Monumental Deeds

...these two simple words best describe the commitments of the gallant men whose names were printed in the pages of our history. They who unselfishly dedicated their lives in the quest for freedom, must be recognized. Their deeds serve as our pedestal that will raise us closer to our common goal - peace.

The desire for the reality of this goal motivated them to fight, inspite of inadequate military supplies. A long bloody struggle had been done. Others lost their hopes, families and even their own lives, but the struggle remains. Yes, it must also be accepted that the Filipino - American Forces (USAFFE) who defended our country against the supreme Japanese military during World War II surrendered.

There was an end to those who surrendered. However, those who still had the will to fight, organized themselves and formed guerilla resistance units. They resisted for years enduring the cruel test of time; until finally, they attained what they are trying to preserve sovereignty.

Who we are and what we have now, are the fruits of the sacrifices, determination, wisdom and God-inspired struggle. They deserve our highest salute. One of them was the General who rose from the rank of Private, Brigadier General Mateo M. Capinpin.

Brig. Gen. Capinpin, a war time commander of the Philippine Army's famed 21st Division, was born in Morong Rizal on April 22, 1887. He grew up and took his elementary & secondary education in Laguna High School. After graduating from High School in 1906, at the age of 19, he joined and was enlisted in the Philippine Scouts where he started as a Private and was honorably discharged as a Major. During his itinerary with the Philippine Scouts from 1906 to 1918, Capinpin was acclaimed to be the only one who knew his Company Roster by heart. Stories have it that at night, he could call from the roll even without lights. As the youngest First Sergeant, he was only 24 when he was given his strips. He was noted to be a strict disciplinarian and that he had the reputation of being the "meanest" non-commissioned officer.

From the Philippine Scouts, Capinpin joined the Philippine National Guards as First Lieutenant in 1918 with the corresponding rank of Major in the United States Army. The following year, he returned to the Philippine Scouts. Promoted in the Permanent rank of Captain in 1920, Gen. Capinpin was sent to the United States to attend the Officers Courses at Fort Benning Infantry School in Georgia. While a Captain in the 45th Infantry, PS, he commanded the same company for over 20 years. His Company "I" was famous as Exhibition and Demonstration Company for five years in carnivals and elsewhere and held championship for athletics for a longer period.

He was given command of the PA 21st Division with the rank of Colonel when the Philippines was under the Commonwealth regime in 1934. War caught up with him in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Forced to be in Bataan when the Japanese Forces invaded the country, Capinpin earned honors for the orderly retreat he conducted during his commands trip from Pangasinan to Bataan.

He was captured by the Japanese when Bataan fell. Undaunted, Capinpin forcibly joined the "DEATH MARCH" which began at daylight of April 10, 1942. Together with the haggard and terrified troops, they herded into groups of 500 to 1,000. Thousands wept while others stood stiffly, with blank, rigid stares. About 12,000 American soldiers, 65,000 Filipino soldiers, 6,000 Filipino civilian employees, and 10,000 Filipino refugees forced to join the trek. More than 600 Americans and 8,000 Filipino soldiers died along the way. On the 65-mile trek from Marivelez, Bataan, Capinpin and others were bayoneted, beaten and hauled off to Camp O'Donnell, a concentration Camp in Capas, Tarlac where the prisoners of war were confined. Documented stories of their confinement described their ordeal as "grim" and "nightmarish." Released in the latter part of 1942, Capinpin briefly served in the puppet government upon the invitation of Jose P. Laurel, the occupation president.

During his service with the puppet government, Capinpin saw in his position a strong cover for his guerilla activities. He planned out to rejoin the underground when he and other officials were dispatched to Baguio. The end of the last war found him in Japan.

Among the commendations he received, topped by the distinguished Service Cross, were telegraphed praises from General Douglas Mac Arthur, then commander-in-chief of all U.S Armed Forces in the Far East, Colonel Clark and the late General Vicente Lim.

Brig. Gen. Capinpin was the Armed Forces of the Philippines Adjutant General when he retired from the military service on April 30, 1948. He was then the Superintendent of the Far East Military Academy in Highway 54, Quezon City. His last public appearance was on December 16, 1958 during the convocation at the FEMA. At the age of 71, on December 28, 1958, he died of heart attack while spending holidays at his residence in Biñan, Laguna.

Brigadier General Capinpin was survived by his wife, Mrs. Trinidad F. Vda. de Capinpin, and three (3) children; Emmanuel, Ernesto and Alita.

Considering that he was the one who successfully led the guerilla resistance against the Japanese occupation in the Philippines, especially those in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Bataan and other regions, it is but proper and fitting to derive the name of one of the biggest military reservations in the Philippines from his honorable name. Thus, the so-called Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal where the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division is based, is presently known as Camp General Mateo Capinpin. It was during the South East Asian Treaty Organization's (SEATO) exercise in 1962 that Camp Capinpin was established.

The ceremonies were done at Hilltop Headquarters, now the TRADOC Headquarters. During the inauguration of the camp, the main road was christened General Marking Avenue from Gate 2 to Gate 3. Through the agreements of the World War II leaders headed by BGEN MARKING, the camp was named after Mateo Capinpin. Given his roots - that of being a native of Rizal, plus his scholastic and military achievements, he indeed, deserves to be remembered.

As a guerilla resistance leader, his records and accomplishments are printed in the annals of guerilla history all over the world. His strategies and organizational methodologies are part of the current counter-insurgency techniques and strategies.

BRIGADIER GENERAL MATEO CAPINPIN - patriot, soldier, war hero, a leader of resistance movement against the Japanese in World War II, who in war or in peace had unselfishly dedicated his life, love, wisdom, talent and courage to God, country and people . . .

Men like him only pass away, but their monumental deeds linger in our memories. His deeds and accomplishments make us not only to trace the path of his achievements, but to make our way of dismantling this inferior internal insurgency disturbance that beset our nation's integrity. If they were able to drive the supreme military forces that ruled our nation for years, why can't we eliminate these forces that are within our reach? Let us trample them for they will never adhere to our principles and convictions.