Emilio Aguinaldo, Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan (Memoirs of the Revolution). (pp.

78-82; 95-100; 177-188;

212-227) [Memoirs]
Excerpts: This primary source deals with the memories of President Aguinaldo of the Philippine Revolution,
his exploits as a general, his sacrifices, views on certain events and his crucial war decisions.
One day in November, 1896, a muscular and well-built man who was suspected to be a secret agent of the
Spaniards came to me in our headquarters at Zapote. He said he was Edilberto Evangelista, a Filipino civil
engineer who came from Dantes, Italy, purposely to help us liberate the Philippines. He introduced himself
to me. He showed his diploma and, after further questioning, I discerned that he was sincere. So I accepted
his offer as I was really desirous to have learned men who could help and join us in our Revolution. I made
him the director general of our natural resources and I assigned him to take charge of the construction of the
trenches. I asked him to it that he was not sent to battle.
Sometime later Feliciano Jocson, owner of a drug store on the Escolta in Manila, offered his help in putting
out from Manila, saltpeter which was necessary in our munitions factory. This patriot later accompanied
General Jose Alejandrino to HongKong to buy guns with the sum of P20, 000 that the two councils,
Magdalo and Magdiwang, gave them in January, 1897.
While they succeeded in buying the arms, they had to throw them overboard o their way home for fear that
their boat might sink. The supremo, Andres Bonfacio, and his companions met them at Nasugbu, Batangas,
only to be disappointed.
My Bloodiest Fight
ON NOVEMBER 1, 1896, we planned to attack the detachment of Spanish soldiers in Bañadero, Tanauan,
Batangas. I had with me my two seasoned generals – Candido Tria Tirona and Pio del Pilar.
We travelled three days to reach Silang where we asked General Vito Belarmino to join us. Then we went
up to Tagaytay, travelled about 30 kilometers down to Iruhin and finally Talisay where we stayed for two
days, finalizing our plans for the attack.
While in Talisay, a man came hurriedly to us bringing a message from President Baldomero Aguinaldo who
enjoined us to go home because s large number of Spanish soldiers using about 50 native boat had landed at
Polvorin, Binakayan.
I was astounded with the contents of the letter. I suspected it was mere imagination and fear that caused him
to write me. Nevertheless, I became restless and I did not know what to do.
At midnight, I woke up General Candido Tria Tirona and told him about the matter. I did not want to return
for we had covered 30 kilometers already and we were nearing our destination. But he advised to go back
because he said we might be helping others but losing our own. I was convinced with the explanation. I told
the cook to prepare food for the soldiers. We also walk up General Vito Belarmino so he could send a
messenger to Silang to tell the people to prepare an early lunch for our soldiers. When the soldiers learned of
the bad news many of them wanted to go ahead even without having had their breakfast, but I told them that
it was difficult to travel 50 kilometers and to fight on empty stomachs.
At about four o’ clock of the following morning, we started for our homeward journey. When I noticed that
the soldiers were almost running in their haste to reach our destination, I ordered them to refrain from
running to conserve their energy.
When we reached Silang, another letter of President Baldomero Aguinaldo hand carried to me by Lieutenant
Dalupan brought the news that our first foothold at Kulanta, Binakayan, which was under General Crispulo
Aguinaldo, was already in the hands of the enemy. There was danger that our second position might be
captured, too.
Saddened by the news, many of our men who could not wait any longer for calesas went ahead walking.
When we reached Imus at about five o’ clock on the afternoon of November 8, we found it a veritable ghost
town for the people had left, leaving only the officials headed by the President Baldomera Aguinaldo
behind. But when the news spread that we had come back, they came out from their hiding places and joined
us once more.
From the people I learned that our troops in Binakayan were tricked by the Filipino soldiers in the enemy
side who shouted, “Brothers, brothers, don’t shoot us because we are coming to join you.”
But when they were already near, they started firing at us. So our soldiers were taken unawares, and many of
them retreated. The enemy was headed by Regiment 73 and followed by five battalions of cazadores and
marine infantry under the leadership of Captain General Ramon Blanco.
