Antonio Luna was assassinated on June 5, 1899 at Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, on orders of Emilio Aguinaldo. Although the killing was premeditated, in the subsequent show trial of the assassins they fabricated this story that the assassination was instead an act of self defense. Testimonies however provided the motive for the killing. Aguinaldo was insecure of Luna. And here again, another story was fabricated that Luna was plotting against Aguinaldo.
Austin's Hawaiian weekly, June 24, 1899, Page 7
| MEMOIR OF PANTALEON GARCIA |
in which Garcia stated that aguinaldo gave him a verbal order to kill luna.
(Provided by Jim Richardson)
Memoir of Pantaleon Garcia on the assassination of Antonio Luna
(Provided by Jim Richardson)
Memoir of Pantaleon Garcia on the assassination of Antonio Luna
(Provided by Jim Richardson)
Memoir of Pantaleon Garcia on the assassination of Antonio Luna
(Provided by Jim Richardson)
| LETTER OF GEN. FUNSTON |
stating that Aguinaldo admitted to Funston that he had Luna killed
(Provided by Jarrett Robinson)
Letter of General Funston to US Senator Joseph Ralph Burton on the assassination of Gen. Antonio Luna
(Provided by Jarrett Robinson)
Letter of General Funston to US Senator Joseph Ralph Burton on the assassination of Gen. Antonio Luna
(Provided by Jarrett Robinson)
| STATEMENT OF APOLINARIO MABINI |
(From Ambeth R. Ocampo Mabini, Luna and Aguinaldo)
Apolinario Mabini on the assassination of Gen. Antonio Luna
(From Ambeth R. Ocampo Mabini, Luna and Aguinaldo)
|
Not mincing words, Mabini blamed Aguinaldo for the death of Andres Bonifacio and Antonio Luna:
"Bonifacio's death had plainly shown Mr. Aguinaldo's immeasurable ambition for power, and the personal enemies of Luna by means of clever intrigues exploited this weakness to ruin him. If Aguinaldo, instead of killing Luna, had supported him with all his might, it should be too much presumption to say that the revolution would have triumphed; but I have not the least doubt that the Americans would have a higher idea of the courage and military capacity of the Filipinos. If Luna were alive, I am certain that the deadly blow given by General Otis would have been checked or at least avoided in time, and Aguinaldo's incapacity in the military command would not have been clearly demonstrated. Moreover, to get rid of Luna, Aguinaldo availed himself of the same soldiers the former had punished for breach of discipline then. Aguinaldo killed the discipline, destroying his own army. With Luna its firmest support, the revolution fell, and the ignominy of the fall, weighing entirely upon Aguinaldo, caused his moral death, a thousand times bitterer than the physical one; then Aguinaldo ruined himself, condemned by his own actions. That is the way Providence punishes great crimes." |
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THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, JUNE 14 1899
LUNA WANTED INDEPENDENCE AND WAS OPPOSED TO NEGOTIATING WITH THE AMERICANS |
 (The San Francisco call, June 14, 1899) Put Out of the Dictator's Way Because He Is Too Ambitious. Special Dispatch to The Call. MANILA, June 13.—General Antonio Luna, one of the bitterest foes of the Americans in the Philippines, has been assassinated by order of Aguinaldo. Luna has recently found himself in opposition to the chief's views, and has not only disobeyed orders, but at one time stopped Aguinaldo's Peace Commissioners while on the way to treat with the Americans. Aguinaldo ordered his death, and these orders were carried out by the Dictator's fanatical followers. The report of the assassination caused great excitement among the Filipinos in Manila, which was added to later when the report was confirmed. The assassination of Luna occurred on June 8, at Kabanatuan, to which place he had gone to confer with Aguinaldo. He had just been promoted to the rank of major general by the Filipino leader. By a preconcerted plan, he was kept waiting at the door of Aguinaldo's headquarters until his patience became exhausted. After demanding admission several times he attempted to force his way in. He drew a revolver, but before he could use it was seized by Aguinaldo's guards, and one of them, named Ney, stabbed him several times. General Luna's aid, Colonel Ramon, who was near him, rushed to the general's rescue, but was seized and disarmed and cut to pieces with bolos. Luna and Ramon both died a few minutes after being stabbed. It is said Luna had become so importunate in his demands on Aguinaldo for power and increased authority that the Filipino leader decided Luna's death was necessary for his personal safety and the Filipino cause. The major general's commission was merely a bait to throw Luna off his guard and render the assassination comparatively easy. There is open rejoicing among the Filipinos here that Luna is no longer capable of making trouble. They realize that he was a menace to peace and the complete pacification of the islands could hardly have been accomplished while he was alive and at liberty. He was noted throughout his career for producing discord and mischief wherever he was. On May 4 Luna was severely wounded in an engagement between his troops and those of General Funston, before San Fernando was captured. GENERAL LUNA. LONDON. June 13. - The Filipino Junta here confirms the story of the assassination of General Antonio Luna, and says it was the result of a long contest on the part of Luna against Aguinaldo. It is also said at the Junta that Agoncillo has returned to Paris from Rome, where he had an audience at the Vatican and was told that a Filipino bishop might be appointed if the Filipinos would release the imprisoned Spanish friars. |
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LUNA'S PROMOTION "MERELY A BAIT TO THROW LUNA OFF HIS GUARD AND RENDER THE ASSASSINATION COMPARATIVELY EASY" |
(Provided by Jim Richardson)
|
Cabanatuan, May 28, 1899 President Aguinaldo promotes Antonio Luna y Novicio to the rank of Teniente General in recognition of his “exceptional services to the Motherland”. Luna’s promotion would have increased his pay from 50 to 55 pesos a month (!). But he never got it. On June 5, just eight days after this telegram was sent, he was killed in Cabanatuan by Aguinaldo’s presidential guards. Source: Philippine Insurgent Records, Package 123, AGO 459971 (Microfilm Roll 170). - Jim Richardson |
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TELEGRAM FROM AGUINALDO ORDERING LUNA TO COME TO CABANATUAN |
summoning him to his death.
(From Ambeth R. Ocampo / Leon Gallery The Luna Telegram)
(From Ambeth R. Ocampo / Leon Gallery The Luna Telegram) Bigger Image
|
The telegram is reportedly one of four sent by Aguinaldo in various points of Luzon to locate Luna.
It is the one sent from Dagupan allegedly by Aguinaldo himself. Agoncillo quoted the statement of telegraph operator Teodoro Cada on the authenticity of the Dagupan telegram based on Cada’s letter to the editor of Pagkakaisa newspaper on Oct. 28,1928. Cada said Aguinaldo approached him wearing only his undershirt and shorts. - Aguinaldo’s ‘death summon’ to Heneral Luna surfaces By Lito B. Zulueta, Inquirer, November 26, 2018 |
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"Historian Ambeth Ocampo, one of those who had seen the telegram, said in a column that the message was only one of the four telegrams sent to ensure that Luna would fall for a trap to take his life."
"Ocampo, who was familiar with Luna’s handwriting, found that it did in fact have the slain hero’s penmanship." "The document was found by descendants of Luna in their family’s belongings." “PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR, DAGUPAN. Paging for an important meeting, therefore you are ordered to come here immediately. This is in response to your previous telegram about urgent matters to discuss. It is really an emergency,” the telegram reads. - Unearthed: Emilio Aguinaldo’s telegram to meet Antonio Luna before his killing By Dan Manglinong, PhilStar, November 26, 2018 |
Note: 2nd Lieut Juan Paz, who commanded the cavalry escort of Gen. Antonio Luna when he went to Cabanatuan, in his statement (see below), also mentioned the existence of the telegram from Aguinaldo, that it was taken from Gen. Antonio Luna's remains, but that it was destroyed thereafter. Perhaps that was one of the four telegrams.
| ENTRY OF AGUINALDO'S TELEGRAM IN THE TELEGRAM LOG BOOK |
(Provided by Jim Richardson) Bigger Image
|
Pangasinan, June 4, 1899: General Antonio Luna’s clerk copies a telegram received from the “Presidente [de la] Republica” into the “Entrada de Telegramas” book.
