CIVIL MILITARY OPERATIONS

Introduction

The AFP’s vast experience in the conduct of internal security operations has
enriched its CMO activities. The experience has established that victory in this type
of conflict is very much dependent on the support of the people, and our ability to
weaken the will of the enemies to resist.

Getting the support of the people is no easy task but is an important

component in the success of military operations. The support of the people enables
us to gather real time intelligence that contributes a lot for our troops to fix and
destroy a highly mobile enemy. This will considerably lessen the material, financial
and moral support that the enemy obtains from the masses.

The National Internal Security Plan (NISP) recognizes that the AFP can
address all internal threats and, more importantly, assist in nation building. This is
not a new role for the AFP since traditionally it is a government institution that not
only deters aggressors but also assists in nation building and development.

It is in this light that this doctrine has been written to provide a clear and
concise understanding of CMO.

CMO in the AFP Triad Operations

The AFP triad is composed of CMO, Intelligence, and Operations. It calls for
the three-pronged approach in fighting insurgency. Close coordination and co-equal
footing of the concepts in the AFP triad will lead to winning the war.

CMO plays a vital role in the AFP triad operations. It operates using a different
but equally important approach in dealing with the insurgents. It is sometimes
referred to as the “out-of-the-box” approach because of the non-traditional methods
applied to the enemy and their supporters.

As part of the triad, CMO synergizes its activities with the Intelligence and
Operations. Intelligence gathers and processes the necessary essential intelligence
information requirements while Operations focuses on the maneuver of combat or
attacking forces. CMO, on the other hand, manages the impact of the military
operations on civilians and enemy forces. It addresses different tasks in the
battlefield – Public Affairs in the rear; Civil Affairs and Information Support Affairs
(ISA) in the flanks and the main battle area. It counters enemy propaganda delivered
from all sectors of the battlefield. It assists Intelligence in gathering information from
people while it facilitates damage control of harmful effect of combat operations not
only to the people but also to the environment.

Getting the support of people is an important component in the success of

military operations. Support of the people provides real time intelligence that
contributes to the information gathered to fix and destroy a highly mobile enemy.
The battle is not only fought in the battlefield but also in the mind of all stakeholders
of the war. Winning the hearts and minds of the people is considered a major key in
the Principle of War on Popular Support. “Winning the battle without a single shot,” is
also maxim that requires special acme of skills. This will considerably lessen the
material, financial, and moral support that the enemy obtains from the masses. This
is where CMO comes in as the non-traditional component of the AFP triad.

Regardless of the differences and similarities among the triad’s approaches,

the CMO objectives of weakening the enemy’s will to fight and gaining popular
support are essentials in the pursuit of the accomplishment of the AFP’s mission. It is
therefore imperative for CMO to synchronize its efforts towards the success of the
AFP triad operations.

Definition

CMO are planned activities undertaken independently or in coordination with

civilian entities to gain popular support and weaken the enemy’s will to fight in
support to the accomplishment of the AFP mission.

CMO, a vital component of the triad, is characterized by activities that

influence the beliefs, emotions, behaviors, attitudes, and opinions of intended
audiences to facilitate military operations. CMO establishes and maintains good
relations among military forces, government and non-government civil authorities,
and the populace. Supporting government’s development activities, protecting the
environment, and helping people prepare for and cope with the disasters and
calamities are also its objectives.

CMO Structure Transition

1. Old CMO Pillars (before 2004)

a. MILE – Military Livelihood Enhancement

b. MILVED – Military Values Education
c. PI – Public Information
d. COMREL – Community Relations
e. CIVAC – Civic Action
f. RSS – Research and Special Studies
g. PSYOPS – Psychological Operations

2. Transition CMO Pillars (2004 to 2006)

a. MILITARY AFFAIRS
1) Military Livelihood Enhancement
2) Military Values Education
3) CI – Command Information
b. CIVIL RELATIONS
1) Public Information
2) Community Relations
3) Military Civic Action
c. PSYOPS
1) Words PsyOps
2) Deeds PsyOps
3) Counter-Propaganda
 3. New CMO Pillars (Present)

a. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
1) Public Information
2) Community Relations
b. CIVIL AFFAIRS
1) Civil Relations
2) Civic Action

c. Information Support Affairs (ISA)

1) Words
2) Deeds
3) Counter-Propaganda

4. Advantages of New CMO Pillars/Categories:

a. Simple and easy to remember

b. Clearly defined target audience
c. ISA is strengthened

CMO Pillars and Its Program Components

To easily understand the pillars and components, a CMO model was

developed.

