Fusing religion with agrarian reform and nationalism, Papa Isio called for the removal of foreigners from Negros and the division of the land among the natives. It is contended that Papa Isio responded to the Philippine Revolution which was begun in August 1896 by Andrés Bonifacio. The group of "babaylanes" was said to have adopted ""¡Viva Rizal!"" (Spanish, "Long live Rizal!"), ""¡Viva Filipinas libre"" (Spanish, "Long live a free Philippines!") and ""Kamatayon sa Katsila"" (Hiligaynon, "Death to Spaniards!") as their battle cries.