Rafael Jalandoni

Rafael Ledesma Jalandoni (October 24, 1894 – April 29, 1949) was a Philippine Constabulary officer who served as the 3rd Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was appointed by President Manuel Roxas^[1] in 1946 after gaining independence from United States. He retired in 1948.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Ledesma and the surname or paternal family name is Jalandoni.

Major General Rafael Jalandoni
3rd Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office December 21, 1947 – December 20, 1948
President	Manuel Roxas
Preceded by	Basilio Valdes
Succeeded by	Mariano Castañeda
Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army
In office December 21, 1945 – December 1, 1946
President	Sergio Osmeña Manuel Roxas
Preceded by	Basilio Valdes
Succeeded by	Mariano Castañeda
Personal details
Born	October 24, 1894 Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	April 29, 1949 (aged 54) Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon, Philippines
Alma mater	Philippine Constabulary Academy
Military service
Allegiance	Philippine Commonwealth
Branch/service	Philippine Constabulary Philippine Army
Years of service	1922-1949
Rank	Major General
Commands	4th PC Regiment PC Central Luzon District Military Aide to the President of the Philippine Commonwealth
Battles/wars	World War II Hukbalahap Rebellion †

Early life

Jalandoni was born in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental to Manuel Jalandoni and Paula Ledesma. He commanded the 3rd PC Regiment in Mindanao and later served as an aide of President Manuel L. Quezon. He was in command of the PC Department of Central Luzon at the start of the Pacific War in 1941.

World War II

He served during World War II fighting Japanese forces in Southern Luzon and Bataan. He commanded the 3th Infantry (PC) Regiment of the 2nd Regular Division activated in Bataan under the command of MGen. Guillermo Francisco, the concurrent chief of the Philippine Constabulary. He was a POW when the Luzon Force surrendered on April 9, 1942. He endured the Bataan Death March and was imprisoned at Capas Internment Camp. He was released in August of that year along with all Filipino soldiers.

Later career and death

After the war he was appointed by President Sergio Osmeña as the new Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army and promoted to Major General on December 21, 1945 until December 20, 1948. He was succeeded by Brigadier General Mariano Castañeda as Chief of Staff upon his retirement.

In April 28, 1949, Jalandoni accompanied former first Lady Aurora Quezon, widow of former President Manuel L. Quezon on her way to the town of Baler, together with her daughter Maria Aurora (Baby) Quezon, son-in-law Felipe Buencamino III, and grandson to unveil a marker in memory of her late husband. In Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, their vehicle was ambushed by Hukbalahap rebels, and all four were killed.^[2][3]