The Katipunan

The Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or simply and more popularly called Katipunan (abbreviated to KKK) , was a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution. It was an organization of Freemasons.

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The same night Jose Rizal had been banished to Dapitan, July 7 1892, Andrés Bonifacio was said to have founded The Katipunan, in a house in Tondo, Manila.

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Freemasons and The Katipunan

"Since the founders of this society were Freemasons, it was Masonic in its rituals and organization." - http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/community/31245-andres-bonifacio-the-great-plebeian-a-mason

Andrés Bonifacio was a founder and later Supremo ("supreme leader") January 1895 - 1896 and was a Freemason  his Masonic name “Sinukuan” which means “the one who conquered”  and “Maypagasa” in the Katipunan.

Teodoro Plata,Secretary of War 1896 , was a Freemason,Masonic name was Balany.

Ladislao Diwa, Fiscal  1892 - February 1893, was a Freemason his Masonic name was  Baguio.

Deodato Arellano, Supreme Leader  1892 - February 1893, was a Freemason his Masonic name was Buan.

Valentin Diaz, Treasurer 1892 - February 1893, was a Freemason his Masonic name was Tupas.

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Terms/Symbols

Inside Bonifacio Trial House Masonic symbols.

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Like in Freemasonry there are 3 Degrees they were called Katipon, Kawal and Bayani.  The passwords were Anak (ng Bayan) means "Child of the nation", GomBurZa and Rizal.

"the Katipunan added to the ceremonies the Pacto de Sangre (blood pact) which was not Masonic but believed to be copied from the Carbonari of Italy, wherein each member made an incision on his arm to draw blood by which his signature was signed." -http://www.philippinemasonry.org/the-katipunan-and-masonry.html

As in Spanish Orient Masonry the candidate was led by a brother called the Terrible; in the Katipunan the initiate was led by a Katipunero called Mabalasik, Tagalog translation of the Spanish word Terrible.

To protect their identities, Katipuneros like Spanish Orient Masonry, also used symbolic names.