LOYPIR Res ,Queam Citys ARENeO de Mai 82 ‘THE KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION ‘as promoted to lieutenant general, Maj, Lucas Camerino to lieu tenant colonel, and Capt. Antero Riel to major ‘The Revolution was facing a grave crisis. The Katipunan forces in Cavite were suffering defeat after defeat with greet loss of life Magdelo tersitones had passed to Spanish hands after the Battles of Salitran, Zapote, end Dalahikan. Imus, the rebel capital, was in « state of imminent calepse. To strengthen defenses £0 thet they oul stop the Spanish advance into the rest of the province that was still held by the Magdiwang and to forestall the loss of mare lives, the Supremo Bonifacio, with the approval of other revelution- zy leaders, called a meeting of the Magdalo and Magdiwang lead ers, This mesting, scheduled for 24 March 1897, was postponed for the next day because of the death of Lt. Gen. Crispulo Aguinaldo, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's brother, on that day in the Batlle of Salitean The Magdiwsng leaders were waiting for their Magéalo counter- arts at the Tjeros friar estate house, the designated place, long after lunch on thet day. They had tp siazt in the afternoon to allow the usual enemy-raids, which came in the morning, to subside before they ventured out to Tejres, a village in the municipality of San Francisoo de Malabon. When the Magdalo group finaly came ‘at about five in the afternoon, they brought with them the sad news of the death of General Magdalo's own brother. Heading small r0up, General Magdalo recounted the circumstances of the heroic ath of hie patviot brother. Then he begged to be excused to sttend to arrangements for his beloved brother's funeral. Thus, the meeting Was put off for the next day at the same place. But before dispersing, Secretary of the Treasury Diego Mojica froposed a vesolution of condolence and prayers for patrio:s who ed heroically like Lt. Gen. Crispulo Aguinaldo The Supr Bonifacio though this was superuous end objected to sul lution, “True love of country,” the Supremo argued, “and service the cause of freedom for the Motherland are the most noble les that would ensure one's place in heaven Li. Gen ib Crispule ‘Aguinaldo and the comrades who died before him ave all traly besaed and are now in their respective places in the heavenly Kingdom. Moveover, they will always occupy an honored place in the history of our country.” mer Hee 32 The assembly at Tejeros was finally ‘The anvitations to t convened on'25 March 1897, meeting were signed by Secretary Jacinto Lurabreras of the Magdiwang Council, and he presided over the sembly Seated with Lumbreras at the long pre table wore i University Pess. THE KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION 83. she Supreme Andces Bonifacio, Messrs, Mariano 3, Alvaes, Pascual Alvarez, Ariston Villanueva, Mariano C. Trits, Diego Mojica, Hinliono R_de Dios, Santiago V. Alvarez, Artemuo Ricarte, Santos NNocon, Luciano San Miguel, Pablo Mojca, Severino de las Alas, ond Santiago Rillo all of them of the Magdiwang. Among the Magdalo seated at the head table were Massrs. Baldomero Aguinalde, Daniel ‘yonn, and Cayetane Tops — “nist be meiionet ts, before the assembly was convene, Secretary of War Ariston Villanueva of the Magdiwang Council received the confidential information that Mr. Daniel Tirona of the Magdalo faction was set to undermine the proceedings of the assem bly end that he had already succeeded in enjoining many among ‘the Magdiwang leaders to ally with him, Secretary Villanueva kept silent, but nevertheless alerted Captain General Apoy, who had troops in readiness for any eudden eventuality The leaders were seated at the presidential table, ay previously escribed, and all the others were standing in groups on both sides of those seated. ARer Chairman Jacinto Lumbreras had declared the sscembly open, he announced the main topic of