Preceded by Sotero B. Cabahug Role Filipino Politician Nationality Filipino Died August 1977 | Spouse(s) Carmen Cepeda Succeeded by Jesus M. Vargas Name Eulogio Balao Resigned December 30, 1963 | |
President Ramon Magsaysay
Carlos Garcia Born March 11, 1907
Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippine Islands ( 1907-03-11 ) Children Praxedes, Julianita, Eulogio, Jr., Ramon and Antonia Alma mater Philippine Constabulary Academy Education Philippine Military Academy | ||
Eulogio Balao (March 11, 1907 – August 1977) was a Filipino soldier and politician.
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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. 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.
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