Camp Domingo Leonor: Where the Brave Dared Go

Among the famous historical sites in the city of Davao, Camp Domingo Leonor is an interesting place to visit especially when interested about military facilities in the area.

Camp Domingo Leonor was a military facility in Spanish times. It served as among the barracks for the Spanish occupational army in Davao. In 1899, after 4 centuries, the Spanish forces were ready to abdicate to the Philippine revolutionary government when America entered the scene and set up their own occupational forces. One of them was also in Camp Domingo Leonor in 1920.

Today, it is a remarkable place to see on San Pedro Street in the vicinity of the vast City Hall of Davao. Camp Domingo Leonor can still stir up images of how it used to be about a hundred years ago, being an old camp visited by veteran Filipino and American soldiers who want to re-capture their predecessors’ gallantry.

A wide blue gate greets us in front of Camp Domingo Leonor announcing among other things its welcome and the Davao City Police Office. Notable are the shady tree at the gate and those along the driveway entrance inside. It is ideal for leisurely walks on what was once a formidable military fort, and stride on where valiant men once treaded.

Aside from being a historical site, Camp Domingo Leonor also houses the Philippine National Police of Davao City, the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau of Region 11, and the Philippine Drug Abuse Agency. About 20 years ago the camp was also where a hostage drama took place that rocked the Philippine Army and Defense Department.

Camp Domingo Leonor is near the San Pedro Cathedral and adjacent the Hotel Maguindanao and Royale House on C.M. Recto. At the back towards the Davao Gulf is Almendras Gym and Casa Mandayaw Inn along Quezon Boulevard. Villa Fontana on Bolton Street and Marbella Mansion on Rizal Street are also within the location.

Camp Domingo Leonor is a worthy place to visit especially on holidays when more people are out to visit various tourist sites and also take peeks at the camp. Sometimes, during PNP Day or Philippine-American Friendship Day, we may see some special events at Camp Domingo Leonor. A lot of special parades or motorcades, private or public, get their police escorts from the camp.

If we wish to take in some air left from yesteryears’ valiant moments in Davao, we may drop by Camp Domingo Leonor and ponder on them.