| 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 | 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 | March 11, 1907 Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines |
| Died | 1977 (aged 69–70) |
| 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 (born March 11, 1907–1977) was a Filipino soldier and politician.
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 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.[1]
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 the late 1930s attended Officer School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He had seven children, Praxedes, Julianita, Eulogio, Jr., Ramon, Antonia, Priscilla and Ferdinand.
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