11/06/2022
On June 5, 1899, General Antonio Luna and his aide Colonel Francisco Roman died. While commended for his contributions in leading the Filipino military of his time, there were also valid criticisms of Luna never winning a battle during the Filipino-American War.
Born on October 29, 1866 to Ilocano parents in Manila, he was scientist by profession. One of his major works include a study on malaria, a disease that remains endemic in parts of the Philippines to this day. Luna was able to complete his doctorate, one of the first Filipinos to do so abroad. As part of the Reform Movement, he wrote for La Solidaridad with the pseudonym Taga-Ilog. His interest in fighting and military tactics was also notable, although contrary to popular belief, he may have not received formal military education.
While he did not join the first phase of the Philippine Revolution, he would eventually be an active part of the second phase by 1898. His non-participation in 1896, however, earned him critics among those who had been with the Revolution from the start, especially as Luna quickly rose to a Cabinet position (Assistant Secretary of War) within the two months he returned to the Philippines. It was no secret in these circles how Luna once denounced the Katipunan and its members, i.e., "nagturo."
His political views also ran counter against those harbored by some government officials in the nascent republic, particularly those who believed in American goodwill. Prior to his death, Luna even publicized through the newspaper La Independencia his intent to form a new Cabinet with himself at its head, to the point of arresting Cabinet members as he claimed that they were supporters of the US. Then again, he was not wrong to suspect the intentions of the Americans early on.
"I detest war, I hate it," Luna said after the outbreak of the war with the United States, "but for independence of the country, it is necessary to accept it. Our arms are our only defense."
His immediate response to meet with President Emilio Aguinaldo as soon as he received the message to come to Cabanatuan in June 1899, so much so that he left his larger es**rt to arrive as early as possible, suggested that he might have seen the prospect of a development going to his favor in the Filipino government. Despite their personal opinions of each other, Aguinaldo and Luna appeared to be in agreeable terms, at least for the most part, when it came to professional matters.
While Luna's death was not officially publicized until June 8, the Aguinaldo government took actions to respond to the loss of the general, and to dispel potential rumors that Luna himself had taken over the Filipino republic. On June 6, telegrams were sent to all military heads in the provinces that the President would assume active direction of the armed forces, a position Aguinaldo had earlier assumed when Luna resigned on February 28, 1899. He would ask to be reinstated a month later, in March 1899. It was also by this time Luna had made his last will and testament (March 31).
Interior Secretary Severino de las Alas, for his part, gave the following statement as of June 13, 1899 that expressed intent to investigate Luna's assassination: "Immediately thereupon, the Military Court took the proper steps and is now conducting the preliminary proceedings, and the Government decided to have the burial take place with all military honors."
Government forces under General Gregorio del Pilar and Colonel Servillano Aquino, meanwhile, proceeded to capture Luna's remaining aides, including the Bernal brothers (Captain Manuel Bernal, Captain Jose Bernal). Luna's loss, coming a month after the fall of Apolinario Mabini as President of the Cabinet, was nonetheless seen as the weakening of the more radical proponents of independence. However, Mabini expressed relief that the dangers brought by Luna's behavior had ended. He wrote the following to the Hong Kong Junta:
"Between us while I regret and disapprove of the violent death of Luna, his disappearance banished the danger which was menacing. Luna aspired a great deal, convinced perhaps that he was better educated than Puno (that is, Aguinaldo); and if he had not done anything, it was because he had not yet acquired the necessary prestige to put himself face to face with Puno. The confidence that Puno had in him had contributed a great deal to feed his ambition; for inasmuch as Puno gave him a free hand he thought he could manage the President as an automaton (that is, robot)."
Learn more about Luna's military career: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-coup-that-never-was-antonio-luna.html
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