The Court Martial of Andres Bonifacio

[NOTE: The following details of the proceedings of the Court Martial of Andres Bonifacio were taken from pages 304-330 of Taylor's PIR vol 1]

[April 29, 1897]
The proceedings of the Court Martial of Andres Bonifacio were started  with a report from Major Makapagal, Secretary, of the inspection of the rifles in possession of the soldiers of Bonifacio.   Of the twenty seven rifles inspected, 8 rifles bore mark of "A.B.", 2 rifles with "Magdalo", and one with "Juan Estrella".  All the rest have no marks or have scratched.  The investigation of witnesses started on the 29th of April, 1897.  The first to testify was Benito Torres.

Testimony of Benito Torres, married, twenty-one years of age born in the pueblo of San Fernando, province of Union, soldier of Bonifacio.  He testified that on the 28th of April at nine o'clock there was an encounter between their (Bonifacio's)  forces and the government, that two government soldiers and Ciriaco Bonifacio, brother of the Supremo, and another of their men were killed.  He said that the fight began because Ciriaco Bonifacio emptied his rifle while endeavors were being made to quiet both parties and prevent the fight, causing the death of the two government soldiers.  He also said that the  Supremo opened fire at the soldiers but  was wounded in the fight.  Bonifacio, he said, had thirty five soldiers armed with thirty Remingtons and two Mausers, but they did not participate in the fight because Bonifacio told them not to do so.  He mentioned the officers of Bonifacio were Lt. Col. Pedro Giron, Cpt. Rojas and Lt. Juan Maliwanag.  Witness unable to sign and asked his brother, Nicolas, to sign for him and attested  by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Procopio Bonifacio, brother of Andres Bonifacio: he complained about being maltreated and why he was arrested since he was a non-combatant.  On being asked who started the fight, he answered that it was the government soldiers.  At this point, Benito Torres was called back to confront the witness, who maintained that it was Ciriaco, his brother, who fired first.  Procopio then answered that he did not really know who was the first one to fire, for he was in another fort distant from the place of the engagement. Witness signed his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Nicolas de Guzman, clerk, twenty-five years of age, born in Bulacan, a soldier of Bonifacio: he testified that he knows there is a government exercising jurisdiction in the territory, and he did not know if Bonifacio had any authority whatever; he did not know how many men and rifles Bonifacio had, who were visiting Bonifacio, what the intention of Bonifacio in recruiting troops, whether Bonifacio intended to overthrow the government or assassinate the President.  Witness signed his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

[April 30, 1897]
Testimony of Rafael Non, twenty years of age, single, student, born in Intramuros, Manila, a soldier of Bonifacio.  He said he did not know that a government exercises authority in the territory, although he heard that a government was established in Imus before it was taken by the Spaniards.  He did not know:  if Bonifacio had authority or not, how many rifles Bonifacio had, who attended meetings with Bonifacio, that Bonifacio was inducing officers and soldiers to join for a bribe, Bonifacio's intention of recruiting forces, that Bonifacio was arming them to overthrow the government or assassinate the President, who fired the first shot.  Witness signed his name attested by the Secretary.

