AFP HISTORY

Filipinos are not known to be militarist people unlike the Japanese, Germans, Mexicans, Pakistanis,
or Palestinians , although many historians noted the fact that the early Filipinos were described as
belligerent who always engaged in war and fight for the defense and freedom of our nation. In any event,
Filipinos, by nature, are nonconformist individuals who are likely to resist oppressions. If forced to do so, we
resort to challenging the authorities that try to enforce subjugation or domination. This is both a boon and
bane to the Filipino character. By being an individualist, we tend to place more importance on the
preservation of our own lives and individual rights rather than the safeguarding of our national interest
which is a vital pre-requisite for the evolution of nationhood.

When the Spaniards first came to the Philippines on March 16, 1521, they tried to establish
dominion over our ancestors. Some of the tribes and chieftains submitted after they were given an
impressive demonstration of Spanish firepower. When the Mactan Chieftain Lapu-Lapu refused to pay
homage to the Portuguese leader of the Spanish expedition Captain-General Ferdinand Magellan on April
26 a battle erupted between the two (2) leaders. Lapu-Lapu and his warriors numbering 1,500 strong
defeated the over confident Magellan with his 60 Spanish fusiliers supported by mortar fire, shipborne
cannon fire and the presence of 1,500 warriors from Rajah Humabon, although it should be pointed out that
Rajah Humabon’s warrior did not participate in the battle in accordance with Magellan’s order. The latter
was killed along with 8 of his men and 4 Christian native auxiliaries while Lapu-Lapu lost at least 15 men.
This was the first recorded-armed skirmishes involving Filipinos.

The Spaniards were forced to leave the island as their abuses caused strained relationship even
among their allied local chieftains who also abandoned them. They came in again on February 1570 in an
expedition under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Andres de Urdaneta and Martin de Goiti, who were joined
later by Legazpi’s grandson, Juan de Salcedo who led the Spanish forces in subduing one tribe kingdom
after another mostly in the northern regions of the Philippines. In 1570 and 1571, De Goiti attacked and
destroyed the huge settlements of Maynilad (Manila) under Rajah Sulaiman and Rajah Lakandula,
eventually making Manila the capital of the New Spanish Colony of the Philippine Island. In conquering the
islands, the Spaniards employed the proven strategy of “conquer-divide-rule” complemented by recruitment
of warriors from the local tribes. They used this to subdue other tribes, repeating the process in other parts
of the Archipelago. Ironically, the enlistment of native Filipinos for Spanish service was the first formal
military service rendered by Filipinos. With numerous uprising against Spain an informal military awakening
also emerged.

THE HOMEGROUND INFORMAL MILITARY CONCIOUSNESS DURING THE UPRISING AGAINST

SPAIN

The various uprising against Spain necessitated the formation of military units although there is
limited information about them. But it is most likely that these units were formed on geographical or clan
basis. Thus villages involved in these uprising formed units of their own commanded by the village leaders
or other appointed or elected leaders. These units have sub-units formed according to clans or blood
relations. For the most part, they have little training, poorly armed and poorly lacking in tactical leadership,
organization and logistical support. The only thing they had was abundance of courage. Because of these
shortcomings, the superior arms of the Spaniards and the inability of the different tribes to unite, these
uprisings failed. One of the few exceptions is the Dagohoy rebellion in Bohol, which lasted for 85 years
from 1744 to 1829.
Dagohoy rebellion against Spaniards like most of the early revolts were provoked by forced labor,
oppression, excessive tax collection and payments of tributes. It was ignited when Spanish Jesuit priest
refused the Christian burial of his brother who died in the service of the Church. Rallying 3,000 Boholanos,
he defeated every expedition that the Spanish authorities in Manila sent against him. Bohol at that time
existed as a virtually independent state. Even long after he died, the Boholanos continued the successful
resistance against Spain. Looking at these events in hindsight, we can deduce that Dagohoy is more than a
charismatic and effective leader. He is also an able organizer, or at least, can motivate others to work in
organizing his forces in that way, these were institutionalized such that unto continued to fight effectively
long after he died. In this event, we can surmise that we have one of the first institution-oriented military
organizations in our history.
FILIPINOS IN SPANISH MILITARY ARM SERVICE

Very early in their rule, the Spaniards realized that they need the help of the native Filipinos if they
are to keep themselves in power. As stated earlier, they sought to do this by the strategy of conquer-divide-
rule. Subsequently, the Spaniards recruited large number of Filipinos for military service either as
auxiliaries, infantry of support forces. These recruits proved to be a great value to them as they conquered
the entire archipelago, and later beat off the attacks of foreign powers that tried to seize this island.

