Andres Bonifacio and the

Katipunan
ANDRES BONIFACIO AND THE KATIPUNAN

Andres Bonifacio was born on November 30, 1863 in a small hut at Calle Azcarraga,
presently known as Claro M. Recto Avenue in Tondo, Manila. His parents were
Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro.

Andres was the eldest in a brood of five. His other siblings were Ciriaco, Procopio,
Troadio, Esperidiona and Maxima. He obtained his basic education through a certain
Guillermo Osmeña of Cebu. The Bonifacio family was orphaned when Andres was
barely fourteen. With this, Andres assumed the responsibility of raising his younger
siblings.

In order to support the needs of their family, he maximized his skills in making crafts
and sold paper fans and canes. He also worked as messenger in Fleming &
Company. Eventually, he moved to Fressel & Company, where he worked as warehouse
man until 1896. Poverty never hindered Andres’ thirst for knowledge. He devoted most
of his time reading books while trying to improve his knowledge in the

Andres was married to Gregoria de Jesus who happened to be his second wife. His
first wife – Monica- died of leprosy a year after their marriage. Gregoria was only
sixteen years old and Andres was twenty-nine when their romance sprung. At first,
Gregoria’s parents were against their relationship, but in time, allowed the couple to be
married in Catholic rites. The two were married in 1892, both in Catholic and Katipunan
rites. Gregoria chose “Lakambini” as her nom de guerre.

THE TEJEROS CONVENTION

On March 22, 1897, a convention was held in Tejeros in order to settle the dispute
between the two councils and to decide on what type of government should be
installed. During the early phase of the convention the crowd became unruly, causing a
recess. When the convention resumed, Bonifacio was assigned to preside in the election
of the officers of the new government that was to be set up. Before this, however,
Bonifacio laid down the rule that the assembly should respect whatever would be the
outcome of the election.

When Bonifacio was elected Secretary of Interior, Daniel Tirona contested and
argued that a lawyer should handle the position. Bonifacio felt insulted and demanded
an apology from Tirona. Because of humiliation and anger, Bonifacio declared that all
matters convened in the Tejeros Convention were null and void. Together with his
supporters, he left the estate house.

“ACTA DE TEJEROS,” “NAIC PACT” AND THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT

OF AGUINALDO

The next day, Bonifacio stressed out his reason for invalidating the Tejeros
Convention through a document known as “Acta de Tejeros” signed by his
supporters. Meanwhile, the elected officers of Magdalo held a meeting at Sta. Cruz de
Malabon. That night, Aguinaldo and the other elected officers in Tejeros took their oath
of office.

Bonifacio decided to establish another government independent from that of

Aguinaldo in accordance with the “Naic Pact” enacted by him which signed by his 41
supporters including two of Aguinaldo’s general. These two generals, however, turned
their back on Bonifacio after a talk with Aguinaldo, pledging loyalty to the latter,
instead.

The Revolutionary Government was established without the customary elections on

17 April 1897 with Aguinaldo completing his Cabinet members through appointment.

THE CRY OF PUGADLAWIN

On 23 August 1896, the Supremo and his troops formally launched an armed
revolution against Spain. They tore their resident certificates or cedulas which
symbolized their defiance against from the colonizers. This became known in history as
“The Cry of Pugadlawin.”

CONTINUED STRUGGLES

On 29 August 1896, Katipunan members tried to seize Mandaluyong, Pandacan and

Pasig. However, the attacks were unsuccessful. The Battle at San Juan del Monte was a
military disaster after the death of more than a hundred Katipuneros. Gen. Ramon
Blanco, as a response, declared in a state of war in the eight provinces believed to be the
hotbeds of revolution namely: Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva
Ecija and Pampanga.

MAGDIWANG VS. MAGDALO

Bad blood erupted between the two Katipunan Councils in Cavite—the Magdalo and
Magdiwang due to lack of respect and territorial competition prompting Mariano
Alvarez to invite Bonifacio to Cavite and intercede. On 17 December 1896, Bonifacio
together with his brothers, wife and troops went to Cavite –the province where the
Supremo met his tragic fate.

An assembly was held at Imus estate house on December 29 with both Magdalo and
Magdiwang members attending. A disagreement arose between the two councils on the
issue of establishing a revolutionary government to replace the Katipunan. The
assembly ended without the issue being resolved.

SITUATION DURING BONIFACIO’S TIME

Andres Bonifacio was born in an era when the natives were considered Indios and
the Spanish friars were believed to be God’s representative on earth. He observed that
the Filipinos during his time were not free and the Spanish government and the Catholic
Church enslaved them. During the same period, Freemasonry and its doctrine gained
popularity.

