Rigerto Atienza (1911–1966) was a general of the

Philippine Army The Philippine Army (PA) () is the main, oldest and largest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), responsible for ground warfare. , it had an estimated strength of 143,100 soldiers The service branch was established on December ...

who became 13th

chief of staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supportin ...

of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) () are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Philippine Army, Army, the Philippine Air Force, Air Force, and the Philippine Navy, Navy (including the P ...

and Commanding General of

prior during the administration of President

Diosdado Macapagal Diosdado Pangan Macapagal Sr. (; September 28, 1910 – April 21, 1997) was a Filipino lawyer, poet and politician who served as the 9th President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the 5th Vice President of the Philippines, V ...

Background

Rigoberto was born on January 4, 1911, from parents Buenaventura Atienza and Ponciana Joaquin in Manila. He has 5 brothers and 1 sister; all became professionals.

Military service

Atienza studied in University of Philippines and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. He is also a member of UP ROTC Class 1933. He qualified for the Reserve Officers Service School (ROSS) in Baguio. He was commissioned as 3rd lieutenant in the reserves. He was integrated to Regular Army in 1938 and was overseer of the building activities in Camp Murphy (now Camp Aguinaldo). He graduated from Philippine Army Infantry School in Camp Murphy in 1941 and was promoted to captain. He was assigned as division engineer of 41st Infantry Division under General Vicente Lim.

World War II

At the outset of the war against Japan, he was named Division Inspector General in December 1941. He was put in charged by General Lim to ensure preparedness of each unit in the division. In February 1942, he was named as executive officer of 42nd Infantry Regiment and was promoted to Major. He was about to named as commanding officer of the 42nd Infantry when order came to surrender on April 9, 1942. He became POW when Bataan Force capitulated and surrendered by General King. He endured the

Bataan Death March The Bataan Death March was the Death march, forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of around 72,000 to 78,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war (POWs) from the municipalities of Bagac and Mariveles on the Bataan Peninsula to Camp ...

and reached Camp O'Donnell in

Capas, Tarlac Capas, officially the Municipality of Capas (; ), is a municipality in the province of Tarlac, Philippines, and one of the richest towns in the province. The town also consists of numerous subdivisions and exclusive villages. Capas is knon a ...

. He was released along with other Filipino soldiers in August of the same year.

Guerilla movement

Upon released he joined underground movement organized by General Lim and was active in contacting other units. When General Lim was captured he joined ROTC Hunters and became its operations officer. He has instrumental role on 11th US Airborne Division successful landing in

Nasugbu, Batangas Nasugbu, officially the Municipality of Nasugbu (), is a municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 136,524 people. Several bus services provide transportation to and from Na ...

to liberated Manila in 1945.

Post war

After American give the Philippines its independence on 1946, Philippine Army was reorganized and Atienza was assigned as commander of Engineer Battalion. He was appointed by President Diosdado Macapagal as Commanding General, Philippine Army in 1964 replacing Brigadier General Ernesto S. Mata and later AFP Chief of Staff in 1965 replacing General

Alfredo M. Santos Alfredo Manapat Santos (July 13, 1905 – February 7, 1990) was Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 1962 to 1965, making him the first four-star general of the Philippines' armed forces. Early life Santos was born in Santa C ...

. He is the first Engineer officer who served as Chief of Staff.

Personal life

Atienza married Eugenia Suarez on November 16, 1911 in Manila, Manila, Philippines. He died on December 8, 1966 in Manila due cancer and buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio. He wrote his experience during Bataan ''A Time of War: 105 days of Bataan'' published in 1985 by his wife.

Legacy

Camp in Libis, Quezon City, Metro Manila, previously named Santolan Barracks, was renamed after him on October 8, 1979, pursuant to General No. 377, GHQ AFP dated 6 October 1979. Camp Atienza is the home base of 51st Engineering Brigade.

External links

A time for war : 105 days of Bataan / Gen. Rigoberto J. Atienza

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atienza, Rigoberto 1911 births 1966 deaths Philippine Army generals Philippine Army personnel of World War II Chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines