The Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General

BEFORE THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

● Katipunan forces in Cavite; struggling due to consecutive ○ Montenegro supported de las Alas; argued that
defeats without a clear agreement on governance, the
revolutionary movement would be no different from
● Spanish troops had taken over key Magdalo-controlled a group of bandits or wild, lawless men
territories:
○ Salitran ● General Apoy took offense at Montenegro’s statement and
○ Zapote defended the Katipunan:
○ Dalahican ○ The Highest Council of the Sons of the People had
jurisdiction over both the Magdiwang and Magdalo
● Imus, the rebel stronghold; on the brink of collapse factions
○ Katipuneros were true revolutionaries fighting for
● Andres Bonifacio called for a meeting between Magdalo
freedom, not thieves or criminals
and Magdiwang leaders to strengthen defenses and
○ He challenged Montenegro to reclaim
prevent further losses
Spanish-occupied territories if he wanted a different
○ The meeting was initially scheduled for March 24,
government
1897; was postponed because of the death of Gen.
○ Ordered Montenegro’s arrest as an act of discipline
Emilio Aguinaldo’s brother, Lt. Gen. Crispulo
Aguinaldo, in the Battle of Salitran ● Trinidad Rizal (Jose Rizal’s sister) and Josephine Bracken
○ Aguinaldo requested to be excused; the meeting (Rizal’s widow) pleaded for Montenegro’s release.
being moved to the next day
● General Apoy agreed and allowed Montenegro to remain
in their custody.
The Tejeros Assembly (March 25, 1897)
● The assembly was finally convened on March 25, 1897 ● General Apoy’s outburst alarmed the Magdiwang troops
○ The situation became chaotic; disrupting the
● Invitations were sent by Secretary Jacinto Lumbreras; meeting
presided over the meeting ○ Some leaders wanted to adjourn the assembly;
Bonifacio insisted on continuing
● Bonifacio and his allies suspected Daniel Tirona of ○ Chairman Lumbreras refused to continue presiding;
Magdalo was trying to influence the meeting by secretly wanted Bonifacio to take over – believing he was
aligning Magdalo leaders against Magdiwang the rightful leader

● Jacinto Lumbreras opened the session; discussed the ● Supremo Andrés Bonifacio presided over the meeting;
ways to improve the Magdiwang government’s defenses Father of the Katipunan and the Revolution.

● Severino de las Alas; said they should first decide what ● Goal; create a new government for the revolution,
type of government should be established rejecting the previous decisions made at Imus.
○ He emphasized that organization and strengthening
defenses depended on forming a proper
government The Tejeros Assembly: Election
○ Lumbreras responded that the Katipunan already ● Key positions in the new government:
functioned as a government, being well-organized, ○ President: Emilio Aguinaldo won over Bonifacio
lawful, and followed by its members. ○ Vice President: Mariano Trias won over Bonifacio
and Mariano Alvarez
● Lumbreras explained that the "K" in the middle of the
○ Captain General: General Vibora was elected
Katipunan flag stood for Kalayaan.
○ Secretary of War: Emiliano R. de Dios won over
○ Severino de las Alas countered, questioning
multiple candidates
whether the flag truly represented a revolutionary
○ Secretary of the Interior: Bonifacio was elected
government
○ Bonifacio defended the Katipunan's existing ● Before the elections; Bonifacio emphasized that social
structure, insisting that its core values of status and education should not matter in the selection
brotherhood, equality, and justice were being process—only a candidate’s loyalty to the revolution
upheld
 The Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General

● Bonifacio won as Secretary of the Interior; Daniel Tirona ● Baldomero Aguinaldo (Magdalo leader) attempted to
objected – argued that the position required a lawyer and reconvene the assembly for reconciliation; Magdalo
proposed Jose del Rosario instead members did not attend
○ Bonifacio, feeling insulted, demanded an apology ● Instead, the Magdalo leaders held a separate secret
from Tirona meeting at the Tanza parish house on March 27, 1897
○ In his anger, Bonifacio pulled out a revolver and ● During this meeting, the elected officials from the Tejeros
aimed at Tirona; Tirona ignored him and disorder Convention took their oaths of office, officiated by Fr.
broke out Cenon Villafranca
● Bonifacio was excluded from the ceremony, despite
● The meeting ended in chaos, and Bonifacio declared all having been elected to a position
the election results null and void. ● The Magdalo posted armed guards to prevent Magdiwang
members from interfering
 Seeds of Discontent, The Revolt of the Masses:
The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan

SEEDS OF DISCONTENT (TWELVE)

● Rebel victory climax: simultaneous attacks on Spanish ● Bonifacio initially refused, believing that revolutionary
garrisons and convents leaders should not all be in one place.
● After several letters were exchanged, he finally accepted
● Failure of Gov. Gen. Blanco to crush insurgent power the third invitation, written by Artemio Ricarte on Mariano
Alvarez’s orders.
● Katipunan in Cavite divided into two factions: Magdiwang ● Around mid-December 1896, Bonifacio traveled to Cavite
and Magdalo with his wife and two brothers, Ciriaco and Procopio.