discussion, which was hhow to bolster the defenses in the areas still under Magdiwang con. ‘vol, Presently, Mr. Severino de las Alas tose to speak, aud when he was recognized he Sad, "Before we discuss minor details, let us first tackle the major issue such as what kind of government we should have and how we should go about eftablishing it Once we make 4 decision about these questions, the problem of organization and strengthening of dofenses will be vesolved.” “As initiator of the Revolution,” Chairman Lumbreras replied, "the Katipunan now holds authority over the islands. It has govern sent of law and a definite program. Jt is obeyed and respetted by because it stands for freedom, brotherly love, and a wellorgan, dued and wellun goverament. The purpose of this meeting is to wuss the best measures to take to strengthen the Megiiwang ssovernment vis-a-vis the enemy. We should avoid surrendering the headquarters of the Katipunan army should the Magdalo eventually lose out, ‘The chair next recognized the Supreme. He concurred with what Chairman Lurbreras had just said and explained that the °K" in the middle of the sun in the Katipunan flag used in the Revolution stood for Kaleyaar (Freedom), Mr. Severino de las Ales spoke again, He countered that the letter “A” and the sun on the flag did not indicate whether the reve. i government was democratic or nol The Supremo replied that drom the rank and file t9 the highest levels, the Kat respect for universal broth- hood ard equality of men. It was risking bloodshed ond life teal?ee ‘THE KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION, ‘8 government ied by only one of tivo, ME Antonis Montenegr SPH n defense of Me Severino dela | ‘Alar’ stand He argued that they would not agree ste eed ot Fevalitionacy goverment they were to haved tht if ey wee {>I the staan quo preva then they who were ithe Rersutne ould be mo biter than a pack of bent or of wil inden Generat“Apoy was hurt by these words of Mr. Montenegro, He quickly stood up and looked angrily at the previous speaker "eof the Hetipunan” be Sogn, “are under theron of a respected Highest Counc of te Son ofthe People. Tas Cous lis the defender af and as authority over, he Magdiang tod Magdsl governments of Cavite We are tru rewiutsonees ig ing for feedam af the naive land. We are age bandies whet ob tiers of thei property and wealth. Nor shold We be likened to Beasts, for we kno how to pote and defend eters, epee te oli eign who eck anu wie we onal and ont expose tus he all bg Bt et seplsh eth You want to establish a different kindof governmeat that 1 four Tking you mst dos me have done. Go beck to sou eae rad snatch them fem Spanish eotel! Toon you cao wha poet 30s; but don't you dare sk refuge among covards ino might ol You bandits snd hea. Rod for sverind sutton, fs no Ordering sour stent Captain General Apay stoped speaking an looked intently at the person he was slling to sod ordered'a detachment under Nj Barsaso oj to keep him unter guard, Alter shut while, De Jose Riss sister, Maing and his dow, dup, pended ith General Apo not to arett Me, Montego tae him ey at the exiaie house wher they themselves were staying, They vale tecredo be held personally responsible fr Me. Mostenego while in thelr costo. “Capa General Apay etilyaseded to he reyues ‘The strong apd excited denunciation by Captain General Apoy af Mr, Monteneg, alerted she Magdinang traps. The faders hed everyone aupicusy and were ony avaiting & signal fom General Soar Cham begin ig Dror eed nd rape a assembly. oT ‘When order was restore, ome wanted the convention adn hut the Suprema Bonlicis prevailed upon the eters to ction However, the presiding cer Sir Lambrers, seis tornsowe his ole of chairman. He wanted to yield the chair tothe Supreme Whom he thought tobe the nghtfalchalomas fe Kasipunan, 08 you know" Mr, Lombreras explained, was ree fom the beginning forthe spread the Tevautionary Teoma! threughout