There is not much controversy directly between Aguinaldo and Luna except for Luna’s death. Some historians attribute the death of Luna to Aguinaldo, with the latter supposedly ordering Luna’s execution.
| AGUINALDO | LUNA | OTHER OPINIONS |
| Telegrams of Aguinaldo to Tinio gave a perception that “something very serious was being plotted against Luna.” Joaquin, the brother of Antonio Luna, concerned of his brother’s welfare, warned Antonio of the imminent danger. Antonio, however, believed that President Aguinaldo appreciated him and that there was nothing to fear. | ||
| Col. Simeon Kabigting, leader of soldiers stationed at Arayat, received (a letter (apparently signed by Aguinaldo) ordering his soldiers to shoot Luna to death once the general has ridden on the raft and near the middle of the river. However, Kabigting thought of the letter as just a prankst as the signature looked forged, and decided to forget the whole thing. | ||
| Aguinaldo did not send Luna any telegram. On the contrary, Aguinaldo received a telegram from Luna dated June 1 asking him for a meeting on “urgent matters.” Luna was expected to arrive on June 5 but Aguinaldo decided not to respond to the telegram as he knew that Luna would only insist on the “golpe de estado” plan against the Aguinaldo cabinet. (Saulo) | Aguinaldo summoned Luna via telegram (dated June 4) to proceed to Cabanatuan for a meeting. Aguinaldo is believed to be afraid of Luna’s strength and popularity, making a coup d’état probable. (Agoncillo, Malolos: Crisis of the Republic, p. 444) | Aguinaldo was in Tarlac when Luna received a telegram inviting him to go to Cabanatuan, making the authenticity of the telegram questionable. – PM Virata during an interview on iJuander
Elizabeth Angsioco, a columnist, believes that the authenticity of the telegram can be based on the analysis of the handwriting. As someone who has been transcribing historical texts and being exposed to Aguinaldo’s handwriting, Ansioco concludes that “The one on the telegram attributed to him is very different from his existing self-written records during the period.” Angsioco added that forging documents during this period was common – for example, Americans forging documents to defeat revolutionists, Bonifacio forging papers to incriminate and make it appear that wealthy Filipinos who were not supportive of the Katipunan were either members or supporters. http://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/power-point-by-elizabeth-angsioco/281251/the-killing-of-gen-antonio-luna.html These forged documents were again utilized by the Americans to fool Aguinaldo into believing that all was well with his forces. These forged documents were carried by the Macabebe groups together with the supposedly captured Americans to Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela that resulted in Aguinaldo’s capture. |
| Aguinaldo left for Tarlac on June 3. He was still in Tarlac when Luna was murdered. He only knew of Luna’s death on June 6 through one of Luna’s men, Gen. Venacio Concepcion. (Agoncillo, Malolos) |
Luna arrived in Cabanatuan, but instead of the expected gathering, he met a gruesome death – 39 gunshots and bolo wounds.
Aguinaldo was not in Cabanatuan when Luna arrived. Luna was not only disappointed of “wasted energy for coming over” but was offended by the reinstatement (without his knowledge) of Captain Pedro Janolino whom he had disarmed due to cowardice. Enraged, Luna could not help himself from uttering derogatory words against Aguinaldo after which, a heated exchange between Luna and Buencamino happened. This was barred when someone fired a rifle. Luna confronted Janolino but the latter’s fear pushed him to whip out his bolo and hack the general. The 39 gunshot and bolo wounds are to be attributed to the Kawit soldiers who participated in the killing of Luna. |
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| Upon receiving the news, according to Gen. Concepcion, Aguinaldo was surprised. “For about five minutes, Aguinaldo remained speechless, surprise written all over his face.” (Agoncillo, Malolos) |
There was circumstantial evidence linking the killers of Luna to Aguinaldo. Kap. Pedro Janolino, one of those who killed Luna, was among the “Kawit Boys” loyal to President Emilio Aguinaldo. |
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