Eduardo L. Joson (1919–1990) was a captain of Filipino
guerrillas
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare in which small groups of combatants, such as paramilitary personnel, armed civilians, or irregulars, use military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tacti ...
during the Japanese occupation of the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. He later became the governor of the
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija, officially the Province of Nueva Ecija ( tgl, Lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija , also ; ilo, Probinsia ti Nueva Ecija; pag, Luyag/Probinsia na Nueva Ecija; Kapampangan: ''Lalawigan/Probinsia ning Nueva Ecija''), is a landlocked province ...
province in the Philippines from 1959 to 1990, making him the second longest serving politician serving one government position in the Philippines for a span of 31 years.
World War II
Joson was the captain of Squadron 213 of
Robert Lapham
Robert Lapham (January 1, 1917; Davenport, IowaDecember 18, 2003; Sun City, Arizona) was a reserve lieutenant in the US Army in World War II. He served in the Philippines attached to the 45th Infantry ( Philippine Scouts), evaded capture in the ...
's guerrilla fighters in the Philippines. Along with Captain
Juan Pajota
Captain Juan Pajota (c. 1914 – December 20, 1976) was involved in the Raid at Cabanatuan, an action which took place in the Philippines on 30 January 1945 by US Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas and resulted in the liberation of more tha ...
, they led the Philippine guerillas during the
Raid at Cabanatuan
The Raid at Cabanatuan ( fil, Pagsalakay sa Cabanatuan), also known as the Great Raid ( fil, Ang Dakilang Pagsalakay, link=no), was a rescue of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians from a Japanese camp near Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Ph ...
supporting the
Alamo Scouts
The Alamo Scouts (U.S. 6th Army Special Reconnaissance Unit) was a reconnaissance unit of the Sixth United States Army in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The unit is best known for its role in liberating American prisone ...
, the largest rescue of
prisoners of war in US military history.
Politics and legacy
After the war, Joson took part in helping rebuild the infrastructure of the Philippines. He was subsequently elected as the
governor of Nueva Ecija
The governor of Nueva Ecija is the local chief executive of the Central Luzon province of Nueva Ecija in the Luzon Island, Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republ ...
, the same province in which the raid took place. He served from 1959 to 1990. Joson conceived the idea of a capitol building in
Palayan City
Palayan, officially the City of Palayan ( fil, Lungsod ng Palayan, Ilocano: ''Siudad ti Palayan''), is a 5th class component city and capital of the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 45, ...
which was finally established and opened on January 25, 2002, by his son,
Tomas N. Joson who also became the governor of the province in 1992 and served until 2007 together with his cousin who was then his executive adviser, Julio M. Mercado after his term as vice mayor. On August 5, 2004, a hospital was dedicated in his honor and college was also named after him. It was then announced that their descendants Edward Joson and Julio Jose G Mercado will continue the legacy of former governor Eduardo (Tatang) Joson and pass on to their children.
See also
*
Raid at Cabanatuan
The Raid at Cabanatuan ( fil, Pagsalakay sa Cabanatuan), also known as the Great Raid ( fil, Ang Dakilang Pagsalakay, link=no), was a rescue of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians from a Japanese camp near Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Ph ...
*
The Great Raid
''The Great Raid'' is a 2005 war film about the Raid at Cabanatuan on the island of Luzon, Philippines during World War II. It is directed by John Dahl and stars Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Connie Nielsen, Marton Csokas, Joseph Fiennes with Motok ...
External links
US Pacific Command
1919 births
1990 deaths
Governors of Nueva Ecija
Filipino guerrillas
People from Nueva Ecija
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