Testimony of Narciso Tiolo, twenty five years old, married, native of Binondo, Manila, transient among Bonifacio soldiers.  He knows that Emilio Aguinaldo is recognized Head of this government and that an army supports him.   He also said that Andres Bonifacio has no authority whatever in this territory nor does he hold anyu  office within the gift of this government; he does not know whether he and his brothers were holding meetings with other persons or not, or the number of his rifles, as he was not among his soldiers but was with them with the only purpose of returning to Manila; and he was ignorant of everything that happened in connection with the fight, for when the firing started he was at some distance from the fortification and hastened to get his child and went to the woods where he hid himself.  He signed his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Julian Aguila, money collector, married, thirty-five years of age, born in San Jose Batangas, soldier of Bonifacio.  He said he knows there is a government ruling over this territory with an army but cannot tell if Bonifacio had any authority under said government or right to stay in the fortifications of Limbong; that Diego Mojica and Santos Nocon came to visit Bonifacio but he did not know the purpose of the visit; that he did not know the intentions of Bonifacio, that his duty was to get unshelled rice from Buenavista and he cannot tell whether or not they entertained malicious intentions against this government.  On last Wednesday morning, the 28th of last(?) month, he heard two shots fired from a place far from where he was and he thought that they were fired by the soldiers of the government.  Moreover he beg to say that four days before these events occurred they were holding five men as prisoners, whom he believe are from the town of Tansa.  They were under the custody of Lt. Col. Pedro Giron, according to orders given by Andres Bonifacio, whose brother Ciriaco ordered their hair, eye-brows and eye-lashes to be shaven.  Witness signs his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Cayetano Lopez, coachman, single, twenty years of age, born in Magalang, province of Pampanga, soldier of Bonifacio.  He testified that he knows nothing of the existence of a government ruling over this territory, that Andres Bonifacio, who improperly styles himself "Supremo", has any authority whatever under said Government, or that they were permitted to stay in the fortifications of Limbong.  He also said they had thirty-five Remington, two Mauser and other rifles of different makes, in charge of Major Benito Torres.  He further said there were five men imprisoned by them, he believe, from Tansa, whose eye-brows and eye-lashes were shaven by Ciriaco Bonifacio's orders.  Luis Velasco signed the testimony for the witness attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Bibiano Rojas, twenty years old, single, born in Guiguinto, Bulacan, soldier of Bonifacio.  He says he knows that a Government is ruling over this territory supported by an army.  He did not know if Bonifacio was invested with authority to recruit and keep troops under his command.  He knows there were twenty-nine rifles of which eighteen were Remington and the remainder percussion rifles, but did not know the exact number of men.  He also said that Bonifacio held meetings with Diego Mojica, Domingo Santos and others whose names he cannot remember  He cannot say what Bonifacio and his visitors were talking about but, at twelve o'clock on last Tuesday (27th of April) Andres Bonifacio, his brothers and their soldiers gathered together, and after some orders having been given by Andres Bonifacio they all went to occupy the fortifications.  It was said that the troops of this government were expected to come at any moment and, certainly, at an early hour of Wednesday morning, and while Andres Bonifacio's men were in the fortifications,  the expected troops came.  Andres Bonfiacio had given us orders to the effect that we should halt them as soon as they came within sight, and if after three times, having given that command they should continue coming on towards the fortifications then, they were authorized to fire their rifles at them.  This they disobeyed. When the troops of this Government came, the majority of us surrendered our rifles to them, but the Bonifacio brothers offered resistance to them, Ciriaco being the one who fired the first shot, from which I had a narrow escape, because I was very near him.  Two soldiers of this Government were killed by Ciriaco Bonifacio's shot, which led to the fighting between both sides.  He clarified that he did not know whether Bonifacio gave the order to fire or not, he did not hear him do so, for at that time a bullet passed by my side and very nearly sturck him.  Witness signed his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Pedro Giron, single, twenty-seven years old, born in Baliwag, Bulacan, Lt. Col in Bonifacio's army .  He said he knows there is a Government ruling over this territory supported by an army; that he did know Andres Bonifacio holds any office or is authorized to recruit or keep troops under his command; that in his capacity of a soldier of Andres Bonifacio he cannot tell anything about the number of his men and rifles.  He was reluctant in joining him, for he knew that, since the meeting which took place in the town of Tansa for the election of a President and other high officials of the Government, he (Bonifacio) was entertaining intentions which were not favorable to it.  