Trial and Death of Andres Bonifacio (a Reflection)

Trial and Death of Andres Bonifacio (A Reflection)
During the Spanish colonization many Katipuneros revolted. And these Katipuneros are headed under one leader until March 2, 1987’ where the Katipuneros chose Emilio Aguinaldo as their president and not Bonifacio. With this incident the Katipunan was divided into two groups which ended up fighting with each other instead of collaborating and having unity to fight against the Spaniards. Though this division it resulted in the Battle of limbon since Aguinaldo wanted bonifacio to be arrested because of the refusal under his leadership. Afterwards, Andres and Procorpio (his brother) were found guilty of rebellion. Since they doesn’t want to be under the leadership of Aguinaldo they were sentenced to death, but Aguinaldo replaced this punishment with life imprisonment but because of the advice he received from his military advisers it was not replaced and the Bonifacio brohers were still given a death sentenced. The reasons why the military advisers hinder the decision of Aguinaldo because they thought that if Andres is still live the division between two groups will still continue, and the confusion about which is the real leader and which one is to follow will result to a disunity that’s why they doesn’t want Bonifacio to live because they knew he has many followers and he has the power to win againsnt Aguinaldo. So the death of Bonifacio brothers happened at Mt. Buntis ‘March 10,1897, after the reading the letter the order of Agunaldo for their death; they were shot and buried in shallow grave, with nothing but a wooden branches planted on the ground to mark the spot. No one even bother to visit them and give respect for their death.
For me the death of Bonifacio brothers doesn’t show any justice at all. It is not fair because to kil someone to achive your desire is unethical and unlawful.
Rizal vs. Bonifacio
The name Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio are some of the well-known personalities that have been mentioned in the annals of Philippine history. The exemplary deeds that they had done for our country; in order to achieve freedom from the hands of the Spanish colonizers is worth to be remembered specially by the present generation. Indeed, their heroism is well done. Apparently, there are some students, faculty, leftist, writers, critics and even we perhaps questioned the credibility of Rizal when he got the title of being our “Philippine National Hero” why not Bonifacio which results to the existence of pro-Bonifacio and anti-Rizal or pro-Rizal and anti-Bonifacio. The comparison of these two personalities and made endless debate of who should be our national hero is much discussed in the environment of academe. Moreover, to give you a little background, Jose Rizal was a son of an educated parents and belong to a wealthy family. All siblings of Rizal’s family had gone to school. Jose studied in Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas and had gone to Europe for further studies. He finished medical course specializes in Ophthalmology and made known for his talents in writing, painting, sculpturing, fencing and others. He fought the Spanish tyranny through a propaganda battles by means of using his pen in critiquing and exposing the defects of Spanish governance. He died in front of the Spanish and Filipino crowds by a firing squad on December 30, 1896 due to a false accusation of instigating Philippine revolution. Thus, his charisma for the elite and intellectuals are proven strong. On the other hand, Andres Bonifacio was a son of a farmer and belongs to a poor family. All siblings of Bonifacio’s family had not even finished high school due to economic instability. Andres at early age had to work hard and carries big responsibilities for him to help his family. Andres represents the grassroots of society that were/are usually exploited, abused, maltreated, and marginalized one. He proved to be a good organizer when he established a revolutionary movement called “Katipunan” in 1892. He fought the Spanish tyranny by using bolos and guns, thus, encouraging bloody revolution. Sadly, he was executed by his co-katipuneros on May 10, 1897 which was not made known to many Filipinos due to a false accusation of betraying Philippine government. Jealousy and greediness of power brought Andres to death. Thus, his strong charisma for the masses is pretty obvious. Now, would it be fair for these two personalities that are extremely opposite to be compared? Would it be fair for a rich man to be compared by a poor man? Would it also be fair for a poor man being compared with a rich man? Would it be fair for a doctor to be compared by a farmer? Would it be fair too to a farmer to be compared by a doctor? Where is fairness if an educated man who attained the higher degree of education being compared to a man who didn’t even finished high school and vice versa. Come to think of it…… But one thing I am sure of, that these two personalities have in common, they are both brave and great heroes of their time. They both wanted freedom for the Filipinos that long been controlled by the Spaniards. So, do not compare and stop using each others weaknesses and flaws in order to put down one another. If Rizal and Bonifacio would still be alive, definitely, they don’t want to be compared. Who wants to be compared anyway?