ELPIDIO QUIRINO

Elpidio Rivera Quirino (November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956) was a Filipino politician,
and the sixth President of the Philippines.
A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered politics when he became a representative of Ilocos
Sur from 1919 to 1925. He was then elected as senator from 1925–1931. In 1934, he became a
member of the Philippine independence commission that was sent to Washington, D.C., which
secured the passage of Tydings–McDuffie Act to American Congress. In 1935, he was also
elected to the convention that drafted the 1935 constitution for the newly
established Commonwealth. In the new government, he served as secretary of the interior and
finance under President Manuel Quezon's cabinet.
After World War II, Quirino was elected vice-president in the 1946 election, consequently the
second and last for the Commonwealth and first for the third republic. After the death of the
incumbent president Manuel Roxas in 1948, he succeeded the presidency. He won the president's
office under Liberal Party ticket, defeating Nacionalista vice president and former president José
P. Laurel as well as fellow Liberalista and former Senate President José Avelino.
The signature of Elpidio Quirino affixed on a passport he issued in 1947, acting as Secretary of
State and the president of the 3rd Republic.
The Quirino administration was generally challenged by the Hukbalahaps, who ransacked towns
and barrios. Quirino ran for president again in the 1953 presidential election, but was defeated by
Nacionalista Ramon Magsaysay.
After his term, he retired to his new country home in Novaliches, Quezon City, where he died of
a heart attack on February 29, 1956

Early life and career

Elpidio Quirino was a native of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur although born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to Don
Mariano Quirino of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur and Doña Gregoria Mendoza Rivera of Agoo, La
Union. Quirino spent his early years in Aringay, La Union. He studied and graduated from his
elementary education to his native Caoayan, where he became a barrio teacher. He received
secondary education at Vigan High School, then went to Manila where he worked as junior
computer technician at the Bureau of Lands and as property clerk in the Manila police
department. He graduated from Manila High School in 1911 and also passed the civil service
examination, first-grade.
Quirino attended the University of the Philippines. In 1915, he earned his law degree from the
university's College of Law, and was admitted to the bar later that year. He was engaged in the
private practice of law.
Personal life
Quirino was married to Alicia Syquia on January 16, 1921. The couple had five children: Tomas
Quirino, Armando Quirino, Norma Quirino, Victoria Quirino-Gonzalez, and Fe Quirino. His
brother Antonio Quirino was the owner of Alto Broadcasting System, which later merged with
Chronicle Broadcasting Network to form ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.
Congressional career (House of Representatives)
Quirino was engaged in the private practice of law until he was elected as member of
the Philippine House of Representatives from 1919 to 1925, succeeding Alberto Reyes. In 1925
he was succeeded as Congressman by Vicente Singson Pablo.
Senate
Quirino was elected as Senator from 1925 to 1931 representing the First Senatorial District. He
then served as Secretary of Finance and Secretary of the Interior in the Commonwealth
government.
In 1934, Quirino was a member of the Philippine Independence mission to Washington, D.C.,
headed by Manuel L. Quezon, that secured the passage in the United States Congress of
the Tydings–McDuffie Act. This legislation set the date for Philippine independence by 1945.
Official declaration came on July 4, 1946.
Before the Second World War, Quirino was re-elected to the Senate but was not able to serve
until 1945. During the Battle of Manila in World War II, his wife, Alicia Syquia, and three of his
five children were killed as they fled their home.
After the war, the Philippine Commonwealth Government was restored. The Congress was
likewise re-organized and in the Senate Quirino was installed was Senate President pro
tempore.[citation needed]
Vice-Presidency
President Elpidio Quirino weeps beside the coffin of his predecessor, Manuel Roxas during the
latter's wake in 1948
Soon after the reconstitution of the Commonwealth Government in 1945, Senators Manuel
Roxas, Elpidio Quirino and their allies called for an early national election to choose the
president and vice president of the Philippines and members of the Congress. In December 1945
the House Insular Affairs of the United States Congress approved the joint resolution setting the
election date at not later than April 30, 1946.
Prompted by this congressional action, President Sergio Osmeña called the Philippine
Congress to a three-day special session. Congress enacted Commonwealth Act No. 725, setting
the election on April 23, 1946, and was approved by President Osmeña on January 5, 1946.
Senate President pro tempore Elpidio Quirino was nominated as the running mate by newly
formed Liberal Party of presidential candidate and then-Senate President Manuel Roxas. The
tandem won the election. Vice-President Quirino was later appointed as Secretary of Foreign
Affairs.
Presidency
Elpidio Quirino's six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general
economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States.
 Administration and

