Aguinaldo knew of the seditious government as he overheard the meeting he was not invited to attend. However, Aguinaldo did not move against the group of Bonifacio until Gen. Severino de las Alas asked him for help as his town (Indang) was under attack from the forces of Bonifacio. According to historian Carlo Quirino, Bonifacio had threatened to burn down Indang because of its town officials’ refusal to recognize Supremo’s authority. Apart from this it was revealed that Bonifacio and his men were planning to surrender to the Spaniards and some of his soldiers forcibly confiscated carabaos and other foodstuff from the community.
| AGUINALDO | BONIFACIO | OTHER OPINIONS |
| General Delas Alas was ordered to Indang to confer with Bonifacio. But instead of a peaceful welcome, Gen. Delas Alas and his men were confronted with hostility, and were forced to defend themselves. The encounter led to the death of Bonifacio’s brother Ciriaco (who was believed to have fired first), the serious wounding of Bonifacio in the throat, and the capture of Procopio Bonifacio and twenty other men. | Gregoria de Jesus gave the impression that General Delas Alas’s men attacked them -- claiming that men pulled aside Ciriaco and shot him to death. Gen. Artemio Ricarte also claims that Cols. Agapito Bonson and Jose Ignacio Paua started firing out of nowhere, killing Ciriaco. | It should be noted that all these happened during the time of revolution, a wartime setting where survival is the prevailing goal. Therefore, any seditious act towards the government was treated as treason, which necessitated the death penalty. However, it is interesting to note that Aguinaldo, despite leading a government on the run, still decided to convene a military court to formally try those involved in the sedition case. It was a humanitarian act on Aguinaldo’s part even though it could compromise their military strategies. Such an act from Aguinaldo may be attributed to the notion that he still honored Bonifacio as the president of the Katipunan, and as a friend and brother who initiated him in into the organization. - Dr. Emmanuel Calairo |
| As it was wartime, regular laws were suspended. Aguinaldo believed however that it was unfair to shoot dead the Bonifacio brothers without the benefit of a trial. Aguinaldo directed the creation of a court martial. Gen. Mariano Noriel (President of the Council of War) was tasked to create the court. | In an appeal to the Supreme Court, heirs of Procopio and Andres claimed that the Council of War were all men of General Aguinaldo, which casts doubt on the impartiality of the trial. |
We encourage healthy exchange of ideas on this website. Share your thoughts via info@heroesall.ph We welcome opinions that can widen the understanding of our history. Information and/or opinions will be posted on the third column as deemed vital by our editors.