Bonifacio sought Japan’s help during 1896 revolt

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Andres Bonifacio sought political, financial and military assistance from Japan at the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

In the book “Katipunan: The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Commune,” Francis St. Claire wrote that in May 1896, Bonifacio met with an Admiral Kanimura aboard the Japanese cruiser Kongo docked in Manila through an intermediary, Jose Moritaro Tagawa, an employee of a Japanese bazaar.

Numeriano Adriano confessed to Spanish authorities that Bonifacio had collected P10,000 for the purchase of 4,000 rifles and ammunition from Japan.

On the other hand, Domingo Franco executed an affidavit stating that one Francisco Rojas received for the Katipunan a delivery of a quantity of arms and ammunition, but it was not known where they were unloaded.

Juan Castañeda told Spanish Guardia Civil investigators that the Japanese had committed 10,000 firearms that Bonifacio had promised to pay “in a number of years.” The firearms would be paid with an “island in the archipelago,” Adriano said.

Two more people also affirmed the landing of the firearms, namely Tomas Prieto and Mariano Melgrajo.

The Katipunan also asked Japan to send a military squadron to help fight the Spanish and to later on recognize an independent Philippine government.

Japan made no official commitment since it was not at war with Spain, but that the weapons were sent through a private vessel, the Nonibiki-maru, which reportedly sank before getting in contact with the Katipunan.

Bonifacio was the Supremo Presidente of the Katipunan at the outbreak of the revolution. 

Binay to lead Bonifacio rites

Vice President Jejomar Binay will lead the wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate Bonifacio’s 150th birthday in Manila today.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and city councilors will join Binay at the  Bonifacio Shrine in  Liwasang Bonifacio.

People taking part in the Bonifacio rites are urged to bring umbrellas as rains are expected to prevail over most parts of the country due to the tail-end of a cold front.

Robert Sawi, weather division chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the eastern section of Luzon and the Visayas will have cloudy skies with rainshowers, becoming widespread over the Bicol region, Quezon and Aurora provinces this weekend.

Gladys Saludes, PAGASA weather forecaster, said light to moderate rains will prevail over Bicol, Calabarzon and Mimaropa region today and tomorrow.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rains and thunderstorms.

No tropical cyclone is expected to affect the country in the next few days, Saludes said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores