Unlike Rizal Day on December 30 where we remember the death, martyrdom and sacrifice of Jose Rizal, Bonifacio day is commemorated every 30th of November, Andres Bonifacio’s birthday. The founder of Katipunan died at the age of 33 on May 10, 1897 in Maragondon, Cavite. There is no concrete proof as to the wisdom why Bonifacio Day falls during the hero’s birthday. It has been said, however, that the controversy surrounding such death was the reason.
This week’s edition will focus on the story behind, and the events that led to, the early demise of one of Philippines’ most revered heroes, the Supremo, Gat Andres Bonifacio. His farewell is perhaps one of the most saddening and most dismaying end of a hero in Philippine history. Akin to General Antonio Luna, Supremo’s death was not brought about by the enemy’s force but by fellow Filipinos.
Historians claimed that the election (or failure of election) that transpired during the Tejeros Convention was the starting point that set the events that ultimately resulted to the untimely death of KKK’s founder.
On March 22, 1897, a Congress was held among the Members of Katipunan, particularly the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions, headed by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo, respectively. The convention’s original purpose was to plan and strategize for the defense and resistance of Cavite against the Spanish forces. Upon the move of the Magdalo faction, however, its agenda shift and focused towards the establishment of a more organized revolutionary government that will supersede Katipunan. Also included in the said meeting was the election of the organization’s new officers and directors, among other things. This meeting among members of the KKK is now famously known as the Tejeros Convention.
Being the Supremo or “Pangulo” of Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio presided over such convention and the corresponding election. For the position of President, the nominees are Emilio Aguinaldo from the Magdalo faction, Andres Bonifacio and Mariano Trias both from the Magdiwang faction.
Emilio Aguinaldo emerged victorious. He garnered 146 votes which won him the seat of Presidency despite failing to attend the Tejeros convention, Bonifacio, on the other hand, got 80 votes and Trias was able to secure 30 votes. There are rumors that such election was rigged and that the ballot were already filled before it was distributed. That Emilio Aguinaldo, Mariano Trias and other leaders of Katipunan conspired in order to overthrow Bonifacio and gain control and leadership of the organization. It is dubbed as the first “Hello Garci” in Philippine history. Such topic, however, is better discussed in another edition of this conspiracy as to uncover the truth and history of such conspiracy.
Going back, the rest of the positions were filled with Mariano Trias being elected as Vice President, Artemio Ricarte was elected as Captain General, Emeliano Riego de Dios as Director of War and Andres Bonifacio as Director of Interior.
Things start to disarray, when a certain Daniel Tirona vehemently opposed the election of Andres Bonifacio as Director of Interior. Tirona claimed that such complicated position should not fell on someone who does not have a law degree. He further contended that a certain lawyer named Jose Del Rosario should held such post. Andres Bonifacio was deeply embarrassed and infuriated of Tirona’s act. The Supremo ordered Tirona to apologize but the latter did not heed the same. Fuming in anger, Bonifacio drew his pistol and aimed it at Tirona. Fortunately, when Andres was about to fire his pistol, he was disarmed by Artemio Ricarte. Because of these commotions, Andres Bonifacio declared a failure of election, nullified all the proceedings that transpired, and left the convention.
Afterwards, Bonifacio and other members of Katipunan convened and drafted Acta de Tejeros on March 28, 1897 and Naic Military Agreement on April 18, 1897. Both documents contained repudiation of the elections results and rejection of the newly formed government at the Tejeros Convention.
Upon learning of the existence of said documents, Severino de las Alas and Jose Coronel filed complaints for treason against Andres Bonifacio. Immediately, Emilio Aguinaldo ordered for the apprehension of the Supremo and the latter was arrested on April 25, 1897. During the arrest of Andres Bonifacio, gunfire ensued. As a result, his brother Ciariaco was killed and the Supremo was wounded. His other brother, Procopio, was arrested together with Andres.
Thereafter, the brothers were tried in a war tribunal for the charge of treason and sedition. Historians claimed that such tribunal was composed mostly of Aguinaldo’s men. Expectedly, Andres and Procopio Bonifacio were found guilty of the crimes charged and was sentenced to death. Initially, Aguinaldo commuted Bonifacio’s death sentence into banishment in the Pico de Loro Mountain. Members of Magdalo, however, opposed said commutation as they declared that the same may imperil the revolution and may cause a division among the organization.
Persuaded, Aguinaldo, thru General Mariano Noriel, sent an order to a soldier named Lazaro Makapagal. It is an order for the execution of Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio. On May 10, 1897, Makapagal, together with four of his men, brought the Bonifacio brothers to Tala hill where the two were shot dead.