‘A TAPANG A TAO HINDI A TAKBO’
CAMILLE M. PANGAN
The execution of Andres Bonifacio is nevertheless one of the dark and controversial times of our history. Some versions regarding how Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio died in the hands of their fellow revolutionaries provoked academic discourses regarding the issue.
But if there is one person who can truly elaborate the truth, it is Lazaro Macapagal, the one who gave the order to the Katipunero’s to execute Bonifacio and his brother. Historians and expert of history fairly suggests that Macapagal’s testimonies regarding the execution may or may not conceal what really happened during the execution in Maragondon.
According to Macapagal’s first testimony that was published in a local newspaper three decades after the incident, by the time he received the order coming from the Conseho de Guerra, (ministry of defences that time), and proclaimed the execution. Bonifacio and his brother wept as the soldiers pointed their guns towards them. He also stated that by the time of execution, he can’t bear to kill nor to watch his former leader so he turned away as the soldiers executed the Bonifacio’s.
Another version also came from Macapagal arose when he wrote a letter to Jose P. Santos narrating “what really happened” during the execution.
According to his second statement, after the soldiers shot and killed Procopio, Andres begged on his knees for mercy and escaped through the forest, and eventually got shot and killed at a nearby river bank.
Although Macapagal’s second statement led only to confusion regarding the incident, based on histography, Macapagal’s statements bear weight because he is regarded as the only primary source on what really happened during the execution. But one can safely assume that Macapagal’s statements were reliable, and up to this date, the truth regarding Gat. Andres Bonifacio’s death is concealed within the pages of our history. The reason for me, as a teacher, to despise Macapagal’s statements is that they contradict themselves. According to Macapagal, on their way to Maragondon, the soldiers carried Andres Bonifacio for he is wounded as a result of their encounter during his arrest.
Santiago Alvarez supported this claim stating that Bonifacio was severely wounded at his shoulder and also suffered a stab wound on his neck, resulting for them to captured Bonifacio and carries him as they marched towards the deep forest of Maragondon.
If Bonifacio was in fact severely wounded prior to the execution, how did he manage to escape through the vast forest of Maragondon? As for the saying, “Andres Bonifacio, a tapang a tao, hindi a takbo,” its origin was in fact for many, as the actual scenario of the Bonifacio’s execution.
According to General Guillermo Masangkay, a good friend of Bonifacio, two of the four soldiers whom Macapagal brought with him during the execution. They said that after killing Procopio, the soldier wanted to spare bullets and as the Katipunan’s Supreme leader is lying down, they stabbed and hacked him to his death. The residents of Maragondon also share the same version of the story, they said that their ancestors “witnessed” the said execution, and Bonifacio was stabbed by five soldiers until he gave his last breath.
Different versions of Bonifacio’s death arose through television, movies, and literatures which provokes academic discourses regarding the said issue. We can’t assure what really happened that time because we were not there. In the end, the truth regarding Supremo’s execution is far within our reach, may we not forget how dark and bitter it may seem the truth within our history.