Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay Dies In Today's Memory, March 17, 1957

JAKARTA Memories of today, 67 years ago, March 17, 1957, the President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay died in the crash of the presidential plane Cebu Douglas C-47. The Philippines' entire body was grieving. Harmful remarks emerged from everywhere.

Previously, Ramon was widely known as an icon of the Philippine struggle. His actions against communism became a cause. The narrative brought him to be known throughout the Philippines. Even then all the people wanted him to be the number one person in the Philippines.

Education is an important foundation of struggle. That's the narrative shared by Ramon Magsay's family. Ramon's educational journey was smooth, even though he had moved from the University of the Philippines to Jose Rizal College (now: Jose Rizal University).

He also earned a bachelor's degree in trade. He had a career as car mechanics. However, World War II changed everything. Ramon chose to defend the country. He joined the 31st Infantry division of the Philippine army.

Perseverance to fight guerrillaally received appreciation. Ramon was appointed captain. The United States was attracted by his achievements. Ramon was then appointed Military Governor of Zambales Province. The career became his first gateway to entering politics.

Ramon's courage also brought results. He then chose a career as a congressman from the Liberal Party from the 1946-1950 era. However, Ramon did not wish to live as a member of the congress. He wants another career.

He tried to face Philippine President Elpidio Quirino. Ramon brought his guerrilla plan to the government to break the chain of communist movement in the Philippines. The result was amazing.

Ramon was later appointed Secretary of Defense of the Philippines in 1950. This career made his name even more public. On the other hand, he got many enemies who forced to resign from government.

He did not necessarily stop the political stage. This is because the Nacionalista Party actually proposed to run as a presidential candidate in the 1953 Presidential Election. All Filipinos also chose Ramon. As a result, Ramon completely became the number one person in the Philippines.

Although Magsaysay is a Liberal, the Nacionalista Party managed to support him as president against Quirino in the 1953 election. He won the presidential election. Magsaysay promised reforms in every aspect of Filipino life, but his efforts were frustrated because many congressmen represented the interests of the rich.

Despite receiving initial support from Congress in July 1955, Magsaysay was unable to pass an effective land reform law. The government's care for the suffering of the farmers then undermined most of its good work in gaining people's support against Huk (communist journalists). However, he remains very popular and has a good reputation for not being corrupt, "is written on the Britannica page.

Ramon's homework as the Philippines' number one. He often faces congressmen who represent the interests of the rich. That fact made many of Ramon's plans not work.

However, it's not Ramon if you don't get a solution. Instead, he succeeded in implementing agrarian reform. He was able to distribute around 90 thousand hectares to 4,500 poor people for use as settlements and agriculture.

His concern for the peasants made his name soar. Problems arise amid the peak of his good achievements. The presidential plane Cebu Douglas C-47 which took him around the Philippines an accident and crashed around Mount Manunggal on March 17, 1957.

Ramon Magsaysay and dozens of other passengers died. The sad news made the whole Philippines grieve. This grief was proven by the large number of people who took Ramon to his final resting place a few days later.

On March 17, 1957, the plane carrying the President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay crashed on Cebu Island, south of Manila. I know his death will be a major and big story for the world.

A loyal anticommunist. Ramon is a charismatic figure who calms the rebellion of farmers in the Philippines with a humanism approach. He opens the door to the presidential palace for everyone, explained John Launois and Chris Pan Launois in the book L'America: A Photojournalist's Life (2014).