Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Armed Forces of the Philippines or AFP (Filipino: Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas) originated inthe revolutionary battles during the Philippine War of Independence against Spain. The AFP wasformally organized during the American Commonwealth era through Commonwealth Act No. 1 or theNational Defense Act of December 21, 1935. It is the principal body of defense for the nation, under theleadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President of the Philippines. Organizedunder the advisory supervision of General Douglas MacArthur by invitation of Commonwealth Pres.Manuel L. Quezon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is loosely based on the structure of the militaryof the United States. While modest in its material and technological capability, the AFP soldiers areconsidered one of the most battle-hardened armies in the world due to their long exposure to counter-insurgency and anti-secessionist campaigns in the Philippines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines consists of the Army (Hukbong Katihan), Navy (Hukbong Dagat)and Air Force (Hukbong Himpapawid). The Navy is comprised of two commands: the Philippine Fleetand the Marine Corps. The Coast Guard exists under naval command. The National Defense College ofthe Philippines and Philippine Military Academy are the principal defense training institutions.

Due to its close relationship with the United States military establishment, the Armed Forces of thePhilippines was considered the strongest national defense program in Asia — especially in the 1950sand 1960s. The expulsion of United States military presence from its structures, cuts in funding by theCongress of the Philippines and the nature of Philippine politics has been cited as sources of decline ofthe Armed Forces of the Philippines in recent years.

The average age of its manpower is 18 years old; males aged 15 through 49 are eligible for recruitmentand active duty. The 1998 fiscal year expenditures for the Armed Forces of the Philippines totaled USD$995 million; a total of 1.5% of the gross domestic product.

Major Military Units

The Army is organized into eight Light Infantry Divisions, a Light Armored Brigade, a Scout RangerRegiment, a Special Operations Command with various special forces units, five Engineering Battalions,one Artillery Regiment at Headquarters, the Presidential Security Group, and three Light-ReactionCompanies. The Navy is deployed at Sangley Point/Cavite, Zamboanga, and Cebu. The Air Force isorganized into Headquarters and five commands: Air Defense, Tactical Operations, Air Education andTraining, Air Logistics and Supply, and Air Reserves.

AFP Rapid Deployment Units

Marine Force Recon - The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has a strength of about 10,000 men dividedinto five (5) brigades. The Marine units include four (4) infantry maneuver brigades, composed offifteen (15) tactical infantry battalions and two (1) heavy weapons brigade (composed of the 105mmHowitzer, 106mm recoiless gun, along with an amphibious vehicle (LVT) and armoured units). Two (2)of the marine battalions have specialized roles: The Force Reconnaisance (Recon) battalion is used forrapid airlift to troubled areas and search and kill. This Recon battalion is also trained in shipboardingattacks. The Marine Guard battalion is deployed in urban warfare and in defense of an installation. ThePhilippine Marines (PMC) is also considered the shock force of the Armed Forces and is the first unit tobe involved in any amphibious or seaborne clashes.

SWAG SEALs in action.

Philippine Navy Special Warfare Group (SWAG) - Supporting the Marines is the Philippine Navy'sSpecial Search and kill Group (SWAG) whose main unit is the Philippine SEALs (Sea-Air-Land). TheSearch and kill brigade is divided into thirty (30)Killer teams. Their basic training lasts six months andhas a 75% to 90% percent dropout rate. SEAL training includes demolitions, cartography, scuba,parachuting and hand-to-hand combat, Silent killing, Underwater fighting skills or UFS. SEALs trainregularly with their American counterparts in an annual amphibious exercise codenamed "Palau". In1996, Filipino and American SEALs trained in Palawan island near the Spratlys.

Philippine Army Special Operations Command (SOC) - Philippine Army Special OperationsCommand (SOC) is composed of over 6,000 troops divided into the Army Scout Ranger Regiment(SRR), 1st Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), the Psychological Operations Group (POG) andthe Special Operations Group (SOG). The "Delta Force" of the Philippine Army is the elite "AlphaTwo Zero" or A-20 trained in counter-terrorist operations.

Under the Special Forces Regiment (SFR) of the Philippine Army is the 1st Riverine (SF) Battalionequipped with 50 footer fast assault boats. This Special Forces seaborne battalion works together withthe Seaborne Brigade of the 1st Infantry (Tabak "Machete") Division. Both Army seaborne units arebased in Sulu near the Spratly islands.

Philippine Air Force RDU - The rapid deployment force of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is the 710thSpecial Operations Wing divided into ten (10)-man airborne attack teams. Supporting units include theAir Commando Squadrons of the 15th Strike Wing under the Tactical Operations Command. Itsofficial mission is to "conduct contingency operations against hostile elements".

