History

After the 2nd World War, the division was disbanded. The country’s defense force was organized which eventually gave birth to the military area jurisdiction of the Philippines in the 1950’s. The fragment of the 2nd military area army troops served as core elements of the Provisional Infantry Brigade (Separate) which was activate on 01 February 1970. Its first Headquarters was based in Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang, Calamba City where BGEN DOMINGO R TUCAY AFP, acted as the first Commanding General later, with the assistance of a guerilla hero COL MARCOS VILLA AGUSTIN (MARKING), who is known to be the original jungle survival trainer, of the 2nd Brigade Headquarters was transferred to its present location in Camp Capinpin, Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. COL AGUSTIN was later promoted to Brigadier General by then President Ferdinand Marcos on April 1971.

The South East Asian Treaty (SEATO) established Camp Capinpin during the 1st SEATO exercise in 1962, with its headquarters located at the Hilltop which is then the TRADOC Headquarters. During the inauguration of the camp, the main road was christened Gen 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, a private soldier who rose from the ranks and became brigadier general. Capinpin’s intrepidness and record in the Philippine military history during the last World War soon became the hallmark of Filipino determination and patriotism.

However, upon deactivation of the 2nd Infantry Brigade (Separate) the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division was reactivated on March 19, 1976. Its first Commanding General was BGEN RAMON L CANNU AFP.

The 2nd Infantry Division, otherwise known as the “Jungle Fighter Division” traces its origin to the defunct 2nd Military Area assigned in Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region including Palawan. It was one of the four military areas in the country with its fighting arm, the 2nd Battalion Combat Team.

Originally, the 2nd Infantry Brigade (Separate) was composed of the five battalions namely: 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 16th Battalion and the 2nd Field Artillery Battalion, respectively. The 2nd Infantry Division has suffered the scourge of many battles during its younger and present years. As the only “Jungle Fighter” Division in the AFP, the 2ID is the quintessence of dedicated labor for God and Country.