The circumstances surrounding Luna's assassination are complex and have been the subject of much debate. However, the most widely accepted account is that Macabulos, fearing Luna's growing influence and ambition, ordered his execution.
There are several reasons why Macabulos might have been motivated to kill Luna:
* Political rivalry: Macabulos and Luna were both strong personalities with competing visions for the future of the Philippine revolution.
* Fear of Luna's power: Luna was a highly skilled military strategist and his rising influence within the revolutionary army threatened Macabulos' own authority.
* Allegations of disloyalty: Some accounts suggest that Macabulos believed Luna was plotting to overthrow the revolutionary government.
* Personal animosity: There is evidence of a personal feud between the two men, which may have contributed to the assassination.
While Macabulos was officially charged with Luna's murder, he was acquitted due to lack of evidence. This has led many to believe that the assassination was a conspiracy involving higher-ranking officials in the revolutionary government.
The killing of Antonio Luna remains a tragic chapter in Philippine history. It serves as a reminder of the internal divisions and political instability that plagued the revolutionary government during the fight for independence.