The Role of the Katipunan in the Liberation of Pangasinan

On July 22, 1898, the province of Pangasinan in the Philippines was liberated from Spanish colonial rule. This historic event was made possible through the efforts of the local board of Katipunan, a revolutionary organization that was organized by General Francisco Makabulos of Central Luzon four months earlier.

Led by Don Daniel Maramba of Sta. Barbara, Vicente del Prado of San Jacinto, Juan Quesada, and Eliseo Arzadon of Dagupan, the local board of Katipunan successfully defeated the Spanish forces that were making a last stand in Dagupan. The victory was a significant moment in the history of the Philippines as it marked the end of Spanish colonial rule and the beginning of the country’s struggle for independence.

After the Spanish forces were defeated, the local board of Katipunan reenacted the proclamation of independence that was done at Kawit 40 days earlier. This act symbolized the determination and commitment of the people of Pangasinan to achieve freedom and self-determination.

The liberation of Pangasinan was not an isolated event, but part of a broader movement of resistance against Spanish colonialism that had been growing in the Philippines for decades. The Katipunan, founded by Andres Bonifacio in 1892, was at the forefront of this movement. It aimed to unite Filipinos across different regions and social classes in a struggle for independence.

The Katipunan’s revolutionary ideology was based on the principles of nationalism, democracy, and social justice. It sought to establish a new society that would be free from colonial oppression, corruption, and poverty. The liberation of Pangasinan was a significant step towards realizing this vision.

The struggle for independence was not easy. The Spanish colonial government used brutal tactics to suppress the revolution, including torture, imprisonment, and execution. However, the determination and courage of the Filipino revolutionaries could not be extinguished.

The liberation of Pangasinan and other parts of the Philippines inspired Filipinos to continue their struggle for independence. The revolution would eventually succeed on June 12, 1898, when the Philippine Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite.

The liberation of Pangasinan on July 22, 1898, was a turning point in the history of the Philippines. It marked the beginning of a new era of resistance against colonialism and the struggle for independence. The bravery and sacrifice of the Filipino revolutionaries who fought for their country’s freedom should always be remembered and celebrated.