Feb. 11 is local holiday in Panay Island
February 11 has been declared a special non-working public holiday in the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Aklan and Iloilo in line with the commemoration of the 22nd death anniversary of Antique Gov. Evelio B. Javier.
The holiday declaration is stipulated in Republic Act 7601 or "An Act Declaring February 11 of each year Governor Evelio B. Javier Day a Special Non-working Public Holiday in the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Aklan and Iloilo" in order to commemorate the martyrdom of the slain governor.
RA 7601 was approved and signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1992.
Gov. Javier was killed on February 11, 1986 by three hooded armed men at the Antique New Capitol Building.
At the initial gunshots, the Antique hero sustained gunshot wounds on his left shoulder and leg but scampered for safety by zigzagging the 50-meter stretch across the circular park away from the Capitol building and in the process collapsed in an artificial moat.
He still managed to seek for safety in a comfort room but he was cornered by his chasing attackers who riddled his body and head with bullets.
Javier was born on October 14, 1942 in Barangay Lanag (now Evelio Javier), Hamtic, Antique.
He was a lawyer and became a governor of Antique via a landslide vote in 1971. (PIA)