The telegram as copied is partly in cipher and partly in normal Spanish. Deciphered, it reads as follows: “ Presidente Republica a Secreto. Grra, Bautista: Felipe Buencamino aun detenido sin ordenar formación causa esperando contestación a mi telegrama anterior en que le pedía base acusación. Suplico urgencia.” Source: Philippine Insurgent Records, AGO 459971, encl.43 (Microfilm Roll 170) (Provided by Jim Richardson) |
| STATEMENT OF LIEUT JUAN PAZ |
Statement made and subscribed to in the handwriting of the cavalry officer, 2nd Lieut. Juan Paz, who commanded the section of the cavalry which accompanied General Luna from Bayangbang, Bautista, up to Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
UNIMPEACHABLE TESTIMONY ON THE DEATH OF GENERAL LUNA
25. And here is what, at the beginning of this chapter, we have mentioned as an impartial testimony on the remaining hours of life of the deceased General. It is a statement made and subscribed to in the handwriting of the cavalry officer, 2nd Lieut. Juan Paz, who commanded the section of the cavalry which accompanied General Luna from Bayangbang, Bautista, up to Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
The original text is of the following tenor:
"Yes sir, it was I, the officer of cavalry which commanded a platoon
of 16 privates who accompanied the General, Don Antonio Luna, from Bayangbang, Bautista, province of Tarlac, when he was on his way to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, urgently called by telegraph by order of the President of the Republic, to receive instructions.
"Of those soldiers who composed that platoon I can remember now only Sergeant Serapion Bilgera of Bangued, Corporal Eusebio Olivas of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, private Raymundo Pisquel of Bantay, Ilocos Sur, etc., etc.
"On the morning of June 5, 1899, at 4:00 o'clock, we started from the town of Bautista by special train toward Victoria on our respective horses. We drove on horseback from Victoria to Licab where we took a slight breakfast of coffee. Immediately after, we started for Aliaga and arrived at the house of Mr. Isauro Gabaldon, Senior, where we took a dinner. At one o'clock, Gen. Luna, after instructing me to wait for him with my platoon, and accompanied by his aides-camp, Mr. Manuel Bernal, recently promoted to Major; Jose Bernal, Captain; Francisco Licuanan, Captain of Infantry; Colonel Francisco Roman, of the staff, and the Colonel of Health, Dr. Simeon A. Villa, boarded three carriages and started for Cabanatuan where the Presidential Headquarters of Gen. Aguinaldo was located.
"At 4:00 o'clock of the mentioned 5th of June, the commander of the detachment of the town of Aliaga,
whose name I do not remember now, brought a telegram signed by Mr. Aguinaldo to disarm me and the platoon of cavalry under my command.
"I was surprised at such an unexpected order and if it had not been for the advise of Mr. Gabaldon, Sr., I would have refused to surrender my arms.
"Once disarmed, we were conducted as prisoners by a company of infantry of the Manila Battalion, under Captain Garcia, toward Cabanatuan, tho by advise of Mr. Gabaldon, Sr., we were permitted to go on horseback.
"Walking all night of the 5th under a heavy rain, we arrived by a side of the river near the town of Cabanatuan where a section of infantry were waiting for us apparently to reinforce the guard which accompanied us from Aliaga. At the entrance of the town of Cabanatuan, another company of infantry with fixed bayonets met us. It was at 8:00 o'clock a. m. of the 6th. We were conducted to the front part of the convent of Cabanatuan where the Colonel of the Staff, Mr. Manuel Sityar who was waiting for us, and who ordered that we dismount, after which the same soldiers who guarded us, took our horses by force and, at the same time, took away our military insignia in the presence of Colonel Sityar and the numerous people who were gathered there.
"Wrested of our military insignia we were conducted to the building occupied by the military government in front of the church. In one of the
rooms of the building to which we were conducted, I saw the persons who accompanied Gen. Luna, - Colonel Simeon A. Villa, Major Manuel Bernal, Captains Francisco Licuanan and Jose Bernal, detained and guarded. I saw them very depressed not only because of the moral aspect of their being prisoners, but also because of the maltreatment which they must have had received, signs of bruises being clearly visible on their faces and various parts of their bodies.
