This primary source deals with the memories of President Aguinaldo of the Philippine Revolution,

his exploits as a general, his sacrifices, views on certain events and his crucial war decisions

My Bloodiest Fight

Travelled from silang to Talisay to finalize plans for attack but a man sent by President Baldomero
Aguinaldo (president of magdalo council at that time) and informed them that Spaniards have arrived at
Polvorin, Binakayan to take over. Many soldiers wanted to go ahead immediately even without eating
upon hearing the bad news. Along the way they were again informed that Kulanta, Binakayan was
ceased by the enemies already. When they arrived it was a ghost town but as soon as the people heard
of their return, they came out of hiding and joined to fight again. He learned from his troops in
Binakayan that they were tricked by Filipino soldiers in the enemy side. The same day, he gathered all
his important officials for a meeting to strategize their attack on the Spaniards to reclaim our lands.
There was 5000 soldiers all aimed with guns and Bayonets, the biggest Aguinaldo had seen as he stated.
But through his strategy of feigning attacks on enemies, luring them in and surprising them with fired
canons and the strength and courage of the revolutionaries, they were able to win which made him
realize that the whole province of Cavite had been liberated. But with victory came the sorrow of the
fallen men and friends close to Aguinaldo.

Bonifacio invited to cavite

Aguinaldo had lost track of Bonifacio and his men’s whereabouts after their defeat at the hands of the
Spaniards. He stated he was worried for them so he had men search for him in the forests of Caloocan
and Malabon, and instructed them to invite the Supremo to Cavite which had already been liberated
from Spanish rule for three months already. But Bonifacio and his wife (Gregoria de Jesus) and his two
brothers (Procopio and Ciriaco), and his men did not reach cavite until dec. 1, 1896.

Magdiwang Council Reorganized

There was a line up of officers and their consecutive roles were determined for the respective
Magdiwang and Magdalo factions, including towns that was each in their control.

My Election to the Presidency

Aguinaldo was supervising the building of their defenses at Dasmarinas when a group of soldiers with
the lead of Colonel Vicente Rziego de Dios approached him to tell him he has been elected the head of
the government as a result of the Magdiwang and the Magdalo factions. The results of the national
meeting presided by Bonifacio were narrated to Aguinaldo, wherein Bonifacio repeatedly lost
nominations until he won for the position of Secretary of Inferior, but General Daniel Tirona objected
saying Bonifacio was not a lawyer and hence the position should be given to the other nominee.
Although the objection was dismissed by the other men present, but he felt bitter and angry that he was
the only who got an objection. Following this, he declared the election null and void, then he left.
Despite this, a delegate offered to resume the meeting to which the others agreed to. With the end of
the narration, Aguinaldo had expressed gratitude for his election but refused to go with the colonel to
the awaiting members of the faction, as he was preparing for a battle. Later on, Crispulo Aguinaldo
arrived with more cavalry men persuading him to go and take oath of office as head of the revolutionary
government while he takes Aguinaldo’s post in the battle to which Aguinaldo was persuaded and
agreed. After taking his oath at Tanza along with the other elected officials, he asked them to a meeting
and told them of the need for the Lieutenant-in-command in every town not actually in battle to
come to Tanza and help General Crispulo Aguinaldo, where troops from different places accepted but
was intercepted by General Recarte, who was under the orders of Bonifacio. Aguinaldo stated that they
were told a different order to attack the enemy and was also instructed to kidnap Aguinaldo. Because of
this, Crispulo Aguinaldo was killed and the place, Pasong Santol, he was defending was taken by the
enemies.

I returned to Imus

Aguinaldo stated that he was filled with many thoughts and feelings of remorse and regret about the
event that took place in Pasong Santol. He concluded that perhaps Bonifacio’s plan was not to weaken
the forces of General Crispulo, but to make his capture easy since they knew only his cousin (Benito
Ylapit) was with him when he took the oath. He stated the plot against him didn’t bother him much as
his concern was getting back to Imus and re-starting where he had left off. Aguinaldo later on ordered
the capture of Bonifacio to which he was relieved as his troops made immediate surrender to the men
Aguinaldo sent hence averting bloodshed and killing.

The military court

THE GENERALS whom Aguinaldo consulted regarding the creation of a military court were all against this
plan. They thought that such court was unnecessary for two reason; first, because we were in a state of
war, and, secondly, because we were harassed by the enemy at many points almost every day. The
generals also drew up five serious charges against the Bonifacio brothers. The charges were: (1) the
anonymous letter accusing me of an alleged plot to surrender to General Lachambre, (2) there plan to
establish another government, (3) there plan to liquidate me, (4) the escape of the brothers and General
Ricarte to evade responsibility for their acts, and (5) derelictions of duty for refusing to fight for their
country. Afterwards, his generals wanted andres and Procopio Bonifacio to be shot to death without a
trial to which Aguinaldo disagreed on stating they should still act civilized despite the war and that life
should be respected no matter who he is and hence should be entitled to a fair trial. Everyone was silent
after this and so the court was created to start the trial.

Death of the Bonifacio Brothers

After a careful trial by the military court, the two Bonifacio brothers were found guilty of disloyalty to
and treachery against the revolutionary Government. Having established their guilt beyond reasonable
doubt, the court unanimously imposed the death sentence on them. So the decision was referred to
him, as the head of the revolutionary govt. He felt pity for the two former comrades and asked to relax
the penalty on the brothers, out of pity and desire to preserve the unity of Filipinos. So he suggested
that the brothers be banished to Pico de Loro. But Bonifacio’s former generals came to him and
persuaded him to keep the punishment decided by the military court saying it was backed up by the
right reasons. Upon their reasonings and strong evidences, he retracted his order and instead ordered to
carry out the original punishment by the military court. Very early on the morning of May 10, 1897,
Major Macapagal and his men took the prisoners to Mount Tala where they were shot. Aguinaldo stated
he was busy leading the fight against the enemy in Maragondon, amd hence did not learn of the
execution of the Bonifacio brothers until days later