THE 19 MARTYRS of Aklan were executed on 23 March 1897 in Kalibo. They were all Katipunan members who joined the forces of Francisco Castillo in attacking the Spanish garrison on 17 March 1897.

Castillo was killed in the attack and the rebels fled to the mountains. Several of them surrendered to the Spaniards after having been promised that they would be pardoned. But instead, a Spanish officer picked for the execution 20 whom he assumed were the leaders. Eventually, one was released.

The 19 were Roman Aguirre, Tomas Briones, Domingo de la Cruz, Valeriano Dalida, Claro Delgado, Angelo Fernandez, Benito Iban, Candido Iban, Simon Inocencio, Isidro Jimenez, Catalino Maupat, Lamberto Mangat, Valeriano Masinda, Maximo Mationg, Simplicio Reyes, Canuto Segovia, Gabino Sugcang, Francisco Villorente and Gabino Yonsal. 

To honor these martyrs, March 23 of every year is declared as a special public holiday in the province of Aklan by virtue of Republic Act No. 7806, signed into law on 1 September 1994 by then President Fidel Ramos.

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