the Phubppines. Bat because of the disse sore same, ina assy 94a called to etabish « Tavera rev. aL ae ares pore the amibine To faporant ‘Werofing, only the Sumo bas th righ io preside at this as sembly, for hes the Eather of the-Katinunan ond Pe Revolution - Mir Lumbreress speech waa well received ens proposal was ‘vaseimovsly accepted, The Supreme Ba 2d the chair mena aveordngi sd sala, Tour aim sto edablshw new over Tpveriment of the Katipunan of the Sons of the People. This aT verusate the Cecinone mate atthe meshing hel a he ar “ne fouge in ms In ny capes a Pa fe titat venorble Katipunan of te Sons ofthe People, Tapes and Mon hoe wth your aapration. But Lath so rind yo tht eels scape all detains prberly dcueed ond apounved in Tce smecunge Wethouid respec and ate by The Wises ofthe ap Gecae ofa cepated clamor forthe approval of the eatablih: cont ota goreramneat tthe Plippine Repibi the chair proved relegate for an eleion to the flowing postions presides, eg eeegont minister of faacee, minster of wellarereimater oF Fine and cain general “he Supeemo poke again before the elation began. He aa that thr cnidste who would er fhe mast mamber of votes for each fostn should te the minty, so ater what his gata jn Ife or Ep cational SRaTMUEMT' nat shout matter was that the can didste had_never_been a traitor to the cause of the Motherland. Gaal sed thee ware shouts of approval auch ne, “That ‘how it should be-eqoety SPaTayone Nobody sou be Meher tor lone tan the other, May Ive of eunty prev "the Supremo Bona appvnied Gencd sin sare tary. Teen, ith the Help of Me Danil Tuvan De Ssbuted pieces taper to serve ae bits Vhen the allots had been colt hd the yen were ready to be canvases, Bx Digo Maj, the gat suctay ofthe teeny, worand the Sopra Ba many ‘sts abated were area filed ost and thatthe voters had fot done-thie thesiites The Suprema ignored tha remark. He feuded wif tee bans ot hand a8 noting snes had Keppene ‘unt ues for president were sousted, Me Baio Aguialdo yee Snavee Bonitocn, the Supreme ‘The winner Was lama opause an ghoute of abbas? Long ive) Sir Sevepnn de los Ale spe again sey that since the nif ereived the second highest number of votes Supreme B86 ‘THE KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION Jor the presidency, he should be proclaimed vie resident government of the Philippine Republic. When tobosy vgated fpyroval ot daspprovl of he propel he prog ee ak Shree Boia, ate te seon be soon ar president, Mir won ayer Mic Mariano Alvarca ahd the Supramo Bondado, Ganeret Vue wan hoot sontais seer roe, ‘poy. Genel Vibra SaRATEE aylog that be lve ee 1ky nor the night to aesume the now pion, But General Apoy hott his ojetins by snyng that he personaly wuched een tral ihre empetene tnd ght te crapy He pnton fe we here lead, General po’ enouesent war greed wth he of Long lve the newly lee eats posers ‘Me BaldmernAguinelde wanted the Gestion to be oished baie it got too dark. To facilitate the counting of votes, he suggested that forall otherpoiions tobe veel pon soars shsid stanton oe Side of heal iin favor and on the oor side f againat. The se gestion was adopt bth testa thealecson- Forte ponon Secretary of wars Ms. Biljana ide Dios way eased ver bel ingly over Messrs. Hiago V. Alvarez) Ariston Villanueva, and Dan. ie Tirona. After the tite had grea the proper honors fee Re tecrlany pf-van-they proceeded tn elt the assay ofthe ine Mion Me adres Bovlaga, the Sagres, won't Bn Waste ‘Avares. The cowd broke into aheute of Mabuhay” Mes Dasa ‘Tiana requested fora restrain of ardor and thee spoke ain” “hip brchren the ofe of sertay af the intro va a soope and of Goch sent tet we shou noe who lo not lawyer One azong ta here is 9 ay Soc del Rosai Let us recnsler the chute for the rhe has ao fredenlals to show aeding to any education Mianent Then in as loud «oie ax be could muster, Tron shouted, “Lat us clct Mer Joe el sang, the lanyer™ Greatly embarrassed, the