One day, the date of which he cannot remember, Andres Bonifacio came to him and said: "let us go away from this place, you had all better come with me, for something unpleasant may happen to him (Aguinaldo) and his followers: simply because he started this revolutionary movement he believes himself to be entitled to hold the leadership of the same."  After some twenty days, more or less, Andres Bonifacio sent for him, and when he arrived to his house, he said to him: "we shall stay here in spite of Captain Emilio the leadership of this movement belongs to me; I must outrank him or will have him killed."  On that same day he gave him ten pesos in order that I would carry out his wishes of killing Aguinaldo, in case that the latter should not yield to him the leadership of the insurrection, begging him not to disappoint him as he would liberally reward him for his deed.  As things were, he thought that something wrong would happen and without the loss of a moment he left him and went to Buenavista, within the jurisdiction of Malabon [San Francisco de Malabon] with a party of infantry soldiers from the towns of Silang, Perez Dasmarinas, Malabon and Tansa.  He knew that Andres Bonifacio was recruiting men to resist the troops that were going to be sent by this Goernment, and he knew also that he had planned to overthrow Aguinaldo's authority, which he said belonged to him; his own soldiers can testify as to the truth of  his assertion; he advised him to abandon his position
, to which he objected, for, he said, he did not want the people think that he was afraid of those who were in power.  He also said he does not believe Bonifacio's brothers knew of his plans.  He further said that there were frequent meetings at their house, but cannot tell who were attending and what they were discussing.  He also said he cannot tell where Bonifacio get the food for him and his men.  He narrated what happened on early Tuesday morning: "I was in Limbong when the firing of rifles between the Bonfacio brothers and the troops of this Government started;  I tried to use my best efforts to quiet them down but to no avail, as Ciriaco at that moment emptied his weapon , the bullets of which caused the death of two soldiers of this Government;  I shouted that we being born in the same country should not fight each other, but no one would listen to me."  Witness signed his name Pedro Giron Palaso attested by Pantaleon Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Domingo Deulaso, single, twenty-four years of age, native of Malabon, Tambobong, province of Manila, soldier of Bonifacio.  He testified that he knew of the Government and its army; he  did not know if Bonifacio was invested with authority within the gift of this government; there were meetings frequently in their house,  but cannot tell who attended them or what was discussed; as to the number of their rifles or their men; he did not know if Bonifacio was permitted to stay in Limbon for the recruitment of troops or where the rifles came from.; that when the events took place he was absent, while the Bonifacio brothers were  in the road leading to the town of Indang.  Witness could not sign and Pedro Malinis signed for him, attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Domingo San Juan, forty-two years old, married, native of Binondo, Manila, soldier of Bonifacio.  He said he knows that there is a Government  established in this territory supported by an army; he does not know if Bonifacio had authority under the government;  He cannot tell the number of men, but as far as he knew, they only had twenty-eight rifles; he does not know if Bonifacio had authority to recruit and gather troops at Limbong; he said Bonifacio get their food from a place not far from the town of Malabon, San Francisco de Malabon; with regard to the fighting he said at an early hour of said day, in the fortifications of Limbong when the troops of this Government came to the place where the majority of them were, he was asked by said troops if he could come out of the fortifications and he answered "no" and they deprived him and one of his companions of their rifles; he did know what happened there, neither who first fired his gun, but according to advice he have from men of Bonifacio, and from those of this Government, the dead Ciriaco Bonifacio fired first to start the hostilities; he knew nothing about the holding of meetings at Bonifacio's house or, on account of being recently enlisted with Bonifacio, the source from which he received the rifles.  Witness signed his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Gervasio Santiago, twenty-one years old, widower, born in town of Pasig, Manila, soldier of Bonifacio.  He testified that he know there is a Government established supported by an army exercising authority over this territory;  he does not believe Bonifacio was invested with authority with official capacity by this government;  he does not know if the Government has any right or not to stop the gathering of troops in the fortifications of Limbong.  He said Bonifacio had twenty-five rifles, including two of the Mauser make, but from he received them he did not know.  He had nothing to say with reference to the shooting that took place on Wednesday morning; he heard the shooting near the place where Andres Bonifacio were, which resulted in the death of Ciriaco and of two soldiers of this Government, while Andres Bonifacio himself was wounded; all this he heard from a few soldiers of this Government.  Their food came from the town of Tansa, and he cannot tell anything about the make or kind of arms the Bonifacio brothers had.  He did not know that they were holding any meetings or who were attending the same.  Withness had Luis Velasco sign on his behalf attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

[May 4, 1897]
Testimony of Andres Bonifacio, thirty-three years of age, married, native of Tondo, Manila, President of the Revolution and Chief of the "Katipunan".;   He testified that he did not know there is a Government established in the territory;  he said he knows there is an army commanded by Generals, such as, Santiago, Emilio Aguinaldo, Pio del Pilar and Ricarte;  he said he did not receive advices from the Government so he cannot say he is holding any office therein; on the question if the Government authorized him to stay at Limbong, he answered that the Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Magdiwang knew that he was going away from Indang on his way to Manila, and due to the fact that he had not an expert guide with him he was obliged to make a stop at Limbong.  Asked about the recruitment of troops, he that he was not acquainted with the existence of said Government, he believed it was not his duty to advise anybody else of what he was doing; the Presdient of the Government of Magdiwang returned to him soldiers he sent them.  He said he had fifty rifles, of which eighteen were Remington, and the balance of other makes.  Asked if among the rifles there were with initials of the Government and he answered the he does not remember the names or initials stamped on them, yet, his men might know them; that no one undertook the work of having the names and initials stamped on the rifles.  He said he is acquainted with Pedro Giron, Benito Torres, GEn. Pio del Pilar and Modesto Ritual but denied he wrote them asking to give him the rifles which were under their charge and to join his plans.  He denies having meeting with anyone at Limbong.  He said he does not remember ever having seen Pedro Giron for the purpose of having him kill the President of this Government.   On the allegation that he distributed money among the army officers that they may turn over their rifles to him, he answered that in the name of the Magdiwang government, and according to promises made by Diego Mojica, Minster of Finance, and Ariston Villanueva, Minister of , some two hundred pesos were distributed to the officrs and soldiers for acts of gallantry and bravery shown in the battles of Noveleta and Malabon (San Franisco de Malabon).  Before an immense crowd that witnessed the act, the money distributed through the officers, charging them to give the soldiers their share of the reward, and that, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was informed of this. He said he had exchanged a few words of salutation with Silvestre Domingo, the man named Santos and Diego Mojica when they passed the house on their way to Buenavista.  Asked if he gave orders to fire if the government troopers refuse to stop after being given command to halt times and he answered: "When those troops arrived I found my house surrounded by them and their chief, who apparently was a  Colonel, asked me to see him to which I agreed.  The said Colonel told me that because he  had received news to the effect that his troops were to be attacked by my men, and whereas he  had found his information untrue (for he had seen everybody at their houses attending to their business) he begged to be excused for the measures he had taken by surrounding my house, which I thereupon excused.  I told him to remain and take dinner with me, and when he left the house I presented him with a few packages of cigarettes, our farewell being a most cordial one.  Soon after, one of my men came to inform me that the way through one of the fortifications was barred by the Colonel's orders; at the same time the soldiers of the latter were taking all the rifles and other arms of my men and searching all th, taking houses taking all everything with them, without giving me any explanation for his action, and he insulted in the presence of the people.  I resented this, and on trying to answer to it, a shot was fired at me, - fortunately, without injuring me, - but the bullet wounded and killed a man standing behind.  That shot was followed by others with the result that the fight became general."  He also said that these were not only the acts committed by Col. Intong and his soldiers.  He and the men under his command seized, not only, all the rifles and ammunitions, but also all the property, such as, clothes, furniture and even money, from their owners, who at the same time were subjected to personal maltreatment, not even excepting the women.  Had it not been for the timely intervention of several of his subordinate officers, my own wife would have been assaulted by him.  Col. Intong, having failed as prisoner to carry out his intentions, tried to take my wife as prisoner, which he could not do because of the advice and opposition shown by Tomas Mascardo.  He also said he had a revolver, not one of the chambers of which had been fired, and a dagger; as to my brothers I cannot say what their arms were; that he did not fire any shot with the revolver, as it will be seen by the number of its cartridges; the weapons of my brothers were seized by the soldiers of Col. Intong before they could make use of them. He claims he had no information whatever concerning the killing of two soldiers of Col. Intong.  He acknowledge to have attended the meeting for the election of a President of this Government, and claimed that all who attended were biased in favor of Aguinaldo; the proceedings were carried out according to previous arrangements made by the Ministers of the Government of Magdiwang, so that although said Emilio Aguinaldo was elected President and Gen. Artemio Ricarte was chosen for the position of Commander-in-chief of the Filipino army, I did not consider said acts to be an expression of the sentiments of the people;  he also did not know that Emilio Aguinaldo took the oath of office before commencing to serve his position.  Witness signed his name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Testimony of Gregoria de Jesus, nineteen  years of age, married, born in Caloocan, Manila, wife of Andres Bonifacio.  She testified that Col. Intong started the fight, but she cannot say who fired the first shot, as she fled to the woods on seeing so many people gathered near the house.  She knows that there were five men held as prisoners and was told they were spies.  She deny having any meeting at their house.  She also said she did not know there is a President of the Government.  She did know if Bonifacio gave any order to attack the government soldiers on passing for the second time by his position at Limbong, further saying,  when the fight was over the soldiers came up to the house and looked for me and when they found me tried to get my money, jewels and other property.  Col. Intong sent for my engagement ring, twelve pesos, and some revolver ammunitions she had under her care and had her tied  to a tree with a rope, after which he intended to abuse her, which was prevented by his own soldiers, and when she was in Indang he (Col. Intong) had me tied to a tree again and endeavored to assault me, which he failed to do on account of the strong opposition of the soldiers.  Witness signed her name attested by Garcia and the Secretary.

