KATIPUNAN IN BULACAN
The earliest members of the Katipunan from Malolos were Isidoro Torres, Ramon de Leon and Luis Gatmaytan. They became members in March 1896 and, together with Doroteo Karagdag, they were authorized to organize chapters or "balangay" in Bulacan province.
As a result of their efforts, the "Balangay Apuy" was organized in Malolos with the following officials and members: Luis Gatmaytan, President; Ramon de Leon, Secretary; Victorino Gatmaytan, Treasurer; Isidoro Torres, Doroteo Karagdag, Damaso Kaluag, Vicente Villavicencio, Donato Teodoro, Dionicio Dimagiba, Maximino Borlongan, Agripino Buendia, members. Other members were Antonio Bautista, "Tagausig," Gregorio Santos, "Taliba" and Romualdo Concepcion, "Mabalasik."
In early 1896, there was also organized in the capital of Bulacan, a separatist organization affiliated with the Bonifacio-founded Katipunan. It was called Katipunan del Norte presided by Agustin Tantoko, coadjutor of Calumpit parish. It was most active in Bulacan province, especially around Malolos. Gabino Tantoko, a propietario from Malolos, was a member and so were Juan, Antonio, Ezequiel, all surnamed Tantoko, among others.
After the discovery of the Katipunan, the Malolos members were arrested and tortured, like the brothers Luis and Victorino Gatmaytan and Nicolas Buendia.
Later, the "Balangay Apuy" was reorganized and Isidoro became president. He easily headed the armed uprising in Malolos, and drove the Spanish forces in the decisive Battle of Malolos on June 1, 1897.