Enemy

PsyOps
ISA
Counter
- Prop

Civil
Military
Opn
Opn
Civil Public
Affairs Affairs

Civilian CIVREL COMREL Public/

Authorities RELATIONSHIPS Community
Figure 1 - CMO Triangle

The entire triangle is an equilateral triangle that places the 3 CMO pillars, its
relationship to the target audience and its activities, which connotes equality in
importance to CMO as a whole.
 The 3 CMO pillars, namely ISA, Civil Affairs, and Public Affairs are also in a
form of equilateral triangles, which are placed together with one touching the other,
and form a bigger triangle that constitutes the entire CMO Triangle.

The inverted triangle in the middle of the CMO Triangle represents the
interplay of the 3 pillars which compose the Civil Military Operations.

The ISA is red which signifies intensity and strength in dealing with the
enemy. It is placed at the topmost of the CMO Triangle which implies the urgency to
defeat the enemy.

The Civil Affairs triangle is green which implies cooperation and loyalty with
the civilian authorities. It is placed at the right side of the CMO Triangle which
implies the immediate and strong partnership with the civilian authorities.
The Public Affairs triangle is blue which indicates relevance and
responsiveness in dealing with the public or community. It is placed at the left side of
the CMO Triangle which indicates sincere relationship with the community.

The Civil Military Operations triangle being at the center is white which implies
strength of character especially in dealing with the enemy, while it implies
cooperation and relevance with both the civilian authorities and the public.
The side / perimeter nouns i.e. Action, Communication, and Relationships
signify the primary nature of activities for every pillar.

The three (3) target element at the edges of the triangle i.e. Enemy, Civilian
Authority, and Public/Community indicates CMO’s commitment and focus toward
these audiences.

The CMO triangle shows that the CMO pillars are complementing and
interrelated with one another. The triangle represents the three CMO pillars, its
program components, and target audiences. The perimeter specifies the emphasis
of each pillar on the efforts each has to contend with in the conduct of its activities.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS PILLAR

Public Affairs (PA) is a CMO Pillar that conducts information-related activities

directed to the external public to ensure clear, accurate, and timely dissemination of
information to preserve security and privacy. It is likewise performed to establish and
maintain constructive relations with the communities in order to promote the
organization’s objectives. PA activities are designed to gain peoples’ trust, support,
and confidence to the AFP.
The conduct of PA ranges from Public Information and Community Relations
activities and programs. It makes the soldiers aware of the importance of the
information environment and community support which affects the conduct of military
operations.

Public Information (PI)

Public Information is a program component of PA that conducts

information activities directed to the public to ensure a clear, accurate, and timely
dissemination of information. PI provides information to the general public through
the use of media. It intensifies public awareness about the AFP.

PI may include, but is not limited to the following activities,

depending on the military objectives:

1. Press releases
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 TV appearances and
radio guesting of key AFP personnel to advocate AFP programs and
activities and give details on AFP positions on issues relevant to national
security.

3. Press conferences
Press conferences are meetings of the media with key AFP
personnel who discuss AFP programs, activities, and positions on certain
issues and other matters significant to the organization.

4. AFP information campaign

Information campaigns are activities to promote AFP objectives
using various media.

5. Public symposium
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 to deliver AFP messages in a more personal basis.

7. Audio-Visual presentations
Activities conducted by the AFP using photo and static displays
and video-documentary presentations that highlight the AFP as a valuable
index of national history and development.

