Philippine National Defense System Overview

The Philippine National Defense System

• The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the primary defense organization of the Philippines.
• The AFP’s main objective is to serve and protect the people while ensuring the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of its national territory from internal and external threats.
• The AFP adheres to the principle of the supremacy of civilian authority.

Structure of the AFP

• The AFP consists of the Regular Force (active-duty personnel) and the Citizen Armed Force (reservists).
• The AFP is organized into Major Services and other units as determined by the Secretary of National Defense.
• The structure is designed for centralized control and direction.

The General Headquarters (GHQ)

• The GHQ is the command and control element of the AFP.
• GHQ comprises the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Vice-Chief of Staff, the AFP General Staff, and other staff offices for effective command and control.

AFP Major Services & Units

• The Major Services are supported by other units:
  • Office Chief of Staff AFP (CSAFP)- Executes the President's command functions and controls all AFP elements.
  • Vice-Chief of Staff AFP (VCSAFP) - Facilitates the CSAFP's responsibilities in their absence.
  • The Deputy of Chief of Staff (TDCS)- Supports the CSAFP through operational activities.
  • Office of The Secretary of the Joint Staff - Supports the CSAFP, VCSAFP, and TDCSAFP.
  • Office of the Inspector General (OTIG)- Investigates mission performance, morale & discipline, efficiency, and resource utilization within the AFP.
  • Armed Forces of the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee (AFPBAC) - Oversees contracts and bidding.
  • Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) - Enhances professionalism, honesty, and integrity while instilling ethical standards within the AFP.
  • Office of The Internal Auditor (OTIA) - Audits internal control systems and AFP performance.
  • Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSS) - Conducts research on national, regional, and international strategic issues.
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) - Plans and executes national information programs for the AFP.
  • Office for Legislative Affairs (OLA) - Maintains communication with Congress and related agencies.
  • AFPRMO - Advises the CSAFP on resource management, force structure, program and budget development, and capability development.
  • Armed Forces of the Philippines Sergeant Major (AFPSM) - Supports the CSAFP on morale, welfare, and discipline of enlisted personnel.
  • Office of the Defense Reform (ODR) - Improves defense policies, planning, and organizational reforms.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1 (DCS, PERS, J1) - Supports the CSAFP on personnel and administration within the AFP.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (DCS, INTEL, J2) - Assists the CSAFP with intelligence objectives.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3 (DCS, OPNS, J3) - Assists the CSAFP with manpower, organization, deployment, and personnel utilization.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4 (DCS, LOG, J4) - Supports the CSAFP on logistics.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5 (DCS, PLANS, J5) - Assists the CSAFP with strategic planning and long-term policy formulation.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for C4ISTAR Systems, J6 (DCS, CEIS, J6) - Assists the CSAFP on communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance systems.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7 (DCS, CMO, J7) - Assists the CSAFP with political, social, economic, and psychological dimensions of operations.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, J8 (DCS, E&T, J8) - Assists the CSAFP with education and training initiatives.
  • Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9 (DCS, RRA, J9) - Supports the CSAFP on reservist and retiree affairs programs.

Philippine Military History

• Military history is a descriptive, interpretive, and objective record of the AFP's activities in peacetime and wartime.
• Different types of military history provide a variety of perspectives on military events and actions.
• The importance of military history includes: sharpening judgment, improving perception, broadening perspective, compensating for experience gaps, and strengthening professional qualifications.

Spanish Colonization

• The Spanish introduced their rule to the Philippines in 1521 under Ferdinand Magellan.
• The Battle of Mactan marked the first organized resistance against Spanish rule.
• Magellan was killed by Lapu-lapu, a local chieftain.
• In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established a Spanish foothold in the Philippines.
• The Philippines was named after Prince Philip of Spain, during a 1542-1546 expedition.
• The Spanish ruled for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898.
• This period saw the rise of Filipino resistance movements, including the Katipunan, who fought against Spanish oppression.

Philippine Revolutionary Army

• The Philippine Revolutionary Army (PRA) was formed on March 22, 1897, at Tejeros, Cavite.
• General Artemio Ricarte was the first Captain General of the PRA.

First Philippine Republic

• Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.
• He was elected President of the First Philippine Republic.
• The First Philippine Republic had a brief period of respite from combat before being challenged by the American invasion.

The Philippine-American War & Balangiga Massacre

• The Treaty of Paris ceded the Philippines to the United States in December 1898.
• The Balangiga Massacre of 1901 was a brutal event.
• General Lukban’s forces staged a surprise attack on an American detachment stationed in Balangiga, resulting in casualties and a retaliatory response from American forces.
• The event was highly controversial and marked a turning point in the Philippine-American War.