Cabinet
First term (1948–1949)
Accession
Vice-President Elpidio Quirino was inaugurated as the 6th President of the Philippines on April
17, 1948 at the Council of State Room, Executive Building, Malacañan Palace.
Quirino assumed the presidency on April 17, 1948, taking his oath of office two days after the
death of Manuel Roxas. His first official act as the President was the proclamation of a state
mourningthroughout the country for Roxas' death. Since Quirino was a widower, his surviving
daughter Victoria Quirino Gonzalez [Vicky] would serve as the official hostess and perform the
functions traditionally ascribed to the First Lady.
New capital city
On July 17, 1948, the Congress approved Republic Act No. 333, amending Commonwealth Act
No. 502, declaring Quezon City the capital of the Philippines in place
of Manila.[1] Nevertheless, pending the official transfer of the government offices to the new
capital site, Manila remained to be such for all effective purposes.
HukBaLaHap
With the expiration of the Amnesty deadline on August 15, 1948, the government found out that
the Huks had not lived up to the terms of the Quirino-Taruc agreement. Indeed, after having been
seated in Congress and collecting his back pay allowance.[1] Luis Taruc surreptitiously fled
away from Manila, even as a number of his followers had either submitted themselves to the
conditions of the Amnesty proclamation or surrendered their arms. In the face of countercharges
from the Huk to the effect that the government had not satisfied the agreed conditions, President
Quirino ordered a stepped-up campaign against dissidents, restoring once more an aggressive
policy in view of the failure of the friendly attitude previously adopted.
Fireside chats
To bring the government closer to the people, he revived President Quezon's "fireside chats", in
which he enlightened the people on the activities of the Republic by the periodic radio broadcasts
from Malacañan Palace.
Impeachment attempt
Riding on the crest of the growing wave of resentment against the Liberal Party, a move was
next hatched to indict President Quirino himself. Led by Representative Agripino Escareal, a
committee composed of seven members of the House of Representatives prepared a five-count
accusation ranging from nepotism to gross expenditures. Speaker Eugenio Pérez appointed a
committee of seven, headed by Representative Lorenzo Sumulong to look into the charges
preparatory to their filing with the Senate, acting as an impeachment body. Solicitor
General Felix Angelo Bautista entered his appearance as defense counsel for the chief executive.
Following several hearings, on April 19, 1949, after a rather turbulent session that lasted all
night, the congressional committee reached a verdict completely exonerating the President.
Romulo becomes UN President
Great honor was paid the Philippines when, in September 1949, the Fourth General Assembly of
the United Nations elected delegate Carlos P. Romulo as President. The first Oriental to hold the
position, Romulo was strongly supported by the Anglo-Saxon bloc, as well as by the group of
Spanish-speaking nations, thus underscoring the hybrid nature of the Filipino people's culture
and upringing.
1949 Presidential election
Main article: Philippine presidential election, 1949
Incumbent President Elpidio Quirino won a full term as President of the Philippines after the
untimely death of President Manuel Roxas in 1948. His running mate, Senator Fernando
López won as Vice President. Despite factions created in the administration party, Quirino won a
satisfactory vote from the public. It was the only time in Philippine history where the duly
elected president, vice president and senators all came from the same party, the Liberal Party.
Second term (1949–1953)
President Elpidio Quirino was inaugurated for his first full term as President of the Philippines
on December 30, 1949 at the Independence Grandstand (now Quirino Grandstand), Manila.
Baguio Conference
In May 1950, upon the invitation of President Qurino, through the insistent suggestion of United
Nations President Carlos P. Romulo, official representatives of India, Pakistan, Ceylon,
Thailand,Indonesia, and Australia met in the city of Baguio for a regional conference sponsored
by the Philippines. China and Korea did not attend the conference because the latter did not
contemplate the formation of a military union of the Southeast Asian nations. On the other hand,
Japan, Indonesia, China, and others were not invited because, at the time, they were not free and
independent states. Due to the request of India and Indonesia, no political questions were taken
up the conference. Instead, the delegates discussed economic and, most of all, cultural, problems
confronting their respective countries. Strangely enough however, the Baguio Conference ended
with an official communiqué in which the nations attending the same expressed their united
agreement in supporting the right to self-determination of all peoples the world over. This initial
regional meet held much promise of a future alliance of these neighboring nations for common
protection and aid.
HukBaLaHap continued re-insurgence
Quirino's administration faced a serious threat in the form of the
communist HukBaLaHap movement. Though the Huks originally had been an anti-Japanese
guerrilla army in Luzon, communists steadily gained control over the leadership, and when
Quirino's negotiation with Huk commander Luis Taruc broke down in 1948, Taruc openly
declared himself a Communist and called for the overthrow of the government.

