The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army traces its origin from the defunct III Military Area which was activated on 17 May 1942, with Headquarters at Camp Guadalupe, Cebu City and was later transferred to Camp Lapu-lapu, Cebu City.It is the first Post War Division of the Philippine Army which was activated on 22 April 1955, with Headquarters at Fort William McKinley, Rizal (Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila) and was transferred to Camp James Ord, Tarlac in September 1958.The four (4) Military Districts organized in the Visayas which were absorbed by the III Military Area were: 6th MD (Panay Island), 7th MD (Negros), 8th MD (Cebu and Bohol) and the 9th MD (Leyte and Samar).

On 01 July 1959, the final reorganization of units of the III Military Area was initiated. The reorganized units were the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, BCT’s Reconnaissance Company, 5th Signal Battalion, 5th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5th Medical Battalion, 5th Dental Detachment, and the Administrative Service Company. The 5th Tank Battalion was left unfilled.For about three years after the reorganization of Plan “BRAVO”, the III Military Area/5th ID was reorganized into III Military Area 3rd Brigade, PA which took effect on 10 September 1962. As a result of the overall reorganization of the Philippine Army, the III Military Area/3rd Brigade, PA was reorganized into 3rd Infantry Brigade (Separate) Philippine Army on 01 February 1970.The year 1986 brought major changes in the internal set up of the 3ID organization. Notable among these changes was the relocation of the cantonment site of the division headquarters. In view of the transfer of the headquarters in Panay Island, the Engineer Combat Company, 3ID, PA and Jamindan Detachment were organized to prepare the new home of the Command prior to its transfer.

Advance parties of the post units were established at Jaena Norte, Jamindan, Capiz.On 12 June 1986, main body of the 3ID contingent temporarily occupied the cantonment site in Camp General Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo. Massive reconstruction and camp improvement projects were undertaken. Mass enlistment of ex-draftees, ex-trainees and skilled civilian volunteers were initiated to beef-up the strength of the Command to suppress the insurgency activities in the Visayas.The main working force of the Engineer Combat Battalion and administrative personnel of the command were deployed to Jaena Norte, Jamindan Capiz to prepare the site for the transfer of the Command. It was through the combined efforts of the Engineer Combat Battalion and 53rd Engineer Brigade which contributed to the realization of the new cantonment site. Upon the establishment of the building and primary camp facilities, the renaming of the Camp Jaena Norte, Jamindan, Capiz to Camp General Macario Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz was carried out on 01 May 1987 pursuant to General Orders Number 46, Headquarters 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army dated 01 May 1987. It was on 15 July 1987 when the main contingent of the Division Headquarters was directed to occupy its new and present home.