HUGO
PEREZ (1856-1896)
HUGO PEREZ was the only physician among the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite. Although he was well known throughout the province, there is actually very little biographical information about him in available documents. He was a Freemason.
Born in Binondo, Manila, in 1856, it is presumed that he transferred residence to Cavite after he had received his licentiate in medicine. Practicing his profession in Cavite, he endeared himself among many Caviteños.
According to the declaration of Alfonso de Ocampo, who broke down upon being subjected to torture by his Spanish investigators, Hugo Perez was one of six cabecillas (little leaders) of the subversive group, which included Victoriano Luciano, Agapito Conchu, Pablo Jose, Marcos Jose, and Juan Castañeda. Pablo and Marcos Jose and Juan Castañeda of Imus were not executed; they were only detained and eventually released.
[Sources: (1) Esteban A. de Ocampo, “The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite,” Philippine Journal of Education, September 1941; (2) “The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite: Liquidation, Spanish Style,” Cavite Independent, September 1, 1956; (3) Anatolio Liton, “The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite,” Sunday Tribune Magazine, September 11, 1932; and (4) Leon S. del Rosario, “Cavite’s 13 Martyrs,” This Week, September 11,1949.]