Peace campaign
With the Communist organization estimated to still have more than 40,000 duly registered
members by March 1951, the government went on with its sustained campaign to cope with the
worsening peace and order problem. The 1951 budget included the use of a residue fund for the
land resettlement program in favor of the surrendered HUKS. The money helped maintain the
Economic Development Corps (EDCOR), with its settlements of 6,500 hectares in Kapatagan
(Lanao) and 25,000 hectares in Buldon (Cotabato). In each group taken to these places there was
a nucleus of former Army personnel and their families, who became a stabilizing factor and
ensured the success of the program. Indeed, less than ten percent of the Huks who settled down
gave up this new lease in life offered them by the government.
To promote the smooth restructuring of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military were
made to undergo a reorganization. Battalion combat teams of 1,000 men each were established.
Each operated independently of the High Command, except for overall coordination in
operational plans. A total of 26 Battalion Combat Teams were put up. New army units were also
established, such was the first Airborne Unit, the Scout Rangers, the Canine Unit, and
the CavalryUnit. These units all showed considerable ability.
1951 midterm election
Main article: Philippine general election, 1951
After a sweep by the Liberals in 1949, many Filipinos doubted the election result. This brought a
sweep by the Nacionalistas in the 1951 elections. There was a special election for the vacated
senate seat of Fernando Lopez, who won as Vice President in 1949. The Liberals won no seats in
the senate.
1953 Presidential election
Quirino ran for re-election to the presidency with José Yulo as vice president in 1953 despite his
ill health. His defense secretary Ramon Magsaysay, resigned his office and joined
the Nacionalista Party. Other prominent Liberalists, like Vice President Fernando López,
Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo, Senators Tomás Cabili and Juan Sumulong, also bolted Quirino's
party.
On August 22, 1953, Nacionalista and Democratic Parties formed a coalition to ensure Quirino's
full defeat. On the election day, Quirino was defeated by Ramon Magsaysay with a majority vote
of 1.5 million.
Agrarian reform

As part of his Agrarian Reform agenda, President Quirino issued on October 23, 1950 Executive
Order No. 355 which replaced the National Land Settlement Administration with Land
Settlement Development Corporation (LASEDECO) which takes over the responsibilities of the
Agricultural Machinery Equipment Corporation and the Rice and Corn Production
Administration.