Later, the Filipinos also accounted for the larger components of Spanish expeditions to the
Moluccas, Celebes (Now Suluwasi, Indonesia) and Papua (Now Papua New Guinea and Irian Java,
Indonesia) in the 19th century and Cambodia and Formosa in the 19 th century, some of the Filipino
elements of the Spanish expeditions that came to the aid of the Cambodian King remained in the latter’s
service. In all these, the Filipinos distinguished themselves by their courage, loyalty and leadership talents
such that some native Filipinos like Pedro Cabinet who led one of the columns against Dagohoy forces,
rose to senior ranks despite the unofficial Spanish policy of allowing the Filipinos to rise the rank of senior
sergeants only, of particular interest is the formation of 73 native regiment. At the outbreak of the
Philippine Revolution, Spain had 1,500 Spanish troops in the Philippines augmented by 6,000 native
soldiers.

THE FIRST FORMAL TRULY FILIPINO MILITARY ORGANIZATION

After 323 years of Spanish rule, the pent-up feelings against the oppressive foreigners exploded in
the Phil revolution of 1896. The Filipino army of this revolution was drawn from the ranks of the secret
society founded by Andres Bonifacio. The KATAAS-TAASAN, KAGALANG-GALANGANG KATIPUNAN
NG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN (KKK). This army is not much different from the earlier uprising against Spain
in terms of organization, weapons, training and battlefield tactical leadership. However, the main difference
is that this army is truly national in character and not of the native class, tribe, geography or blood relation
but on love of the native land. Its members were drawn from the entire spectrum of the Filipino people
composed of native Indo-Malays, Chinese immigrants and Spanish creoles and other half-breeds. This
sense of national unity gave this army the strength but of proportion to its members for actual combat
power.

As the revolution progressed, the need for a more formal organization came to the force and the first
units were formed according to provinces with the educated members of those areas as the leaders. The
revolution is acknowledged to have 2 phases.
1. The peasant-initiated revolution spearheaded by the Katipunan up to the time of the Biak-na-
Bato Pack.
2. The return of Aguinaldo to the proclamation of Philippine Independence of June 12, 1898.

Admittedly, the military organization of the second phase is much more formal and much better than
those of the first phase.

In between these phases, there was a power struggle between the MAGDIWANG faction of
Bonifacio and the MAGDALO faction of Aguinaldo. This was resolved with the execution of Bonifacio on
trumped up of charges filed by some misguided supporters of Aguinaldo, Hence forth, there was to be only
one chain of command in the revolutionary army.

In the Tejeros convention of 1897, the revolutionary government was organized. Among the agreed
appointments is the designation on March 22, 1897 of GENERAL ARTEMIO RICARTE as the FIRST
CAPTAIN (Commanding General) of the revolution (Philippine) army with General Antonio Luna as Minister
of War and Director of Operations. Provision were made for the formalization of various arms of the army
such as the Artillery, Cavalry, Ordnance, Commissary, Quartermaster, Signal, Medical and Dental Services
as well as the local Sandatahan (Militia).

The infant Philippine Army had its baptism of fire as the army of an independent republic during the
war against America on February 4, 1899. The army about 30,000 men whom 16,000 were fully armed
except 26,000 poorly armed militia. The Americans at first had about 26,000 men in two divisions. Better
armed, trained organized and supplied. The Americans pushed back the Filipinos switched to guerilla
warfare when the regular army disintegrated. The Americans, in spite of several battlefield victories and
greatly strengthen force (70,000), could not win the war and resorted to extreme brutality and savagery that
exceeded the cruelties displayed by their Spanish predecessors specially in areas where Filipino guerilla
units were most effective. Eventually, the Americans grouped down the revolutionary forces, which were
hastened by the capture of President Aguinaldo in 1901. The Americans considered the surrender of
General Miguel Malvar of Batangas as the end of Philippine campaign.

Nevertheless, Filipino resistance continued even up to 1910, GENERAL RICARTE was captured
and forced to exile when he refused to swear allegiance to the American flag. He died in 1945 still a defiant
patriot. Others who continued to resist were Macario Sakay who proclaimed himself as the President of the
Tagalog Republic and General Bicol. Sakay was convinced to surrender by the educated members of the
area where he was operation. After accepting an American offer for amnesty, he became down from the
hills as a hero, only to be seized by the Americans, tried as a bandit and hanged.

