A DAY after the elections of Nov. 13, 1951, Moises Padilla, the defeated mayoralty candidate of Magallon, Negros Occidental, was abducted. He was then paraded around town, his body showing signs of torture. Padilla’s mother went to her son, and said his last words to her were: “Communicate…Monching.” He trusted Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay even if he was part of the party in power, the party of President Elpidio Quirino, and his friend Gov. Rafael Lacson of Negros Occidental, whose private army may have caused the Padilla family’s misery for being the only man to challenge a Lacson in the province.

After three days, Padilla’s deceased and mutilated body was found. Magsaysay came to Magallon, had the body taken to and examined in Manila, and ordered an investigation. In all fairness, despite the political connection, Quirino suspended the governor and allowed the process that convicted Lacson and 22 others for the crime.

Premium + Digital Edition

Ad-free access


P 80 per month
(billed annually at P 960)
  • Unlimited ad-free access to website articles
  • Limited offer: Subscribe today and get digital edition access for free (accessible with up to 3 devices)

TRY FREE FOR 14 DAYS
See details
See details