● Both factions reorganize province along partisan lines ● They were welcomed in Zapote by Emilio Aguinaldo,
Candido Tirona, and Edilberto Evangelista.
● Magdiwang and Magdalo control different towns in
Batangas bordering Cavite:
○ Magdalo: Talisay (Batangas) Tension with the Magdalo
○ Magdiwang: Nasugbu, Tuwi, Look (Batangas) ● At their first meeting, Magdalo leaders sensed that
Bonifacio acted as though he were above them.
● Leaders of the two factions never unite to form a
● Although no open conflict occurred at that point, silent
supreme council resentment began building beneath the surface.

Magdiwang Government: Incident in Imus

● President: Mariano Alvarez ● Bonifacio stayed at the home of Juan Castañeda in Imus,
● Executive Secretary: Pascual Alvarez where he was visited by Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel
● Minister of the Interior: Emiliano Riego de Dios Tirona, Vicente Fernandez, and others.
● Minister of Grace and Justice: Mariano Trias
● Minister of War: Ariston Villanueva
● Upon seeing Fernandez, Bonifacio ordered his arrest,
● Commander-in-Chief: Santiago Alvarez
blaming him for the failure at San Juan del Monte due to a
● Minister of Finance: Diego Moxica
broken promise to launch a simultaneous attack.
● Military Commanders (Brigadier-General): Artemio
Ricarte, Mariano Riego de Dios
● Fernandez sought protection from Magdalo, who refused
to hand him over.

Magdalo Government: ● This made Bonifacio realize that he held little authority in
● President: Baldomero Aguinaldo the Magdalo territory.
● Minister of War: Candido Tirona
● Minister of Finance: Cayetano Topacio
● Commander-in-Chief: Emilio Aguinaldo
Letter to Mariano Alvarez (January 2, 1897)
● Lieutenant General: Edilberto Evangelista
● Bonifacio wrote to his uncle-in-law, Mariano Alvarez,
● Military Commanders (Brigadier-General): Vito Belarmino,
requesting a private conversation.
Crispulo Aguinaldo

Magdiwang: Capital in Noveleta, moved to San Francisco de ● He wanted to talk about what happened with the Magdalo
Malabon, then Naik and asked for an explanation of their organizational
structure.
Magdalo: Capital in Kawit, later moved to Imus, San Francisco
de Malabon, Naik, Maragondon
Demonstration in Noveleta
● Esteban San Juan invited Bonifacio to a Magdiwang
Invitation to Bonifacio to Cavite parade in Noveleta.
● The Magdiwang faction invited Andres Bonifacio to Cavite
to help resolve the growing conflict between them and the ● He was accompanied by Baldomero Aguinaldo and
Magdalo. Candido Tirona.

● A delegate was sent to the mountains of Montalban and ● Bonifacio received an enthusiastic welcome from the
Mariquina to inform him of the urgent need for mediation. people.
 Seeds of Discontent, The Revolt of the Masses:
The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan

● He rode in a carriage flanked by Magdiwang soldiers in red ● The Magdalo’s resentment deepened when they realized
uniforms, and the crowd shouted, “Long live the ruler of Bonifacio’s favoritism stemmed from his close ties with
the Philippines!” Mariano Alvarez, President of the Magdiwang and his
uncle-in-law.
● Bonifacio responded, “Long live Philippine liberty!”
● Despite their disappointment, the Magdalo leaders kept
their silence to avoid escalating tensions at the start of the
Stay in San Francisco de Malabon meeting.
● He stayed in the home of Santos Nocon, then later moved
to Mrs. Estefania Potente’s house.
Subtle Power Struggles During the Assembly
● Bonifacio remained there until the town was captured by ● Without being invited, Baldomero Aguinaldo, the President
Spanish forces in April 1897. of the Magdalo faction, took a seat at Bonifacio’s left
side—perhaps to balance the table or assert their
presence.
Deepening Conflict Between Factions
● The rivalry between the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions ● Meanwhile, General Emilio Aguinaldo chose to remain
intensified, affecting the overall cohesion of the Katipunan passive during the discussions, believing his role was
movement in Cavite. limited to military affairs.

