Eulogio Balao

Eulogio Balao
PLH
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 Ramon Magsaysay
Carlos Garcia
Preceded by Sotero B. Cabahug
Succeeded by Jesus M. Vargas
Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
March 11, 1954 – 1956
Personal details
Born (1907-03-11)March 11, 1907
Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippine Islands
Died August 1977 (aged 69–70)
Philippines
Nationality Filipino
Spouse(s) Carmen Cepeda
Children Praxedes, Julianita, Eulogio, Jr., Ramon and Antonia
Alma mater Philippine Constabulary Academy
Profession Soldier, Politician
Website Philippine Senate Profile

Eulogio Balao (March 11, 1907 – August 1977) was a Filipino soldier and politician.

Career

Balao joined the Philippine Constabulary as a young man and rose through its ranks. 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.[1]:268 As a commanding officer, he led 11th Infantry Battalion troops to a victorious engagement during the Battle of Bessang Pass against the Japanese troops of General Tomoyuki Yamashita. 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.[2]

Personal life

The son of Matias Balao and Praxedes Baluitan, Balao graduated high school in his hometown of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, in 1926. He graduated the Philippine Constabulary Academy in 1931 and in 1936 attended Officer School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He had five children, Praxedes, Juliana, Eulogio, Jr., Ramon, and Antoinette

References

  1. ↑ Harkins, P., 1956, Blackburn's Headhunters, London: Cassell & Co. LTD
  2. ↑ "PCGG seeks settlement with alleged Marcos crony". Philippine Star. 2007-08-11.
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