Who provides strategic directions and command and control of the whole AFP?
Considered as one of the most battle-hardened, professional armies in the world due to their long exposure to left-wing Communist insurgency, various Muslim separatist groups, various extreme right-wing groups and various international campaigns in support of democracy. The AFP also engage in nonmilitary activities, such as providing disaster relief, constructing civilian housing, and participating in literacy campaigns. Its foundation day is celebrated every December 21st. The National Defense College of the Philippines (NDC) and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) are the principal defense training institutions. Show Chief of Staff, AFP (CSAFP) Personal Staff Coordinating Staff (Deputy Chiefs of Staff) Special Staff AFP Wide Service, Support Units (AFPWSSU) MIG-3 Unified Area Commands National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), Camp General Sevillano Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac City, Tarlac Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City, Quezon Western Command (WESCOM), Camp General Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Central Command (CENTCOM), Camp Lapu-Lapu, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM), Camp Panacan, Davao City Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), Camp Don Basilio Navarro, Lower Calarian, Zamboanga City Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Unified Command (ARMMUC) Brief History When the Spaniards came, the rise of Filipino Resistance Armies was seen and the National Citizen's Army was founded in February 2, 1899 under the Malolos Philippine Republic. Notwithstanding the lack of arms and ammunition, the newly born army rose to expectations and proved itself a major force to reckon with. On December 10, 1898, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, ceding the country to the United States of America (USA), signaled the outbreak of the Fil-American war on February 4, 1899. Filipino nationalism and fervor were evident in several instances at this period in history, with the Battle of Zapote bridge on June 11, 1899. In this battle our brave forefathers ably defended their positions against the well-equipped American cavalries. When President Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in Isabela on April 19, 1901, it marked the end of organized resistance to American colonial rule. Imperial Japan was another colonizer who appeared in our history in the 1930's. They began their drive for territorial expansion which included the Philippines. In keeping with the provisions of the Philippine constitution that made the defense of the state a prime duty of government, President Manuel Quezon, at the very outset of the fledging Philippine Commonwealth government took the necessary steps to ensure national security. It was during this period that the Commonwealth passed Commonwealth Act number 1, the National Defense act on December 21, 1935 which established the Philippine Army with regular and reserve forces. Through his personal intervention, President Quezon succeeded in having Gen. Douglas MacArthur obtain permission from the US war department to release him for service with the then recently created Philippine Army, where he was given the rank of Field Marshall. It also detailed Lt. Col. Dwight Eisenhower, Lt. Col. Ord and Capt. Davis, who will work out with Gen. MacArthur, a plan for the defense of the Philippines. The defense plan elaborated by Gen. MacArthur and his group envisioned an annual draft of able-bodied, twenty-year old Filipino males up to 40,000 in number. They were to undergo intensive army training for five and a half months. ROTC courses were introduced in colleges and universities. Basically, the defense system was patterned after the Swiss Citizen Army conscript concept that by independence in 1946, 400,000 citizen army along with 250 planes of the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) and 50 Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB) of the sea going Off-Shore-Patrol (OSP) would be acquired, with the country divided into 10 military areas with various training cadres, each area to producing 4,000 trained men per year. The Philippine Military Academy was also established to replace the Philippine Constabulary Academy, to produce officers for the Army. War plans provided for a strategic delaying action and withdrawal for a concentrated stand in the Bataan peninsula in the case the Japanese advance could not be contained. On the morning of December 9, 1941, Japanese bombers struck Camp John Hay in Bagiuo and in Tugegarao, Cagayan. War Plan-Orange was immediately put into effect. Filipino and American soldiers fought bravely to contain the advancing Imperial Army, but severe shortage of supplies and equipment as the protracted battle dragged on tolled heavily against Bataan and Corregidor's gallant defenders. The combined forces' valiant stand was not in vain for it made a major impact in Japan's overall strategic war plan which was heavily delayed to the extent that the United States military rapidly replenished its war capability and begin its counter offensive against the invading Imperial armed forces. On December 23, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino issued Executive Order 389 designating four major armed force area commands (MAC) of the AFP - the Philippine Army for land, the Philippine Air Force