That same afternoon, I gathered all my generals, chiefs, and officers for an emergency consultation. We
decided to divide our troops into three groups. On the west side of the streets, I stationed General Candido
tria Tirona’s troops; on the east, the troops of Generals Vito Belarmino and Pantaleon Garcia. At our rear
were the troops of Generals Baldomero Aguinaldo and Crispulo Aguinaldo. Walking, crawling, stealthily,
we slowly wended our way to our second position until we were about 300 meters away from the enemy.
We were very happy to see that our Central Battery was still there. We were able to traverse this distance
without the enemy’s noticing us as it was busy setting the houses and ban-cas on fire. Meanwhile, I ordered
our men to rest.
During the night, I ordered the building on trenches on both sides of the streets where the enemy might
possibly enter. I had to supervise to supervise the men personally and cajole them to work because they were
already tired and sleepy. It must be recalled that most of the men came from Talisay, yet, I had to do this
myself for the other generals were as sleep too. I did not like to wake them up also to relieve me because
they needed the rest very much. It was heart-rending to see some of the men with spades and hoes, falling
asleep on the earth they were shoveling. However, before dawn we had built two trenches 500 meters long.
As a precaution, while we were building these trenches, I ordered General Mariano Noriel to feign an attack
on Polvorin on the other side of the river of Bacoor, a kilometer away. The troops were accompanied by a
band.
By sunrise, general Tirona came and admired the new trenches. He asked to be assigned there, so I readily
gave in the planned to stay there.
Before I left, however, I gave this instruction to all: no one should be seen by the enemy; no one should fire
at the enemy until he had heard my signal from the center of the trenches.
The troops had hardly gone to their positions when we heard the bugle of the enemy. On the opposite shore,
we saw the enemy coming. It was a huge army, the biggest I ever encountered. I believed there were about
5,000 all armed with guns and Bayonets which shone in the sun. It was a horrible sight and fear clutched my
heart. However, I did not show this fear to my companions. I could not eat my breakfast. I just swallowed
two raw eggs and drank a cup of coffee. Then I went to the trenches and prepared for any eventuality.
“Long live Spain! Long live Spain!” shouted the enemy as it approached our trenches. The shouts sounded
like thunder to our ears. Then it started firing right and left, but our soldiers remained calm. When the enemy
was about 40 meters from the center of the trenches. I heard shots from the battery of General Tirona. As the
enemy rushed upon my men I ordered the cannons fired, and soon broke the enemy ranks which were
replaced anew by others. For a moment I thought this incessant replacement was interminable. The shots
that filled the air were terrifying and deafening. It saddened me to see how the enemy face death while
bodies fell in heaps.
At the same time I noticed how braved my own soldiers were, rushing and lashing at the enemy with their
bolos. There arrows flew rapidly and found their marks accurately. It was in this battle that I noticed my
Remington gun could kill as many as four: my Mauser gun, five; while my Winchester gun, which I
acquired from the parish priest of Imus, could finish many with its eight successive shots.
In the midst of what I had just seen, I was filled with a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow, because most of
those who lay lifeless and wounded were my own countrymen. I could not fathom why they were with the
Spanish soldiers, so immediately I ordered my men not to molest the enemy soldiers carrying the dead. I was
however happy because the hardships we went through at Talisay seemed to have been rewarded with
success in this battle.
When the enemy saw that it could not penetrate our lines it slowly backed out, firing parting shots as its
bugles sounded retreat. Upon seeing the enemy retreating in a rout, I was emboldened and had my own
buglers sound the advance to my bolomen who instantly emerged from their hiding places and fell upon the
retreating enemy. I could have been a casualty myself had not Juan Munti, my strong and trusted aide,
pulled me away from the line of fire. Unfortunately, several of my men were hit by the random and aimless
shots of the retreating enemy.
I remembered that in the midst of this confusion, I spotted Candido Tria, Tirona, my compadre, and, in a
loud voice, admonished him to be careful. He seemed certain that no harm would befall him. So he, in turn,
told me to be careful.
After we had recovered the trenches that were taken from General Crispulo Aguinaldo. I ordered the soldiers
to case firing as we were to face a bigger enemy from Polvorin composed of the Spanish squadrons
protected by the cruisers and the fleet under the command of General Ramon Blanco.