Quirino-Foster Agreement

By the time of the creation of the integrity board, moreover, the Bell Mission, led by Daniel W.
Bell, an American banker, and composed of five members, with a staff of twenty workers,
following their period of stay in the Philippines, beginning in July 1950, finally submitted its
report on October of the same year.[1] The Report made several proposals, most noteworthy, of
which were that the United States should give the Philippines 250,000,000 dollars over a period
of five years, but the Philippines, in return, ought to reform its tax structure, enact a minimum
wage law for agricultural and industrial labor, initiate social and land reforms, as well as a sound
planning for economic development, For all the strong language of the Report, which, in some
quarters merited bitter opposition, President Quirino gamely and patriotically,[1] took in the
recommendations and sought to implement them. Thus in November 1950, President Quirino
and William Chapman Foster, representing the United States Government, signed an agreement
by virtue of which the former pledged to obtain the necessary Philippine legislation, in keeping
with the Bell Mission Report, while envoy Foster promised the necessary by the same Report.[1]

However, much as he tried to become a good president, Quirino failed to win the people's
affection. Several factors caused the unpopularity of his administration, namely:[4]

 Failure of government to check the Huk menace which made travel in the provinces unsafe,
as evidenced by the killing of former First Lady Aurora Quezon and her companions on
April 28, 1949 by the Huks on the Bongabong-Baler road, Baler, Tayabas (now part
of Aurora province);
 Economic distress of the times, aggravated by rising unemployment rate, soaring prices of
commodities, and unfavorable balance of trade.
Post-presidency and death
Tomb of Elpidio Quirino at the Manila South Cemetery
Following his failed bid for re-election, Quirino retired from politics to private life in 1953. He
offered his dedication to serve the Filipino people, becoming the "Father of Foreign Service" in
the Republic of the Philippines.
Qurino died of a heart attack during the leap year day of February 29, 1956. He was buried
at Manila South Cemetery in Makati.

RAMON MAGSAYSAY
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957) was the
seventh President of the Republic of the Philippines, serving from December 30, 1953 until his
death in an aircraft disaster. An automobile mechanic, Magsaysay was appointed military
governor of Zambales after his outstanding service as a guerilla leader during the Pacific War.
He then served two terms asLiberal Party congressman for Zambales before being appointed as
Secretary of National Defense by President Elpidio Quirino. He was elected President under the
banner of the Nacionalista Party. He was the first Philippine President born during the 20th
century.
Life
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales on August 31, 1907 to Exequiel
Magsaysay y de los Santos (April 18, 1874 in San Marcelino, Zambales – January 24, 1968
in Manila), a blacksmith, and Perfecta del Fierro y Quimson (April 18, 1887
in Castillejos, Zambales – May 5, 1980 in Manila), a schoolteacher.
Early life
He spent his elementary life somewhere in Castillejos and his high school life at Zambales
Academy at San Narciso, Zambales. After high school, Magsaysay entered the University of the
Philippinesin 1927, where he enrolled in a pre-medical course. He worked as a chauffeur to
support himself as he studied engineering; and later, he transferred to the Institute of Commerce
at José Rizal College (1928–1932), where he received a baccalaureate in commerce. He then
worked as an automobile mechanic in a bus company (Florida) and shop superintendent.
Career during World War II
At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the motor pool of the 31st Infantry Division of
the Philippine Army. When Bataan surrendered in 1942, Magsaysay escaped to the hills,
narrowly evading Japanese arrest on at least four occasions. There he organised the Western
Luzon Guerrilla Forces, and was commissioned captain on April 5, 1942. For three years,
Magsaysay operated under Col. Merrill's famed guerrilla outfit & saw action at Sawang, San
Marcelino, Zambales, first as a supply officer codenamed Chow and later as commander of a
10,000 strong force. Magsaysay was among those instrumental in clearing the Zambales coast of
the Japanese prior to the landing of American forces together with the Philippine
Commonwealth troops on January 29, 1945.
Family
He was married to Luz Magsaysay (née Banzon) in June 16, 1933 and they had three children:
Teresita Banzon-Magsaysay (1934–1979), Milagros "Mila" Banzon-Magsaysay (b. 1936)
and Ramon "Jun" Banzon-Magsaysay, Jr. (b. 1938).
Relatives
 Several of Magsaysay's relatives became prominent public figures in their own right:
 Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., son; former Congressman and Senator
 Genaro Magsaysay, brother; former Senator
 Vicente Magsaysay, uncle; Congressman and former Governor of Zambales
 JB Magsaysay, grandnephew; politician
House of Representatives
On April 22, 1946, Magsaysay, encouraged by his ex-guerrillas, was elected under the Liberal
Party[1] to the Philippine House of Representatives. In 1948, President Manuel Roxas chose
Magsaysay to go to Washington as Chairman of the Committee on Guerrilla Affairs, to help to
secure passage of the Rogers Veterans Bill, giving benefits to Philippine veterans. In the so-
called "dirty election" of 1949, he was re-elected to a second term in the House of
Representatives. During both terms he was Chairman of the House National Defense Committee.

