On November 1, 1808, he declared himself in favor of Mexico's independence from Spain, and along with a priest named Pablo José Calvillo and the indigenous garrisons of the region, put himself at the service of independence leader Miguel Hidalgo.
On November 1, 1808, he publicly backed Mexico's liberation from Spain, collaborating with a priest named Pablo José Calvillo and the local native troops to support independence leader Miguel Hidalgo.