CIVIL-MILITARY OPERATION FUNDAMENTALS

Definition of CMO
Civil Military Operations are planned activities undertaken
independently or in coordination with civilian entities in support to
the accomplishment of the AFP mission to gain popular support and
weaken the will of the enemy to fight.
CMO is a vital component of the triad characterized by
activities that influences the beliefs, emotion, behaviors, attitudes
and opinions of selected target audiences; it establishes and
maintains good relations between military forces, civil authorities
(both governmental and non-governmental) and the civilian
populace to facilitate military operations in support to the
accomplishment of the AFPs mission.
The primary objectives of these activities are to
neutralize/destroy the threat groups will to fight and gain popular
support for the AFP. Supporting the governments development
activities, protecting the environment, and helping the people
prepare for and cope with the hard realities of disasters/calamities
are its secondary objectives.
CMO Pillars and its Program Components
This section discusses the CMO pillars and its program
components. To easily understand and have a guide on the pillars
and components, a CMO model is developed.

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CMO Model
The CMO model depicts how the CMO pillars are structured
complementing and inter related with each other. The triangle
represents the three CMO pillars and their program components vis-vis target audiences. The perimeter reflects the emphasis of each
pillar on the efforts each has to contend with in the conduct of its
activities.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS PILLAR
Public Affairs is defined as a CMO pillar that conducts
information-related activities directed to the external public to
ensure a clear, accurate, and timely dissemination of information
consistent with preserving security and privacy. It is likewise
conducted to establish and maintain constructive relations with the
communities in order to promote the organizations objectives.
Public affairs activities are designed to gain the peoples trust,
support and confidence to the AFP.
The conduct of Public Affairs ranges from Public Information
and Community Relations activities and programs. It makes the
soldiers aware of the importance of the information environment
and the community support affecting the conduct of military
operations.
1.

Public Information (PI)

Public Information is a program component of Public

Affairs pillar that conducts information activities directed to the
public to ensure a clear, accurate, and timely dissemination of
information.
Public Information provides information to the general
public through the use of media. It is basically heightening public
awareness about the AFP.
The active release of complete and accurate information
influences the perception of events, clarifies public understanding
and frames the public debate. It preempts attempts to misrepresent
situations. When adversaries are making intentional misinformation
or disinformation efforts, providing open access and independent
media coverage is the most effective defense. It is a key tool for
countering the impact of enemy information operations.
Activities under PI may include the following, though not
limited to these activities depending on the military objectives:
1.

Press releases
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Information released to the media pertaining to

AFP activities, ISO and nation building accomplishments, and
positions on national and some international issues with relevance
to national security.
2.

Media appearances
Activities conducted by the AFP through the
appearance of key AFP personnel on TV and in radio to advocate
AFP programs and activities and expound on AFP positions on issues
with relevance to national security.
3.

Press conferences
Conferences with the media wherein the presence
of key AFP personnel are made available to the media for dialogues
regarding AFP programs, activities and positions on certain issues.
4.

AFP information campaign

Activities to promote the AFPs objectives using

different media.
5.

Public symposiums
Dialogues held with sectors of society regarding
the relevance of the AFP in national development and other issues
in relation to peace and order.
6.

Face-to-face dialogues
Dialogues conducted by the AFP with an individual
or small group of individuals in order to deliver AFP messages in a
more personal basis.
7.

Audio-Visual displays
Activities conducted by the AFP using photo and
static displays and video-documentary presentations in order to
highlight the AFP institution as a valuable index of national history
and development.
2.