Secretary of National Defense

In early August 1950, he offered President Elpidio Quirino a plan to fight the Communist
guerillas, using his own experiences in guerrilla warfare during World War II. After some
hesitation, Quirino realized that there was no alternative and appointed Magsaysay Secretary of
National Defence on August 31, 1950. He intensified the campaign against
the Hukbalahap guerillas. This success was due in part to the unconventional methods he took up
from a former advertising expert and CIA agent, Colonel Edward Lansdale. In the
counterinsurgency the two utilized deployed soldiers distributing relief goods and other forms of
aid to outlying, provincial communities. Prior to Magsaysay's appointment as Defense Secretary,
rural citizens perceived the Philippine Army with apathy and distrust. However, Magsaysay's
term enhanced the Army's image, earning them respect and admiration.
In June 1952, Magsaysay made a goodwill tour to the United States and Mexico. He visited New
York, Washington, D.C. (with a medical check-up at Walter Reed Hospital) and Mexico
City where he spoke at the Annual Convention of Lions International.
By 1953, President Quirino thought the threat of the Huks was under control and Secretary
Magsaysay was becoming too weak. Magsaysay met with interference and obstruction from the
President and his advisers, in fear they might be unseated at the next presidential election.
Although Magsaysay had at that time no intention to run, he was urged from many sides and
finally was convinced that the only way to continue his fight against communism, and for a
government for the people, was to be elected President, ousting the corrupt administration that,
in his opinion, had caused the rise of the communist guerrillas by bad administration. He
resigned his post as defense secretary on February 28, 1953, and became the presidential
candidate of the Nacionalista Party, disputing the nomination with senator Camilo Osías at the
Nacionalista national convention.
1951 Negros Occidental incident
Theatrical poster of the 1961 filmThe Moises Padilla Story that narrates the 1951 event.
When news reached Magsaysay that his political ally Moises Padilla was being tortured by the
forces of provincial governor Lacson, he rushed to Negros Occidental, but was too late. He was
then informed that Padilla's body was swimming in blood, pierced by fourteen bullets, and was
positioned on a police bench in the town plaza. Magsaysay himself carried Padilla's corpse with
his bare hands and delivered it to the morgue, and the next day, news clips showed pictures of
him doing so. Magsaysay even used this event during his presidential campaign in 1953.
The trial against Lacson started in January 1952; Magsaysay and his men presented enough
evidence to convict Lacson and his 26 men for murder. In August 1954, Judge Eduardo Enriquez
ruled the men were guilty and Lacson, his 22 men and three other mayors of Negros Occidental
municipalities were condemned to the electric chair.
Presidential election of 1953
Presidential elections were held on November 10, 1953 in the Philippines. Incumbent
President Elpidio Quirino lost his opportunity to get a second full term as President of the
Philippines to former Defense Secretary Magsaysay. His running mate, Senator José Yulo lost
to Senator Carlos P. García. Vice President Fernando Lopez did not run for re-election. This was
the first time that an elected Philippine president did not come from the Senate. Moreover,
Magsaysay started the practice in the Philippines of "campaign jingles" during elections, for one
of his inclinations and hobbies was dancing.
The United States Government, including the Central Intelligence Agency, had a strong
influence on the 1953 elections, and candidates in the election fiercely competed with each other
for U.S. support.

