READING THE “PROCLAMATION OF THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE”

Philippine Independence proclaimed on JUNE 12,1898, in the PROVINCE OF CAVITE. It signaled the end
of 333 YEARS OF SPANISH COLONIZATION. There are some saved documents recorded for this special
event, despite of the historical importance, reading the details in hindsight is telling the kind of
government that was created under Aguinaldo, and the forthcoming hand of the United States of
America in the next few years of the newly created republic. The declaration was a short 2000-word
document, which summarized the reason behind the revolution against the Spain, the war for
independence and future of the new republic under Emilio Aguinaldo.

The document specially mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony. The declaration says:

“… taking into consideration, that their inhabitants being already weary of bearing the ominous yoke
of Spanish domination, on the account of arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment practiced by the Civil
Guard to the extent of causing death with the connivance and even with the express orders of their
commanders, who sometimes went to the extreme of ordering the shooting of prisoners under the
pretext that they were attempting to escape, in violation of the provisions of the Regulation of their
Corps, which abuses were unpunished and on account of the unjust deportations, especially those
decreed by General Blanco of eminent personages and of high social position, at the instigation of the
Archbishop and friars interested in keeping them out of the way for their own selfish and avaricious
purpose, deportations which are quickly brought about by a method of procedure more execrable
than that of the Inquisition and which every civilized nation rejects on account of a decision being
rendered without a hearing of the persons accused.”

- it demonstrates the justifications behind the revolution against Spain. Specifically cited are the
abuse by the Civil Guards and the unlawful shooting of prisoners whom they alleged as
attempting to escape. The passage also condemns the unequal protection of the law between
the Filipino people and the ‘’eminent personages’’. Moreover, the line mentions the avarice and
greed of the clergy like the friars and the Archbishop himself. Lastly, the passage also condemns
what they saw as the unjust deportation and rendering of other decision without proper
hearing, expected of any civilized nation.

The proclamation of independence also invokes that the established republic would be led under the
dictatorship of Emilio Aguinaldo. The first mention was the very beginning of the proclamation. It stated:

‘’In the town of Cavite Viejo, in this province of Cavite, on the twelfth day of June eighteen hundred
and ninety-eight, before me, Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Auditor of War and Special
Commissioner appointed to proclaim and solemnize this act by the Dictatorial Government of these
Philippine Islands, for the purpose and by virtue of the circular addressed by the Eminent Dictator of
the same Don Emilio Aguinaldo y famy.’’

The same was repeated toward the last part of the proclamation. It states:

“We acknowledge, approve and confirm together with the orders that have been issued therefrom,
the Dictatorship established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo, whom we honor as the Supreme Chief of this
Nation, which this day commences to have life of its own, in the belief that he is the instrument
selected by God, in spite of his humble origin, to effect the redemption of this unfortunate people, as
foretold by Doctor Jose Rizal in the magnificent verses which he composed when he was preparing to
be shot, liberating them from the yoke of Spanish domination in punishment of the impunity with
which their Government allowed the commission of abuses by its subordinates.”

Another detail in the proclamation that is worth looking as its explanation on the Philippine flag that was
first waved on the same day. The document explained:

“And finally, it was unanimously resolved that this Nation, independent from this day, must use the
same flag used heretofore, whose designs and colors and described in the accompanying drawing,
with design representing in natural colors the arms referred to. The white triangle represents the
distinctive emblem of the famous Katipunan Society, which by means of its compact of blood urged
on the masses of the people to insurrection; the three stars represents the three principal Islands of
this Archipelago, Luzon, Mindanao and Panay, in which this insurrectionary movement broke out; the
sun represents the gigantic strides that have been made by the sons of this land on the road of
progress and civilization, its eight rays symbolizing the eight provinces of Manila, Cavite, Bulacan,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas, which were declared in a state of war almost
as soon as the first insurrectionary movement was initiated; and the colors blue, red and white,
commemorate those of the flag of the United States of North America, in manifestationof our
profound gratitude towards that Great Nation for the disinterested proclaim she is extending to us
and will continue to extend to us.”

This often overlook detail reveals much about the historically accurate meaning behind the most widely
known national symbol in the Philippines. It is not known by many for example, that the white triangle
was derived from the symbol of Katipunan. The red and blue colors of the flag are often associated with
courage and peace, respectively. Our basic education omits the fact those colors were taken from the
flag of the United States. While it can always be argued that symbolic meaning can always changed and
be reinterpreted, the original symbolic meaning of something presents us several historical truths that
can explain subsequent events, which unfolded after the declaration of the Independence on the 12 th
day of June 1898.