HISTORY OF CAMP RUPERTO KADAVA KANGLEON

The Camp is hoisted upon a shoulder hill at Brgy. Campetic, Palo, Leyte and is directionally facing East-South-East.

Initially, the Camp was conceived purposely to be occupied by the Headquarters of the Leyte Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police (PC/INP) Command. In fact, when the Cornerstone was laid by the Commander-in-Chief, President Ferdinand E Marcos, on July 2, 1974, it was named “Camp Daniel Z. Romualdez”, in honor of the late Congressman. Later on, the camp was renamed “Camp September 21st Movement” in commemoration of the Proclamation of Martial Law in the country and the birth of the New Society, pursuant to General Order Number 385 of the Department of National Defense, General Headquarters, AFP dated June 7, 1977.

The actual construction of the camp was realized when His Excellency, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued a Letter of Instruction Number 375 dated February 27, 1974. The construction was done during the incumbency of the Honorable Juan Ponce Enrile, who was then the Minister of Defense and Major General Fidel V Ramos, who was then the Chief of the Philippine Constabulary.

The first occupant of the said camp was Task Force Leyte-Samar under Brigadier General Alfredo F Basas and some units of the 53rd PC Battalion. On May 8, 1978 under Special Order Number 85, the Command was turned over to Colonel Juanito T Caboboy.

On July 1, 1978 the Regionalization of the Constabulary Command was implemented. As a result, all provincial commands and task forces comprised the PC/INP Regional Command 8 at Camp September 21st Movement, PC Hills, Palo, Leyte.

The personnel who propelled the newly created PC/INP Headquarters of the Region came from the defunct PC/INP Task Force and other units. Others were volunteers from the PC Headquarters headed by Colonel Juanito T Caboboy, who then was the Regional Commander.

On April 16, 1989, Colonel Vicente S Garcia Jr took over Recom 8. The camp was transferred from Palo, Leyte to Kuta Kankabato, San Jose, Tacloban City on May 7, 1989. When promoted, Brigadier General Garcia Jr, made representations to higher headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City to rename the camp to CAMP SECRETARY RUPERTO K KANGLEON, in honor of his lifetime of unselfish service to the country and who has risked his life for the liberty and happiness of his countrymen. Brigadier General Garcia’s efforts did not go in vain, through the General Order number 75 from the Headquarters, Philippine Constabulary dated June 14, 1990.

To date, under the leadership of our Regional Director, POLICE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ABNER DAYANAN CABALQUINTO and his staff,  POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 8, CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, boasts its professional, dynamic and highly motivated ___ police commissioned and ___ non-commissioned officers and ___ non-uniformed personnel, who are encouraged by the community’s support to work towards the attainment of the PNP’s Vision and Mission and our Motto: “To serve and protect the people” – of Leyte, Samar and the Biliran provinces in particular, and the whole Filipino people, in general.

LIFE OF SENATOR RUPERTO KADAVA KANGLEON

Born on March 27, 1890 in San Roque, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, from his doting parents Flora Kadava and Braulio Kangleon. Ruperto Kangleon was an Olympic player before joining the prestigious Philippine Constabulary Academy, now the Philippine Military Academy in 1916. He was a World War II legendary guerilla leader of Leyte. His 28 years as an army officer were spent in subduing bandits and other lawless elements in the Visayas for which he received various military citations and decorations. He was a key instrument in the complete defeat of the Japanese Forces in Leyte, supporting General Douglas MacArthur and President Manuel Quezon for such triumph. Kangleon became the Civil Governor of Leyte, after which he was appointed by President Manuel Roxas as the first Secretary of National Defense in 1946. He was elected Senator in 1953 but died during his incumbency due to heart failure on February 27, 1958. He was 68 years old.

Colonel Ruperto Kadava Kangleon
… A soldier, an officer and a gentleman.
A man who loved God and his country above himself.
A man worthy of emulation of the men and women of the Philippine National Police.
A man for all seasons and for all time….