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19th Infantry Battalion
"Commando"
"Bloodhound"

On 1 November 1973, during the height of the secessionist movement in Mindanao, the 19th Infantry "Bloodhound" Battalion was activated on 31 October 1973. Six hundred and thirty trainees to include the enlisted personnel responded to the call of an immediate training at Camp Downes, Ormoc City for A, B, and the Headquarters Service Companies, while C Company was trained at Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City. After 3 months of rigorous and intensive training, C Company was shipped from Cebu City to Ormoc City to join the group.

On 16 July 1974, the newly trained officers and men were transported from Ormoc City to Awang, Dinaig, Maguindanao for the 19th Infantry Battalion's initial combat assignment. It was in Tupi that the unit had its baptism of fire with a positive outcome. Then on September 1974, after a series of combat operations, its rifle companies were deployed to the different places within its AOR namely: Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Buluan and Mariano Marcos.

In September 1976, after two changes of leadership and continued operations against rebel forces, the Battalion was transferred from Buluan, Maguindanao to Pualas, Lanao del Sur. On 25 May 1979, the unit transferred to Catbalogan, Samar and arrived on 28 May 1979. On 1 January 1981, the Battalion Headquarters was transferred to Brgy Trinindad, Calbayog City with the arrival of Eastern Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines. On 21 February 1985, the Battalion was again transferred to Brgy Rawis, Laoang, Northern Samar.

On 15 February 1986, Lt Colonel Agaza was relieved temporarily by Colonel Ruperto A Ambil Jr. It was during the time of Colonel Ambil that the name of the 19th Infantry Battalion was changed from "Bloodhound" to "Commando," after a series of commando type trainings were conducted. On 1 April 1986 Colonel Ambil was relieved and Lt Colonel Sergio L Sumalinog took over. During his tenure as Battalion Commander, the late Tech Seargent Memerto Dionio was awarded with Distinguish Conduct Star for successfully defending the Nenita Patrol Base, Brgy Nenita, Mondragon, Northern Samar against an estimated 150 rebels on 15 July 1987.

Beginning in 1994, the Battalion participated in an intensive campaign in counter-insurgency operations and took part in a massive province-wide economic development transition earning accolades both in the military and civilian sectors.

The 19th Infantry Battalion was also involved in providing security assistance for PNP/COMELEC officials in the province during elections on 11 May 1998. On 14 May 1998, Lt Colonel Cabales was relieved and replaced by Lt Colonel Restituto G Duran, Jr, who intensified the conduct of TRIAD mixed operations in the AOR. The unit raided four 4 enemy camps that resulted to the killing of one rebel leader and the recovery of weapons and equipment.

In 1999, the unit was able to neutralize 3 rebels and recover weapons and documents. Also numerous rebel safe houses/encampment were discovered/neutralized by the unit. During January 2000, the unit once again has gained significant accomplishment for recovery of weapons and neutralizing 6 rebels.

After almost 17 years stint at Brgy Rawis, Laoang, Northern Samar the unit changed its station to Brgy Opong, Catubig, Northern Samar on 19 July 2001. There it intensified offensive small unit operations against the remnants of rebel forces in the AOR, which resulted in 18 rebels neutralized, the surrender of 6, and the subsequent arrest of 5 more. The unit also recovered weapons during its operations.

During the tension in Jolo following the attacks by the MNLF on 19 November 2001, the 19th Infantry Battalion was airlifted by C-130 from Catarman, Northern Samar to Zamboanga City on 21 November 2001. It stayed in Zamboanga City and was briefly utilized by Task Force Zulu (TFZ) for patrols. On 24 November 2001 the Battalion was moved to Jolo to augment the forces there. In response to the Cabatangan crisis (MNLF hostage taking) it was again brought to Zamboanga City to assist in the post Cabatangan anti-MNLF straggler operations. Hours after its arrival on 30 November 2001, elements of A Company encountered rebels, resulting in one neutralized and the recovery of their weapon.

Following these operations the 19th Infantry Battalion was redeployed to Quinipot, Curuan to assist 57th Infantry Battalion in checking the presence of renegade factions. When the 57th Infantry Battalion left the east coast on 30 December 2001, 19th Infantry Battalion took over the areas that unit vacated. In March 2002 the unit was airlifted by C-130 from Edwin Andrew Airbase, Zamboanga City to Ormoc City to perform another mission. There, they established temporary base at Camp Downes, Ormoc City. On 1 July 2002, the unit transferred to its new Battalion Headquarters at Brgy Aguiting, Kananga, Leyte with only 2 buildings (an Admin building and BOQ).

During 2002, elements of the Battalion neutralized a platoon of rebels operating in Kananga-Ormoc City with 9 rebeles neutralized and the recovery of weapons, equipment, and documents.

During 2003 improvements were made to the Battalion facilities. Among of those was the installation of water reservoirs, refurbishment of the enlisted mess hall, motor pool parking shed, gas dump, officers quarters, and guard towers. Farming was also encouraged among the soldiers.

In June 2003, an operating platoon composed of one Section from B Company and one section from the Recon Platoon of the HHSC in the vicinity of Sitio Combis, Brgy Luneta, Lapaz, Leyte had a successful encounter resulting to the recovery of weapons and documents. On 16 October 2003, during the implementation of the 802nd Brigade's OPLAN "Pagawan 05-03" aimed to clear the 17 remaining rebel affected barangays, changes of unit's AOR occurred.

On 2 March 2004, the unit once again gained significant accomplishment in its ISO campaign when troops from C Company discovered an enemy encampment occupied by an estimated 30 rebels at Sitio Guinduwaan, Brgy Wague, Leyte-Leyte. After the resulting engagement, the operating troops recovered a weapon and inflicted one casualty on the enemy side. This was followed by the capture/apprehension of a top rebel leader through an intelligence operation on 19 March 2004. On 5 April 2004, following rebels attacks, A Company was displaced from its former AOR at Albuera, Leyte and redeployed at the PNOC complex to secure facilities/installation of PNOC. On 10 July 2004, the unit once again was deputized and assisted the COMELEC in addressing the threat posed by various groups during elections in the AOR. With the redeployment of the 46th Infantry Battalion to Samar island, the 19th Infantry Battalion unit reassumed ISO responsibility of the 1st and 2nd Congressional District of Leyte. The unit's AOR covered the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Congressional District of Leyte.

During the first quarter 2005, the unit gained series of significant accomplishment in its ISO campaign with t3 successful government initiated encounters and one raid with resistance that resulted to the recovery of several war materials and equipments and the capture of 17 rebels. The operations also resulted in the discovery/neutralization of the biggest Communist rebel encampment at Purok 7, Brgy Mahayag, Ormoc City. On 4 July 2005, elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion neutralized 2 rebels in an encounter with approximately 15 rebels, recovering weapons. Four days after, another running gun battle resulted in another neutralized rebel and the recovery of their weapon.