Filipino Martyr: SIMPLICIO REYES

 SIMPLICIO REYES

(d. 1897)

Revolutionary Martyr from Capiz

Simplicio Reyes was one of the first adherents of the Katipunan in Panay and one of the 19

martyrs of Capiz.

The unforeseen discovery of the Katipunan, which led to the premature outbreak of the

Philippine Revolution in Luzon, made it necessary for the revolutionary leaders to involve other

regions in the struggle for freedom. The Katipunan supremo, Andres Bonifacio ordered two of his

men, Francisco del Castillo and Candido Iba, both of whom hailed from Panay, to establish the

revolutionary society and lead the revolution on the island.

Upon setting foot on Panay on Christmas Day of 1896, they started recruiting men in the

town of Batang. One of them was Simplicio Reyes. Reyes was initiated to the Katipunan through

the practice called sandugo, in which blood, drawn from one’s arm, was used to enroll one’s name

in the roster of members. Later Del Castillo designated him as a cabecillo, or petty chief. Together

with the other original recruits – Teodorico Motus, Albino Rabaria, Isidoro Jimenez, Cornelio

Delfin, and Gabino Sucgang – he moved around the barrios of Malinao, Kawayan, Tambak,

Ochando, and Langatan in Capiz. The group was credited with having inducted a thousand

members into the Katipunan. While the revolution raged in Luzon, the Visayan revolutionaries

were busy gathering men and arms, and drawing their battle plans against the Spaniards.

The newly formed Katipunan in Panay was discovered on March 17, 1897 when the

Spanish navy captured documents revealing its existence on the island. Del Castillo, who had

designated himself as general, prepared to commence hostilities against the enemy. His plan was

to seize Kalibo, which was then the capital of Capiz, with Iban supporting the attack. The plan

failed because of the death of del Castillo, who was killed by a sniper and the capture of Iban in

Malinao. Meanwhile, sporadic fighting flared up in other parts of the province.

The Spaniards sent reinforcements under Colonel Ricardo Monet to quell the rebellion.

They landed in Dumaguit. Monet, however, was not aware of the rebels’ true strength. Heeding

the advice of the local friars, he promised to pardon all those who had taken up arms against Spain.

The poorly armed rebels under Reyes, Sucgang, and the others, on the other hand, were

demoralized because of the death and capture of their two leaders, as well as by their defeats in the

initial battles. Thus, 50 of them, including Reyes, surrendered in Kalibo on March 19.

The expected pardon did not come. Instead, they were made to form a line. From the

group, 20, including Reyes, were selected. They were either rebel leaders or very active

Katipuneros. With the exception of Nicanor Gonzales, the remaining 19 were herded to a camarin

or warehouse, on Amadeo Street on the night of March 23. There, they were severely beaten and

shot. The following morning, their bodies were paraded around the town and displayed at the

plaza. Later, their remains were buried in an unmarked common grave.

References:

Gwekoh, Sol. “The Nineteen Martyrs of Aklan.” Hall of Fame, Manila Times. 1966.

National Historical Commission. Historical Calendar. Manila: 1970.

Sonza, Demetrio. Illustrious Ilonggos Volume I. Iloilo City: Iloilo Provincial Historical Society,

1972.

Zaide, Gregorio F. “The Nineteen Martyrs of Aklan.” Philippines Free Press. March 22, 1952.