Filipino Martyr: ISIDORO JIMENEZ

 ISIDORO JIMENEZ

(d. 1897)

Revolutionary Martyr from Capiz

Isidoro Jimenez was one of the first members of the Katipunan in Panay and one of the 19

martyrs of Capiz.

He was mentioned as one of the residents of Batang contacted by Francisco del Castillo

and Candido Iban, who induced them to join the revolutionary movement during the Christmas of

1896. The two men had been instructed by Andres Bonifacio to establish the Katipunan in Panay

and lead the revolution on the island at the most opportune time. The others who were recruited

with Jimenez were Albino Rabaria, Teodorico Motus, Cornelio Delfin, Gabino Sucgang, Simplicio

Reyes, and Valeriano Dalida. They were given the task of inducting more men into the Katipunan

and collect arms for a projected uprising.

Under the leadership of Del Castillo and Iban, Jimenez and the others secretly gathered

members in the barrios of Kawayan, Tambak and Lagatic. In barrio Ochando, they obtained the

support of more than a hundred men on March 3, 1897. Because of their efforts, Jimenez and the

others succeeded in enlisting hundreds of recruits.

On March 17, the Spanish authorities learned of the existence of the Katipunan in Panay

following the seizure of seditious papers from the boat owned by Del Castillo. The rebels tried to

attack Kalibo, Aklan. However, their attack failed when Del Castillo was killed while trying to

storm the cuartel, or the headquarters, of the local civil guard. Meanwhile, the other Katipunan

chieftain, Iban, was captured in Malinao. With the deaths of their two main leaders, the

Katipuneros under the cabecillos were scattered.

With the arrival of Spanish reinforcements under Col. Ricardo Monet the demoralized

rebels started to surrender once an amnesty was proclaimed. In Kalibo, 50 Katipuneros, including

Jimenez, surrendered.

Despite their promise that they would not harm the surrendered revolutionaries, the

Spaniards treacherously arrested the 50 men and tortured to reveal their leaders and the strength

of the Katipunan. From the 50 men, 20, including Jimenez, were selected. With this group were

his fellow cabecillos Cornelio Delfin, Gabino Sucgang, Simplicio Reyes, and Valeriano Dalida. All

of the 20 men were identified as the leaders of the Katipunan. However, one of them, Nicanor

Gonzales, was later freed when his wife pleaded to Colonel Monet for his freedom.

On the night of March 23, they were taken to a camarin, or warehouse, on Amadeo Street

in Kalibo. Shouts and moans of anguished men were heard as the 19 men were subjected to more

torture before they were shot to death. In the morning, their bloody remains were paraded around

the town as a warning to those who would defy Spanish authority. The bodies were later dumped

in a common grave whose site remains unknown up to this day.

References:

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

Historical Calendar. Manila: National Historical Commission.,1970.

Roces, Alejandro, ed. Filipino Heritage Volume 8. Quezon City: 1975.

Sonza, Demetrio. Illustrious Ilonggos Volume 1. Iloilo City: Iloilo Provincial Historical Society,

1972.

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