Bonifacio admired Jose Rizal for his great effort in awakening Filipino nationalism.
He even witnessed and joined the founding of La Liga Filipina spearheaded by Rizal on
3 July 1892. Sadly, the organization died naturally after Rizal was exiled in
Dapitan. Prior to his involvement in free masonry and Liga, Bonifacio continued to
work in Fressel & Co. and sell fans and canes. He met Ladislao Diwa, and Teodoro Plata
who would play major roles in the establishment of the Katipunan.

THE KATIPUNAN

On July 7, 1892, the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng

Bayan was founded in the house of Deodato Arellano at 734 Calle El Cano cor.
Azcarraga. Membership was through blood compact symbolizing the foundation of the
secret society, which aimed the separation of the Philippines from Spain and the
expulsion of the Spaniards in the country. The first Supremo of the Katipunan was
Deodato Arellano, followed by Roman Basa and finally, Andres Bonifacio.

In 1893, women were given the chance to join the organization. The first members
were Gregoria de Jesus, Josefa Rizal, Marina Dizon and Angelica Lopez. They served
as the keepers of important and confidential documents of the Katipunan and staged
galas as fronts for the regular meetings of the male members. By 1894, the Katipunan
spread throughout Manila.

In order to strengthen and further widen the operations of the organization, the
Kalayaan, the official organ of the Katipunan was published with Emilio Jacinto as
editor. Two works of Bonifacio were published in the Kalayaan– “Pag-ibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa” and “Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog.”
THE PLAN FOR A REVOLUTION

An important meeting held on 3 May 1896 concluded with a plan to rescue Rizal
from Dapitan to lead the revolution. The task was assigned to Dr. Pio
Valenzuela. Unfortunately, Rizal expressed his opposition to the idea of launching an
unprepared revolution against a strong nation protected by well-armed defense force. In
the end, he urged that if the revolution is inevitable, the revolutionary members should
seek the help of the rich and influential people to convince them to support the cause of
the revolution. He also suggested that the service of Antonio Luna be secured by the
organization because of his military expertise and affiliation with rich and influential
Filipinos.

THE DISCOVERY OF THE KATIPUNAN

The quarrel between two employees of the printing shop publishing Diario de Manila
resulted in the discovery of Katipunan. This happened after Apolonio dela Cruz was
given a P2 raise in salary and Teodoro Patiño was not given any. A heated argument
sparked between them which led Patiño to confide the secrets of the Katipunan to his
sister Honoria at the convent where she was staying, her tearful reaction attracted the
attention of one of the nuns. The nun in turn, persuaded Patiño to tell everything he
knew to Fr. Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo. After hearing the revelations, Fr.
Gil contacted the authorities and urged them to raid the printing shop. Documents,
oaths signed in blood, receipts and ledgers related to Katipunan were confiscated from
the shop.

ILL FATED DESTINY

As a result of the fateful experiences he encountered in Cavite, Bonifacio planned to

return to Montalban and San Mateo. On their way to Montalban, he and his followers
passed by Limbon, Indang – a place in Cavite where food was scarce and people were
tightfisted. At this point, Severino de las Alas turned his back against Bonifacio. The
angered Bonifacio responded with threats and words that were wrongly interpreted by
the people of Indang. The people sought the help of Aguinaldo, who immediately
ordered the arrest of Bonifacio.

On 27 April 1897, skirmishes took place between the forces of Bonifacio and
Aguinaldo. In the said scuffle, Ciriaco was killed, while Procopio and the Supremo were
caught. Andres Bonifacio was stabbed in the neck, weakening him and soaking him in
blood.

The next day, the prisoners were brought to Indang Tribunal, then to Naic. Within
the day, Gen. Mariano Noriel created the tribunal that eventually tried and convicted the
Bonifacio brothers of sedition, and sentenced them to death. Surprised by the decision
of the tribunal, Aguinaldo commutated the verdict. He recommended the Bonifacio
brothers be exiled to an isolated island also found in Cavite. However, Gen. Noriel and
Gen. Pio del Pilar dissuaded him, arguing that by reducing the sentence, the
Revolutionary Government of the Philippines would once again be at stake. Aguinaldo,
in the end, changed his mind and signed the death sentence of the Bonifacio brothers.

On 10 May 1897, Procopio and Andres were shot at Mount Nagpatong, near Mount
Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite. This event ended the short life of the Supremo. His
educational attainment and military expertise may not have been equal to that of other
heroes but his love for the country was absolute. His name will always be revered and
serve as the battle cry of Filipinos who yearn for freedom oppression and injustice.