Report of the Investigating Judge
"To the Court Martial:
     The Investigating Judge detailed for the investigation of the facts relating to the fight which occurred at the "barrio" of Limbong, jurisdiction of the pueblo of Indang, between the troops of this Government and the men commanded by Andres Bonifacio, and which resulted in the death of two soldiers of this Government and of Ciriaco Bonifacio, and in the wounding of Andres Bonifacio himself, has the honor to make the following report:
     According to advices received by this Government Andres Bonifacio was, without any authority from the same, recruiting men at the barrio of Limbong and imprisoning those who were opposed to second his plans.  Col. Agapito Bonson (Intong), with a party of troops, was detailed to go to Indang to investigate matters over there, and on returning from a survey of the neighborhood was engaged in a fight with Andres Bonifacio and his men.  It is said the outcome of the fight was that two of Col. Bonson's soldiers and Ciriaco Bonifacio were killed, while Andres Bonifacio himself was wounded.
     From the statements made by several witnesses it will be seen that the first shot was fired by Ciriaco Bonifacio, while Andres and Procopio fired their arms also.
    The assertions of the Bonifacio brothers as to the non-existence of a Government presided over by Emilio Aguinaldo are denied by their own men and not found creditable.  Said Andres Bonifacio himself testified to having been present at the meeting held at the plantation house of Tejero for the election of a President of the Government, and also Pedro Giron averred that Andres Bonifacio gave him ten pesos to have him kill President Emilio Aguinaldo.
     That Andres Bonifacio wrote and tried to induce the men and officers of this army to join and second his plans, is an evident fact, which can be attested to by Pio dle Pilar, Col. Ritual and others.
     The Investigating Judge is, therefore, of the opinion that a Court Martial should study this examination most carefully and see that the law is complied with, and that justice is done.
     Maragondon, May 4th, 1897.