Other leaders emerged, usually from the local origins, which marked the 1901 to 1910 as
COLORUM movements.

There were nationalist movements who sought to continue the revolution in a religious fashion. The
term COLORUM is a corruption of the part of a prayer “DEO SECULA SECULURUM)” attracting thousands
of followers who never accepted the Americans as their new masters. They waged was with fanatical fervor
and Americans had to resort to even greater cruelties to suppress these people. After 1910, serious armed
resistance surely declined. The Philippine Army had ceased to exist as coherent fighting force even before
that time.

THE COMMONWEALTH ARMY (1935-1945)

With the passing of the Tyding-McDuffie Law in 1934, the Commonwealth of the Philippine was
inaugurated in 1935. This form of government is to be a transitory one that will last for 10 years which will
give way to full independence in 1945. The first law passed by this government was the Commonwealth
(National Defense) Act Nr 1 CIRCA 1935. This act provides for the establishment of the National Defense
Forces.
Consequently, the Philippine Army of the Commonwealth was reactivated on Jan 11, 1936 Pursuant
to Exec Order Nr 11 with Philippine Constabulary elements as its nucleus. It should be pointed out that the
commonwealth President Quezon ordered this procedure against the advice of General Vicente Lim who
wanted to form an army from scratch.

To act as the adviser of the reconstituted Philippine Army is the retired American General Douglas
McArthur who made a Field Marshall of the Commonwealth on June 19 1936. Gen. McArthur originally
envisioned an aggressive defense to carry out on the landing beaches with air and naval forces interdicting
the invading enemy forces then hitting him with strong land forces when he landed on the beach.

President Quezon hoped that McArthur’s stature and influence on the American government will
result to favorable actions by the U.S government with regard to the availability of defense equipment and
special procurement prices for other items but this did not materialize. With the lack of funds from the
Commonwealth and support from the U.S Congress, the Philippine Defense program stagnated so that
instead of 25,000 men, 200 Aircraft, 50 Naval craft, 2 Submarines and Artillery, Anti-Aircraft and Armor
Units, the Commonwealth Armed Forces only have 2 under-equipped regular divisions totaling 100,000
troops, 18 assorted aging aircraft of the Army Air Corps, 3 Patrol Boats of the Army off-shore patrol, limited
Artillery and Anti-Aircraft capability and Armor. The 10 Reserve Divisions were drawn from 10 Military
Districts in which the Philippines divided.

On July 26, 1941, U.S President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called into the services of the U.S Army
the 2 Regular and 10 Reserve Divisions of the Phil Army to become part of the US Army Forces in the Far
East (USAFFE). The following day, the different Regiments of these Reserve Divisions were called to active
status and training began at earliest time.
WORLD WAR II

WW II broke-out in the Philippines on December 8, 1941 when the Japanese bombed various
targets in the country. Following the destruction of American Naval fleet in Hawaii and the US Army Air
Corps in the Philippines. The country was left open to invasion and the Japanese 14 th Army under General
Homma landed in Lingayen, Pangasinan almost unopposed on December 10. Filipino-American forces
tried to halt almost their advance but were unsuccessful. McArthur decided to implement and old Naval
Defense Plan Orange –3, which call for the concentration of main defense forces to Bataan with Corregidor
blocking the entry or use of Manila Bay. As a consequence, Manila was declared an Open City and the
Japanese occupied the city on January 2, 1942.

The Japanese Commander LtGen Masaharo Homma failed to appreciate the Filipino-American
withdrawal to Bataan and was forced to fight the Battle of Bataan from January 9 to April 19, 1942. Initially
suffering a series of defeats on the Peninsula from January to early February, the Japanese launched their
final assault on the Fil-Am forces and forced the American commander MGen Edward P King to surrender
on April 9 1942. A follow-up aerial and artillery bombardment of Corregidor Island culminate in an
amphibious landing forced the American commander LtGen Jonathan Wainwright to surrender the
Corregidor Garrison on May 6 1942. About 70,000 Filipino and 15,000 American troops were taken
prisoner in Bataan and made to undergo the now-infamous death march while another 16,000 Americans
and 2,000 Filipinos were captured in Corregidor. In surrendering the Corregidor Garrison, Wainwright also
directed the surrender of the Fil-Am Forces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

THE ARMY OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1946-1972)

After the war, the Philippine Army was in a semi-chaotic state with a variety of units and agencies
headed by officers with limited qualifications and armed with weapons and equipment either captured from
the Japanese or given by the Americans. To restore some order, these disparate units were merged into
five divisions and the general and special staffs as well as the air corps and offshore patrol were organized.

