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ROQUE ABLAN
9 August 1906 to 1943
Roque Ablan was a governor of Ilocos Norte. During World War II he led a guerrilla unit.
Roque Ablan was elected governor of Ilocos Norte in 1937 at the age of 31, making him the youngest provincial executive of his time. Among his achievements as governor was the establishment of a provincial hospital in Ilocos Norte and the Philippine Normal School in Laoag.
When the Japanese landed in Vigan during World War II, Ablan refused to extend his co-operation to them. He left the provincial capital of Laoag and transferred the seat of government to a remote barrio. From there, he led the organization of guerrilla units.
The efforts of Ablan were welcomed by the people. Many soldiers who failed to join the USAFEE (United States Forces in the Far East) in Bataan joined the guerrilla units. After Bataan and Corregidor had fallen, the Japanese established their headquarters in Laoag. Large Japanese forces hunted Ablan down. He escaped enemy traps twice but his outfit nevertheless sustained tremendous losses.
Ablan was last seen following the battle of Bumitalag, Piddig on 5 February 1943. He was possibly killed during an encounter with the Japanese or was captured, imprisoned and subsequently executed by the enemy.
Birth Centenary #3058, 6 Aug 2006
The coast depicted on the stamp is Saddle Rock, Mayra-ira Point which was used as a reference point of the US navy submarine USS Stingray. The submarine was dispatched in August 1944 to contact the guerrilla group previously led by Ablan to deliver arms and supplies.
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