ILOILO City – Panay Island commemorates this Sunday, Feb. 11, the 38th death anniversary of assassinated Antique governor Evelio B. Javier.
Born on October 14, 1942, Javier was a lawyer who served as governor of Antique from 1971 to 1980.
In 1986, he was shot to death by armed men in the plaza (now Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park) of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique four days after the presidential snap elections. He supported presidential candidate Corazon Aquino who ran against then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Javier’s assassination was one of the events that helped spark the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and swept Aquino to power.
Republic Act No. 7601, approved and signed by President Corazon Aquino on June 3, 1992, declared Feb. 11 of each year Governor Evelio B. Javier Day. This special non-working public holiday in the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo honors and remembers Javier whose life and legacy have motivated numerous individuals to dedicate their lives to serving the country.
In Antique, the provincial government and the Javier family will hold separate programs on Sunday to mark the martyrdom of the local hero.
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao confirmed to Panay News that the provincial government is holding a simple program and will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at a monument dedicated to Javier at the Evelio B. Javier (EBJ) Freedom Park in San Jose de Buenavista town.
The Javier family, meanwhile, will hold a “Pamukaw” at 5 a.m. A mass will be offered at the Mensa Domini Chapel at 7 a.m.
The local hero’s family will also have their own wreath-laying ceremony as well as blessing of the statue at the EBJ Freedom Park at 8:30 a.m.
On Sunday afternoon, the Javier family will lead another wreath-laying, and candle lighting, prayer and blessing of the tomb at the San Jose Catholic Cemetery; and at 5:30 p.m. a prayer vigil will be held at the EBJ Freedom Park.
Earlier on January 29, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Antique passed Resolution No. 079-2024 entitled “Resolution encouraging the manifestation of the Antiqueños’ love and respect in memory of the late Governor Evelio B. Javier on the occasion of his 38th death anniversary on February 11, 2024.”
“The Sanggunian recognizes Evelio B. Javier as the hero whose courageous spirit still enlivens us when confronted with threats or coercion from traditional politicians 38 years after his death,” read part of the resolution authored by SP member Rony L. Molina.
The resolution further encourages educational institutions, barangays, and local and provincial government units to place a yellow ribbon at the perimeter of their front doors, offices or fences to commemorate Javier’s legacy.
Javier was dubbed as the “champion of the poor.”
He was famous for his Kinaray-a quote, “Ang pulitika bukot burugasan, bukot paranubli-un” which roughly means “Politics is not a livelihood and inheritance.”/PN