● However, unknown to most, Emilio Aguinaldo had a

● This growing discord contributed to military setbacks in political strategy in mind; he was planning to endorse
several rebel-held areas, weakening their stance against Edilberto Evangelista as president once a government was
Spanish forces. proposed.
● General Polavieja launched successful counter-offensives, ● Aguinaldo’s choice of Evangelista was based on the latter’s
reclaiming towns that had been under revolutionary education and skills, making him an ideal candidate in
control. their eyes.
● One of the main reasons for these losses was the lack of
support between the factions—one would often refuse to ● Bonifacio, unfortunately, found out about this plan and felt
help the other during battles. deeply offended, as he had hoped to be recognized as the
natural leader of the revolution, being the founder of the
● Leaders from both sides recognized that their internal Katipunan.
conflict was endangering the revolution, and believed
unity was urgent.
Imus Assembly (continued):
● As a solution, they agreed to convene a formal assembly ● Opening: Bonifacio as Chairman
in Imus to settle disputes and decide who would lead
Cavite’s revolutionary government. ● Proposal: Baldomero Aguinaldo pushed for establishing a
revolutionary government

The Imus Assembly Begins ● Magdalo's stance: Katipunan government no longer

● Leaders from both the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions necessary; must be replaced by one suited to the
gathered together for the much-anticipated assembly. revolution's present needs. Cavite, being small, shouldn’t
be divided.
● When Andres Bonifacio arrived at the venue, he
proceeded to the head of the table without ceremony and ● Magdiwang's stance: Katipunan’s existing constitution and
sat down, assuming the position of authority. by-laws were enough; no need for a new government.

● He signaled for the Magdiwang ministers to sit beside him ● Magdiwang Minister of War (Ariston Villanueva):
on his right, showing clear alignment with their side. Advocated for Bonifacio’s presidency by right, without
election, and that he should have authority to appoint
● This act was seen by the Magdalo as biased and Ministers.
inappropriate, especially since Bonifacio was supposed to
mediate between the two factions neutrally. ● Magdalo's objection: Insisted on an election for the
presidency.

● Outcome: Heated arguments, no agreement reached, and

the assembly was adjourned.
 Seeds of Discontent, The Revolt of the Masses:
The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan

Ongoing Tensions:
● Factions' suspicions: ● The estate-house buzzed with life as rebels from both
○ Magdalo suspected Magdiwang of aligning with the factions, including some uninvited, gathered for the
Spaniards, and vice versa. convention.
○ Even within factions, petty quarrels persisted,
affecting morale. ● The meeting officially began past 2 PM.

● San Francisco de Malabon Fiesta (January 1897):

○ Rifle shots during fiesta caused panic; Magdiwang Discussion:
men, thinking an attack was imminent, mobilized. ● Jacinto Lumbreras, acting president of the Magdiwang,
○ Shots fired by Captain Mariano San Gabriel, a took the chair and opened the convention, providing
Magdiwang soldier, mistakenly believed to be an introductory remarks about the purpose of the meeting.
enemy attack.
○ Ariston Villanueva and Santiago Alvarez tried to ● Teodoro Gonzales, also from the Magdiwang, acted as
disarm San Gabriel's men but ended up being secretary.
disarmed.
○ Conflict settled through Artemio Ricarte's mediation. ● Severino de las Alas, a Magdiwang, suggested the
convention should first agree on the type of government
to establish before discussing defenses for Cavite.
Tejeros Convention Plans:
● Location: Tejeros estate-house (Magdiwang territory, near ● Bonifacio intervened, explaining that the Katipunan had
San Francisco de Malabon and Salinas) already established a government.

● Magdalo's threat: Spanish forces occupying Salitran ● The conversation became heated, with de las Alas
estate-house and preparing for battle. challenging the existing government structure.

● March 22, 1897: General Emilio Aguinaldo's forces faced ● Bonifacio clarified that the Katipunan was a republican
the Spanish in Salitran, while the Tejeros Assembly government, embodying unity, fraternity, and equality.
convened.
● Tensions escalated when Antonio Montenegro from the
Magdalo insulted the Magdiwang delegates, calling them
Tejeros Convention – March 22, 1897: rebels without reason.
● The delegates, mostly from the Magdiwang faction,
arrived at the estate-house in Tejeros during a sultry ● Santiago Alvarez, a Magdiwang, retorted angrily,
afternoon. defending the Katipunan government and challenging the
Magdalo's authority.
● The estate-house; situated in the middle of a six-hectare
● The situation became explosive, and Lumbreras called for
farm; 60-meter frontage, surrounded by stone walls, and
a recess.
had a long, wide corridor with an arched gate.
● After the recess, Lumbreras stepped down,
● The structure was large and functional, featuring
acknowledging that the meeting’s focus had shifted from
thirty-four rooms, a chapel, and a dining room with a view
the original agenda.
of the surrounding riceland and bamboo groves.
● Bonifacio took the chair, asserting that the new
● The estate was located across from more riceland
government must respect the majority’s will.
(tubigan), and a road connected the estate-house to the
town of Salinas and San Francisco de Malabon.
● The delegates unanimously agreed on Bonifacio’s
proposal to respect and obey the will of the majority.
● Magdiwang: Andres Bonifacio, Mariano Alvarez, Pascual
Alvarez, Santiago Alvarez, Luciano San Miguel, Mariano
Trias, Severino de las Alas, Santos Nocon, and others.

● Magdalo: Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona, Cayetano

Topacio, Antonio Montenegro, and others.

● Due to the ongoing battle in the area, not all Magdalo

leaders were able to attend.