Community Relations (COMREL)

Community Relations is a program component of the

Public Affairs pillar that establishes and maintains constructive
relations with the communities through information activities in
order to promote the organizations objectives.
COMREL involves the organized participation of AFP
personnel in community-related information activities to identify the
soldiers as part of the community while supporting the communities
in the planning and implementation of their programs.
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Activities under COMREL may include the following,

though not limited to these activities depending on the military
objectives: 1) Military participation in community assemblies and
dialogues; 2) Community participation in military-initiated
community activities, and; 3) production of information materials to
promote the organizations objectives.
CIVIL AFFAIRS PILLAR
Civil Affairs is a CMO pillar undertaken independent of or in
coordination with civilian entities that promotes public trust through
cooperation, collaboration and conduct of sociological and
developmental activities in order to gain popular support.
It embraces activities designed to win the hearts and minds of
the people; gain their willing cooperation, support and confidence;
and induce their active participation in the attainment of military
objectives and national goals.
The conduct of Civil Affairs ranges from Civil Relations and
Civic Action activities and programs. It makes the soldier and the
AFP responsive to the needs of the society, which in turn leads the
public to respond in a favorable way toward the AFP.
1.

Civil Relations (CIVREL)

Civil Relations (CIVREL) is defined as a program

component of Civil Affairs pillar that promotes cooperation and
collaboration between the military and civilians in order to gain
popular support
It seeks to continue and enhance the conduct of civilianoriented activities to promote closer cooperation with the people
and obtain a wide base of popular support for the AFP and the
government.
It involves the organized participation of AFP personnel
in civilian-initiated activities while supporting them in the planning
and implementation of their programs.
Activities under CIVIREL may include the following,
though not limited to these activities depending on the military
objectives:
1.
Inter-agency coordination - activities involving
the interface with other government agencies that will identify and
facilitate the acquisition of local resources, facilities and support.
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2.
Participation in cause-oriented initiatives those economic and psycho-political activities that involve
networking with all those involved in the development process,
empowering civilians, and giving them access to the development
programs of the government.
3.
Participation in socio-cultural activities those psycho-social activities that require involvement on the
protection of cultural assets including arts, monuments, and
archives; and will relish and value the customs, traditions and local
practices.
4.
Participation in national/local historical
events - those psycho-social activities that require involvement in
bringing pride and honor on the national and local historical events.
2.

Civic Action (CIVAC)

Civic Action is a component of Civil Affairs pillar that

conducts military initiated activities with developmental and
sociological purposes in order to gain popular support.
CIVAC is characterized by activities that are generally
community development oriented. It can range from the delivery of
limited basic services to the implementation of major engineering
projects.
Activities under CIVAC may include the following,
though not limited to these activities depending on the military
objectives:
1.
Medical and dental services - activities that
include treatment, consultation, and surgery especially in remote
areas to address the health problems of the country.
2.
Engineer capability assistance - activities that
involve construction and repair of infrastructures that directly and
mainly benefits the community.
3.
Humanitarian
assistance
are
disaster
preparedness, mitigation and relief and response operations
(DIMRO) activities that seize every opportunity to display AFP
dependability and readiness during disasters, and the willingness to
mobilize people in times of emergencies.
4.
Environmental protection - activities that
support and ensure compliance to environmental laws, participation
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in community environment protection programs, reforestation

projects, and assistance in anti-illegal logging campaigns.
PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS PILLAR
Psychological Operation is a CMO pillar conducted to influence
the beliefs, emotions, attitudes, opinions and ultimately the
behavior of target audiences (enemy and its mass base and
supporters) to redirect unfavorable attitudes and behavior into
favorable, and to transform neutral or passive attitude and behavior
to become favorable towards the accomplishment of the AFP
mission.
It is the planned use of activities and other measures whether
they are military, political, economic, and ethical or social which are
aimed at influencing the attitudes, opinions, emotions and behaviors
of a target group to a given mission.
Its objectives are: to reinforce favorable attitudes and
behavior; to redirect unfavorable attitudes and behavior and make
them favorable; and to transform neutral or passive attitude and
behavior to become favorable.
The program components under the Psychological Operations
pillar are Words PsyOps, Deeds PsyOps, and Counter Propaganda.
1.