The first President of the third Republic Manuel Roxas recognized the Armed Forces by issuing
Executive Order Nr 92 dated October 4, 1947. The Army was renamed the Armed Forces of the Philippines
and its Headquarters called the National Defense Forces. On May 6, 1948, four military areas were
activated replacing the 10th Military Districts of the Pre-War years. On the same date, the military training
command, the off-shore patrol and the air corps were elevated to major commands designated respectively
as the Philippine Ground Force, The Philippine Naval Patrol and the Philippine Air Force.
 THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES ORGANIZATION

MISSION:
To defend the Republic of the Philippines, safeguard its national security and to assist
government agencies in the socio-economic development of the country.

FUNCTIONS:
1. Uphold the sovereignty, Support the Constitution and defend the territory of the
country against enemies.
2. Promote and advance the national aims, goals, interest and policies
3. Plan, organize, maintain, develop and deploy its regular and citizen reserve forces
for national security; and
4. Perform other functions as the President may direct.

THE AFP ORGANIZATION

1. The President - Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, exercises strategic direction of the

AFP through the SND, likewise exercises command of the AFP through Chief of Staff.
2. The Secretary of the National Defense
3. Chief Of Staff, AFP

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (DND)

MISSION:
Provide necessary protection of the state against external and internal threats: directing,
planning and supervising National Defense Program; and performing other functions as may be
provided for by the law.

Organization:

1. Secretary of National Defense

 a. Government Arsenal Office (GAO)
b. Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
c. Phil Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO)
d. National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP)

2. Under Secretary
a. USec for National Defense (USND)
b. USec for Civil Relations (USNR)
c. USec for Veterans and Reserve Affairs (USVRA)

3. Personal Staff Offices

a. The Senior Military Assistant (SMA)
b. Head Executive Assistant (HEA)

4. Office for Legislative Affairs (OLEG)

5. Executive Staff
a. Office of the Assistant Sec for Plans and Programs
b. Staff for Installation and Logistics (ASIL)
c. Staff for Comptrollership (ASCOM)
d. Staff for Personnel (ASPER)
e. Office for Public Affairs (OPA)
f. Office for Strategic Assessment (OSA)
g. Office for Legal Affairs (OLA)

The SND - is the civilian advisers of the President on matters concerning defense and
security of the State. It has executive supervision over the AFP.

The Chief of Staff - Commands the AFP, he is the principal military adviser of the President,
and he executes the President command functions in military strategy and tactics. It is through the
Chief of Staff, AFP that the President issues orders to all AFP Commanders.

THE AFP ORGANIZATION

1. General Headquarters (GHQ)
2. Major Services (PA, PAF and PN)
3. Area Commands (NCRCOM, NOLCOM, SOLCOM, WESCOM, CENTCOM AND
EASTMINCOM, WESTMINCOM. )
4. AFP-Wide Support and Separate Units (AFPWSSUS)
 MAJOR
SERVICES

1. PHILIPPINE ARMY
Mission: To conduct prompt and sustain ground operations to accomplish AFP mission.
Functions:
 1. Organize, train and equip Army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained
operation on land.
2. Prepare such units as maybe necessary for the effective prosecution of the national
defense plans and programs and Armed Forces missions, including expansions of the peacetime
army component to meet any emergency.
3. Develop, in coordination with other Major Services, tactics, techniques and
equipment of interest to the Army for field operations.
4. Organize, train and equip al Army reserve units, and
5. Perform such other functions as maybe provided by law of higher authorities.

HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINE ARMY

Philippine Army Vision

By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

Philippine Army Core Purpose

Serving the people, securing the land

Philippine Army Mandated Mission

To organize, train, equip, deploy, and sustain ground forces in support of the AFP mission.

Philippine Army Core Values

Honor, Patriotism and Duty

2. PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

Mission: To conduct prompt and sustain air operation to accomplish AFP mission.

Functions:
 1. Organize, train and equip forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained air
operations for the defense of the Philippines.
2. Organize, train and equip for airlift, airborne and tactical air operations unilaterally or
in coordination with surface forces.
3. Formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures, tactics
and techniques for operations peculiar to Air Force.
4. Organize, train and equip al Air Force reserve units.
5. Perform such other functions as maybe provided by law or assigned by higher
authorities.

