Nineteen Martyrs of Aklan

The Nineteen Martyrs of Aklan (Spanish: Diecinueve mártires de Aklan) were Filipino patriots Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines who were executed by musketry on March 23, 1897 2: a.m, for cooperating with the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution against Spain.

Martyrs

Roman Aguirre
Tomas Briones
Valeriano Dalida
Domingo dela Cruz
Claro Delgado
Angelo Fernandez
Benito Iban
Candido Iban
Simeon Inocencio
Isidro Jimenez
Catalino Mangat
Lamberto Mangat
Valeriano Masinda
Maximo Mationg
Simplicio Reyes
Canuto Segovia
Gavino Sucgang
Francisco Villorente
Gavino Yunsal

History

General Francisco del Castillo, a close associate of Andres Bonifacio. This Aklanon Katipunero was tasked by Bonifacio to establish Katipunan in Panay Island. On March 17, 1897, the young patriot, defender of liberty and leader of the Aklan revolutionists was killed by an assassin during a fight in the present-day Pastrana Park. The untimely death of Gen. del Castillo had signaled the end of the major struggle for freedom in Aklan. His close friends, assistants and soldiers were forced to give up arms, some due to the promise of receiving amnesty. But such promise was quickly broken. So on the fateful day of March 23, 1897, the Martyrs of Aklan were executed.

Legacy

In order to commemorate the death anniversary of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan, Republic Act No. 7806 was made into law setting the 23rd day of March of every year as a special public holiday in the Province of Aklan. A former general himself, President Fidel V. Ramos let Republic Act 7806 lapsed into law without his signature. And on September 1, 1994, in accordance with Article VI, Sec. 27(1) of the Constitution became law.

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