The active and timely release of complete and accurate information

influences the perception of events, clarifies public understanding, and initiates
public debate. It pre-empts 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.
Community Relations (COMREL)

Community Relations is a program component of Public Affairs that

establishes and maintains constructive relationship with communities to promote the
AFP objectives through information activities.

COMREL involves organized participation of AFP personnel in

community-related information activities. This is to identify soldiers as part of
communities while providing support in planning and implementation of community
programs.

COMREL may include, but is not limited to the following

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 organization’s 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 to gain popular support.

Its activities are 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 AFP responsive to the needs of the society
which leads the public to respond in a favorable way towards the AFP.

Civil Relations (CIVREL)

Civil Relations (CIVREL) is a program component of Civil Affairs that

promotes cooperation and collaboration between the military and the civilian
authorities. It enhances the conduct of civilian-oriented activities to promote closer
cooperation with the people and obtain a wide base of popular support for the AFP
and the government.

It may include, but is not limited to, the following activities,

depending on the military objectives:
1. Inter-agency coordination - interface with other
government agencies that will identify and facilitate the acquisition of local
resources, facilities, and support.

2. Participation in cause-oriented initiatives – involvement

in economic and psycho-political activities that include networking with
 agencies and institutions involved in development process, empowering
civilians, and giving access to development programs of the government.

3. Participation in socio-cultural activities – involvement in

psycho-social activities that require participation in the protection and
preservation of cultural assets, customs, traditions, and practices.

4. Participation in national/local historical events –

involvement in psycho-social activities that bring pride and honor on the
national and local historical events.

Civic Action (CIVAC)

Civic Action is a component of Civil Affairs that conducts military

initiated activities with developmental and sociological purposes in order to gain
popular support.

CIVAC is characterized by community activities that are development

oriented. It can range from delivery of basic services to implementation of major
engineering projects.

CIVAC may include, but is not limited to, the following activities,
depending on the military objectives:
1. Medical and dental service - activities that include
treatment, consultation, and surgery. These are more often conducted in
remote areas to address health problems in the communities

2. Engineer capability assistance - activities that involve

construction and repair of infrastructures that directly benefits the community.

3. Humanitarian assistance - disaster preparedness,

mitigation, and relief and response operations (DIMRO) activities that seize
every opportunity to demonstrate AFP dependability and readiness during
disasters, and the willingness to mobilize people during emergencies.

4. Environmental protection - activities that support and

ensure compliance to environmental laws, community environment protection
programs, reforestation projects, and assistance in anti-illegal logging
campaigns.

CIVREL involves the organized participation of AFP personnel in

civilian-initiated activities while supporting them in the planning and implementation
of their programs.

INFORMATION SUPPORT OPERATIONS

Information Support Affairs (ISA) is a CMO pillar that aims to influence the
beliefs, emotions, attitudes, opinions, and 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 favorable.

ISA is the planned use of activities and other measures, whether they are
military, political, economic, ethical or social, aimed at influencing the attitudes,
opinions, emotions, and behaviors of a target group.

The program components under the ISA are Words, Deeds, and Counter
Propaganda.

Words Operations

Words Operations is a program component of ISA that involves the

production and dissemination of information, concept, or idea through various media
to influence the attitude and behavior of the target audience. Its medium may be
face-to-face, printed, audio (radio and loud speaker), audio-visual (television, motion
pictures, and skits/plays), objects or merchandises, and information technology (IT).

Words Operations can also be called “communication products.” The

Words Operations Worksheet is used in making Words products.

Words Operations delivers a theme or message to influence the

mindset of the target audience in accordance to the way intended for them to do.

It may include, but is not limited to the following activities,

depending on the military objectives:
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 and radio plugs, conduct of radio
programs, and puppet show, among others.

Deeds Operations

Deeds Operations is a program component of ISA 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. Activities
under Deeds Operations are combat and non-combat activities that aim to influence
the attitude and behavior of the target audience and involve the participation of the
target audience and the soldiers in an event or action.

Deeds Operations can also be called “actions.” In conducting Deeds

Operations, Words Operations is used to complement the objective of the activity.
The Deeds Operations Worksheet is used in planning Deeds Operations activities.

