Spanish Reign of Terror

The flames of the revolutionary movement that seeks to change the existing

social and political order gained momentum and evidently became a threat to Spanish

authorities. In order to sow fear to the people and crushed the rebels, the Spanish

soldiers resorted to the reign of terror entering indiscriminately houses of the suspected

rebels through force in order to secure evidence against those who were directly

involved in the uprising.

Meanwhile, Governor-General Ramon Blanco issued a decree on August 30,

declaring the provinces of Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga,

Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, in a state of war and placed them under Martial Law. The

decree provided that “any person accused treachery on those against the present form

of government” will be tried by the military court, the decree provided for a proviso, that

“those who would surrender to the Government” within 48 hours after the publication of

the decree” would be turned over the military court, except the leaders of the

Katipunan.. Some Katipuneros took advantage of the proviso, but they were forced at

the point of a bayonet to squeal about the secret society and its member for fear of pain

to be inflicted. Hundreds were arrested and incarcerated in Fort Santiago. Torture by

way of hanging the suspect, or the used of electric machine whose wires were

connected to the feet and hands of the suspect were employed. Suspects in the

provinces were hauled to Manila to suffer inhuman punishment. Hundreds of heads of

families were shipped to the Spanish penal colony in Africa to receive what the

Spaniards considered their “just punishment”. Several types of human violations against

the Filipino people were employed by the Spaniards. There were suspected

Katipuneros who were executed in Cavite, Bicol, and Capis; but the most infamous

injustice was executed by the Colonial Government at Bagumbayan Field (now the

Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896. These executions did not deter the Filipinos to fight

with intense passion up to the last drop of their blood.

In spite of the Spanish terroristic policy to stop the revolution through

imprisonment, torture and execution of the Katipuneros, the flames of the revolution did

not stop the Filipinos to fight the Spanish tyranny.

Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic UniversitySanta Cruz- Main Campus

Santa Cruz, Laguna

S.Y. 2014-2015

Major 19: Philippine Nationalism

(Written Report)

Topic: Spanish Reign of Terror

Submitted by:

Talabis, Sumer Anne V.

BSED IV- C (Major in Social Science) Submitted to:

Dr. Josefina T. De Jesus