Antonio Luna
Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta (Spanish: [anˈtonjo ˈluna]; October 29, 1866 – June 5, 1899) was a Filipino pharmacist and army general who fought in the Philippine–American War before his assassination on June 5, 1899 at the age of 32.[1][2]
This article is about the Filipino general. For the Spanish footballer, see Antonio Luna (footballer). For the Philippine Navy ship, see BRP Gen. Antonio Luna (PG-141).
Antonio Luna
October 29, 1866
San Nicolas, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines, Spanish Empire
June 5, 1899 (aged 32)
Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, First Philippine Republic
- Juan Luna (brother)
- Joaquin Luna (brother)
Philippine Republic Medal
- "Toñing"
- "El General Monico"
- "General Mayabang"
1898–1899
Regarded as one of the fiercest generals of his time, he succeeded Artemio Ricarte as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He sought to apply his background in military science to the fledgling army. A sharpshooter himself, he organized professional guerrilla soldiers later named the "Luna Sharpshooters" and the "Black Guard" with Senyor Michael Joaquin. His three-tier defense, now known as the Luna Defense Line, gave the American troops a difficult endeavor during their campaign in the provinces north of Manila. This defense line culminated in the creation of a military stronghold in the Cordillera.[3]
Despite his commitment to discipline the army and serve the Republic which attracted the admiration of the people, his temper and fiery outlashes caused some to abhor him, including people from Aguinaldo's Cabinet.[4] Nevertheless, Luna's efforts were not without recognition during his time, for he was awarded the Philippine Republic Medal in 1899. He was also a member of the Malolos Congress.[5] Besides his military studies, Luna also studied pharmacology, literature, and chemistry.[6]
Personal life[edit]
Luna courted Nellie Boustead, a woman who was also courted by José Rizal, between 1889 and 1891.[10] Boustead was reportedly infatuated with Rizal. At a party held by Filipinos, a drunk Antonio Luna made unsavory remarks against Boustead. This prompted Rizal to challenge Luna to a duel. However, Luna apologized to Rizal, thus averting a duel between the compatriots.[22]
Philippine–American War[edit]
Prior to the war[edit]
Since June 1898, Manila had been surrounded by the revolutionary troops. Colonel Luciano San Miguel occupied Mandaluyong, General Pío del Pilar advanced through Sampaloc and attacked Puente Colgante, causing the enemy to fall back, General Mariano Noriel, Parañaque, Colonel Enrique Pacheco, Navotas, Tambobong and Caloocan. General Gregorio del Pilar took charge of Pantaleon Garcia's force when the latter was wounded, taking Pritil, Tondo, Divisoria, and Paseo de Azcárraga, Noriel cleared Singalong and Paco, and held Ermita and Malate.[23][24] Aguinaldo demanded joint occupation of Intramuros. Which the Americans heeded, But after one month of dual occupation, Aguinaldo withdrew his forces when General Wesley Merritt and Commodore (later Admiral) George Dewey, whose fleet had moored in Manila Bay after being threatened of an unwanted conflict between Filipinos and Americans, plus the telegram from General Elwell Otis that if Aguinaldo did not pull his forces back, he will be obliged to resort to forcible action. When Luna was on the trenches, he ordered his troops to fire on the Americans. After the chaos following the American occupation, at a meeting in Ermita, Luna tried to complain to American officers about the disorderly conduct of their soldiers.[10]
To silence Luna, Aguinaldo appointed him as Chief of War Operations on September 26, 1898, and assigned the rank of brigadier general. In quick succession, he was made the Director or Assistant Secretary of War and Supreme Chief of the Republican Army on September 28,[25] arousing the envy of the other generals who were fighting since the first phase of the Revolution. Meanwhile, Luna felt that bureaucratic placebos were being thrown his way when all he wanted was to organize and discipline the enthusiastic but ill-fed and ill-trained troops into a real army.[10]
On September 15, 1898, the Malolos Congress, the constituent assembly of the First Philippine Republic, was convened in Barasoain Church.[26] Luna would be one of the elected representatives and was narrowly defeated by Pedro Paterno as President of the Congress with a vote of 24–23.[5]
Seeing the need for a military school, in October 1898, Luna established a military academy at Malolos, known as the Academia Militar. He appointed Colonel Manuel Bernal Sityar, a mestizo who was formerly a lieutenant serving the Civil Guard, as superintendent. He recruited other mestizos and Spaniards who had fought in the Spanish army during the 1896 Revolution for training. However, the academy had to be suspended indefinitely by March 1899 due to the outbreak of the Philippine–American War.[10]