Vivid glimpses of old Manila, 1930s
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Ramon Magsaysay
R. Magsaysay biography
Magsaysay with lawmakers
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón Magsaysay , 1907-57, president of the Philippines (1953-57). When the Japanese invaded the Philippines (1941), he joined the army and was commissioned a captain. A guerrilla leader throughout the Japanese occupation, he was named (1945) military governor of Zambales province by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. While serving in the Philippine Congress (1946-50), Magsaysay presented a plan for subduing the Hukbalahap (Huk) guerrillas, which led to his appointment as secretary of national defense by President Elpidio Quirino . He reformed the army, captured the top members of the Communist party, and fought the Huks, combining strong military action with a land resettlement program. After a dispute with President Quirino, however, Magsaysay resigned from his post (1953). He left the ruling Liberal party and ran for president on the Nationalist ticket, defeating Quirino by a large majority. As president, he cooperated closely with the United States and pursued a program of land and governmental reform. He was favored to win reelection to a second term, but died in an airplane crash (1957) before the voting began.