3. PHILIPPINE NAVY

Mission: To conduct prompt and sustain naval and maritime operations to accomplish
the AFP mission.

Functions:

1. Organize, train and equip the force for prompt and sustained naval operations.
2. Prepare the necessary naval units for the effective enforcement of all applicable laws
upon the Philippine seas and waters, the prosecution of national defense plans and programs and
Armed Forces missions, including the expansion of a peacetime navy component to meet any
emergency.
3. Formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures,
strategies, tactics and techniques and operations peculiar to the navy.
4. Enforce laws and regulations pertaining to navigation, safety of life at sea,
immigration, customs, revenues, narcotics, quarantine fishing and neutrality of the territorial
contiguous waters of the Philippines.
5. Organize, train and equip all naval reserve units, and
6. Perform such other functions as maybe provided by law or assigned by higher
authorities.

THE UNIFIED COMMANDS

For our defense and security, particularly on Internal Security Operations, the country is
divided into seven (7) geographical areas. Each area is under the responsibility of a Unified
Command.

MISSION

The mission of the Unified Command is to conduct joint operations in its area of
responsibility in order to establish a peaceful and secured environment and assist the Local
Government Agencies in their socio-economic, ecological and developmental activities.

1. National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM)-covers the whole of Metro Manila.

2. Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM)-has jurisdiction over the northern part of
Luzon
3. Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM)-has jurisdiction over the southern part of
Luzon.
4. Western Command (WESCOM)-secures the western front of the archipelago
particularly Palawan.
5. Central Command (CENTCOM)-covers the whole of the Visayas.
6. Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM)-secures the western Mindanao
including Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi,
7. Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM)-secures the eastern Mindanao.

CIC - Commander-In-Chief
SND - Secretary of National Defense
CSAFP - Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines
TIG - The Inspector General
ESPA - Ethical Standard and Public Accountability
PIO - Public Information Office
LOLA - Liaison Office for Legislative Affairs
OSS - Office of the Strategic and Special Studies
AFPSM - Office of the Sergeant Major
VCSAFP - Vice Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines
TDCSAFP - The Deputy Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the
Philippines
JOC - Joint Operation Center
SJS - Secretary Joint Staff
DCS PERS - Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (J1)
DCS INTEL - Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (J2)
DCS OPNS - Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3)
DCS LOG - Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (J4)
DCS PLANS - Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5)
DCS CEIS - Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics &
Information System (J6)
DCS CMO - Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations (J7)
DCS E & T - Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training (J8)
DCS RRA - Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retirees Affairs
(J9)
HSC - Headquarters Service Command
TJAG - The Judge Advocate General
CHAP SVC - Chaplain Service
TPMG - The Provost Marshall General
TCE - The Chief of Engineers
TCOCS - The Chief Ordnance and Chemical Service
TQMG - The Quartermaster General
TSG - The Surgeon General
TCDS - The Chief Dental Service
TCN - The Chief Nurse
TCMFO - Deputy Chief, Management and Fiscal Office
AFPCOC - Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers
Club
OHCA - Office for Historical & Cultural Activities
CWAC - Chief Women Auxiliary Corps
PSG - Presidential Security Group
CRS - Civil Relation Service
PMA - Philippine Military Academy
JSCSC - Joint Staff College Services Command
AFPRESCOM - AFP Reserve Command
GHQ HSC - General Headquarters and Headquarters Service
Command
ISAFP - Intelligence Services Armed Forces of the Philippines
LOGCOM - Logistics Command
RDC - Research Development Center
FIN CTR - Finance Center
 AFPCES - Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary and
Exchange Service
CSC - Armed Forces of the Philippines Computer System
Center
AFP MC - AFP Medical Center
NCRCOM - National Capital Region Command
NOLCOM - Northern Luzon Command
SOLCOM - Southern Luzon Command
VISCOM - Central Command
WESCOM - Western Command
EASTMINCOM - Eastern Mindanao Command
WESMINCOM - Western Mindanao Command
PA - Philippine Army
PN - Philippine Navy
PAF - Philippine Air Force

ACTIVITY

Exercise No. 1

Instructions: On a separate sheet of paper. (Yellow Paper)

1. What is AFP in Military?

2. What is importance in AFP?

3. Who is the Father of Philippine Army?

4. How does AFP Work?

5. Who is the highest rank in the AFP?

6. What are the core values of AFP?

7. What is the mission of AFP?

8. What are the four AFP organization?

9. What are the three branches of AFP?

10. What is the mission of DND?