6th Infantry Division (Philippines)

Sixth Infantry Division

Coat of Arms of the 6ID
Active October 24, 1987 - Present
Country Philippines Philippines
Branch Philippine Army
Type Infantry
Role Conventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations
Size 4 Brigades, 13 Battalions. Total is 8000+ soldiers
Part of Under the Philippine Army
Garrison/HQ Camp BGen Gonzalo H. Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Nickname(s) Kampilan Division
Motto Kampilan
Mascot Kampilan
Anniversaries October 24
Engagements World War II
* Japanese Occupation of the Philippines (1942-1945)
* Battle of the Visayas (1945)
* Battle of Romblon (1945)
* Battle of Siquijor (1945)
* Battle of Mindanao (1945)
* Battle of Camiguin (1945)
Communist and Islamic Insurgency in the Philippines
Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines
Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA, MILF, ASG
Commanders
Current
commander
MGen Edmundo R Pangilinan, AFP
Notable
commanders
BGen Gonzalo Siongco AFP, BGen Rodolfo Garcia AFP, MGen Gregorio Camiling AFP, BGen Roy Kyamko AFP, MGen Generoso Senga AFP
Insignia
Armed Forces Occupational Specialty Insignia

The 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, was re-established on October 24, 1987 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, with Brig. General Gonzalo H. Siongco as the first Commanding General assigned in its headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Popularly known as the Kampilan Division, the 6th Infantry Division is one of the Philippine Army's Infantry units in Central Mindanao.

History

The Signal unit of the 6th Military Division, manned by 2Lt Ludovico Arroyo Bañas, was responsible in successfully making the first radio contact with the US War Department through the USAFFE command in Australia, months after the United States Armed Forces was disbanded in the Philippines. This first radio contact affirmed the continuous existence of Filipino resistance forces against the Japanese, thereby providing the US and Philippine Commonwealth Forces important data for the liberation of the Philippines.[1] This enabled the forwarding of intelligence regarding Japanese forces in the Philippines to SWPA command as well as consolidating the once sporadic guerrilla activities and allowing the guerrillas to help in the war effort.[2]

6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army during the Post-War Era

On September 15, 1945, after the liberation of the Philippines by the combined American and Philippine Commonwealth military forces, the 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army was deactivated.

After the World War II, the 6th Infantry Division was incorporated with the Philippine Army's Infantry units in Central Mindanao. It was later given the official name as the Kampilan Division.

Operations

References

  1. This was the testimony of retired Col. Eliseo S. Espia PA (the Capt. Eliseo S. Espia, with whom 2Lt Bañas worked during the war) in an interview at Col. Espia's home near Gate 6, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Q.C., on 4 March 2007. That time the World War II Veteran was already 87 years old, but was still lucid in his judgment and memory, and could still walk.
  2. Dolan 1991-21
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