Jose Abad Santos: Outstanding Martyr of the Japanese Occupation

Jose Abad Santos was born in San Fernando, Pampanga on February 19, 1886. He was sent as a government scholar to study at Sta. Clara in California.He continued his studies at the University of Illinois, where he finished law. He also studied at the North Western University. He finished his Master's Degree in Law,at George Washington University.He passed the bar exam in 1911.He became Secretary of Justice and became Magistrate of the Supreme Court in 1932.He became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1941, and Consultant on National Problems.

During the Second World War, the Japanese invaded the Philippines. President Quezon wanted to take Abad Santos with him to the U S via Australia, but the latter preferred to remain to help his people in their darkest period of need.He was captured by the Japanese in Barili, Carcar, Cebu on April 11,1942.Gen. Kiyotoki Kawaguchi , Commander of the Japanese Forces in Cebu,asked him to take the Oath of Allegiance to Japan and collaborate with the Japanese military authorities, but he refused because he said that he would prefer to die rather than be a traitor to his country and live in shame. He refused all offers of positions in the Japanese government. He was asked by the Japanese to convince Manuel Roxas to surrender in exchange for his freedom.For his refusal to betray his country and serve the enemy, he was condemned to die.He was taken to Mindanao. He told his son:"Do not cry It is a rare opportunity for me to die for our country;not everyone is given that chance." Then he faced with serene courage the firing squad and died in the finest tradition of heroic martyrdom.in Malabang , Lanao, Mindanao on May 7,1942.

Quezon said that Abad Santos was one of the most honorable, clean and able to serve the Philippine government.William Alexander Sutherland,who had been Superintendent of Filipino Pensioners in the US said that if America had two greatest heroes like Washington and Lincoln, the Philippines also had two ,like Jose Rizal and Jose Abad Santos.

References:

a Brief History of the Philippines _Leandro H. Fernandez

The Philippines: A Unique Nation_Dr.Sonia M. Zaide 

Bulwagan ng mga Bayani _Domingo M.Panganiban

The Philippine Journal of Education

.