Evelio Javier: Freedom Fighter, Pride of Antique

Evelio Bellaflor Javier (October 14, 1942 – February 11, 1986) was a Filipino lawyer, civil servant, politician – governor of Antique and a vocal critic of the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand Marcos. Due to these activities, he was brutally assassinated by the regime on February 11, 1986. His funeral surpassed that of Ninoy Aquino, assassinated three years earlier in 1983.

It is said that the assassination of Evelio Javier on Feb. 11, 1986 fueled the fire to start the People Power/Philippine EDSA Revolution on Saturday, February 22, 1986.

Evelio Javier was born in Barangay Lanag (now Brgy. Evelio Javier) in Hamtic, Antique. He was educated in Ateneo de Manila University from where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Government and his Bachelor of Laws.

Many Antiquenos mourned and cried for Justice at the death of Javier. As a tribute, February 11, the day Javier was slain has been declared as a public holiday not only in Antique but in the entire Panay Island. The Antique Airport was also named after him.