1. War of Independence (1823)
War of Independence
In July 1 of 1823, Captain Novales, Lieutenant Ruiz and Sergeant Mateo, 30 sergeants and 1000 soldiers mostly of Mexican or South American origins, declared Novales as Emperor of the Philippines.
As Novales marched his men through Manila’s Camino Real, they were all shouting “Viva la independencia”, “Viva el Emperador Novales”. The people of the city shouted in support of Emperor Novales. They seized Palacio del Gobernador(Governor’s Palace) and captured both the Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez and Lieutenant Governor general Mariano Fernandez de Folgeuras.
The rebels continued to march to Fort Santiago when the gates were opened by Andres' brother Mariano Novales. All soldiers and officers were given a chance to declare loyalty to the Emperor while those who remained loyal to Spain were all imprisoned in Fort Santiago.
The next day Emperor Novales sent a decree to all Spanish East indies declaring independence from Spain, capture of the Spanish colonial government and him as emperor. Anyone who declared loyalty to the Emperor and the Empire will be treated equally regardless of place of birth, color and ethnicity.
Among the first to receive the decree was Cavite Nuevo, location of multiple forts, shipyard and arsenal. A few loyal peninsular Spanish officers tore the decree up and shouted “Viva Espana!” after the announcement. But they were mobbed by fellow officers and soldiers, who were of Mexican, South American or Creole origins. The loyal Spanish soldiers who tried to fight were killed by a bayonet, bullet or beaten thru blunt force trauma. All the forts in Cavite Nuevo, the shipyard, arsenal, the docked ships are now in rebel control.
The Cavite Nuevo incident was well known throughout the islands since the news of Spanish officers being mauled by fellow Spanish officers arrived simultaneously with Novales Decree. The incident made peninsular Spanish officers think twice before declaring any loyalty to Spain publicly.
One by one, most of the forts and towns in the Spanish East Indies declared their loyalty to Emperor Novales and the empire.
************************************************
Point of Departure is delay of the original timelines revolt by a month, to give way for more recruitment, planning. This resulted into Andres Novales brother helping the rebel cause and Governor General’s presence in Manila which resulted in his immediate capture.