Who was Ramon Magsaysay ?

On February 28 1953, he resigned as defense secretary and decided to run for the seat of the president under the Nacionalista Party.

Ramon Magsaysay took part in the Second World War. He joined the motor pool of the 31st Infantry Division of the Philippines Army. In 1942, he narrowly avoided capture by the Japanese on quite a few occasions and resorted to Guerrilla Warfare. Soon, he commanded a 10,000 robust Guerrilla Army that played a major role in clearing Zambales of the Japanese forces.

During his term as the president, Ramon Magsaysay laid the foundation of the Manila Pact of 1954, created to defeat communist-Marxist movements in South East Asia, South Asia and the Southwestern Pacific.

Ramon Magsaysay, (born Aug. 31, 1907, Iba, Phil.—died March 17, 1957, near Cebu), president of the Philippines (1953–57), best known for successfully defeating the communist-led Hukbalahap (Huk) movement.

In early 1954, President Magsaysay appointed Benigno Aquino, Jr. as personal emissary to Luís Taruc, leader of the Hukbalahap, a communist guerrilla group.

The son of an artisan, Magsaysay was a schoolteacher in the provincial town of Iba on the island of Luzon. Though most Philippine political leaders were of Spanish descent, Magsaysay was of Malay stock, like most of the common people.

From February to mid-September 1954, Magsaysay carried out the largest anti-Huk operation, "Operation Thunder-Lightning" that led to the capture of Luis Taruc on 17 May.

After the war, Ramon Magsaysay was elected twice to the House of Representatives – in 1946 and 1949.

During Magsaysay’s administration, Philippines became Asia’s second cleanest and well-governed country. His tenure is often referred to as the Philippines' Golden Years.

Working his way through José Rizal College near Manila, he obtained a commercial degree in 1933 and became general manager of a Manila transportation company. After serving as a guerrilla leader on Luzon during World War II, he was appointed military governor of his home province, Zambales, when the United States recaptured the Philippines. He served two terms (1946–50) as a Liberal Party congressman for Zambales, his first experience in politics.

Magsaysay’s Presidential Complaints and Action Committee heard nearly 60,000 complaints in a year, and settled more than 30,000 through direct action and a little more than 25,000 through government agencies.

Magsaysay established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) which granted about sixty-five thousand acres to three thousand poor families for settlement purposes.

In 1950, Ramon Magsaysay accomplished one of his most significant military achievements. With the skills, he learned during Guerrilla warfare, and his experience in the World War II, he was able to redirect the army and efficiently crush the Hukbalhap Guerrillas.

Ramon later realized that part of the reason for such rebellions was the corrupt government. Deciding to bring about radical changes, he resigned from the post of the Secretary of Defence and became a nominee for Presidential Elections.

He also established the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA) to make available rural credits of almost ten million dollars.

President Elpidio Quirino appointed Magsaysay secretary of defense to deal with the threat of the Huks, whose leader, Luis Taruc, in February 1950 established a People’s Liberation Army and called for the overthrow of the government. Magsaysay then carried out until 1953 one of the most successful antiguerrilla campaigns in modern history.

Ramon Magsaysay was the most beloved President of Philippines. Right after getting elected, he introduced several reforms including the removal of the corrupt and incompetent officials. After his election, the people showed increasing faith in their military and their government.

Magsaysay initiated the formation of Liberty Wells Association that managed to raise a considerable sum for the construction of artesian wells for the development of agrarian sector.

Magsaysay was a Liberal, the Nacionalista Party successfully backed him for the presidency against Quirino in the 1953 elections, winning the support of Carlos P. Romulo, who had organized a third party.

March 17, 1958 Ramon Magsaysay was awarded the Golden Heart Presidential Award posthumously.

The Philippines went on to become one of Asia’s cleanest and well-governed countries. The highlight of his career as the President, however, was the suppression of the Hukbalhap rebels. Named Operation Thunder Lightning, this anti-Huk campaign was instrumental in increasing peace and stability in the country.

Magsaysay promised reform in every segment of Philippine life, but he was frustrated in his efforts by a conservative congress that represented the interests of the wealthy.

He received the Order of the White Elephant (April 1955) from the government of Thailand and the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia (January 1956) from the government of Cambodia.

Despite initial support of Congress in July 1955, Magsaysay was unable to pass effective land-reform legislation; government indifference to the plight of the peasants then undid most of his good work in gaining the support of the people against the Huks. Nevertheless, he remained extremely popular and had a well-deserved reputation for incorruptibility.

Ramon Magsaysay was awarded the Golden Heart Presidential Award, Philippines’s National Honor after his death.