When the battle was all over, we realized that the whole province of Cavite had been liberated. We gathered
200 guns. I also realized the great disadvantage to us of my order not to molest the enemy soldiers carrying
their dead for, as a result, we gathered only a few guns from the 15 cartloads left of dead soldiers aside from
the three bancas of wounded and dead which they brought to Manila and brought to Manila and buried at
Dalahikan, Noveleta. I learned later that Governor Blanco was very much grieved over the loss of his men.
In the midst of this joyful triumph, I was greatly saddened by the news that Candido Tria Tirona, my dear
friend, was killed in the encounter. Other casualties were Captain Simeon Alcantara and may brave soldiers.
For the next three days, the enemy did not harass us, but on November 12, 13, 14, 1896, it started
bombarding again the towns of Cavite el Viejo, Bacoor, and Novieta with cannon shots from Fort Vaga of
Cavite. It was a good thing that no serious damage on the towns was wrought. We thanked God whom we
believed was on our side, for most of the shells hurled were duds. As a result, we gathered phosphorus
which we used in our munitions factory. In the heavy fighting at Binakayan, we were able to gather many
empty catridges.
Bonifacio Invited to Cavite
AFTER SUPREMO Andres Bonifacio and his men met defeat at the hands of the Spaniards, we in Cavite
had lost track of their whereabouts. As we were worried about Bonifacio, we sent men look for him in the
forests of Caloocan and Malabon, andinstructed them to invite the Supremo to Cavite which had already
been liberated from Spanish rule.
By then Cavite had been independent from Spanish rule for three months and was peacefully being governed
by the Revolutionary Government. But the Supremo and his wife, Gregoria de Jesus, his two brothers.
Procopio and Ciriaco, General Lucino, and 20 soldiers sis not reach cavite until the first day of December,
1896. One can easily imagine the dangers, hardships, and privations they went through before finally
arriving in Cavite.
When the news of their arrival reached me, I was fighting at Zapote, Arumahan, Las Piñas, and Pintong
Bato, Bacoor. So I sent Generals Mariano Noriel and Pio Zapote River were even penetrated by the enemy
because our soldiers fatigued from fighting, did not notice their coming. The penetration could have gone
further were it not for the brave bolomen Funder Generals Mariano Noriel and Pio del Pilar who pounced
upon the enemy without mercy. Once more the waters of the Zapote River turned red with human blood.
This was almost an ordinary occurrence in our columns.
Magdiwang Council Reorganized
THE SUCCESS of the liberation movement in Cavite was the result of the leadership and efforts of the
leadership and efforts of the two councils: the Magdiwang Council headed initially by General Mariano
Alvarez in Noveleta, and the Magdalo Council of Cavite el Viejo headed by General Baldomero Aguinaldo.
With the transfer of Magdiwang Council later to San Francisco de Malabon, it was able to complete itsline-
up of officers as follows:

King
Andres Bonifacio
…………………………………………………………

Vice-King ……………………………………………
 Mariano Alvarez

……………………………… Ariston
Minister of War
Villanueva

Minister of Interior ……………………………… Jacinto Lumbreras

Minister of Finance ……………………………… Diego Mojica

Minister of Justice ……………………………… Mariano C. Trias

(Tagalog writer and poet)
Minister of of Natural Resources……………………. Emiliano Riego de Rios
Captain General ………………………………… Santiago Alvarez
The towns under their control were Noveleta, San Francisco de Malabon, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Ternate,
Maragondon, Magallanes, Bailen, Alfonso, Indang, and San Roque.
The reader will notice a great difference between the Magdalo and Magdiwang Councils, in spite of their
common objective: liberation of the Motherland from the tyranny of Spain.
The Magdiwang Council headed by Andres Bomifaciohad the tendency to become monarchial in form.
Even the terms used had the flavors of monarchism. The terms – king and ministers – remind one of the
monarchical forms of government.
On the other hand, the Magdalo Council was Republican in form. We used the term Magdalo which we got
from our miraculous patron saint of Cavite el Viejo, the Lady of Magdalene, and also because of our
principle to help those in need.
The Magdalo Council moved to the hacienda in Imus because Cavite el Viejo was constantly under cannon
fire from the enemy.