Supremo Bonifacio quickly stood up and anid, We agreed fo sbide by the majonty tts and asceph is Caee to matter wht the stat in lie ofthe pesson elected hed Becwone of tint demaod fm gee, We tenal Tron, an azn You must estore tothe voters tnd the one they elected the honor You have only ow beonsches* "Then he pulled out his revolver and tok aim Instead of replying, Mt Tron ignored the Supreme’ remarks andy perhaps beta offen, Read ay and got at nthe cr Disorder ensued a0 the convention sosetary Wied ta sarin, the Sapremo, who Wag intent on shouting Mr icon. ‘Te people besen to Uiapetse and the Supreme adjourned the Meeting wth theee words fe KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION 87 jn my capacity as chairman of this convention and as President ‘supremo of the Most Venerable Katipunan of the Sons of the People huh association is known and acknowledged by all, I hereby 8 Neclare null and void all matters approved in this meeting. tc be leh uch oad wea flowed ty his alan end soe ope eect AF GalSemeo Ago, a Vaginl preset, dd not aro can Prancaco 26 Matton’ that night i oder conrince the Sn ang leaders teoowese the darptedsestig te flew day. They agreed to his proposal. That same fight, rumor had WES? Messrs, Nasana Tai Daniel Tirora, Bmilisns fede Dios, Santiago Rillo, and others were in the pazjsh house of the Catholic Hegee nce (Sonte Gros de Malton) ove thet they. Wer cufmg-wthe rest Fe, Cenon Vilage, Many alsied ta sete a blo lc se gat Way lla cht Gate sequs: of Magiss Des, Beltmes Agunalo,« meeting war cae at the same na ete hoe in Teerea, Caledon Oe day efter the tumultuous convention, its purpose was to continue and. (wy fste the pocega of the scten meeung, torrie thelr fuer allan, apd to festa nity on ata love fn their intone Aeige ftom the Supreno Adres Soniaca, among the vreestog ieee whe aus were Mesos Dfesane Avares, Diego Molicg, Ariston Vilonuever Peseuel Alvaren- Jacinto Lombreran StanageAlvere Artemio Rata, Nicolas Port, Euston Noon, soi’ Fe Mantel Trascthe parish price of San Sonate de Maitoms They waited woul hve that team, ba sano he Magdla members came, not even ther President WH, had inited hat Would have ben retoneigtion meting that same might waa ramorel tht the Mageale leader vere, soatly tang Cnr opa tasting af ha pura bee in Tics? ugh i had ras 1 be appreaiv because the Magalo ers esto in tertory under ts juroiin fhe Magiiwanglederstap inca tha star wap due fan Magis wore hecigeoret fo meeting plena‘inr tetorie hed all been taken by the pon, ma "he nest mrsing, 27 Mach 189) eyewitnesses who bad oped ‘on the proceedings revealed that, indeed, # meeting had taken place Sf the Tau goeh House and thatthe Supe dson rgar- Jing the decton at the Iria estate house were not respected, These ‘ellotons surfaced deapte denials rom many sector. inthe gatheng in the Tanra parish huey theese atthe spre orang hl bree crate ad in the name of th Hay Father the highest pot ef the Roman Gaba crt, Sn wea ihe martyred sents and solemnly tok thet of, Pr Osnon Villatrance officiated, With Messrs. Severino de las Ales and Danielcy ‘THE KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION! ‘iron as witnesses, the following yok sir oaths of fie: Mery Emilio Aguields, Mariezo ©. Tras, end Artemio Rearee Conse ously absent was the Suprey Andres Boney who Was ol invited although he was one of chose lected t-ofice Tt wl recalled that os ehdman of he Teer conuenton He eclared aul and vod ll matters approved by the asrembly becase of grave Violation ef a pringpleagred upon before the elections TE shoul be noted here that, known fo the Megeivang-Counei, che Megdalo ported troupe to guard fhe Tasca parish hows forthe, athtaking ceremonies, The troops were under atrict orders not tp fcmit any of th unwanted Magdiwang partisan I he news abot the secret exremony had leaked out atl, and the underdog in the power stragpe had attempted to break inte iy hey