Women of War

Magdalena Leones: Lioness of the Filipina Agents

A bemedalled hero yet unknown to her countrymen.

It is not so hard to summon memory but it is hard to recapture the conditions that led to the wars not of our own making in which Filipino heroes died. The Philippines had been in a state of war for the better part with countless individual stories of valor and patriotism. In the Second World War, we look back at the story of Corporal Magdalena Estoesta Leones who rose to the challenge when every Filipino felt the need to sacrifice for the country.

Leones has paved the way for many women that are breaking barriers in every arena. Few may have heard of her heroism. She was a Filipina guerilla under the U.S. Army command in World War II. A 22-year-old teacher, who was preparing to enter the clergy in her hometown in Kalinga when war broke out. She responded to the call of duty and joined the Philippine and American military efforts.

Throughout the four wartime years. Corporal Leones repeatedly risked her life as an intelligence officer who carried classified data, vital radio parts, and medical supplies through the heavily garrisoned enemy-held territory. She was arrested thrice by the Japanese and while imprisoned, learned to speak Nihongo. Apart from these events, Leones was also credited for her role in the plan to destroy Japanese planes in Tuguegarao. Her espionage data also helped in identifying enemy ships with their contents in San Fernando, La Union.

Gen. MacArthur, who retreated to Australia to escape from the Philippines when Japanese forces took over in 1942, could not make good his promised “I shall return” without the significant help of Corporal Leones. As an intelligence officer, Leones was able to gather the critically-needed radio parts in the Philippines which allowed for uninterrupted communication with MacArthur that eventually led to the landing at Leyte and the ultimate re-taking of the Philippines in October 1944.

Corporal Leones served in both the US and Philippines military. She was the first Filipina to be awarded the US Military’s Prestigious Silver Star of Heroism—the third highest military decoration for valor, the only Asian to receive such honor and award.

Excerpt from her Silver Star commendation read “Although she knew that detection by the enemy would result in torture and execution, Corporal Leones fearlessly continued her perilous missions between guerilla forces throughout Luzon with notable success. Through her intrepidity and skill as a special agent, Corporal Leones contributed materially to the early liberation of the Philippines.”

After the war, Leones moved to California in 1969 and was granted citizenship. She worked as a clerk at Pacific Bell and led a low-profile life with her family. Unassumingly, she never talked about her war exploits. “She kept it a big secret,” according to his son who accidentally learned about her story while on research.

Leones passed on to her Filipino-American grandchild who once wrote a school report with pride about her grandmother as a war hero and was compelled to bring the medal to school to show proof after the teacher questioned and doubted the veracity of the story.

The account made it possible for the publication in the Duty to Country, a graphic novel entitled “Felipa”. Duty to Country is both in print and online established under the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project which published her story.

Leones died in her home in Richmond, California on June 16, 2016. She was 95. Her body was flown to the Philippines where she was buried in full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

While Magdalena Leones was also awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, and the title Lioness of the Filipina Agents, still she is consigned as a lesser-known hero whose achievements and valor are yet to be earnestly written in our history books.

As a response to the eulogy, her daughter Maytas cited, “it’s important to think of one’s country and not just herself, my mother’s bravery should be remembered and reside in every Filipino today.”

By Norma de Gracia Atienza

PAMANLAHI, 28 February 2023