Words Psychological Operations (Words PsyOps)

Words PsyOps is a program component of the PsyOps

pillar that involves the dissemination of any information, concept or
idea through the various media to influence the attitude and
behavior of the target audience.
It is a psychological operation by words that involves
the production of any information, concept or idea disseminated
through the various media to influence the attitude and behavior of
the target audience. Its medium of dissemination may either be
face to face, printed, audio (radio and loud speaker), audio-visual
(television, motion pictures and skits/plays), objects or
merchandises, and through the information technology (IT).
Words PsyOps can also be called as communication
products. The Words PsyOps Worksheet is used in making Words
PsyOps products.
Activities under Words PsyOps may include the
following, though not limited to these activities depending on the
military objectives: -- all of which delivers a theme or message to
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influence the mindset of the target audience to act in accordance

with the way we intend him to do:
1.
Production and distribution of printed materials
such as leaflets, brochures, comics, posters, books, streamers, and
billboards; and
2.
Production and presentation of audio, visual and
audio-visual products such as documentaries, TV, radio plugs,
conduct of radio programs, and puppet show.
2.

Deeds Psychological Operations (Deeds PsyOps)

Deeds PsyOps is a program component of the PsyOps

pillar that involves the conduct of combat and non-combat
activities, outside of pure communication activities, to influence the
attitude and behavior of the target audience.
Deeds PsyOps can also be called as actions. The
Deeds PsyOps Worksheet is used in planning Deeds PsyOps
activities.
Activities under Deeds PsyOps include combat and noncombat activities outside of pure communication activities conducted to influence the attitude and behavior of the target
audience and normally involve the participation of the target
audience and the soldiers in some event or action.
In conducting Deeds PsyOps, Words PsyOps is normally
used to complement the objective of the activity.
Examples of Deeds PsyOps are combat operations,
guerilla theater operation, deception operations, conduct of
checkpoints, and other CMO oriented activities such as livelihood
projects, sports festival, medical/dental civic actions, and Army
Literacy Patrol System which are used to initiate the required
influencing objectives.
3.

Counter Propaganda

Counter Propaganda is a program component of the

PsyOps pillar that involves the conduct of activities in response to
enemy propaganda.
It is aimed at neutralizing the harmful effects of the
enemys propaganda efforts and redirects the target audience to
favor friendly objectives.
Counter Propaganda themes capitalize on the
weaknesses and inconsistencies of the enemys propaganda. It may
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employ both Words PsyOps (communication products) and Deeds

Psyops (actions).
Counter-propaganda measures
include
actions (proactive) and counter-actions (reactive).

preventive

1.
Preventive Actions -- awareness programs that
inform and expose friendly troops and populations to the nature of
enemy propaganda. The purpose is to help them understand their
vulnerability to propaganda by informing them of enemy
propaganda themes that may be employed against them.
2.
Counter-actions -- measures used to reduce or
neutralize the effects of opponent propaganda. Counter-action
techniques include direct refutation, diversion, silence, restrictive
measures, imitative deception, conditioning, forestalling, and
minimization.
Summary
CMO are deliberate activities designed to address the impact of
military operations to the external public and AFP adversaries. Its
objectives are to gain popular support and weaken the will of the
enemy to fight in support to the accomplishment of the AFP
mission.
CMO is anchored on the CMO fundamentals providing the
Commanders, CMO staff officers and operators a better perspective
in the planning and implementation of CMO activities.
The CMO pillars are Public Affairs, Civil Affairs and
Psychological Operations. Public Affairs, which include PI and
COMREL, are AFP information activities for the external audience.
Civil Affairs, composed of CIVAC and CIVREL, are activities that
have sociological and developmental effects on the external
audience. Psychological Operations, on the other hand, are activities
that influence the target audiences (enemy and key communicators)
advantageous and contributory toward the accomplishment of the
AFP mission. PsyOps program components include Words PsyOps,
Deeds PsyOps and Counter Propaganda.

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