Presidency
In the Election of 1953, Magsaysay was decisively elected president over the incumbent Elpidio
Quirino. He was sworn into office wearing the Barong Tagalog, a first by a Philippine president.
He was then called "Mambo Magsaysay".
As president, he was a close friend and supporter of the United States and a vocal spokesman
against communism during the Cold War. He led the foundation of the Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization also known as the Manila Pact of 1954, that aimed to defeat communist-Marxist
movements in South East Asia, South Asia and the Southwestern Pacific. During his term, he
madeMalacañang literally a "house of the people", opening its gates to the public. One example
of his integrity followed a demonstration flight aboard a new plane belonging to the Philippine
Air Force(PAF): President Magsaysay asked what the operating costs per hour were for that type
of aircraft, then wrote a personal check to the PAF, covering the cost of his flight. He brought
back the people's trust in the military and in the government.
His administration was considered one of the cleanest and most corruption-free; his presidency
was cited as the Philippines' Golden Years. Trade and industry flourished, the Philippine
military was at its prime, and the Filipino people were given international recognition in sports,
culture and foreign affairs. The Philippines ranked second in Asia's clean and well-governed
countries

Domestic policies
President's Inauguration Day
Ushering, indeed, a new era in Philippine government, President Magsaysay placed emphasis
upon service to the people by bringing the government closer to the former. This was
symbollically seen when, on inauguration day, President Magsaysay ordered the gates
of Malacañan Palace open to all and sundry, who were allowed to freely visit all the
dependencies of the presidential mansion. Later, this was regulated to allow weekly visitation.
True] to his electoral promise, President Magsaysay created the Presidential Complaints and
Action Committee. This body immediately proceeded to hear grievances and recommend
remedial action. Headed by soft-spoken, but active and tireless, Manuel Manahan, this
committee would come to hear nearly 60,000 complaints in a year, of which more than 30,000
would be settled by direct action and a little more than 25,000 would be referred to government
agencies for appropriate follow-up. This new entity, composed of youthful personnel, all loyal to
the President, proved to be a highly successful morale booster restoring the people's confidence
in their own government.
President Ramon F. Magsaysay was the first president who wore Barong Tagalog(national
costume). He set the example of humility by calling him as "Mr. President" and not as "His
Excellency". (Ryan A. Gragasin).
Agrarian reform
To amplify and stabilize the functions of the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR), President
Magsaysay worked for the establishment of the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA).] This body took over from the EDCOR and helped in the giving some
sixty-five thousand acres to three thousand indigent families for settlement purposes. Again, it
allocated some other twenty-five thousand to a little more than one thousand five hundred
landless families, who subsequently became farmers.
As further aid to the rural people, the president established the Agricultural Credit and
Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA). The idea was for this entity to make available
rural credits. Records show that it did grant, in this wise, almost ten million dollars. This
administration body next devoted its attention to cooperative marketing.
Along this line of help to the rural areas, President Magsaysay initiated in all earnestness the
artesian wells campaign. A group-movement known as the Liberty Wells Association was
formed and in record time managed to raise a considerable sum for the construction of as many
artesian wells as possible. The socio-economic value of the same could not be gainsaid and the
people were profuse in their gratitude.
Finally, vast irrigation projects, as well as enhancement of the Ambuklao Power plant and other
similar ones, went a long way towards bringing to reality the rural improvement program
advocated by President Magsaysay.
President Ramon Magsaysay at the Presidential Study, Malacañan Palace.
President Ramon Magsaysay enacted the following laws as part of his Agrarian Reform
Program:
Republic Act No. 1160 of 1954—Abolished the LASEDECO and established the National
Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) to resettle dissidents and landless
farmers. It was particularly aimed at rebel returnees providing home lots and farmlands in
Palawan and Mindanao.
Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954) – governed the relationship between