Philippine Defense Reform Program

The Philippine Department of National Defense and the AFP are currently undertaking comprehensive,integrated and long-term efforts to further boost the capability of the Philippines military to respond andaddress the multi-front fight against various security threats, particularly terrorism and insurgency. Thisinitiative is under the rubric of the Philippine Defense Reform Program or PDR, which has beenongoing since 2003. The PDR has eight (8) component thrusts:

1. IMPLEMENTATION OF A STRATEGY-DRIVEN, MULTI-YEAR DEFENSE PLANNINGSYSTEM (MYDPS)

A planning, programming and budgeting system that will undertake multi year defense planning willenhance defense resource management in the DND and the AFP. It will enforce fiscal responsibility byenabling the DND and the AFP to outline specific strategies, define objectives, identify neededcapabilities and resources to be provided under anticipated financial limits.

2. IMPROVEMENT OF OPERATIONAL AND TRAINING CAPACITY

Improvement of operational and training capacity of the AFP enjoys a high priority in thecomprehensive reform agenda for the AFP under the PDR. The backlog of training for the AFP will beaddressed focusing on training for commanders, non-commissioned officers and units. Emphasis willalso be given to the development of doctrines, training and operations of joint forces that involve theutilization of land, maritime and air forces under a unified command.

3. IMPROVEMENT OF LOGISTICS CAPACITY

The lack of needed logistics in the frontlines has been used as an excuse for the practice referred to inthe Feliciano Commission report as “conversion.” evidently, there is a need to improve the logisticscapacity of the AFP to address this.

Improvement of logistics capacity involves the enhancement of operational readiness and reliabilityrates for all platforms and weapons systems as well as the logistics efficiency of key AFP systems. Thiswill entail improvements in planned maintenance and maintenance procedures, supply chainmanagement, automated supply management system, inventory controls and logistics training.

4. IMPROVING OPERATIONAL LEVEL EXPERTISE BY ADDRESSINGORGANIZATIONAL, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCIES(STAFF DEVELOPMENT)

The staff development program of the DND and AFP shall include the development of expertise andmanagement skills in the DND and AFP in critical areas or functions that directly impact on the AFP’scapability to plan, support and execute effective operations.

5. IMPROVEMENT OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Improvement of personnel management systems in the DND and AFP shall include: (1) review andevaluation of personnel policies and personnel management systems; (2) realignment of AFP forcestructure to address strategy, threat and mission; (3) reduction of personnel costs; and (4) automation ofthe personnel management information systems.

6. PLANNING, PROGRAMMING AND EXECUTION OF A MULTI-YEAR CAPABILITYUPGRADE PROGRAM FOR THE AFP

As previously discussed, for the mid-term, the 6-year AFP capability upgrade program for the AFP willfocus on the basic requirements of the AFP to improve its capabilities in fulfilling its missions in pursuitof its internal security operations.

7. OPTIMIZING THE DEFENSE BUDGET AND IMPROVING MANAGEMENT CONTROLS

This will feature needed improvements in the generation of requirements for planning, budgeting for theDND and AFP as well as the creation of structures and systems for oversight within the DND and theAFP major services to manage resources and requirements from planning to execution.

8. CREATING A PROFESSIONAL ACQUISITION WORKFORCE AND ESTABLISHING ACENTRALLY MANAGED DEFENSE ACQUISITION SYSTEM

A defense acquisition system will be established in the DND and the AFP manned by a competent andprofessional acquisition workforce capable of requirements generation, planning, accountability,reporting and acquisition. The defense acquisition system will be capable of evolving effectiveacquisition strategies, and policies as well as efficient processes and organizations. In preparation for thetransition, the DND and AFP shall establish mechanisms and structures that will serve as precursors forthe establishment of a defense acquisition system.

9. INCREASING CAPABILITY OF THE AFP TO CONDUCT CIVIL MILITARYOPERATIONS

To diminish the underlying socio-economic conditions and spur development in the countryside, theDND and AFP shall support efforts of the government that will facilitate the entry of economicenterprises in conflict areas. The DND and AFP will also encourage government departments andagencies 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 theenhancement of convergence of government efforts at addressing the root causes of the insurgency.

10. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Information management shall support and enhance the decision-making system of the DND and AFPthrough management of information, information systems and technologies. It aims to establish anenterprise information system that efficiently facilitates the flow of information and knowledge, and thatenhances information-sharing while assuring security and relevance, in order to ensure right decisions.Two important steps in this undertaking will be establishing an effective strategic framework; and,

assuring that information being used is interoperable, interrelated, timely, available, secure, and thatoperations, systems and technology are addressed and conform to the existing standards.

The overall direction of the PDR is to enhance DND and AFP capabilities from a strategic andcomprehensive perspective. The PDR will provide institutional, structural and systemic reforms that willaddress 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 severalcountries that have undertaken similar reform measures in the past.