The Magdalo Council, which had democratic tendencies, was headed by the following officers:
President …………………………………………… General Baldomera Aguinaldo
Vice-President………………………………………….. Edilberto Evangelista
Secretary of war ……………………………… General Candido Tria Terona
Secretary of Interior ……………………………… Felix Cuenca
Secretary of Natural Resources ……………… Glicerio Topacio
Secretary of Agriculture …………………………. Cayetano Topacio
Lieutenant General
(Flag Bearer) ……………………………………….. General Emilio Aguinaldo
The towns under their control were Cavite el Viejo, Imus, Dasmariñas, Silang, Amadeo, Mendez Nuñez,
Bacoor, and Carmona.
The MagdiwangCouncil was very lucky for it figured in only one battle from the time war was declared until
April, 1897. This was the victory at Dalahikan, Noveleta, where many Spaniards were killed and 100 guns
captured. Credit for this victory goes to Generals Pascual Alvarez, Mariano Riego de Dios, Santiago
Alavarez, and Aguedo Montoya Captain Francisco Montoya and others.
The Magdalo Council had already many bloody encounters and almost every day the towns under its control
were bombarded by the enemy.
Four days later, Major Gregorio Jocson with his troops from Naic arrived at Pasong Santol to join our
forces. They left the Magdiwang faction because there was no fighting at their place.
We had a lull the next two weeks because the Spanish forces did not molest us. During this time we
lengthened our trenches to three kilometers. We also learned from the eight men from the Spanish camp who
voluntarily joined us that our successive battles plus the counterattack at Salitran caused Governor General
Polavieja’s illness and subsequent resignation. Pending the arrival of Governor General Fernando Primo de
Rivera, the new governor general, General Lachambre temporarily took over.
One sad news that reached us during this the death of Colonel Mariano Yengko who was killed in action
during the battle on the western pairies of Pasong Santol. His body was brought to Imus where he was
accorded a military burial on March 1, 1897.
The dangers of the times and a surprise attack by the enemy kept me worried, so much that I did not even
have the time to visit my family or the headquarters of Magdalo Council. I did not even remember it was my
birthday on March 22.
My Election to the Presidency
WHILE I was busy supervising the building of our defenses at Pasong Santol in Dasmariñas, a group of
cavalry soldiers headed by Colonel Vicente Riego de Dios of Magdiwang Council arrived to tell me that I
had been elected the head of the government as a result of the Magdiwang and the Magdalo factions.
The fallowing is their narration of the results of the national meeting presided over by Supremo Andres
Bonifaci. In the election for the President of the Revolutionary Government, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio
Aguinaldo do were nominated. Emilio Aguinaldo won. For the Vice-President, Andres Bonifacio was again
nominated, but his own Minister of Justice, Gen. Mariano Trias, defeated him.
For the position of Captain General, Captain General Santiago Alvarez and General Artemio Ricarte were
nominated. General Ricarte won, but he objected on the ground that he thought he was not capable.
However, his objection was overruled and he was not capable. However, his objection was overruled and he
was proclaimed shortly after.
For Secretary of War, Andres Bonifacio was nominated for the third time, but General Emiliano Riego de
Dios beat him.
For Secretary of Interior, Bonifacio was again nominated. His opponents were Ministers Diego Mojica and
Severino de las Alas. This time he won and everybody began congratulating him. But General Daniel Tirona
objected to his election on the ground that Bonifacio was not a lawyer and proposed that the position be
given instead to Jose del Rosario, a lawyer from Tanza. Although the motion was not seconded and
therefore was invalid, Andres Bonifacio stood up and said, “Did we not agree from the beginning that
whoever among us was elected in this meeting will be recognized and respected by everybody?”
“Yes, sir,” the assembly agreed“Then,” he continued, “Why is it that when I won, there was an
objection?”“Nobody seconded the motion,” reminded the group.
The Supremo was visibly angry; he pulled out his revolver and aimed at General Tirona. Had it not been for
the timely intervention of Secretary Jacinto Lumbreras and General Ricarte, General Tirona could not have
been saved. Tirona disappeared in the throng.
Although after this incident, order had been restored in the meeting, nevertheless in his bitter disappointment
and anger, the Supremo stood up and declared, “By virtue of my being head of this national meeting, I
declare this election null and void.” Then he started to leave.
