Supported by the United States , Magsaysay was elected president in 1953 on a populist platform . He promised sweeping economic reform , and made progress in land reform by promoting the resettlement of poor people in the Catholic north into traditionally Muslim areas . Though this relieved population pressure in the north , it heightened religious hostilities . Nevertheless , he was extremely popular with the common people , and his death in an airplane crash in March 1957 dealt a serious blow to national morale
airplane crash
1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash
History of the Philippines