DEMYSTIFYING RIZAL
By Rudy A. Arizala
30 December 2008
Most Philippine history books state that in the morning of 30 December 1896, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine national hero, was shot by a firing squad at the Luneta by a firing squad and at 7 :03 a.m. everything was over."
But who shot Jose Rizal and what happened to his remains alter he fell dead on the ground "his face to the sky"?
Perhaps, few know that eight Filipino soldiers comprised the firing squad which shot Rizal to his death. And not contented with the volleys from the firing squad, another soldier shot him again to make sure Rizal was dead.
Hereunder is the account of Ambeth Ocampo in his book "Rizal Without the Overcoat," page 156. (Please see also, Rizal's Biography - "Jose Rizal Filipino Doctor and Patriot"- by Jose Baron Fernandez, pages 369-370).
"Eight Filipino soldiers with Remingtons formed the firing squad. Behind them were eight Spanish soldiers with Mausers, ready to shot the Filipinos i they refused to shoot Rizal. . . .When the bullets hit their mark, he made a last effort to turn around, falling lifeless with his back on the ground, his face to the sky. Another soldier gave him the tiro al gracia, oe last shot at close range with a pistol to make sure he was dead. The Spaniards cheered, "Long Live Spain, death to the traitor!"
What happened to the body or remains of Rizal ?
Here is the account of Jose Baron Fernandez in his book, "Jose Rizal Filipino Doctor and Patriot," pages 369-370:
"The body of Rizal was placed in a van and with the greatest secrecy buried in the old and unused Paco cemetery. Teodora wanted to comply with the last wish of her son, i.e., that the family should take charge of his cadáver. After several objections on the part of some officials, Civil Governor Manuel Luengo acceded to the petition, but when the funeral coach left, they had already secretly taken the body away and Narcisa went to all the cemeteries of Manila in search of the body in vain. On the way back, she saw, through the open gate of the Paco cemetery, some guardia civiles. This gave her a clue. She entered the cemetery and after much searching found a grave with freshly-turned earth. She gave the gravedigger a tip and placed a plaque with the initials of her brother in reverse, R.P.J., that is, Rizal, Protacio Jose."
Ambeth Ocampo in his book, "Rizal Without the Overcoat," pages 148-149, confirmed that there was no proper burial or honors for Rizal's remains not until after three years from his execution on 30 December 1896, in the following words :
"In 1898, three years of Rizal's execution, his family was finally allowed to take the remains of the national hero rom the Paco Cemetery to their home in Binondo. . .Teodora Alonso, the mother of Rizal, was even photographed placing Rizal's skull in a specially-made urn which was brought to the Marble Hall of the Ayuntamiento and given the rightful honors banned during the Spanish colonial period. Later, all these were deposited under the Rizal monument in Luneta."
Post Script
1. Rizal was shot to death on 30 December 1896, by a firing squad composed of Filipino soldiers.
2. Rizal was not given proper burial or honors soon after he was shot but it took three years before rightful honors were given to his remains.