On September 12, 1896, thirteen brave Caviteños were executed by Spanish authorities at Plaza de Armas in Cavite City. They were accused of supporting the Katipunan and plotting against Spain. Today they are remembered as the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite. They are symbols of sacrifice and patriotism in the Philippine Revolution.
The Martyrs of Cavite
The martyrs were community leaders, businessmen, and civic workers who were accused of being part of the Katipunan. Even without direct evidence, they were sentenced to death for allegedly conspiring with revolutionaries. Thirteen men sacrificed their life for the goal of an independent nation on that terrible day.
The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite namely were Luis Aguado, Eugenio Cabezas, Feliciano Cabuco, Agapito Conchu, Alfonso de Ocampo, Máximo Gregorio, Máximo Inocencio, José Lallana, Severino Lapidario, Victoriano Luciano, Francisco Reyes Osorio ,Hugo Pérez, and Antonio San Agustín.
Their Legacy and Memory
Their martyrdom inspired Caviteños and Filipinos alike to continue the fight for independence. In 1954, the former town of Quinta or Quintana was renamed Trece Martires City in their honor. Monuments and memorials stand in Cavite to commemorate their heroism ensuring that their sacrifice lives on in the nation’s collective memory.
How To Get There?
Location: Execution Site was at the Plaza de Armas, Cavite Puerto which is present day Cavite City. Monument location is at San Roque district, Cavite City, near the San Roque causeway and next to San Sebastian College Cavite.
- By Car: From Manila, drive south via Coastal Road or CAVITEX heading toward Cavity City. Once you reach the San Roque Causeway, continue straight and look for the San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Cavite as your landmark. The Thirteen Martyrs Monument is located nearby in San Roque District right beside the college. Parking spaces are available in nearby streets but expect limited slots during busy hours.
- By Commute: From Manila, take a bus or a UV Express bound for Cavite City via CAVITEX. Travel time is usually 1 to 2 hours depending on the traffic. Get off at Cavity City proper, then ride a tricycle or a jeepney heading toward San Roque. Ask the driver to drop you off at San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Cavite. The Thirteen Martyrs Monument is just next to the school.
The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite serve as constant reminders of the price paid for freedom. Generations have been inspired to uphold the principles of sacrifice and patriotism by their bravery even in the face of death. Their story continues to be a pillar of the struggle for independence in Cavite and the Philippines.