Confusion reigned for a while. Thereupon, Colonel Santiago Rillo, delegate from Batangas, stood up and
shouted that the Supremo need not go for he had been proclaimed Secretary of Interior. Moreover, the
motion of General Tirona was not valid since it was not seconded. The Supremo left and proceeded to
Malabon.
Delegate Rillo turned to the assembly and asked them if they wanted to continue the meeting. He would act
as the presiding officer. The crowd consented, so the meeting was resumed. The delegates then reiterated
their respect for the elected officials and appointed a commission headed by Colonel Vicente Riego de Dios
to apprise General Emilio Aguinaldo of his election as President of the new Revolutionary government and
to fetch him immediately so he could take his oath of office.
The meeting was temporarily adjourned while they waited anxiously the appearance of General Emilio
Aguinaldo.
After this story of Colonel Vicente Riego de Dios, I said:
I am very happy that at last the two factions are united. This was the suggestion of General Baldomero
Aguinaldo on December 28, 1896, but since the Magdiwang faction did not want to elect the head of the
revolutionary Government, but rather to appoint Supremo Andres Bonifacio to this position, nothing was
accomplished. I am indeed grateful that the Supremo had changed his mind, hence this election. I thank you
for having elected me to this position, and I hope that with God’s help and your help we shall succeed.
I believe this union is rather late because our enemy has already defeated us and right now the towns of
Silang and Dasmariñas are in the hands of the enemy.
I am sorry, however, that I cannot grant your request to take me with you. How can I leave now when we are
actually facing the enemy? Ten thousand armed men are coming towards us. I am sorry, but my personal
interests can never go above those of the Mother Country.
As the commission was greatly disappointed, it left without a single word.
Then at two o’clock in the afternoon, more cavalry men headed by General Crispulo Aguinaldo, my eldest
brother, arrived. As head of the delegation he addressed me thus:
My dear President and brother: I know that you are in a dilemma regarding these two great problems in our
country. You have to choose between remaining here to defend this section of the country and that of taking
your oath of office as head of the Revolutionary Government. But if you will heed my advice, I shall ask
you to respond to the call of the Revolutionary Government by taking the oath of office. The people await
you anxiously and your acceptance will strengthen greatly our bid for freedom.
I was requested to fetch you and I promised the assembly that I will do my best to persuade you to go and
entrust your job here to me. I will do my best to thwart the attempt of the enemy to penetrate our defenses. It
can do this only over my dead body. So, my dear brother, please go with these men and leave your troops
under my care. I must remind you that you were elected on March 22, your birthday, which seems to point
that it is God’s will that you lead this struggle for freedom for our Motherland.
I was persuaded, so I left the troops under my brother’s care and proceeded to the assembly at the house on
the hacienda in Tejeros. When we arrived, we found the house closed because the Supremo did not want us
to use it. We were advised to move the assembly either to the convent of Tanza or Santa Cruz, Malabon,
upon the invitation of Father Cennon Fernandez.
We went to Tanza where we were warmly received. I was greeted by Colonel Rillo on behalf of the
assembly, followed by the Vice-President, General Mariano Trias, and the secretary of war, General
Emiliano Riego de Dios. The only one absent was General Artemio Ricarte who, according to the news
received, was afraid of the Supremo.
At about seven o’ clock in the evening before a crucifix, General Mariano Trias, General Emiliano Riego de
Dios, and I took our oaths of office, one after the other. Colonel Santiago Rillo, head of the national
meeting, presided over the ceremonies.
At about ten o’ clock that night, General Ricarte arrived. But he refused to take his oath of office until
Secretary Riego de Dios somehow persuaded him. So amidst the joy and shouting of all those present,
General Ricarte was sworn in.
After the oath-taking rites that same evening, I called my companions – General Mariano Trias and Riego de
Dios – and General Artemio Ricarte to a meeting. I told them of the need for the Lieutenant-in-command in
every town not actually in battle to come to Tanza and help General Crispulo Aguinaldo in Pasong Santol.