landowners and tenant farmers by organizing share-tenancy and leasehold system. The law
provided the security of tenure of tenants. It also created the Court of Agrarian Relations.
Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955) – Created the Land Tenure Administration
(LTA) which was responsible for the acquisition and distribution of large tenanted rice and corn
lands over 200 hectares for individuals and 600 hectares for corporations.
Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration) –
Provided small farmers and share tenants loans with low interest rates of six to eight percent.
HUKBALAHAP
In early 1954, Benigno Aquino, Jr. was appointed by President Ramon Magsaysay to act as
personal emissary to Luís Taruc, leader of the Hukbalahap, a rebel group. Also in 1954, Lt. Col.
Laureño Maraña, the former head of Force X of the 16th PC Company, assumed command of the
7th BCT, which had become one of the most mobile striking forces of the Philippine ground
forces against the Huks, from Colonel Valeriano. Force X employed psychological warfare
through combat intelligence and infiltration that relied on secrecy in planning, training, and
execution of attack. The lessons learned from Force X and Nenita were combined in the 7th
BCT.
With the all out anti-dissidence campaigns against the Huks, they numbered less than 2,000 by
1954 and without the protection and support of local supporters, active Huk resistance no longer
presented a serious threat to Philippine security. From February to mid-September 1954, the
largest anti-Huk operation, "Operation Thunder-Lightning" was conducted that resulted to the
surrender of Luis Taruc on 17 May. Further cleanup operations of guerillas remaining lasted
throughout 1955, diminishing its number to less than 1,000 by year's end.
Reparation agreement
Following the reservations made by Ambassador Romulo, on the Philippines behalf, upon
signing the Japanese Peace Treaty in San Francisco on September 8, 1951, for several years of
series of negotiations were conducted by the Philippine government and that of Japan. In the face
of adamant claims of the Japanese government that it found impossible to meet the demand for
the payment of eight billion dollars by the way of reparations, president Magsaysay, during a so-
called "cooling off" period, sent a Philippine Reparations Survey Committee, headed by Finance
Secretary Jaime Hernandez, to Japan for an "on the spot" study of that country's possibilities.
When the Committee reported that Japan was in a position to pay, Ambassador Felino Neri,
appointed chief negotiator, went to Tokyo. On May 31, 1955, Ambassador Neri reached a
compromise agreement with Japanese Minister Takazaki, the main terms of which consisted in
the following: The Japanese government would pay eight hundred million dollars as reparations.
Payment was to be made in this wise: Twenty million dollars would be paid in cash in Philippine
currency; thirty million dollars, in services; five million dollars, in capital goods; and two
hundred and fifty million dollars, in long-term industrial loans.
On August 12, 1955, President Magsaysay informed the Japanese government, through Prime
Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, that the Philippines accepted the Neri-Takazaki agreement. In view of
political developments in Japan, the Japanese Prime Minister could only inform the Philippine
government of the Japanese acceptance of said agreement on March 15, 1956. The official
Reparations agreement between the two government was finally signed at Malacañan Palace on
May 9, 1956, thus bringing to a rather satisfactory conclusion this long drawn controversy
between the two countries.
Death
Magsaysay's term, which was to end on December 30, 1957, was cut short by a plane crash. On
March 16, 1957, Magsaysay left Manila for Cebu City where he spoke at three educational
institutions. That same night, at about 1 am, he boarded the presidential plane "Mt. Pinatubo",
a C-47, heading back to Manila. In the early morning hours of March 17, the plane was reported
missing. By late afternoon, newspapers had reported the airplane had crashed on Mt. Manunggal
in Cebu, and that 36 of the 56 aboard were killed (the actual number on board was 25, including
Magsaysay). Only newspapermanNéstor Mata survived. Vice-President Carlos García, who was
on an official visit to Australia at the time, assumed the presidency to serve out the last eight
months of Magsaysay's term.
An estimated 2 million people attended Magsaysay's burial on March 31, 1957. He was
posthumously referred to by people as the "Idol of the Masses".
 ELPIDIO QUIRINO
AND RAMON
MAGSAYSAY
BIOGRAPHY

Submitted by:
Montana, Nikko
Manzanares, Gilda May
Mangubat, Dhenil T.
Tan, Cedrick
Agtani, Nicole
Cuasay, Jervi Royson