The division was established on August 1, 1988, with headquarters at
Camp General Vicente Lukban,
Catbalogan,
Samar. The local government soldiers and officers under the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army was sending the combat operations in the Visayas region and the engagements of the Anti-Communist Operations and helping aided and supported of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the CAFGU militia forces against the communist rebels of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and other local criminal elements. During the
Operation Enduring Freedom in the Philippines under the
war on terrorism and the
Islamic Insurgency in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. The local government troops of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry "Storm Trooper" Division was sending the clearing combat operations in Mindanao on Southern Philippines and the engagements of the Anti-Islamic and Counter-Terrorism operations and helping aided and supporting of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, the CAFGU militia forces and the U.S. Armed Forces to fought against the Islamic rebels and bandits of the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other local criminal elements.
Mission poses with the 8th Infantry Division troops during his visit at
Camp Vicente Lukban in
Catbalogan, Samar on August 8, 2016. The 8th Infantry (Storm Trooper) Division, Philippine Army often conducts Internal Security Operations (ISO) in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) to dismantle and destroy the remaining guerrilla fronts of the Local Communist Movement (LCM) in order to attain peace and stability conducive to sustainable development in assisting the Philippine government in its socio-economic development projects; and assists the
Philippine National Police curb criminality in the Visayas Region.
Lineage of Commanding Officers • BGen. Isagani T. Delos Santos, PA –
(26 May 1986 – 31 March 1988) • BGen. Federico E. Ruiz Jr., PA –
(31 March 1988 – 27 March 1990) • BGen. Romulo F. Yap, PA –
(27 March 1990 – 10 January 1992) • BGen. Ruperto A. Ambil, PA –
(10 June 1992 – 12 April 1994) • BGen. Danilo P. Olay, PA –
(12 March 1994 – 15 March 1996) • BGen.
Romeo B. Tarrayo, PA –
(4 April 1996 – 15 January 1998) • MGen. Arturo B. Carrillo, PA –
(15 January 1998 – 6 November 1999) • MGen. Rufo A. De Veyra, PA –
(6 November 1999 – 7 July 2001) • MGen. Romeo B. Dominguez, PA –
(6 July 2001 – 10 February 2003) • MGen. Glenn J. Rabonza, PA –
(10 February 2003 – 4 January 2005) • BGen. Bonifacio B. Ramos, PA –
(4 January 2005 – 10 February 2005) • MGen.
Jovito S. Palparan Jr., PA –
(10 February 2005 – 25 August 2005) • MGen. Bonifacio B. Ramos, PA –
(25 August 2005 – 29 July 2006) • BGen. Randy S. Dauz, PA –
(29 July 2006 – 16 August 2006) • MGen. Rodrigo F. Maclang, PA –
(16 August 2006 – 15 January 2007) • MGen. Armando L. Cunanan, PA –
(15 January 2007 – 19 May 2008) • BGen. Allan Ragpala, PA –
(19 May 2008 – 4 June 2008) • BGen. Arthur I. Tabaquero, PA –
(4 June 2008 – 24 August 2010) • MGen. Mario F. Chan, PA –
(24 August 2010 – 8 April 2012) • MGen. Gerardo T. Layug, PA –
(8 April 2012 – September 2013) • MGen. Jet B. Velarmino, PA –
(13 September 2013 – 6 October 2016) • MGen. Raul M. Farnacio, PA –
(6 October 2016 – 5 June 2019) • MGen. Pio Q. Diñoso III, PA –
(5 June 2019 – 9 October 2021) •
BGen. Wilbur C. Mamawag, PA – (9 October 2021 – 6 December 2021) (acting) • MGen. Edgardo Y. De Leon, PA –
(6 December 2021 – 23 September 2022) •
BGen. Zosimo A. Oliveros, PA – (23 September 2022 – 21 October 2022) (acting) • MGen. Camilo Z. Ligayo, PA –
(21 October 2022 – Present) ==Current Units==