I had barely made this suggestion when General Artemio Ricarte stood up and said he was feeling dizzy. So
he went out without biding goodbye. I was amazed at such behavior from a general of our army! However, I
did mind it. The two other generals gave me all the support I needed and followed my suggestions. That
night dispatches were sent to all the troops of the Magdiwang group.
At ten o’ clock of the next morning, March 23, I was very happy to see a battalion under the command of
Major Andres Villanueva from Naic responds to our request. So I sent Lieutenant Villanueva and his men
immediately to General Crispulo Aguinaldo.
It was noon of March 24 when I Received news at Tanza that the Supremo and his ministers, including
General Artemio Ricarte, met in council on the morning of march23 and passed a resolution declaring null
and void the general meeting held on March 22 in Tejeros, Malabon.
Instead of going after Bonifacio and his cohorts since I had the power to do so, I chose to ignore them. I
patiently accepted this difficult situation so that petty jealousies and recriminations of brother against brother
be stopped.
After all, one by one, troops from Ternate, Maragondon, Magallanes, and other towns arrived. I sent them
all to Pasong Santol to join the forces of General Crispulo Aguinaldo.
But what a bitter disappointment and sorrow we had when we learned that our troops bound for Pasong
Santol were all intercepted by General Ricarte, upon orders of the Supremo. They were gathered at the big
yard of Mrs. Estefania Potente in Malabon where the Supremo ordered them to wait for the enemy. They
were also instructed to kidnap me on my way to Imus. When I learned about this plot, I heaved I sigh and
said, “Our Revolution is bound to fail because of the selfishness and vindictiveness of one person.” General
Trias suggested that I order the arrest of the traitors.
On the night of March 25, like a thunderbolt, the news came that Pasong Santol had been taken by the
enemy and the Spanish flag raised in victory, but only after General Crispulo Aguinaldo, my brother died
fighting as he had vowed.
To my mind, such a disaster could have been averted had not Andres Bonifacio asked General Artemio
Ricarte to intercept our reinforcement to Pasong Santol. This is a black spot of the history of our struggle for
independence which I can never forget.
I Returned to Imus
IN THE face of these events, especially our defeat at Pasong Santol caused by the failure of the Magdiwang
troops to help, I was plunged into deep thinking about the fate of our Revolution. I had to go over the events
with regret and remorse. Added to this depressing state of affairs was the news that the Supremo had ordered
my capture on my way home to Pasong Santol. This was perhaps the reason for gathering in his big yard my
troops who were to reinforce Pasong Santol. It was not illogical to conclude that perhaps the plan of Andres
Bonifacio was not merely to cripple the forces of General Crispulo Aguinaldo, but also to make my capture
easy. The Magdiwang troops new that when I took my oath of office. I had with me only Benito Ylapit, my
cousin, who carried my rifle.
The plot did not bother me very much as my main concern was to reach Imus so I could pick up the
Revolution from where it fell and carry our cause through. I
In returning the fir, the men of Colonel Bonson killed Colonel Bonifacio and wounded some soldiers and
Supremo whose wound necessitated his immediate transfer to Naic on a hammock.
On the morning of April 29, 1897, the troops led by Colonels Bonson, Pava, and Topacio returned to Naic
with their captives headed by Andres and Procopio Bonifacio. They were taken to the tribunal first before
medical treatment was given to them in the convent.
I summoned Generals Emiliano Riego de Dios, Baldomero Aguinaldo, and Tomas Mascardo and we chose
the officials to compose the tribunal or military court to try Bonifacio brothers. The capture of the Supremo
by Colonels Bonson, Topacio, and Pawa and the immediate surrender of his troops averted unnecessary
bloodshed and killing on both sides. It was a good thing, too, that General Ricarte and his troops were not
there then.
The Military Court
THE GENERALS whom I consulted regarding the creation of a military court were all against this plan.
They thought that such court was unnecessary for two reason; first, because we were in a state of war, and,
secondly, because we were harassed by the enemy at many points almost every day.
At the meeting, the generals drew up five serious charges against the Bonifacio brothers. These charges and
their attempt to subvert the interest of the revolutionary Government, if prove, were sufficient to warrant the
death penalty for them. The charges were: (1) the anonymous letter accusing me of an alleged plot to
surrender to General Lachambre, (2) there plan to establish another government, (3) there plan to liquidate
me, (4) the escape of the brothers and General Ricarte to evade responsibility for their acts, and (5)
derelictions of duty for refusing to fight for their country.
