Mateo Mananjaya Capinpin (April 22, 1887 – December 28, 1958) was a brigadier general in the
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army (PA) (Tagalog: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas''; in literal English: ''Army of the Ground of the Philippines''; in literal Spanish: ''Ejército de la Tierra de la Filipinas'') is the main, oldest and largest branch of the ...
and commanded the
21st Division (Philippines)
The 21st Infantry Division was a division of the Philippine Army under the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). The unit was involved in the delaying action against the Japanese invasion in the plains of Central Luzon, and the Bat ...
under the
United States Army Forces in the Far East
United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) ( Filipino: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Estados Unidos sa Malayong Silangan/HKEUMS''; Spanish: ''Fuerzas del Ejército de los Estados Unidos en el Lejano Oriente'') was a military formation of the Unit ...
during the
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan ( tl, Labanan sa Bataan; January 7 – April 9, 1942) was fought by the United States and the Philippine Commonwealth against Japan during World War II. The battle represented the most intense phase of the Japanese inva ...
.
Early years and Education
Mateo Capinpin was born on 22 April 1887 in
Morong,
Rizal. He took up his elementary and secondary studies in the Laguna High School. Upon graduation he joined the
Philippine Scouts, where at the age of 24 he became the youngest First Sergeant. He rose the ranks and later earned a commission and would take command of the
45th Infantry Regiment (PS)
The 45th Infantry Regiment was a unit of the Philippine Scouts in the Philippine Division.
History
The 45th along with the 57th Infantry Regiment were the first two infantry regiments of the Philippine Scouts which were formed after World W ...
. Further studies brought him to
United States Army Infantry School
The United States Army Infantry School is a school located at Fort Benning, Georgia that is dedicated to training infantrymen for service in the United States Army.
Organization
The school is made up of the following components:
* 197th Infantr ...
in
Fort Benning,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
in 1920.
Maj. Capinpin retired from the Philippine Scouts to join the newly formed
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army (PA) (Tagalog: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas''; in literal English: ''Army of the Ground of the Philippines''; in literal Spanish: ''Ejército de la Tierra de la Filipinas'') is the main, oldest and largest branch of the ...
in 1936.
World War II
As the situation with Japan was degrading, war planners understood that a war between Japan and the United States would lead to conflict in the Philippines. General
Douglas MacArthur accelerated the mobilization efforts to bring the Philippine Army numbers to 120,000, in ten divisions. By September 1941, the senior officers undertook the Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) in
Baguio
Baguio ( ,
), officially the City of Baguio ( ilo, Siudad ti Baguio; fil, Lungsod ng Baguio), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", ...
, which was concluded on November 17, 1942. The
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army (PA) (Tagalog: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas''; in literal English: ''Army of the Ground of the Philippines''; in literal Spanish: ''Ejército de la Tierra de la Filipinas'') is the main, oldest and largest branch of the ...
was absorbed into the
United States Army Forces in the Far East
United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) ( Filipino: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Estados Unidos sa Malayong Silangan/HKEUMS''; Spanish: ''Fuerzas del Ejército de los Estados Unidos en el Lejano Oriente'') was a military formation of the Unit ...
(USAFFE). The new graduates of the CGSC and the Philippine Scouts would form the backbone of the ten divisions called up for the defense of Philippine Islands.
Col. Capinpin was put in command of the
21st Division on 18 November 1941. The area of mobilization for the 21st Division covered the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, and Nueva Ecija. The initial cantonment was located in Camp Malatiqui in Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac.
On December 20, Capinpin and all division commanders under the USAFFE with a rank of
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
were promoted to
brigadier general
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
.
World War II broke out when Imperial Japanese Army bombers raided
Baguio
Baguio ( ,
), officially the City of Baguio ( ilo, Siudad ti Baguio; fil, Lungsod ng Baguio), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", ...
