CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — The long-standing military partnership between the Philippines and the United States was further reinforced on Monday, May 25, 2026, when Major General James "Jay" Bartholomees, Commanding General of the 25th Infantry (Tropical Lightning) Division of the United States Army Hawaii, paid an official visit to the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division of the Philippine Army at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.
The high-level engagement underscored the continuing commitment of both armies to deepen bilateral military cooperation through professional exchanges, joint capability demonstrations, and mutual trust-building activities designed to enhance regional security and interoperability.
25th Infantry Division Commander Meets Jungle Fighter Troops
Major General Bartholomees paid a formal courtesy call to 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) Commander Major General Ramon Zagala upon his arrival at Camp Capinpin. The visit included a series of structured engagement activities with Jungle Fighter troops, designed to foster direct interaction between American and Filipino military personnel at multiple levels of command and rank.
Among the activities conducted during the visit were a tree planting activity held in front of Ynares Gym inside the camp, a guided tour of selected facilities within Camp Capinpin, and capability demonstrations showcasing the operational readiness and interoperability of both forces. These engagements provided a platform for the exchange of professional insights, operational experiences, and strategic perspectives relevant to regional security.
According to the 2ID's Division Public Affairs Office, the activities were intended not only as ceremonial gestures but as substantive opportunities to strengthen the working relationship between two armies that have maintained close ties across decades of mutual defense commitments.
Jungle Fighter Plaque and Jeepney Memento Presented to US General
One of the highlights of the visit was the formal awarding of the Jungle Fighter Plaque and Stripe to Major General Bartholomees. The honor was presented as a symbol of friendship, mutual respect, and the continuing partnership between the Philippine Army and the United States Army — a tradition that reflects the deep interpersonal bonds forged between troops of both nations over years of joint training and bilateral engagements.
In addition to the plaque and stripe, a jeepney-inspired memento was also presented to the visiting American general. The jeepney, an iconic symbol of Philippine culture and everyday life, was described by Philippine Army officials as representing Filipino resiliency, unity, and the enduring spirit of community — values that both armies said they share in their ongoing alliance.
In return, Major General Bartholomees presented the "Lightning Badge" — the distinctive emblem of the 25th Infantry Division — to his Philippine Army counterparts as a token of camaraderie and appreciation for the warm reception extended during his visit.
"From one Jungle Fighter Division to another Jungle Division," Major General Bartholomees remarked during the exchange, drawing a parallel between the 25th Infantry Division's own jungle warfare heritage and that of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division.
Zagala Cites Interoperability and Regional Stability
In a statement released by the Division Public Affairs Office, 2ID Commander Major General Ramon Zagala described the visit as emblematic of the broader significance of the Philippine-American military alliance in promoting peace and stability throughout the region.
"Our partnership with the United States continues to play an important role in strengthening cooperation, improving interoperability, and promoting stability in the region. Through shared engagements and mutual trust, we continue to build relationships that contribute to peace, readiness, and security," said Major General Zagala.
Major General Zagala further emphasized that engagements of this nature go beyond military tradition and ceremony, describing them as a direct reflection of the strong bilateral relationship shared by the Philippines and the United States at both the military and national levels.
Two 'Jungle' Divisions Bound by Shared Heritage
The meeting between the two division commanders carried added symbolic weight given that both formations share a connection to jungle warfare. The Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division is formally designated as the "Jungle Fighter" Division, while the US Army's 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii, also carries a jungle warfare heritage as one of the primary Pacific Theater formations of the United States Army.
Major General Bartholomees's reference to "From one Jungle Fighter Division to another Jungle Division" during the exchange of tokens highlighted the historical and operational parallels between the two units, adding a dimension of institutional kinship to what was already a diplomatically significant visit.
The 25th Infantry Division, nicknamed "Tropical Lightning," is known for its Indo-Pacific orientation and has historically been a key American formation in engagements involving the Philippines, from World War II through contemporary security cooperation frameworks under the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Visit Aligned with Broader PH-US Defense Cooperation Framework
The May 25, 2026, visit forms part of a continuing series of bilateral military engagements between the Philippine Army and its American counterparts, conducted under the framework of the longstanding Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.
Joint activities between Philippine and American military forces have expanded in recent years, encompassing large-scale exercises such as the annual Balikatan war games, as well as smaller-scale professional exchanges, humanitarian assistance training, and maritime security cooperation aimed at addressing shared concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
Camp Capinpin, located in Tanay, Rizal, serves as the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Division and is one of the primary installations of the Philippine Army in Luzon. The camp has previously hosted a range of bilateral and multilateral military activities as part of the Philippines' broader defense engagement strategy.
Statement from Division Public Affairs Office
According to a statement issued by Acting Chief of the Division Public Affairs Office Colonel Michael T. Aquino, the visit further confirms the continuing commitment of both armies to deepen the long-standing ties between the two countries through collaboration, shared experiences, and mutual support.
The public affairs office noted that the engagement activities were carefully structured to allow participants from both the Philippine Army and the United States Army to interact meaningfully, building the interpersonal and professional trust that underpins effective military cooperation in any operational environment.
No specific operational or tactical details were disclosed in connection with the visit, in keeping with standard military public affairs practice. The focus of official communications remained on the diplomatic, symbolic, and partnership-building dimensions of the engagement.
Philippine-US Military Relations Continue to Evolve
The visit by Major General Bartholomees to Camp Capinpin reflects the ongoing momentum in Philippine-American defense relations, which have seen renewed emphasis in recent years amid evolving security dynamics in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific theater.
Both governments have reaffirmed their alliance commitments through a succession of high-level diplomatic and military engagements, with the two countries' armed forces maintaining regular contact at multiple levels — from joint staff consultations to field-level training and interoperability exercises.
The 2nd Infantry Division's public affairs office indicated that engagements such as Monday's visit serve as practical expressions of that alliance, translating treaty-level commitments into direct human and institutional relationships between soldiers of both nations.
No further details on upcoming joint activities or scheduled follow-up engagements were disclosed as of the time of publication on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army / Public Affairs Office