"Embracing me on this occasion, Captain Jose Bernal who was almost crying told me in a very low voice that Gen. Luna and Colonel Paco Roman were dead and without explaining the cause, said that I would take much care not to manifest our sorrow for the dead, that is for General Luna and Colonel Paco Roman.
"We remained as prisoners at Cabanatuan until June 12th when we received orders to be reincorporated into the cavalry of President Aguinaldo. We were occupied in taking care of our horses since that date until June 30th when we received another order to go to the town of San Isidro, of the same province, but guarded by a company of infantry under the command of Captain Garcia, who escorted us from Aliaga.
"Walking all night, of the 30th, we arrived on the morning of July first at the suburb of San Isidro. In the middle of the rice paddies and without shelter of any kind we were there
surrounded, from a certain distance, by the soldiers of the company which guarded us from Cabanatuan.
"It was between 8 and 9 a. m. when we began our journey to get at the town of San Isidro where Colonel Padilla, who was then Governor, received us as prisoners. This military chief ordered me to remain in the building, occupied by the military government, guarded by his soldiers, while the soldiers under my command were conducted to the jail of the province.
"We remained in that situation until August 2nd, - I and the soldiers who accompanied General Luna up to Aliaga.
"In all this interval of time, I was investigated by Colonel Padilla as to the acts and proceedings of Gen. Luna. The questions tended constantly to show that Gen. Luna had the intention to take violently the Government of the Republic. As a finishing touch to this daily investigations, he asked me, almost invariably, whether or not as Ilocano, I felt sorry for the death of Gen. Luna; and whether or not the Ilocanos in general, would take vengeance in his death. To such questions, after having been advised by Captain Jose Bernal at Cabanatuan, I answered that I could not feel sorry for the death of Gen. Luna, as I do not know if the cause was just or not, and because my services were not for Gen. Luna exclusively and personally, but for the Government and for the country.
On the 1st of August, Colonel Padilla came early to visit me in my room telling me that he was going to Tarlac where the Government and President
Aguinaldo, who called him, were found. He told me that I could ask him to convey anything I desired to President Aguinaldo. I answered that I would be very pleased if he could ask the President to permit us to serve the Government and the country in the Army, since we took an oath to die for the cause of one another. And if for any circumstances, we could not be permitted to do so, to permit the soldiers, at least, to go home so that the government would not bear the burden to maintain and take care of them. And I added besides, that I would remain immediately under the orders of the corresponding authorities, always ready to serve the Government of the republic.
"Effectively, I received a telegram on the second day of that date, signed by President Aguinaldo and dated at Tarlac ordering that the cavalry soldiers and I who were held as prisoners, incorporate with the squadron of cavalry which was then operating in the town of Tarlac.
"We started immediately for the town of Tarlac on the afternoon of August 3rd. After two days of continuous walking we arrived at the town of Tarlac where Mr. Aguinaldo was directing the operation and to whom we were introduced immediately.
"Having been introduced by Coronel Padilla and after the President
was assured of my words that I completely ignored the cause of the death of Gen. Luna, and that I could not feel sorry for such death, he called the commanding officer of the Cavalry of Tarlac, Mr. Feliciano Ejercito, and told him that from that date we were incorporated with his squadron. We then began our services, guarding and scouting the vicinity of that town.
"During my stay at Cabanatuan as prisoner in the building occupied by the military government, I gathered from the conversation held at different times by the soldiers who guarded me, that the soldiers who guarded the convent of the town of Cabanatuan under the command of Captain Pedro Janolino were the ones who killed Gen. Luna and his aide-de-camp, Colonel Francisco Roman, by order of a person of high authority, who apparently resented the words of Gen. Luna for saying that the General wished to be superior to the former. They did not mention who this person was, but it was indicated that he was a political and personal enemy of the assassinated General.
