The response to this letter by Camilo Polavieja should be to release Rizal
December 28, 1896
Teodora Alonso de Rizal, a resident of Calamba and born in Santa Cruz, Manila. With all due respect and esteem has the honor to your Excellency:
Excellency,
I am certain and it is most evident that my unfortunate son, Jose Rizal, who suffered with humility and resignation the exile to which he was sent five years ago by order of the highest authority of this archipelago, is innocent of the serious offense of which he charges and for which he has been sentences to suffer the extreme penalty. It is not my intention, Excellency, to censure or question in any manner the legality of the decision of a just tribunal but due to unfortunate and fatal circumstances, it has apparently made my unhappy son responsible for the most infamous crimes, when he is in reality innocent.
In view of the foregoing, Your Excellency, I beg you to deign take pity on the grief of a poor mother, who in the most crucial moment of witnessing the death of the fruit of her womb, turns to Your Excellency in the name of our God, beseeching him with tears of sorrow in her eyes and her heart in pieces to grant to her unfortunate son the commutation of the death sentence to which he has been condemned.
Teodora Alonso, Manila 1896
December 30, 1896
Teodora Alonso de Rizal
Manila, Philippines
Dear Teodora Alonso,
I have received your letter regarding the commutation of the death sentence of your son, Jose Rizal. After careful consideration of the facts presented and the plea of a grieving mother, I have decided to release Jose Rizal from his sentence of death. I believe that justice must be served with mercy and compassion, especially in cases where there may have been a miscarriage of justice.
I hope that this decision brings some comfort to you in this difficult time. Please be assured that Jose Rizal will be released and allowed to return to his family in Calamba. I trust that he will continue to uphold the principles of peace and progress that he has always advocated for.
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I wish you and your family strength and peace in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Camilo Polavieja
Governor-General of the Philippines