HISTORY OF 802nd BDE
The 802nd
Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade, originally the 2/5
Infantry (WALANG KAPANTAY) Brigade of the 5th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army was activated on
10 November 1981, pursuant to Section I, General
Orders Number 465 Headquarters Philippine Army dated
December 1981 at Camp General Servillano Aquino in
Tarlac and pursuant to Section II of the same
general orders 14IB, 20IB and 34IB were placed under
operational control to the brigade, it took more
than a year to complete its organization, training
and equipping before it was finally fielded leaving
pier 15 of South Harbour, Manila on board LST 44 on
01 March 1983 and arrived Catbalogan, Samar on 03
March 1983.
Initially, the Brigade Camp was col-located with
20IB at San Isidro, Sta. Rita, Samar. When the
Philippine Constabulary Brigade based in Borongan,
Eastern Samar was Deactivated on 03 May 1983. The
Brigade established its command post in Borongan and
assumed over the operational task of the defunct
Philippine Constabulary Brigade.
On 01
July 1986, the 2/5 Infantry Brigade, 5th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army was re-located
with 20IB at San Isidro, Sta Rita, Samar. When the
Philippine Constabulary Brigade based in Borongan,
Eastern Samar was deactivated on 03 May 1983. The
brigade established its command post in Borongan and
assumed over the operational task of the Defunct
Philippine Constabulary Brigade.
On 01
July 1986, the 2/5 Infantry Brigade, 5th
Infantry Division Philippine Army was re-designated
as 2/8 Infantry Brigade pursuant to General order
143, Headquarters, Philippine Army dated 10 June
1986 and was absorbed by the newly activated 8th
Infantry Brigade (Separate) Philippine Army.
In
December of 1986, the 2/8 Infantry moved from
Borongan, Eastern Samar to Bagacay, Hinabangan,
Samar to effectively manage its operational control
units in the pursuit against the communist party of
the Philippine/new People Army/National Democratic
Front in the assigned area of responsibility.
On 16
April 1988, The 2/8 Infantry Brigade was
re-designated 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8th
Infantry Brigade (Separate) Philippine Army pursuant
to General Orders Number 199, Headquarters,
Philippine Army dated 20 April 1988. This was effect
to retraining all tactical Infantry Brigade based on
the number of their respective units, and /or
regional assignment as represented by the number of
their numerical designation.
The 8th
Infantry Brigade (Separate) Philippine Army was
elevated to 7th Infantry Division,
Philippine Army effective 01 August 1988 pursuant to
General Orders Number 471, General Headquarters
Armed Forces of the Philippines dated 02 August
1988. The 802nd Infantry Brigade remain
as one of its tactical Infantry Brigades.
On July
1992, The Brigade transferred its headquarters to
Polangi, Taft, Eastern Samar, when its area of
responsibility was modified placing the entire
province of Eastern Samar under the brigade’s area
of responsibility in accordance with the campaign
plan “Lambat Bitag II” (SAMAR BRAVO), in the 1st
quarter of 1998, the Second District of Western
Samar was added to the area of responsibility of the
brigade when the 803rd Infantry Brigade
transferred to Catarman, Northern Samar.
On 07
Jun 1998, COL RUFO A DE VEYRA (GSC) PA the Brigade
Commander, recommended to higher headquarters and
approved by the Commanding General, Philippine Army
the change of unit logo and patch with the motto of
“PEERLESS”. On 15 June 1999, the whole island of
Leyte and Biliran were added to the area of
responsibility of the 802nd Brigade as
continuously pursued its thrust for “UNITY AND
PROGRESS” for Samar and Leyte.
In the
year 2000, under COL NAGAMORA P LOMODAG FA (GSC) PA,
the Brigade was placed operational control to the 4th
Infantry Division, in Lanao Del Sur to participate
in the campaign against Moro Islamic Liberation
Front secessionists groups with three (3)
operational control Infantry Battalion, the 52nd
Infantry Battalion, 63rd Infantry
Battalion and 58th Infantry Battalion of
the 4th Infantry Division and its fire
support unit the Bravo Battery of 8th
Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Infantry
Division, Philippine Army. On 01 March 2001, the COL
CESAR DP TIONGSON (GSC) PA assumed command as the
eleventh Brigade Commander and Brgy Caticugan, Sta
Rita, Samar as the 802nd Brigade
Headquarters upon its re-deployment from Lanao Del
Sur.
On 01
March 2002, BGEN EUSEBIO P RAMOS AFP assumed command
as the twelve Brigade Commander in the same year,
the brigade was adjudged as the ‘Best Brigade of the
8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army,
In July 2002, the brigade transferred from Bgry
Caticugan, Sta Rita, Samar to its present
headquarters.
In 23
July 2003, BGEN UANITO P CABAYAO AFP assumed command
as the thirteenth Brigade Commander of 802nd
Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army under this command
were the three (3) operational control battalion;
the 19th Infantry Battalion, 43rd
Infantry Battalion and 46th Infantry
Battalion which operation in the island of Leyte and
Biliran.
In 05
March 2005, COLONEL PEDRO D FERNANDO INF (GSC) PA
assumed command as the fourteenth Brigade Commander
of 802nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine
Army under this command are the two (2) operational
control battalion; the 19th Infantry
Battalion and 43rd Infantry Battalion
operates in the Island of Leyte and Biliran.
From its humble beginning, the Brigade has
undertaken series of turn-over of command.
