15 Martyrs of Bicol
Who were the 15 martyrs of Bicol who fought and died for our country?
Despite the natural barriers and the geographical isolation of Bicol, its people developed a sense of nationalism during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards’ tyrannical rule.
Fifteen martyrs of Bicol died fighting for our freedom before Emilio Aguinaldo finally proclaimed Philippine independence from the 300-year Spanish regime on June 12, 1898. These martyrs were found guilty of rebellion, and 11 were executed by firing squad at Luneta, Manila, on January 4, 1897, a week after the death of our national hero, Jose Rizal.
The Spanish government ordered the execution of these 11 men from Bicol:
- Fr. Gabriel Prieto,
- Fr. Severino Diaz,
- Fr. Inocencio Herrera,
- Manuel Abella,
- Domingo Abella,
- Camilo Jacob,
- Tomas Prieto,
- Florencio Lerma,
- Macario Valentin,
- Cornelio Mercado, and
- Mariano Melgarejo.
The other four (4) martyrs were
- Leon Hernandez,
- Ramon Abella,
- Mariano Araña, and
- Mariano Ordenanza,
who died either in exile or in prison.
The 15 Martyrs of Bicol or Quince Martires del Bicolandia died for our country during the same period as Filipino priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, or popularly called the Gomburza.
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