would have been annihilated then end therd” =~ END 33 ‘he Spasara eaptored and oscpid the town of Imus in the afternoon of 26 Maren 1607 Tey To lus thee days erase td marched int the Sia Francia de Malton terrory 0p oe lag of Baka. When tay reached akan, they were atrspnd by Magdwang tops ad by Supreme Beis aod Canna oe Atha bate eanued. But the Magitmang atte wat fed bythe arval of a grat uimber of aeny veinfarcement athe Tight ofthe econ Inthe face f such tn unre sara the Supremo decided ona tachcal rset to thor rtfentonn Gna Apr, his pars, ortered jr Buys aly aes armed unt of the Blgdivang say and asi tem oe Tose freatns in San France de Malabon ‘fer the ball he Spaniards entanped and rested sn Baka but throughout the night they ete hase wil poate fn ‘al Kotpunan band Aotcipting thatthe exemy encamped at Bakaw wosld xy ta penetrate tw song Dslihtan fraeatone in Novato the teat, General Apoy ered Gena So gu! yl from Dalam and traeier them tote tes ft On 3'Apiy the Supe made bid recptare Novela, Cen srl Vira and Gen Santor Newn ecmpried him nts of Shih ted he wl day Bu supe» fe xematon sete pind hn ne nes 4 ow days after the Supreme’ unsucnsfl atta to retake Novela, ffesh Spanish reinforcementa began aso Sa eee umbee in the open lds othe wea f Bakes aig hr shore of Novaets tnd Saline Anne thet mossog Sule he unable to dislodge pg naDPUNA AND THE REVOLUTION 20 anciseo de Spam mountain cannons begen battering the San Fra a rieation, extending fom Tejas to Tarik, A two-hour Male rs followed by ground attack by cavalry and infentey soo pelminary skirmishes, manosan combat broke oot at the ute br, It became a fee batleground as the rebels made a Tatty defense, Every head that emerged from either sido was aly hashed in or severed atthe neck All that could be heard {Mos the rattle of gleaming blades, the burst of gunfire, and the thud “Foes as they fell agains te earth. Wielding variety of ams sofas spears, machetes, cages, revolvers, and ies, the com” ‘iota luted in strggle and fll gether. Tone iostance, the Up EPefayooe percing somebody's dle came out straight Shrough che back of anotber who himesé bad a pointed machete ticking in IHS Gust. in another inatance, ene who ovas morally wounded by @ [ep dagger snfitted by the other as in a death embrace sath his fotalant who was himelf killed by the others gun. Ancther pac Sho fll tgather each had bayonet thrusts, one through the navel Ted the olter above the chest. Some had severed heads, other, fevered hand or fet ‘enecl Apoy andthe Supremo Bonifeso lost many gallant troops in th blody and miserable Battle. Among those who died were tbe ‘lant Ma} io Baluyot and head solder Francisco Araldo, Joan Broes, Lato Pobete, and Nicomedes Esguersa, The enemy rode fougishod ovr their Hodes as they rushed into town to raise thelr fg of wcary and to burn hanes. “Very early that morning before the bate, Captain General Apoy had vated the Tarte fort to boat the morale of the Magdiwang tnd the Balora troops. Then ot past seven etlock, they saw the Spaniards massing «great momber of thee trope ‘The command. tre of the Magiiwang ond the Bela contingent thought i was the beter part of discretion ifthe captain general was not with hem inside the fort when the eapeied attack took place, Thus, Major Beluyt and Captain Olas escorted him across the river to the west Of the ton of San Pranciaco de Malabon Ges, Pia del Pilar and his too, alg with «aml detachment trom imi, came lo help in the defense of San Francisco de Malabon, but Gr some sown Yagon he withdrew even before the enemy could attack He made hie withdrawal wishout notifying those inside the for Coming fom Imus and Kawit, the enemy tok Noveleta without resistance: Thay captured the forfeations and cleted Katipunan arms and ammuniten, Coming in and sprending out iio the open feds azound Ins, Kawi, Novlels, and San Frese de Melabon, they ovrwhelaed the People trope with ther shee rember, After