Unraveling of Revolutionary Society, Katipunan After the exile of Rizal in
Dapitan, the
Katipunan was born in
Binondo, Manila. Andres Bonifacio and his men moved heaven and earth to fight against the Spanish government then led by Gob. Heneral Polavieja. The
katipunan expanded its membership from
Luzon down to the
Visayas Region, thereby increasing the number of Katipuneros in a span of one year. Sensing the secret plan of the Katipunan to overthrow the government, the Spanish authorities raided a Binondo printing press where subversive documents were found and confiscated. One of the documents seized was the list of members of the Katipunan. The name Benedicto Nijaga was one in the list, being the collector of revolutionary funds in the area. Upon learning of the arrests, Governor Polavieja ordered the arrest of all suspected members of the Katipunan. Nijaga was arrested together with twelve other katipuneros while campaigning for revolutionary funds. Shortly after they were jailed and reportedly tortured, a trial ensued, reminiscent of that of Rizal and other Filipino nationalists. The 13 men were convicted and sentenced to death. On January 11, 1897, the thirteen were taken to Bagumbayan field under heavy guard. Just before sunrise, the men were executed.
After Spain transferred power to USA Colegio-Seminario de San Vicente de Paul (now
Christ the King College and
St. Vincent de Paul Seminary) were established in 1905 and
La Milagrosa Academy was established in 1910. On April 10, 1910, the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calbayog was created by virtue of the
Papal Bull of
Pope Pius X, comprising the islands of Samar and
Leyte. Calbayog became the episcopal see of the diocese.
World War II and later In 1942, the Japanese Army occupied Calbayog city. In 1945 the city was finally liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth troops and the guerrillas who had continued the fight against the Japanese throughout
World War II. It was only much later that other dioceses in the region were created. Republic Act No. 328, otherwise known as the
City Charter of Calbayog was signed into law on July 15, 1948, by then President
Elpidio Quirino. The first set of city officials, incumbent municipal officials of the place, were sworn in on October 16, 1948. The city comprises the territorial jurisdiction of the former Municipalities of Calbayog, Oquendo and Tinambacan.
2008: Death of a Judge In January 2008 Roberto Navidad, a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge was shot dead in Calbayog City outside a drug store at the corner of Gomez Street and Nijaga Boulevard. As of 2008, the crime was still unsolved. He was the 15th judge to be ambushed in the Philippines since July 20, 1999 (the 14th under the Arroyo government).
2011 Onwards: Political Deaths On May 1, 2011, Calbayog's Mayor Reynaldo Uy was murdered by unknown gunmen. After his death, Vice-Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino was sworn in as city mayor. On March 8, 2021, approximately 10 years after the death of Mayor Uy, Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino was ambushed and killed by members of the Samar Provincial Police while on his way to his son's birthday party. The van he was riding was pelted with multiple bullets from high-powered arms. Two of his personnel were also among the casualties of the ambush. Vice Mayor Diego P. Rivera has been appointed as successor and served as Mayor of Calbayog City until June 30, 2022. On June 9, 2021, a senate investigation led by Senator Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa was conducted where the PNP, NBI and members of the Aquino family presented their testimonies and findings. Charges have been filed on the policemen. As of the 2022 election, Raymund "Monmon" Uy is now the city's mayor.
Upgrade of city status In the last quarter of 2021, Samar 1st district congressman
Edgar Mary Sarmiento proposed to convert the city of Calbayog from being a component city into an independent component city through the virtue of House Bill No. 10483. == Geography ==