[The foregoing examination is returned to Gen. Mariano Noriel as presiding officer of the court martial "to do what he deems proper in accordance with law."]

[May 5, 1897]
[The Court-Martial held its first meeting at 3:00 o'clock]
The Court-Martial composed of Brig. General Mariano Noriel, Chairman, and six other officers(?), Placido Martinez, counsel for Procopio Bonifacio, and Teodoro Gonzales, counsel for Andres Bonifacio, and Jose Elises, prosecuting officer met for the first time.  The prisoners Andres and Procopio Bonifacio were brought in.  Then the Presiding Officer called the session to order and the recording officer read the proceedings of the case together with the examination of witnesses and other papers.  The prosecuting officer makes the following accusations: "The examination of witnesses, who appeared to testify as to the facts of the case shows that Andres, Ciriaco and Procopio Bonifacio were entertaining designs against the safety of this Government, as per the statement of Pedro Giron, who averred that he was offered by Andres Bonifacio some money for the assassination of the President.  In the clash that occurred between our troops and their men two of our soldiers were killed, while Ciriaco Bonifacio was also killed in the fight. Procopio Bonifacio was his brother's (Andres's) accomplice in the latter's scheme for the overthrow of the Government.  I am, therefore of the opinion that Andres Bonifacio and his brother are guilty of the crimes of conspiracy and sedition, and I recommend to the Court-Martial that they be punished for these crimes by being sentenced to death, each to receive five shots."
.
Placido Martinez, counsel, speaks for Andres Bonifacio.  He admits that the crimes charged were grave and serious.  Instead of defending him, he begs for mercy, at the same asks that Col. Bonson be investigated for acts unbecoming of an officer for assaulting Bonifacio's wife and attempt to dishonor her.

Teodoro Gonzales, counsel, speaks for Procopio Bonifacio.  He claims Procopio is not an accomplice in view of his absence in the scene of events as will be seen in the examination of witnesses and begs the Court-Martial to pardon him and not impose the punishment asked by the prosecuting officer.

Before closing Bonifacio was allowed to speak and he repeats what he had stated in his testimony which was opposed by the audience and he was ordered to take his seat, which he did.

The minutes were signed by the presiding officer and by Mariano Riego de Dios, Esteban Infante, Sulpicio dela Cruz, Mariano Noriel, Crisostomo Riel and Placido Martinez.

[May 6, 1897]
"On the second meeting of the Court-Martial the presiding officer propounded the following questions to his colleagues:
Did Andres Bonifacio know that there was a Government ruling over this territory? - Yes, he did.
Was Andres Bonifacio invested with any official capacity under said Government or authorized by it to keep weapons and maintain armed forces, or to imprison anyone at the barrio of Limbong? - No, he had no authority whatever.
Did said Andres Bonifacio and his brother, Ciriaco and Procopio, give orders to their men to fire at the troops of this Government? - Yes, they did.
Did Andres Bonifacio try to induce the officer and soldiers of this army to join him and second his plans with their arms? - Yes, he did.
Did Andres Bonifacio and his brothers offer any resistance to the troops of this Government, and did Ciriaco Bonifacio fire his arm first, and were two of our soldiers killed in the fight which ensued between our troops and our men?  Yes, the points asked in the question are true.
Did Andres Bonifacio and his brothers stay at the barrio of Limbong to recruit and arm men to overthrow this Government?  Yes, they did.
Is the death sentence the proper punishment for the crimes committed by Andres and Procopio Bonifacio? - Yes.
What is the punishment to be inflicted upon the officers and men who were with Andres, Ciriaco and Procopio Bonifacio for their complicity with them?  They must be given a reasonable punishment, and, after serving their term, be permitted to re-enlist in the army.
Shall food and expenses for their support be provided for the families of the soldiers killed? .- Yes.
Shall this food and expenses be borne by the accused? - Yes
Signed by presiding officer and attested by: Sulpicio dela Cruz, Mariano Noriel, T. Mascardo and Esteban Infante.

