The 802nd Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade traced its beginning as the 2/5 Infantry (Walang Kapantay) Brigade of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. It was activated on 10 November 1981, pursuant to Section 1, General Orders Number 465 Headquarters Philippine Army dated December 1981 at Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac, Tarlac and pursuant to Section II of the same General Orders 14IB, 20IB and 34IB were placed under OPCON to the Brigade. It took more than a year to complete its organization, training and equipping before it was finally fielded leaving Pier 15 of South Harbor Manila on board LST44 on 01 March 1983 and arrived Catbalogan on 03 March 1983. The first Brigade Commander was then COL OSBALDO B ISAAC (GSC) PA.

Initially, the Brigade Camp was co-located with 20IB at San Isidro, Sta Rita, Samar when the PC Brigade in Borongan, Eastern Samar was deactivated on 03 May 1983. The Brigade moved and established its command post in Borongan, Eastern Samar on same date taking over the operational area of the defunct PC Brigade while its proposed camp in Bagacay, Hinabangan, Samar was still under construction.

On 01 July 1986, the 2/5 Infantry Brigade, 5ID, PA was re-designated as 2/8 Infantry Brigade pursuant to General Orders Number 143, Headquarters, Philippine Army dated 10 June 1986 and was absorbed by the newly activated 8th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Philippine Army on the same date. The former 2/5 Infantry Brigade was re-activated in the Infantry Division in 1987.

On December of 1986, the Brigade (2/8 Infantry Brigade) finally settled in its permanent camp in Bagacay, Hinabangan, Samar and vigorously pursued its aggressive campaign against the CPP/NPA/NDF in the assigned area of responsibility.

On 16 April 1988, the Brigade (2/8 Inf Bde) was re-designated 802nd infantry brigade, 8th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Philippine Army pursuant to General Orders Number 199, Headquarters Philippine Army dated 20 April 1988.

The 8th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Philippine Army was elevated to 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army effective 01 August 1988 pursuant to General Orders Number 471, General Headquarters Armed Forces of the Philippines dated 02 August 1988. The 802nd Infantry Brigade remained as one of its tactical infantry brigade.

On July 1992, the Brigade transferred its headquarters to Polangi, Taft, Eastern Samar when the area of responsibility of the brigade was modified and placing the entire Eastern Samar province under the Brigade AOR in accordance with the campaign plan "LAMBAT BITAG II" (SAMAR BRAVO), and in the early part of 1st quarter of 1998, the Second District of Western Samar was added to the AOR of the Brigade when the 803rd Infantry Brigade transferred to Catarman, Northern Samar.

On 07 June 1998, COLONEL RUFO A DE VEYRA INF (GSC) PA the then Brigade Commander, recommended to Commanding General, Philippine Army the change of unit logo / patch with the motto of "PEERLESS".

On 15 June 1999, the whole island of Leyte and Biliran were added in the AOR of the Brigade and continuously pursued its thrusts for "unity, peace and progress" for Samar and Leyte.

On May of 2000, the Brigade under COLONEL NAGAMORA P LOMODAG FA (GSC) PA was placed OPCON to the 4th Infantry Division, in Lanao del Sur to participate in the campaign against MILF Separatists with three (3) Infantry Battalions; under its operational control, 52ND Infantry Battalion, 63RD Infantry Battalion and 58th Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division. Its fire support unit is the Bravo Battery of 8Th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

On Dec of 2000, the Brigade returned to Samar Island taking over the Province of Eastern Samar as its AOR. The Brigade Headquarters was temporarily based in Bagacay, Samar. On the last week of March of the same year the Brigade moved to Borongan, Eastern Samar to establish its Headquarters co-located with the 546 Engineering Battalion.

Sometime on August 2001, as a result of realignment of AOR, this Brigade Hqs was relocated to Sitio Cantaba, Bgy Caticugan, Sta Rita, Samar and took over the responsibility of the whole islands of Leyte, Biliran and some parts of Western Samar.

On 18 August 2002, in order to facilitate control and supervision of its two opcon battalions in the conduct of ISO within leyte island, the brigade transferred its headquarters to Brgy Abuyogon, Burauen Leyte.

At present COL PEDRO C FERNANDO (JSC) PA took over this command as the fourteenth Brigade Commander effective 22 July 2003 to date.

From its humble beginning, the Brigade has undertaken series of turn-over of command.