"During the time that I was held in prison in Cabanatuan, I remembered seeing Mr. Felipe Buencamino, Mr. Gregorio Aglipay, Dr. Maximino Paterno and Mr. Aguedo Velarde, frequently at the square of that town.
"After having left the jail and the Bernal brothers, Major and Captain Bernal, at Cabanatuan, I had no more notice of them, except, when I was in Tarlac rendering service as patrolman. I knew that Capt. Jose Bernal was killed in the town of
Candaba, Pampanga, by the soldiers under his command, and that Major Manuel Bernal, was also killed by soldiers while he was sleeping under the convent at Dagupan, Pangasinan.
"On the morning of June 6th, on the arrival of myself and my soldiers at Cabanatuan, we saw from our prison, in the Government Building, the funeral of Gen. Luna and his aide-de-camp, Colonel Paco Roman. And then by the advise of Captain Jose Bernal, I dared not ask anybody any questions. I heard that the funeral was attended to by Mr. Glegorio Aglipay and Messers. Buencamino, Sr., and Aguedo Velarde.
"That the corpses of the deceased chiefs were buried in a corner hidden to foreign eyes at the cemetery of Cabanatuan.
"In honor of the truth, I sign this declaration composed of seven pages in the presence of the witnesses of my signature, Messrs Prospero Buenavista and Severino Josue.
(Sgd.) JUAN PAZ.
Signed in the presence of
Prospero Buenavista,
Severino Josue
NOTE: Second hand confidential information points out that while they were going up the parochial house, General Luna and his aide, Colonel Paco Roman, treacherously received on the stairs three bullets fired near by.
The General, with two mortal wounds, in the breast and in the abdomen, was yet able to get to the Public Square, to challenge with his fists his enemies whom he qualified, while shouting, as assassins and cowards until he fell lifeless, dead almost in front of the church.
The murderers, removing the still warm remains of the General took out of his upper pocket, papers, one of which was the compromising telegram summoning him. Together with the scratch he made of the letter to his mother at Manila a few days before, the telegram was destroyed. A cowardly insinuation that said
| ANG MAHIWAGANG PAGKAMATAY NI ANTONIO LUNA |
| GENERAL OTIS |
MANILA. (Received June 13, 1899 - 6.30 a.m.)
ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Washington:
It is believed that the killing of Lieutenant-General Luna on the 8th instant, near San Isidro, by Aguinaldo's guard, will be attended with important results not derogatory to United States' interests.
OTIS
MANILA. (Received June 14, 1899 - 9.05 a.m.)
ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Washington:
General Luna, killed 8th instant at Aguinaldo's headquarters, held supreme military command; was uncompromising for continuation of war; influenced lower and robber classes; demanded confinement or death of all who should advise peace, and greatly feared by natives in country occupied by his troops on account of cruelties practiced. He dominated Aguinaldo and all insurgent officers, civil and military. His death received with satisfaction by all influential Filipinos.
OTIS
| STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR TAFT |
West Virginia daily oil review, February 05, 1902, Page 1
PRAISED THE ARMY.
Taft Told Senate Committee of Their Work, In the Philippines.
AGUINALDO HAD LUNA KILLED.
Guerilla Tactics Continued Actively Until Last Presidential Election Was Decided—Probably Some Cases of Killing and Cruelty.
Washington, Feb. 5.—Governor Taft continued his narrative before the senate committee on the Philippines concerning the conditions in the Philippine archipelago.
Referring to his testimony cf Monday, he said he feared that he had given a wrong impression concerning the part the army had played in bringing the insurrection to an end, but if so this was due to the fact that he could not present a correct impression of the whole situation from one point of view. Then, in order to give the army its just dues, he took up and analyzed its work in the islands. He recalled that as soon as General Otis had received reinforcements sufficient for his purposes the Philippine army had broken up and scattered into guerilla bands. On this point Aguinaldo and Luna had differed, Luna advocating the continuance of the war on the old lines. So sharp was this difference, he said, that Aguinaldo had directed and secured the assassination of Luna, thus leaving the way open for the carrying out of his own plans. He would not, he said, report the incident if it had not been positively reported to him by General Funston. Aguinaldo said that if he did not kill Luna. Luna would kill him. Indeed, the custom was to order a man’s death in his absence and have him killed upon his return. The presence of these guerilla bands rendered it necessary to place garrisons everywhere, there being at one time as many 500 of them. This rendered the work before the army very arduous, and the activity, the skill and the bravery of the American troops were such as to soon render the enemy tired of the warfare.
| THE SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, JUNE 14 1899 |
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 14, 1899, Page 1
GEN. LUNA SLAIN BY ORDER OF HIS CHIEF.
Assassinated While Demanding an Interview.
COL. RAMON ALSO KILLED.
Aguinaldo Commands Their Death Because They Were Dangerous.
Rebel Warrior Thrown Off His Guard by a Promotion to the Rank of Major General - Kept Waiting at Headquarters Until He Grew Impatient and Tried to Force His Way In - Seized by Guards and Stabbed - His Aide Murdered for Coming to His Rescue - Filipinos in Manila Rejoice.
Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer
MANILA. June 13. - Gen. Antonio Luna, one of the bitterest foes of the Americans in the Philippines, has been assassinated by the order of Aguinaldo. Luna has recently found himself in opposition to the chief's views, and has not only disobeyed orders, but at one time stopped Aguinaldo's peace commissioners while on the way to treat with the Americans. Aguinaldo ordered his death and the orders were carried out by his fanatical followers.
The report of the assassination caused great excitement among the Filipinos in Manila, which was added to later when the report was confirmed.
The assassination of Luna occurred on June 8th, at Kabanatuan, to which place he had gone to confer with Aguinaldo. He had just been promoted to the rank of major general by the Filipino leader.
By a preconcerted plan he was kept waiting at the door of Aguinaldo's headquarters until his patience became exhausted. After demanding admission several times, he attempted to force his way in. He drew a revolver, but before he could use it, he was seized by Aguinaldo's guards, and one of them named Ney stabbed him several times. Gen. Luna's aide, Col. Ramon, who was near him, rushed to the general's rescue, but was seized, disarmed, and cut to pieces with bolas (bolos). Luna and Ramon both died a few minutes after being stabbed.
It is said that Luna had become so importunate in his demands on Aguinaldo for power and increased authority that the Filipino leader decided that Luna's death was necessary for his personal safety and the Filipino cause. The major general's commission was merely a bait to throw Luna off his guard and render his assassination comaratively easy.
There is open rejoicing among the Filipinos here that Luna is no longer capable of making trouble. They say he was a menace to peace, and the complete pacification of the islands could hardly have been achieved while he was alive and at liberty. He was noted throughout his career for arousing discord and mischief wherever he was. May 4 Luna was severely wounded in an engagement between his troops and those of Gen. Funston, in front of Santa Tomas, just before San Fernando was captured.
Confirmed by London Junta.
LONDON, June 13. - The Filipino junta here confirms the report of the Assassination of Gen. Luna, and says it was the result of a long contest on the part of Luna against Aguinaldo.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 14, 1899, Page 1
ASPECT OF THE WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
ONE of the hottest fights of the war against the Filipinos has resulted in a victory for the Americans under Lawton, who has driven the enemy beyond the bridge over the Zapote river. Lawton, with two companies of the Twenty-first regiment, narrowly escaped death, and he released his men from a position of greatest danger only after rallying them personally to cut their way through an overwhelming force. The battlefield was formerly the scene of several of the greatest struggles between the Spaniards and the Filipinos. The Zapote was considered impregnable and hundreds of Spaniards and Filipinos were killed while fighting over the same bridge in former contests for its possession. In June, 1897, Generals Pio del Pilar and Trias turned the scale of war on the side of the Filipinos by defeating the Spanish army there on the eve of a decisive battle, carrying the native militia with them and thereby breaking the chain of deftonse around Manila.
Gen. Otis cables the war department that the insurgents in the southern section were not molested until they threatened an attack in strong force on Manila. They are now scattered and in retreat. It is doubtful if they make a further stand.
