Erien Ailiana C.

Teodosio May 2, 2021

Assignment #2
RIZAL'S EXILE AND EXECUTION

Guidelines:
 Read attached articles by Dr. Augusto De Viana and then answer the following questions
in five to ten sentences. In case answer is not taken from the readings acknowledge the
source. (5pts each) Scores will be credited to the Assessment Tasks
1. What were the reasons for Rizal's deportation to Dapitan?
2. How did Rizal utilize his time while he was an exile in Dapitan? Give concrete
examples
3. How did Rizal react to the effort of the church to entice him to return to the
Catholic fold? Give concrete examples
4. Why do you think Rizal was tried before a military court and not in a civilian
court? Support answer with evidence
5. Were the evidences presented in the trial sufficient to convict Rizal's death
sentence? Justify your answer

Answer:
1. One of the reason why Rizal was deported to Dapitan is because of the seized reading
books. In these books, he criticized the mother country of Spain in books and essays
written in other countries. He dedicated his novels "El Filibusterismo" (about the life and
abuse of Spaniards) and "Noli me Tangere" (about the three priest-martyrs called
GomBurZa) to the three priest-martyrs named GomBurZa (Father Gomez, Burgos,
Zamora).1 Another reason would be his involvement with Katipunan members which led
to him being named as one of the group's leaders. Jose Rizal was tried for sedition,
insurrection, and treason before a military court aftwerwards 2. Rizal had already crossed
the Mediterranean before he was apprehended and sent to Manila for trial. The Spanish
authorities, for their part, kept a close eye on Rizal's movements. Concerned over revolt,
the authorities had Rizal arrested and exiled to Dapitan on July 6, 1892, with the help of
Rizal's enemies among the friars. 3
2. Rizal stayed at the commandant's house, Captain Carnicero, for the first few months of
his exile in Dapitan.4 He purchased a piece of land near the shore of Talisay near Dapitan
with his reward from the Manila Lottery and his earnings as a farmer and trader. Rizal
1
Tabugo, E. R. (2013, January 21). Rizal in Dapitan. prezi.com. https://prezi.com/rhv0zgnje4ie/rizal-in-dapitan/.
2
Staff Writer. (2020, April 12). Why Was Jose Rizal Exiled in Dapitan? Reference.
https://www.reference.com/history/jose-rizal-exiled-dapitan-8b7ac24951ded1e9.
3
Pearson, F. L. (2015). The Masonic Life of Dr. Jose Rizal. Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/180331298664082/posts/july-6-1892rizal-deported-to-dapitanthe-spanish-
authorities-in-turn-monitored-ev/958378207526050/.
4
Sino Si Pepe. (2011, April 10). Rizal's Exile in Dapitan. sinosipepe.wordpress.com.
https://sinosipepe.wordpress.com/life/rizals-exile-in-dapitan/.
 also made the most of his time in Dapitan by honing his artistic and literary abilities,
participating in agricultural and civic ventures, conducting business, and writing letters
to his European friends, especially Ferdinand Blumentritt and Reinhold Rost. 5 These
activities were studying medicine, continuing his scientific studies, continuing his artistic
and literary works, broadening his language skills, establishing a school for boys,
encouraging community development programs, developing a wooden machine for
making bricks, and engaging in farming and trade. 6 He also found solice in writing letters
to his loved ones.
3. According to Paraiso (2015) of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or
NHCP, Rizal may have considered retracting his religious belief as a response to the
Church’s effort of enticing him stating that, “the veracity of the confession Rizal
allegedly signed prior to his execution, as well as the testimony of many witnesses who
witnessed the act, are at the center of retraction debate”. 7 Consequently, Rizal's
temperament and righteous indignation toward tyranny make the idea of disavowal of
his convictions was almost “sacrilegious and improbable”. On the other, other
researchers have argued that he did not retract at all because of the horrible way he
was buried.8 However, up to this day, the mystery of his retraction to his religious beliefs
still boggles the mind of researchers. On my part, come to think of it, what if Rizal did
consider these and retracted, Philippine history as we know it would be completely
different.
4. Rizal’s trial involved was a tedious process initiated by the lawmakers during his trial.
According to De Guzman (2014), the last decision was made by the Judge Advocate
General of which he advised that Rizal be represented in court by an army officer rather
than a civilian lawyer. On December 11, 1896, Rizal was officially charged. He was
charged with insurrection as well as the formation of criminal groups. 9 In the military
justice system, power over the convicted is concentrated in the hands of a particular
person, while in the civilian criminal justice system, authority is more decentralized. 10 In
my opinion, the lawmakers settled in this form of justice system because as mentioned
earlier, they were concerned that a revolt might ensue. Additionally, the power of the
Spaniards back then was unwavered and so they have favored this form of trial for Rizal.

5
Jose Rizal University. (2004). Jose Rizal [Rizal in Dapitan]. http://www.joserizal.ph/dp01.html.
6
Sino Si Pepe. (2011, April 10). Rizal's Exile in Dapitan. sinosipepe.wordpress.com.
https://sinosipepe.wordpress.com/life/rizals-exile-in-dapitan/.
7
Paraiso, B. A. (2015, September 6). Did Rizal consider Retracting while in Dapitan? National Historical Commission
of the Philippines. https://nhcp.gov.ph/did-rizal-consider-retracting-while-in-dapitan/.
8
Retraction Controversy Of Rizal. Bartleby. (n.d.). https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Retraction-Controversy-Of-
Rizal-PCCFQX92R.
9
De Guzman, J. (2014, August 20). Arrest & trial of Rizal. SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/djoshuaabel/arrest-trial-of-rizal.
10
MacArthur, T. (2019, January 15). Antonin Scalia Law School. Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic.
https://mvets.law.gmu.edu/2019/01/15/criminal-justice-vs-military-justice/#:~:text=The%20military%20justice
%20system%20concentrates,the%20authority%20is%20more%20diffuse.
 5. Despite the evidences11 that were presented during Rizal’s trial, in my opinion, was just
a ruse by the Spanish government to make Rizal seem as though he had been granted a
proper and fair trial. But, in fact, they don't care whether Rizal is guilty or innocent; they
only want to put him to death to put out the flame of revolt that is slowly spreading
among the Filipino people thanks to Jose Rizal's works. There are many reasons to back
this statement, and I am here to present three of those reasons. According to Puno
(2021)12 of the Rizal Justice System, foremost, an effective Filipino revolt would not be
tolerated by the Spanish colonial authorities. Due to the racial tensions at the time, an
unbiased hearing was impossible. Second, he was a skeptic of clergy. The Catholic
priests in the Philippines were irreparably affected by his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as his many critical essays. They undeniably co-ruled the
Philippines, and they couldn't keep it up with Rizal contesting their jurisdiction. He faced
a serious threat. Third and lastly, Rizal had to be simply removed from the picture at all
costs. His professional background was excellent. His devotion to the Philippines was
undeniable. He, more than any other Filipino, had the power to rally the Filipino people
against the Spaniards. He led the reform process in the Philippines and was unyielding in
his endeavors. He was quickly transforming into a visionary. To me, that is well enough
of a reason why is Rizal, up to this point in time, is tirelessly being admired by many
Filipinos. A true Filipino hero.

11
Ricamora, K. (n.d.). Dr. Jose Rizal's Trial Defense.
https://members.tripod.com/kaeda_wryter79/personal_works/id10.html.
12
Puno, R. (2021). Rizal and the Justice System.
http://www.mastermason.com/urdaneta302/home_files/readings_files/rizal/justice.htm.