Examples of Deeds Operations are combat operations, guerilla theater

operation, deception operations, conduct of checkpoints, and other CMO
oriented activities such as livelihood projects, sports festival, medical and
 dental civic actions, and Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS).

Counter Propaganda

Counter Propaganda is a program component of ISA that involves the

conduct of activities in response to enemy propaganda.

It is aimed at neutralizing the harmful effects of the enemy’s

propaganda efforts and redirecting the target audience to favor AFP objectives.

Counter Propaganda themes capitalize on the weaknesses and

inconsistencies of the enemy’s propaganda. It may employ both Words Operations
(communication products) and Deeds Operations (actions).

Counter-propaganda measures include preventive actions (proactive)

and counter-actions (reactive).

a. 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.

b. Counter-actions - measures used to reduce or neutralize the

effects of opponent’s propaganda. Counter-action techniques include direct
refutation, diversion, silence, restrictive measures, imitative deception, conditioning,
forestalling, and minimization, among others.

b.1. Direct Refutation- Used when enemy propaganda can be

proven to be wrong, direct refutation is a point for point rebuttal of the allegations
stated in the enemy’s propaganda.

b.2. Diversion- Use other themes that draw more attention.

b.3. Silence – No response. The ISA operator hopes that the

controversy will eventually die down. This technique is used when the danger of
unwanted publicity is present and the effects of counter-propaganda activities are
uncertain. However, silence can be misinterpreted as weakness and the enemy will
pursue a more aggressive propaganda campaign.

b.4. Restrictive Measures – Denying the target audience access to

enemy propaganda by censorship or repression. However, this technique arouses
curiosity and may even backfire as the target audience will be forced to obtain the
enemy’s propaganda covertly.

b.5. Imitative deception – Similar to black propaganda, imitative

deception involves the physical alteration of enemy propaganda to discredit it.
(Example: a leaflet or newsletter similar to the enemy’s propaganda in appearance
but with pro-government messages)
 b.6. Conditioning – Education programs and information drives to
reduce susceptibility of the target audiences to enemy propaganda and softens the
target for government or military propaganda.

b.7. Forestalling – Enemy propaganda is anticipated by conducting

preemptive propaganda activities using possible enemy propaganda themes.

b.8. Minimization – This involves acknowledging the enemy

propaganda but deemphasizing its contents and messages by giving it scant
attention; by insinuating that the enemy’s allegations will be later proven as
inaccurate or false and is only being used to discredit the government or the military.

Enemy Propaganda Product Analysis

SCAME stands for Source, Content, Audience, Media, and Effects. Good SCAME
analysis will provide the ISA operator with valuable information in developing
counter-propaganda.

1. SOURCE – Who sent the propaganda? The source is the individual or

organization that produced and disseminated the propaganda. Propaganda can
be classified on the basis of source as:

a. White – source is known and acknowledges the propaganda

b. Gray – source is unknown (not identified)
c. Black – source indicated is fake.

2. CONTENT – What is depicted on the enemy propaganda? What is the

theme used? What are the possible motives and objectives why the propaganda was
disseminated? Read the fine print and determine the ultimate and underlying
messages. From these messages, the ISA operator can infer information about
enemy’s level of morale and training, status of equipment, ammunition and
manpower, changes in the enemy order of battle and even intentions. Inconsistent
data may provide valuable insights into the actual situation of the enemy and his
mass base.

3. AUDIENCE – Who is the target audience? Audiences can be broad

like the residents of a town or barangay or they can be specific to key
communicators, intermediaries and organizations. The real or intended target
audience should be identified as opposed to the unintended.

4. MEDIA – What media was used and why? Media analysis is important
in determining whether the intended target audience received the propaganda or not.

5. EFFECTS – Analyze the effects based on the same direct and indirect
indicators stated in the evaluation phase of the propaganda development process.
Effects analysis is necessary to determine whether the enemy’s propaganda was
effective, partially effective or ineffective and consequently, whether to conduct
counter-propaganda activities or not.