for air, the Philippine Navy for sea, and the Philippine Constabulary for internal security, each with a commanding officer whose rank is at least that of Brigadier General or, in the Navy, a Commodore. This force is backed up by a large reserve force and paramilitary forces. Presiding over the MACs is the GHQ, AFP under the Chief of Staff, who reports to the president, the Commander-in-chief, AFP. When the 90,000 strong, USSR-assisted North Korean forces invaded the South Korean republic in June 25, 1950, the Philippines readily volunteered a battalion, the 10th Battalion Combat (MTZ) team, to help augment the South Korean forces against the invaders. The Filipino contingent sent 17 Sherman tanks and 1 tank destroyer and braved the alien weather and the materially and numerically superior enemy force. The 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT), Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) arrived in Korea in September 15, 1950, with the mission to search and destroy North Korean guerrillas operating behind enemy lines. They were dispatched to the frontlines, during the Chinese communist intervention and were sent to the central front, where it fought its bloodiest assignment - the Battle of Yultong. They were soon followed by the 20th arriving on September 1951, the 19th arriving on April 1952, the 14th arriving on March 26, 1953, and finally the 2nd BCT, which has elicited numerous praises and commendations from the United Nations for their courageous feats in battle, particularly the imposing stand of the 10th BCT during the Chinese communist spring counter-offensive in April 1951. In 1963, the Philippines sent another contingent to assist South Vietnam against the Chinese-supported North Vietnam in 1963. The Philippines sent the Philippine Civic Action Group to Vietnam (PHILCAGV). Regardless of combat casualties, the volunteers built roads, bridges and various other infrastructures. In the 70's internal threat to the security of the nation was posed by various communist movements led by its armed wing, the New People's Army and its political wing the National Democratic Front (NDF), waging battle against the AFP in urban and rural areas, largely through terrorism. In the south, the secessionists Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) waged guerrilla warfare against the AFP to fulfill their objective of a separate Muslim Mindanao state. The communist insurgency has taken it toll on the AFP, reaching its height in the 80's with a strength of 20,000 cadres, severely straining its logistical capabilities and making the AFP focus on internal security instead. The AFP has also to contend with right-wing elements, RAM-SFP-YOU, coming from disgruntled members within the body, which staged a series of bloody coup d'etats in the late 80's. In the 90's the MNLF signed a treaty with the government for lasting peace in Mindanao, with some of its regulars being absorbed by the AFP. The MILF is still under negotiations with the government, after bloody encounters in 2000-01, where their major base Camp Abu Bakr was overrun by elements of the AFP. The AFP also faced several bandit groups, the most notorious of these were the Red Scorpion Group and the Abu Sayyaf group, which are effectively neutralized as of today. In 1991 the Philippine National Police (PNP) was created in place of the defunct Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP), as the national police arm of the government and was separated from the AFP command and is under the control of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The AFP recently sent contingents to Iraq (PUNGCI), East Timor (UNTAET PKF) and Liberia, all under the auspices of the United Nations for humanitarian relief and peacekeeping duties. The AFP's main focus nowadays is to finish off the 37 year old insurgency of the CPP-NPA, which left the negotiations after being tagged by the US and the EU as terrorists, and more recently intrusions into the country's 200 mile EEZ, particularly in the Kalayaan Island group (KIG), where there were minor skirmishes with elements of the People's Republic of China armed forces. In February 23, 1995, Republic Act 7898 was approved authorizing the AFP to modernize and upgrade its ageing equipment in response to external threats, with an annual budget of Php 10 billion for the first five years, though as of 2005 a total of only Php 5 billion was allocated by Congress. In 2005, the Medium Term Capability Upgrade Program (Mid-term CUP) was conceived as a six year program. Its aim is to restore at least 70% of the critical capabilities of the AFP which are needed in conducting ISO. These capabilities pertain to (1) command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR), (2) mobility, and (3) firepower. For a period of six years, will focus on retraining and retrofitting 12 Army battalions and 2 Marine battalions, a total of 84 infantry and Marine battalions will be equipped and trained, which means providing them equipment for C4ISR, mobility, firepower and combat support. In addition a national training center will be established to provide for the training needs and requirements associated with this program. Internal Security Concerns (2004) Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU) MNLF Integration Program Indigenous People (IP) Philippine Defense Reform Program The results of the 2003 JDA were devastating. The JDA findings revealed that the AFP was only partially capable of