Roque Blanco Ablan Sr. was born on August 9, 1906, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Province, Ilocos, Philippines. He was married to Manuela Ravelo "Mining" Ablan. He was elected governor of Ilocos Norte in 1937 at the age of 31, making him the youngest provincial executive of his time.

During his administration, he oversaw key initiatives including the establishment of a provincial hospital in Ilocos Norte and the Philippine Normal School in Laoag. When Japanese forces landed in Vigan during World War II, Ablan refused to cooperate with the occupying army and left the provincial capital of Laoag, transferring the seat of government to a remote barrio. From there, he organized and led guerrilla resistance units, drawing support from civilians and soldiers who had been unable to join the United States Forces in the Far East during the defense of Bataan. After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, the Japanese established their headquarters in Laoag and launched intensive efforts to capture Ablan. However, he narrowly escaped enemy traps on two occasions, and his forces suffered heavy losses. Ablan was last seen after the Battle of Bumitalag in Piddig on February 5, 1943, and is believed to have been killed in action or captured and later executed by Japanese forces, leaving his ultimate fate unknown.

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