Before Blockchain Existed, the Katipunan Already Used Cryptography: The Secret Codes of 1896

 

When people think of the Katipunan, they imagine bolos, blood compacts, and brave revolutionaries fighting for independence.

What they don’t realize is this:

The Katipunan wasn’t just a revolutionary army.

It was a highly advanced information network using cryptography, verification systems, and data encryption — decades before computers existed.

In short, Bonifacio and his men were doing blockchain-level security using nothing but pen, paper, symbols, and pure Filipino genius.

Let’s decode their system.

1. The “Blood Compact” = Biometric Verification

The ritual of signing documents with blood wasn’t dramatic flair —

it was an early form of identity authentication.

Blood =

• unique

• unforgeable

• verified

• tamper-proof

• identity-linked

This is the 1896 version of:

“This is my private key.”

2. The Katipunan Code Alphabet = Early Encryption

The Katipunan developed their own alphabet, replacing Spanish letters with symbolic strokes.

No outsider could read their messages unless they knew the key.

That’s manual encryption —

the exact logic behind:

• encoded data

• private keys

• secure communication

Their messages were unreadable without the cipher.

Just like encrypted files today.

3. Membership Process = Multi-Step Authentication

Joining the Katipunan required:

• interviews

• referrals

• oath-taking

• background checks

• ritual verification

• layered approval from existing members

This is your classic multi-factor authentication (MFA):

Something you know

Something you have

Something you are

4. “Balangay” Network = Decentralized Nodes

The Katipunan was divided into small, independent units called balangays.

Each balangay knew only:

• their members

• their tasks

• their immediate superior

This minimized risk of infiltration and allowed the organization to survive arrests.

It was decentralized —

the exact structure of:

• peer-to-peer networks

• blockchain nodes

• distributed ledgers

No single point of failure.

5. Passwords & Code Names = Key-Based Access Control

Katipunan members used:

• secret passwords

• pseudonyms

• symbolic signatures

• animal or nature-based code names

• hidden hand signs

This is primitive but effective:

Access Control Lists (ACLs)

and

Public/Private Key system

Only those with the right “key” could access meetings or information.

6. Messages Passed in Layers = Hashing & Data Integrity

Messages were often passed through trusted layers:

Member A → B → C → D

Each layer checked if the message was consistent.

If one detail changed,

the system knew it was compromised.

That’s early hashing logic —

ensuring data integrity across transmissions.

**7. The Conclusion:

Bonifacio’s Katipunan ran on pure Filipino cryptographic brilliance.**

Long before Silicon Valley,

long before Bitcoin,

long before cybersecurity…

Filipinos were already practicing:

• encryption

• verification

• distributed networks

• identity authentication

• secure communication

• anti-tampering methods

• decentralized coordination

History x AI isn’t just about the past.

It’s about rediscovering how future-minded we were all along.

The Katipunan wasn’t just a rebellion.

It was a proto-digital resistance movement —

the first Filipino version of secure, encrypted communication.

Now, as AI and blockchain reshape the world,

Filipinos aren’t catching up.

We’re simply returning to what we’ve always been good at:

decoding systems, securing truth,

and fighting for freedom through information.

🇵🇭🤖✨