The Court-Martial having completed the proceedings, the presiding officer ordered all papers of the case returned to the Commander-in-chief of the Army as the reviewing authority. Signed by Mariano Noriel, signature of recording officer missing.

[The foregoing documents were referred to the Judge Advocate General,  Baldomero Aguinaldo.]

[Here is the final report of the Judge Advoate General, Baldomero Aguinaldo:]
"To the Court-Martial:
     From the reading of the foregoing examination and findings of the Court-martial, it appears that Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were, without authority or warrant whatever from this Government, at their camp at Limbong, jurisdiction of the pueblo of Indang, recruiting troops, and with their brother Ciriaco conspiring against the Government, for which purpose they were holding meetings with Diego Mojica, Silvestre Domingo and Santos Nocon.  They were planning to overthrow this Government and the assassination of its president Emilio Aguinaldo.
     Troops were sent to their camp to have them surrender their arms and submit to the authority of the Government, but they offered resistance to our forces, and ordered their men to fire at our troops.  The first shot was fired by Ciriaco Bonifacio, who with his two brothers, Andres and Procopio, was doing much harm to our troops, which firing resulted in the death of two of our soldiers.  Procopio Bonifacio resisted for a long time until he saw his two brothers disarmed - Ciriaco having been killed and Bonifacio wounded.
     The truth of the above quoted facts are vouched for by their own men, Pedro Giron,  Bibiano Rojas, Benito Torres and others.  In order to carry out their plans, they were sending seditious letters to the officers and soldiers of this Government to induce to join and follow them.  It is known that Diego Mojica and Ariston Villanueva were distributing money for the purpose, and it should not be conceded that said distribution of money was to reward those soldiers and officers who fought in Noveleta.
     The meetings which they frequently held with Mojica at their house at Limbong, and the resistance which they offered to our troops,  confirm the fact that the distribution of the money was to influence those officers and soldiers to give them their support.
     In other words, the three brothers, Andres, Ciriaco, Procopio Bonifacio, were planning the overthrow of the Government, the assassination of its President Emilio Aguinaldo, and the resistance to his authority, and therefore the findings of the Court-martial should be approved and its decision, affirmed.
     Moreover, I recommend the examination of Diego Mojica and Ariston Villanueva in order to investigate the part which they had in the conspiracy, and their complicity to Bonifacio's plans.  I also ask the Court-martial to open an inquiry on the conduct observed by Col. Agapito Bonson in connection with the reported maltreatment and assault of Andres Bonifacio's wife.
Marangondon, May 7th, 1897
(Signed) Baldomero Aguinaldo"

[May 8, 1897]
President Emilio Aguinaldo concurred with the decision of the Court-martial as recommended by the Judge Advocate General, Baldomero Aguinaldo, but commuted the death sentence to imprisonment for life, viz:
"...Therefore, I deem it proper to commute the death penalty imposed upon Andres and Procopio Bonifacio to that of imprisonment for life, which they will serve in the penitentiary duly guarded by responsible officials, who will not allow them to communicate one with the other or with any other person; and the penalty imposed upon Benito Torres, Nicolas Guzman, Rafael Non, Narciso Tiolo, Julian Aguila, Cayetano Lopez, Bibiano Rojas, Domingo Deuloso, Domingo San Juan and Gervasio Santiago will be commuted to temporary imprisonment for one year, to be served in their former respective barracks."

The President also ordered that proper steps be taken to carry out the recommendations of the Judge Advocate General as to the opening of further inquiry to investigate the behavior of Col. Agapito Bonson. The commutation order was signed by Emilio Aguinaldo and attested by Baldomero Aguinaldo.

Counsels Placido Martinez and Teodoro Gonzales were notified of the commutation order, the notice having been signed by Martinez and Makapagal, but the signature of Gonzales is missing.

Similarly, convicts Andres and Procopio Bonifacio were notified of the commutation order and the notice was signed by Procopio and Makapagal.  However, there is no signature or acknowledgment by Andres Bonifacio.