Mateo M. Capinpin
Nickname(s)Mattie
Born(1887-04-22)April 22, 1887
Morong, Morong, Captaincy General of the Philippines
DiedDecember 28, 1958(1958-12-28) (aged 71)
Biñan, Laguna, Philippines
Buried
Municipal Cemetery, Biñan
AllegiancePhilippines, United States of America,
Service/branchUnited States Army, Philippine Army
Years of service1906–1948
RankMajor General
UnitPhilippine Scouts
Commands held21st Division (Philippines)
45th Infantry Regiment (PS)
Battles/warsBattle of Bataan
AwardsDistinguished Conduct Star[1]
MemorialsCamp Mateo Capinpin

Mateo Mananjaya Capinpin (April 22, 1887 – December 28, 1958) was a brigadier general in the Philippine Army and commanded the 21st Division (Philippines) under the United States Army Forces in the Far East during the Battle of Bataan.[2][3]

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). Further studies brought him to United States Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia in 1920.

Maj. Capinpin retired from the Philippine Scouts to join the newly formed Philippine Army 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, which was concluded on November 17, 1942. The Philippine Army was absorbed into the United States Army Forces in the Far East (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.[4]

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 were promoted to brigadier general.[5]

World War II broke out when Imperial Japanese Army bombers raided Baguio, Fort Stotsenburg, 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 to delay the Japanese advances as the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) units were retreating towards Bataan. 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 Detachment's 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.[6]

On 5 April, during the Battle of Bataan, Capinpin was captured by the Japanese.[7]

After his release from the Capas Concentration Camp, Gen. Capinpin joined the Japanese-sponsored government of Pres. Jose P. Laurel in the Bureau of Constabulary from 1943-1945.[8]

When Pres. Laurel was taken out of the Philippines in August 1945, Gen. Capinpin was brought along as part of his entourage.[9] Upon the surrender of Japan, Gen. Capinpin surrendered in Tokyo on September 5, 1945.[10]

Later Years

Gen. Capinpin finally became the Adjutant General of the fledging Armed Forces of the Philippines 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

References

  1. ↑ "Roll of Honor" (PDF). www.officialgazette.gov.ph. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. ↑ Peter Stevens (1 April 2011). Twilight Riders: The Last Charge of the 26th Cavalry. Lyons Press. pp. 177–. ISBN 978-0-7627-6939-1.
  3. ↑ Christopher L. Kolakowski (26 February 2016). Last Stand on Bataan: The Defense of the Philippines, December 1941-May 1942. McFarland. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-0-7864-7489-9.
  4. ↑ "Diary of Ramon Alcaraz - November 17, 1941". The Philippine Diary Project. 1941-11-16. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "Diary of Ramon Alcaraz - December 22, 1941". The Philippine Diary Project. 1941-12-22.
  6. ↑ "The Fall of the Philippines-Chapter 13". history.army.mil. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  7. ↑ Whitman, John (1990). Bataan: Our Last Ditch. New York: Hippocrene Books. pp. 495–496. ISBN 0870528777.
  8. ↑ "Masterlist of Cabinet Secs/Ministers" (PDF). www.officialgazette.gov.ph. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "August 1, 1945 Wednesday". The Philippine Diary Project. 1945-08-01. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "COLLABORATOR GIVES UP; Filipino-Born Mateo Capinpin Is Located in Tokyo". The New York Times. 1945-09-05. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
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