My generals wanted Andress and Procopio Bonifacio shot to death without the benefit of trial. As this matter
involved the lights of two men, I listened carefully and weighed their arguments. I notice that they were very
sad about the whole thing. After a few minutes, I said: “I am very sorry to differ with your opinion on the
matter. I believe that even if we are in a state of war, it is absolutely necessary that we act like prudent and
civilized human beings. The life of a person, no matter who he is, needs be respected. I don’t think it is right
to have anyone, especially our brothers, shot just like animals. Whatever their crimes are, they should be
entitled to a fair trial. While it is true that ordinary laws are suspended during war time it is equally true that
we follow laws during war. We have the military courts to render justice.”
After my explanation, everyone was silent. So I directed General Mariano Noriel to create the court at once.
I appointed Colonnel Jose Lipana as presiding judge; Colonnel Jose Elises, fiscal; Colonnels Placido
Martinez and Teodoro Gonzales (one secretary of the Supremo), defense counsels for the Bonifacio
brothers. I instructed the court to be lenient because they were merely following their superior’s orders. The
court started the trial at Naic, but later moved to Maragondon.
Death of the Bonifacio Brothers
AFTER a detailed and careful trial by the military court composed of seven members headed by General
Mariano Noriel, the two Bonifacio brothers were found guilty of disloyalty to and treachery against the
revolutionary Government as well as the sedition and rebellion. Having established their guilt beyond
reasonable doubt, the court unanimously imposed the death sentence on them.
The decision was referred to me as head of Revolutionary Government and military commander. When I
learned of the decision, pity for two former comrades seized my heart. In this connection, I have to mention
here that ever since my early childhood, and even in school, I never had any enemy. I never thought that in
that in this struggle against Spain, I would have an enemy and a Filipino at that!
By virtue of my power as head of the revolutionary movement, I ordered Colonel Pedro Lipana, the
presiding judge, to ask the military court to relax the penalty on the brothers. My reasons were pity, my
desire to preserve the unity of the Filipinos and, above all because I did not want to shed the blood of other
revolutionists. I therefore suggested that the brothers be banished to Pico de Loro, a mountain quite far but
still within Cavite.
Upon learning of my wish, Generals Pio del Pilar and Mariano Noriel rushed back to me.
“Our dear general,” General Pio del Pilar began, “the crimes committed by the two brothers, Andres and
Procopio, are of common knowledge, If you want to live a little longer and continue the task that you have
so nobly begun, and if you want peace and order in our Revolutionary Government, do not show them any
mercy. Recall your order because what these two brother had committed treachery to our country. By means
of an anonymous letter, we are led astray so that we agreed to put your government down and establish a
new one. It was a good thing you can upon us in that secret meeting at the hacienda, otherwise, you and I
would not be alive today. They named the commanding general of the revolutionary forces and left
everything in my hands to bind the two armies by whatever means. We further agreed that should anyone
found guilty of treason, he should be given capital punishment. This we swore to follow till death.”
“I took the same oath,” interrupted General Mariano Noriel. “If you want the goal of Revolution to be
fulfilled, and if you wish to live some more years, don’ show mercy on the brothers, because their main aim
is to liquidate you by all means. I think the military court was right in giving them capital punishment.”
And they added, “General, if you will allow Andres Bonifacio to leave, the cause of the revolution will be in
danger. We cannot afford to be divided, especially in these critical moments.”
Besides these two generals many people, most of them former followers of Andres Bonifacio came to me to
dissuade me from my decision of relaxing the sentence on them. Because of their explanations and requests,
plus the strong evidence to prove their criminal acts. I rescinded my order. Thereupon, General Mariano
Noriel ordered major Lazaro Macapagal to bring with him a squad of soldiers to fetch the prisoners and
carry out the punishment originally imposed by the military court.
Very early on the morning of May 10, 1897, Major Macapagal and his men took the prisoners to Mount Tala
where they were shot.
As I was busy leading the fight against the enemy in Maragondon, I did not learn of the execution of the
Bonifacio brothers until days later.