed by a major. There

were in addition one captain and onesergeant of the Veteran Civil Guard. I cameDown with my luggage and they inspectedMe at the customhouse. From there I wentThe Hotel de Oriente where occupied roomNo.22, facing the church of Binondo.

RIZAL DESCRIBED HIS SECOND HOMECOMING AS FOLLOWS:

In afternoon, at 4:00 o’clock, he went toMalacanan Palace to seek audience withthe Spanish governor general, GeneralEulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe. Hewas told to come back at the night at7:00 o’clock. Promptly at 7:00 pm hereturned to Malacanan and was able toconfer with Governor General Despujol,who agreed to pardon his father but notthe rest of the family and told him toreturn on Wedsday (June 29)

After his brief interview with the governor general, he visited his sisters in the city----- first Narcisa and later Saturnina.

RIZAL DESCRIBED HIS SECOND HOMECOMING AS FOLLOWS:

VISITING FRIENDS IN LUZON CENTRAL

6:00 P.M of June 27

Rizal boarded a train In Tutuban Station and visited his friends in the following places:

Malolos, Bulacan

San Fernando, Pampanga

Tarlac, Tarlac

Bacoor, Pampanga

VISITING FRIENDS IN LUZON CENTRAL

5:00 P.M of June 28

Rizal returned by train to Manila whether he knew it or not, he shadowed by government spies who was carefully his every movement.

The homes he had visited were raided by the Guardia Civil which seized some copies of the Noli and Fili and some “subversive”pamphlets.

OTHER INTERVIEWS WITH DESPUJOL

Wedsday ( June 29 –Z) at 7:30-9:15

I saw his Excellency. I did not succeed to have the penalty of exile lifted, but he gave me hope with regard to my sisters. As it was the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul .

Thursday ( June 30)

We talked about the question of Borneo. The general opposed to it, very much opposed. He told me to come back Sunday.

OTHER INTERVIEWS WITH DESPUJOL

Sunday ( July 3-Z)

We talked about sundry things and I thanked him for having lifted the exile of my sisters. I told him that my father and brother would arrive on the first boat. He asked me if I would like to go abroad to Hong Kong. I told him Yes. He told me to return on Wedsday.

FOUNDING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA

July 3, 1892 -(Sunday evening) Rizal attended a meeting of the

patriots at the home of the Chinese-Filipino mestizo on Ylaya Street, Tondo,Manila . Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of the Filipinos. He presented the Constitution of the Liga which he had written in Hong Kong. The patriots were impressed and approved the establishment of The Liga.

Objectives of the Liga Filipina- a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to established and its role on the socio-economic life of the people.

OFFICERS OF THE NEW LEAGUE:

The cover page of the constitution of La Liga Filipina

Directors:

Jose Rizal, Founder

Ambrosio Salvador, President

Agustin dela Rosa, Fiscal

Bonifacio Arevalo, Treasurer

Deodato Arellano, Secretary and first Supreme leader of Katipunan

Exile of Rizal Domingo Franco, President and Supreme leader Deodato Arellano, Secretary/Treasurer Isidro Francisco, Fiscal Apolinario Mabini, Secretary

1. To unite the archipelago into one compact and homogenous body2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity3. Defense against all violence and injustice.4. Encourage of Education, agriculture and commerce.5.Study of application and reforms.

CONSTITUTION OF THE LIGA FILIPINA

Motto:Unus Instar Omnium

(one like all)

Duties of the Liga FilipinaMembers

1. Obey the orders of the Supreme Court;2. To help in recruiting new members;3. To keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities;4. To have a symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of the council;5. To report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga;6. To behave well ad benefits a good Filiino;7. To help fellow members in all ways.

Rizal went to Malacanang to resume his series of interviews with governor general. The governor general showed some printed leaflets were entitled Pobres Frailes(Poor Friars). Rizal denied having those leaflets. Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation. He was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol the nephew and aide of Governor General.

July 6 -(Wednesday)

RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO

July 7 ( Thursday )

RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO

Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal's arrest the same issue the gubernatorial decree gave him the reasons for Rizal's deportation as follows:

1. Rizal published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain which were “frankly anti Catholic and “prudently anti-friar.

RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO

2. A few hours after his arrival “there was found in his packages… a bundle of handbills entitled “Pobres Frailes”.

3. His novel “El Filibusterismo” was dedicated to the memory of the three traitors.

4. The end to which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breats the treasures of our “catholic faith”.

July 15, 1892 (12:30 a.m.)

Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the streamer Cebu which was sailing to Dapitan (1:00 a.m.) the streamer under Captain Delgras departed sailing south, passing Mindoro and Panay

July 17, 1892 Reached Dapitan at 7:00 in the

evening. Captain Delgras handed Rizal over to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, Spanish commandant of Dapitan the same night, Rizal began his exile in Dapitanwhich would last until July 31, 1896, a period of four years.