performing its most critical missions. Moreover, the results pointed overwhelmingly toward institutional and strategic deficiencies as being the root cause of most of the shortcomings. A common thread in all: the lack of strategy-based planning that would focus DND/AFP on addressing priority threats and link capability requirements with the acquisition process. Specifically, the 2003 JDA revealed critical deficiencies in the following specific areas: Systemic approach to policy planning During a reciprocal visit to the Philippines in October 2003 by U.S. President Bush, he and President Arroyo issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to embark upon a multi-year plan to implement the JDA recommendations. The Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) Program is the result of that agreement. The DND and the AFP are currently undertaking comprehensive, integrated and long-term efforts to further boost the capability of the Philippines military to respond and address the multi-front fight against various security threats, particularly terrorism and insurgency. This initiative is under the rubric of the Philippine Defense Reform Program (PDR), which has been ongoing since 2003. The PDR has eight (8) component thrusts: 1. Implementation Of A Strategy-Driven, Multi-Year Defense Planning System (MYDPS) 2. Improvement Of Operational And Training Capacity 3. Improvement Of Logistics Capacity Improvement of logistics capacity involves the enhancement of operational readiness and reliability rates for all platforms and weapons systems as well as the logistics efficiency of key AFP systems. This will entail improvements in planned maintenance and maintenance procedures, supply chain management, automated supply management system, inventory controls and logistics training. 4. Improving Operational Level Expertise By Addressing Organizational, Management And Operational Systemic Deficiencies (Staff Development) 5. Improvement Of Personnel Management Systems 6. Planning, Programming And Execution Of A Multi-Year Capability Upgrade Program For The AFP 7. Optimizing The Defense Budget And Improving Management Controls 8. Creating A Professional Acquisition Workforce And Establishing A Centrally Managed Defense Acquisition System 9. Increasing Capability Of The AFP To Conduct Civil Military Operations To diminish the underlying socio-economic conditions and spur development in the countryside, the DND and AFP shall support efforts of the government that will facilitate the entry of economic enterprises in conflict areas. The DND and AFP will also encourage government departments and agencies to identify and intensify particular programs and action plans that support the counter-insurgency campaign funded under their corresponding budgets. The DND will also support the enhancement of convergence of government efforts at addressing the root causes of the insurgency. 10. Information Management Development Program From the perspective of the DND, the framework for reforms is based on an environment of increasing economic prowess and a gradually decreasing threat level over time, and seeks to make the following improvements: According to the goals stated in the Philippines Defense Reform Handbook:, "The PDR serves as the overall framework to re-engineer our systems and re-tool our personnel." The Philippine Defense Reform follows a three step implementation plan: On 23 September 2003, President Gloria Arroyo issued Executive Order 240, streamlining procedures for defense contracts for the expeditious implementation of defense projects and the speedy response to security threats while promoting transparency, impartiality, and accountability in government transactions. EO 240, creating the Office of the Undersecretary of Internal Control in the DND, mandated in part to institutionalize reforms in the procurement and fund disbursement systems in the AFP and the DND. On 30 November 2005, the Secretary of National Defense issued Department Order No. 82 (DO 82), creating the PDR Board and formalizing the reform organizational set-up between the DND and the AFP and defining workflow and decision-making processes. Funding of the Philippine Defense Reform Program The overall direction of the PDR is to enhance DND and AFP capabilities from a strategic and comprehensive perspective. The PDR will provide institutional, structural and systemic reforms that will address the current deficiencies in the DND and the AFP that breed corruption, waste and inefficiency. These reforms are based on templates for defense reform that have been tried and tested in several countries that have undertaken similar reform measures in the past. AFP Modernization Introduction The AFP Modernization Program was based on the assumptions that the domestic peace and order will continue to improve and that internal security will become a primary responsibility of the Philippine National Police. Likewise, it was based on an optimistic forecast that the Philippine economy will continue to perk up which will enable the national government to support the necessary fund requirements. The modernization program is composed of five interrelated components. These are the Force Restructuring and Organizational Development (FROD); Capability, Materiel and Technology Development (CMTD); Bases and Support Systems Development (BSSD); Human Resource Development (HRD) and Doctrines Development (DD). Its identified funding sources are the appropriations from the