Eulogio Balao
Eulogio Balao | |
---|---|
Senator of the Philippines | |
In office December 30, 1957 – December 30, 1963 | |
Secretary of National Defense | |
In office January 3, 1956 – August 28, 1957 | |
President | Carlos P. Garcia Ramon Magsaysay |
Preceded by | Sotero Cabahug |
Succeeded by | Jesus M. Vargas |
Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines | |
In office 1954–1956 | |
President | Ramon Magsaysay Carlos Garcia |
Preceded by | Jesus Vargas |
Succeeded by | Alfonso Arellano |
Military Attache, Philippine Embassy to China | |
In office 1949–1953 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippine Islands | March 11, 1907
Died | August 22, 1977citation needed] Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines[citation needed] | (aged 70)[
Nationality | Filipino |
Political party | Liberal (1963-1977) |
Other political affiliations | Nacionalista (1957-1963) |
Spouse | Carmen Cepeda |
Children | Praxedes, Julianita, Eulogio Jr., Ramon and Antonia |
Alma mater | Philippine Constabulary Academy |
Profession | Soldier, Politician |
Awards | Distinguished Service Star Legion of Honor |
Website | Philippine Senate Profile |
Military service | |
Branch/service | Philippine Army Philippine Constabulary |
Years of service | 1931 - 1956 |
Unit | 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Regular) 11th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Division (Reserve) |
Commands | Vice Chief of Staff, AFP Military Attache, Nangking, China |
Eulogio Balauitan Balao (March 11, 1907 – August 4, 1977) was a Filipino soldier and politician.
Early life and education
[edit]The son of Matias Balao and Praxedes Balauitan, Balao graduated high school in his hometown of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, in 1926. He had five children with his wife, Carmen Cepeda,[1] namely Praxedes, Juliana, Eulogio Jr., Ramon, and Antoinette
Career
[edit]Balao graduated from the Philippine Constabulary Academy in 1931 and joined the Philippine Constabulary. He was first stationed in Davao as third lieutenant. In 1935, he was severely injured during operations to suppress the Sakdal Uprising in Laguna, and was promoted to second lieutenant in 1936. That same year, he attended Officer School in Fort Benning, Georgia and became an ROTC instructor at the University of the Philippines. In 1937, he became executive officer of the 2nd Infantry Regiment and in 1940, became an instructor at the General Services School in Baguio.[1]
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Forces Far East,. As a Major, Balao served as Donald Blackburn's Inspector General for his guerrilla force.[2]: 268 He participated in the Battle of Bataan in 1942.[1] As a commanding officer, he led 11th Infantry Battalion troops to a victorious engagement during the Battle of Bessang Pass in June 1945 against the Japanese troops of General Tomoyuki Yamashita. A few days later, he participated in the liberation of Aparri.[1] Following the war, Balao, then a Colonel, turned his military efforts towards quelling the Hukbalahap forces of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Luzon. Thereafter, in 1949, Balao was assigned to service in Nanking, China as the Philippines' Military Attaché. In 1953, he became a brigadier general and in 1954 was appointed Vice Chief of Staff before, in 1956, assuming the office of Secretary of National Defense. Balao served in that capacity from January 3, 1956, to August 28, 1957. In 1957, he was elected to the Senate of the Philippines, where he remained until 1963.
Balao received a number of awards and honors throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Star and induction into the Philippine Legion of Honor, where he was bestowed the rank of Commander.
Balao, who was closely identified with President Ferdinand Marcos, died in 1977.[3]
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Eulogio B. Balao, Department of National Defense, Philippines.
- Eulogio Balao, Senate of the Philippines.
- 1907 births
- 1977 deaths
- Philippine Military Academy alumni
- People from Tuguegarao
- Politicians from Cagayan
- Secretaries of national defense of the Philippines
- Senators of the 4th Congress of the Philippines
- Senators of the 5th Congress of the Philippines
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Star
- Recipients of the Philippine Legion of Honor
- Philippine Army generals
- Garcia administration cabinet members
- Magsaysay administration cabinet members