Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay ( August 31 , 1907 – March 17 , 1957 ) was a Filipino statesman who served as the seventh President of the Philippines , from December 30 , 1953 until his death in an aircraft disaster . An automobile mechanic by profession , Magsaysay was appointed military governor of Zambales after his outstanding service as a guerilla leader during the Pacific War . He then served two terms as Liberal Party congressman for Zambales before being appointed as Secretary of National Defense by President Elpidio Quirino . He was elected president under the banner of the Nacionalista Party
aircraft disaster
1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash
Ramon Magsaysay