national government; proceeds from sale or lease of military bases; sales from Government Arsenal; proceeds from the disposal of old and uneconomical equipment; and interest earned from the AFPMP Trust Fund. Priority Shift Other components of the program have been given equal importance except for the Force Restructuring and Organizational Development component wherein up to now has been put on hold. For Doctrine Development, most projects are focused on formulation and publication of manuals, Doctrine Center capability upgrade and various doctrine development support activities. On Human Resource Development, four areas were given fund support. These are the projects on career development, personnel procurement, work life quality enhancement and reserve force development. Bases and Support Systems Development component focuses on the boundary surveys, selective fencing, topographic surveys and formulation of Conceptual Master Plan of PA bases and reservations. The funds used to support projects under these components are the modernization fund releases in CY 2000 and CY 2002. Factors Affecting Implementation of the Modernization Program Shifting of priority is also another factor that delays the acquisition of major-end equipment. The incessant justifications on what equipment has to be given priority and the corresponding funds to be allocated per project by each Major Service caused the unpredictability of the program and consequently losing its impact. Decisiveness on the part of the leadership especially on the identification of projects to be fulfilled is wanting. Reprioritizations of projects considering the limitation in financial resources take much time. Integration of Priority Lists Renaming to Capability Upgrade Program (CUP) In consonance with the priorities established in the Capability Upgrade Program, the key capabilities that the Philippine Army will develop in the next six years are on the communicate, move and shoot capabilities. Communications were given foremost importance with consideration for the fact that most of our communications equipment in the inventory is outmoded and not secured from enemy eavesdropping efforts. The new communication equipment to be procured has the necessary security features that will foil enemy radio monitoring of our forces' communications especially during combat operations. The second priority is the acquisition of various land mobility platforms to address the lack of mobility assets in the field units. With the secured communications and sufficient mobility, maneuver of units/troops will be enhanced. The last but not necessarily the least is the improvement of firepower capability with the acquisition of additional Squad Automatic Weapons and Night Fighting Equipment. The scheduling for the upgrade of various armor assets in the inventory provides additional firepower support as well as troop mobility and force protection. Long Way Ahead The CUP will be the strategic focus of AFP capability development in the medium term and will be the prognosis of AFP capabilities by CY 2011. The fulfillment of the capabilities envisioned relies heavily on the financial aspect. A need to solicit the support of higher authorities is beyond question. Perhaps government authorities should recognize that capability development of the Armed Forces is one major factor in the establishment of a strong Philippine Republic. The Government Arsenal (GA) The GA, like the AFP and the NDC also is under the DND and is located at Camp General Antonio Luna, a 370-hectare defense industrial estate in Lamao, Limay, Province of Bataan, about 120 km from Manila by land, 70 km from Subic and 90 km from Clark. Just three km from the Port of Limay, the Arsenal is strategically situated near the Petron Bataan Refinery, the Bataan Combined Cycle Power Plant, the National Power Corporation Plant, the Petro-Chemical Complex, and the Special Economic Zone at Mariveles, Bataan. To sustain its operations, the GA presently maintains and operates 124 buildings and structures sprawled over 70 hectares of land. A creation of Republic Act No. 1884 which was signed into law on 22 June 1957, the Arsenal is a line bureau under the DND. However, it was only about a decade later, on 7 March 1967, that a presidential proclamation on its present site at Limay, Bataan was declared. Accordingly, on 12 October 1967, the ground breaking materialized at the spot where the statue of General Antonio Luna now stands. Site preparations were subsequently undertaken by the 514th and 564th Engineering Construction Battalions of the 51st Engineering Brigade of the AFP. Construction of essential buildings and facilities then followed along with training abroad of selected military and newly hired civilian personnel on the manufacture of small arms ammunition (SAA). On 15 August 1971, or fourteen (14) years after the enactment of RA 1884, the first SAA cartridge rolled out of the GA's production assembly line. Three years later, the integrated SAA manufacture began, with all the components - case, primer, propellant powder, and bullet assembled into a complete cartridge - manufactured in the arsenal. As a strategic resource, the arsenal is envisioned to be a center for defense industries to meet domestic requirements and supply the world market. In line with this vision, the GA explored in the early 1980's, the possibility of exporting excess production, improving ammunition technology and expanding the capability for weapons production as called for in its charter. However, the impediments under the then existing laws prevented any real progress in this direction. It is fortuitous that on 23 February 1995, Republic Act 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act, was enacted. RA 7898 likewise provides for the modernization of the Government Arsenal for the development of production capabilities to enhance self-sufficiency in defense requirements. Specifically, Section 12 of this Act mandates that "the government arsenal shall be utilized in the production of basic weapons, ammunition and other munitions for the use of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP), and for the sale and export of products in excess of AFP/PNP requirements." Furthermore, the GA is authorized to use such production facilities as it may own or be provided under the law or as it may arrange under joint venture, co-production or similar arrangements with local and foreign entities. Under the Self-Reliant Defense Program, the GA manufactured 3.417 million rounds of assorted small caliber ammunition during the CY 1998. In CY 2001, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the GA and a local gunsmith to conduct research and design on the prototyping and eventual production of an assault weapon (MP9). This is aimed at enhancing the capability of the GA to produce weapons and other defense materiel for use of the AFP and the PNP, besides small arms ammunition production. As per its charter, the Arsenal is mandated to also manufacture firearms. Said MOA is a pioneering effort of the GA in this regard. For the first semester of 2004, the GA effectively and efficiently managed its resources to attain its core programs as well as collateral projects and other related activities to service its client, the AFP. It provided quality ammunition, and discharge well its social responsibility harmoniously with surrounding community. It has aptly supported its human resource in terms of benefits, skill upgrading and various welfare programs to a more productive workforce. The fourth prototype of the 9 mm Special Assault Weapon manufactured in-house by GA passed the test-firing stage during the year. The AFP has scheduled 10 units of the weapon for field testing. GA posted three accomplishment ratings of over 100% in its manufacturing activities to provide the AFP with 14.708 million rounds of small arms ammunition. As authorized under existing laws, the Bids and Awards Committee of the Department proceeded with negotiated procurement for the Master Development Plan of the Arsenal. The plan includes a joint venture project to modernize GA manufacturing facilities. Modernization Phase 1. The upgrade of the existing capability is aimed at acquiring modern equipment and technology for the integrated manufacture of small arms ammunition. Phase 2. The establishment of a nitration plant is aimed at providing the country its first main local source of military grade nitrocellulose (NC). When established, the plant could also be utilized to produce industrial grade NC for the paint and other industries. Phase 3. The establishment of a cold rolling mill is aimed at self-reliance in producing brass and gilding metal for ammunition manufacture. When established, the plant could be utilized as well to produce coin blanks for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other industrial/commercial brass and copper materials. Phase 4. The establishment of a ball powder plant is calculated to produce various propellant powders for small and medium caliber ammunitions. Other Projects Present Thrust Phase 1 envisions a JV to upgrade the existing manufacturing lines leading to the integrated manufacture of SAA which includes: a.) manufacture of the case, bullet, link, primer, propellant powder and finished cartridge; and b.) fabrication of tooling, gages and other accessories. As a minimum requirement, the JV should be able to establish a dedicated line for the manufacture of 5.56 mm M193 and M855 (SS-109) case/bullet manufacture, and cartridge/assembly. Who provide strategic directions and command and control of the whole AFP?Authority over the AFP's four services was vested in the chief of staff, a general. The chief of staff exercised command through the General Headquarters, which was located with the Department of National Defense in Manila's Camp Aguinaldo.
Who commands AFP?The Philippine Army joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in welcoming Lt. Gen. Vicente Bartolome Bacarro as the 58th AFP Chief of Staff in a Change of Command Ceremony at the Lapulapu Grandstand, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 8, 2022.
Who has the right to command and control over all the elements of the AFP?The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) is the highest-ranking military officer (except for the President of the Philippines, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief equivalent to a five-star general) and the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including all service ...
Who is the Filipino military officer who served as the commanding officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines?Fabian Crisologo Ver (born Fabian Maria Trinidad Juan Cirilo Crisologo y Ver; 20 January 1920 – 21 November 1998) was a Filipino military officer who served as the Commanding Officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos.
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