With the news of the crushing defeat of the rebels at the Zapote crossing, comes an authentic report of the assassination of Gen. Antonio Luna, by order of Aguinaldo. Luna was an uncompromising foe of the Americans.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 14, 1899, Page 1
GEN. ANTONIO LUNA.
Filipino Warrior Assassinated by Command of Aguinaldo
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ANOTHER AGUINALDO MORO MORO THE FABRICATED SELF-DEFENSE STORY AND THE FABRICATED LUNA CONSPIRACY |
(The Madison daily leader, July 08, 1899)
| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
| Some questions | And answers |
| Why did Pantaleon Garcia wait until 1930 before writing his memoir and not write immediately after the revolution? |
According to one genealogist, people usually start thinking of writing a memoir at age 70. Being born in 1856, Garcia would reach the age of 70 in 1926. A few years of writing would put his year of publication at 1930. So the timing of the publication of his memoir was typical according to his age. Why People Start Writing Their Memoir at Age 70 memoir of pantaleon garcia |
| Pantaleon Garcia's statement that Aguinaldo plotted Luna's killing was written with the intention of helping Quezon win the election? |
Garcia's memoir was published in 1930.
The Tydings-McDuffie Act which provided for the first election of a Philippine President was passed only in 1934. Therefore, Garcia's memoir and his specific statement about Aguinaldo predated the Tydings-McDuffie Act, and could not have been written with helping-Quezon-win-the-election in mind. Likewise, the Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act, a somewhat similar Act but rejected by the Philippines, was passed in the U.S. in 1933, so again, Garcia's memoir predated this Act as well by a good three years. Also, it is said that the 1933 Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act was rejected by the Philippines because Quezon was insecure that Osmeña who followed it up in the U.S. would be given credit for his efforts and become the first Philippine president and not him. If so, then Aguinaldo at this time was nowhere in the picture, and much more three years earlier in 1930, that Garcia couldn't be publishing in 1930 against Aguinaldo to help Quezon because Aguinaldo was of no political threat then to Quezon. Although Garcia's statement was used extensively in the campaigning of 1935 against Aguinaldo (and may have contributed to Aguinaldo's lopsided loss), the statement doesn't appear to be intended for this when it was published in 1930, based on the timing of the publication. memoir of pantaleon garcia |
| Why didn't Garcia just delegate to his men the plot to kill Luna, which he could certainly have? |
The order from Aguinaldo was for Garcia to take charge of the plot. Garcia was waiting to fully recover from his illness so he could do the job, and he was in this process of waiting when he heard that somebody else had done it.
memoir of pantaleon garcia |
| Luna went to Cabanatuan to mount a coup? | One doesn't mount a coup with only five men, which is the number of men he had with him when he arrived in Cabanatuan. That wouldn't make sense. |
| Aguinaldo, a respectable man, could not have been wearing a short and an undershirt in a public place? | On the contrary, Aguinaldo's unusual attire may be exactly the reason why Teodoro Cada was able to remember him on that fateful day when Aguinaldo sent the telegram, because it's something out of the ordinary and therefore memorable. Had Aguinaldo been wearing something usual, Cada may not have remembered him at all at that specific moment. |
| Aguinaldo was under duress when interviewed by Funston? |
Knowing who ordered Luna killed had no military value to the Americans. In fact, right after the incident happened, it was already the prevailing reports in U.S. newspapers that Aguinaldo had ordered it. It's already widely known, it's not new, and it's not actionable. It's not the same as telling them where his forces were, and who were the current leaders aside from him. It's not something the Americans needed to coax out of Aguinaldo.
Instead, Aguinaldo may have volunteered the information freely, without coercion, that he had ordered Luna killed. This could potentially make himself palatable to the Americans and make them open to negotiations. After all, his objective was to negotiate, not to fight, and this was the source of conflict between him and Luna. Also, Luna happened to be the best opponent the Americans had met, and they were very much happy with him gone. So it's like saying to the Americans, hey look, I killed your worst enemy, I did you a favor, I'm somebody you can talk with. Let's talk. Unfortunately for him, he had again dragged his name into the mud. He provided the solid evidence of his insecurity and culpability - being insecure again of another popular leader, whom he had again killed. |