,
Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg, during the World War II era, was the location of the Philippine Department's 26th Cavalry Regiment, 86th Field Artillery Battalion, and 88th Field Artillery Regiment; along with the Philippine Division's 23rd and 24th Fie ...
, and
Iba on December 8. By December 10 the Japanese began their
landings in Aparri, and succeeded by
landings in Lingayen Gulf. While it was predicted that the bulk of the Japanese invading force would land in Lingayen Gulf, the 14th Area Army focused on the eastern shores at Agoo, La Union. BGen. Capinpin's 21st Division was assigned to the southern shores of the gulf from Lingayen town to Dagupan.
The 21st Division was ordered by Gen. Jonathan Wainwright by January 2 to hold the Guagua-Porac Line south of
Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg, during the World War II era, was the location of the Philippine Department's 26th Cavalry Regiment, 86th Field Artillery Battalion, and 88th Field Artillery Regiment; along with the Philippine Division's 23rd and 24th Fie ...
to delay the Japanese advances as the
United States Army Forces in the Far East
United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) ( Filipino: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Estados Unidos sa Malayong Silangan/HKEUMS''; Spanish: ''Fuerzas del Ejército de los Estados Unidos en el Lejano Oriente'') was a military formation of the Unit ...
(USAFFE) units were retreating towards
Bataan
Bataan (), officially the Province of Bataan ( fil, Lalawigan ng Bataan ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga while Mariveles is the largest town in the province. Occupying the enti ...
. Despite the lack of training, Capinpin's two battalions held the line along with units from the
11th Division. However, the Japanese realized the weakness between the lines and took advantage of this. The ''Takahashi Detachments attack was stalled by artillery fire. During the night of January 4 Gen. Wainwright ordered the 21st to fall back to the next line of defense at Gumain River.
After his release from the Capas Concentration Camp, Gen. Capinpin joined the Japanese-sponsored government of Pres.
Jose P. Laurel
José Paciano Laurel y García (; March 9, 1891 – November 6, 1959) was a Filipino people, Filipino politician, lawyer, and judge, who served as the president of the Japanese-occupied Second Philippine Republic, a puppet state during World W ...
in the
Bureau of Constabulary from 1943-1945.
When Pres. Laurel was taken out of the Philippines in August 1945, Gen. Capinpin was brought along as part of his entourage.
Upon the
surrender of Japan, Gen. Capinpin surrendered in Tokyo on September 5, 1945.
Later Years
Gen. Capinpin finally became the Adjutant General of the fledging
Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ( fil, Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas) are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy (including the Marine Corps). The ...
after World War 2, and retired from military service on April 30, 1948. He became the Superintendent of the Far East Military Academy (FEMA) along
Highway 54.
He died from heart attack at his residence in Biñan, Laguna, on December 28, 1958, and was buried at the Biñan Municipal Cemetery.
Camp Mateo Capinpin in
Tanay, Rizal, which is currently the garrison of the
2nd Infantry Division also known as the "Jungle Fighter Division," was named in his honor.
See also
*
Philippine Scouts
*
2nd Infantry Division (Philippines)
The 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army nicknamed ''Jungle Fighter'', is the Philippine Army's primary infantry unit specializing in jungle warfare.
History
2nd Regular Division, Philippine Commonwealth Army during World War II under the J ...
*
Vicente Lim
Vicente Podico Lim (February 24, 1888 – December 31, 1944) was a Filipino brigadier general and World War II hero. Lim was the first Filipino graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1914). Prior to the establish ...
References
External links
*Morton, Louis.
The Fall of the Philippines (Publication 5-2)''.
Today in Philippine history, April 22, 1887, Mateo Capinpin was born in Morong Rizal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Capinpin, mateo
1887 births
1958 deaths
Filipino military personnel of World War II
Philippine Army generals of World War II
Bataan Death March prisoners
World War II prisoners of war held by Japan
Filipino prisoners of war
Filipino collaborators with Imperial Japan
Filipino generals