At the age of 29, Evelio B. Javier became the youngest provincial governor in the country.
Throughout martial law, he steadfastly maintained his political independence from the Marcos regime. This cost him his life. On February 11, 1986, five days after the snap presidential elections, he was killed in broad daylight near the capitol where the election returns where being canvassed and tallied. Eleven days later, the nation rose in outrage over the abusive and corrupt Marcos government and ousted the dictator.