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AFP History

The document provides a history and overview of the command structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). It discusses: [1] key events in Philippine history that influenced the development of the AFP, including resistance against foreign invaders; [2] the three main branches of the AFP - the Army, Navy, and Air Force; [3] the six Unified Commands that the AFP operates under; and [4] the current AFP Chain of Command led by the President as Commander-in-Chief.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
565 views3 pages

AFP History

The document provides a history and overview of the command structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). It discusses: [1] key events in Philippine history that influenced the development of the AFP, including resistance against foreign invaders; [2] the three main branches of the AFP - the Army, Navy, and Air Force; [3] the six Unified Commands that the AFP operates under; and [4] the current AFP Chain of Command led by the President as Commander-in-Chief.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Junior Business High School Department

AIR FORCE CITIZENSHIP ADVANCEMENT TRAINING – 1


PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
25 OCTOBER 2019

History and Command Structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines


1. History

1.1. Battle of Mactan

The Battle of Mactan took place on the 27th of April, 1521. Lapu-lapu, the ruler of Mactan, killed Ferdinand Magellan, a
Portuguese explorer who led the Spanish exploration in the East Indies. Because of this, Lapu-lapu is thought to be the
father of the Armed Forces of the Philippines because he led the first fight against foreign invaders. This is the first
recorded resistance to foreign powers that happened in the Visayas.

1.2. Spanish Occupation

Spain ruled over the Philippines for 377 years, and more and more Filipinos are expressing their outrage against Spanish
occupation. On 7 July 1892, Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Army, founded the Katipunan, a group that
sought the Philippine independence from Spain. On 23 Aug 1896, the Cry of Pugad Lawin happened which signaled the
start of the Philippine Revolution.

Rajah Soliman, a Muslim leader, led efforts to resist Spaniards’ efforts to land in Manila in 1570. Diego Silang led an
uprising which displayed his military tactics in defeating Spaniards.

Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and Jose Rizal are propagandists during the time of Spanish Occupation that
nurtured national spirit and patriotism.

Katipunan was deeply divided into two factions, Magdiwang, led by Andres Bonifacio, and Magdalo, led by Emilio
Aguinaldo.

The Tejeros Convention was held in order to solve this deadlock. The Convention was held on March 22, 1897, in Cavite.
Tejeros Convention is thought to be the first presidential election in the country, however the vote is only available for
Katipuneros, and not to the general populace. According to some sources, there were allegations of fraud during the
vote.
1.3. American Influence

On 23 April 1898, the Spanish-American war began. To solve this dispute, the Treaty of Paris was signed on 10 December
1898 and Spain was forced to cede its territories – Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. This
transfer was made even though Aguinaldo declared independence on 12 June 1898. Americans felt that the Philippines
is in a lucrative position for economic activities and so, they strengthened their influence. Emilio Aguinaldo was captured
by the American forces on 23 March 1901. General Malvar laid down arms in 16 April 1902, signaling the end of Filipino
resistance against the Americans. During this time, the Philippine Navy was formed on 22 June 1898.

1.4. Commonwealth of the Philippines


The Philippine Constabulary was formed on 8 Aug 1901, it was formed by the American forces to replace the Spanish
Guardia Civil. The Philippine Military Academy was then formed on 25 October 1898. On 21 December 1935, the
National Defense Act was ratified, consolidating the different forces and officially forming the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. The Philippine Air Force was later formed on 1 July 1947.

1.5. Japanese Occupation


Japanese strikes caused the fall of Bataan on 9 April 1942, and the Corregidor on 6 May 1942. The Japanese invasion
started 10 hours after the Pearl Harbor bombing on 8 December 1941. General of the Army (US) Douglas MacArthur was
ordered out of the country as the Commander, United States Army Forces in the Far East. He finally left the Philippines

UPHMO-JHS-ADM-335/rev1 AFCAT – 1 Program of Instruction - Page 1


Junior Business High School Department

on March 1942 and went to Australia, where he assumed the position of Supreme Commander, Southwest Pacific Area.
He promised to come back to the Philippines and he did, on 20 October 1944, in Leyte Gulf.

2. Major Service Branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

2.1. Philippine Army – Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas

The Philippine Army, or Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas, is the oldest and largest service branch of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. The Army is responsible for ground/land warfare. Founded on 22 March 1897, the same day as the Tejeros
Convention was held, the Philippine Army stands strong at 122 years since its founding.
Current Active Personnel: 98,400
Reserve Personnel: 120,000
Headquarters: Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
2.1.1. Objectives of the Philippine Army

Organize, train and equip Army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained combat operations on land;

Prepare such units as may be necessary for the effective prosecution of national defense plans and programs and Armed
Forces mission, including the expansion of the peacetime Army component to meet any emergency;

Develop, in accordance with the other major services, tactics, techniques and equipment of interest to the Army on field
operations;

Train, organize and equip all Army reserve units; and

Perform such functions as the higher authorities may direct.

2.2. Philippine Air Force

The Philippine Air Force is the smallest and youngest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is responsible for
aerial warfare and is therefore the guardian of the skies of the Philippines.
Founded on 1 July 1947, the PAF is headquartered at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City and currently has 247 aircraft and
16,000 personnel.

2.2.1. Objectives and Functions of the Philippine Air Force

Organize, train and equip forces for prompt and sustained air operations for the defense of the Philippines;
Organize, train and equip forces for airlift, airborne and tactical air operations unilaterally or in coordination with surface
forces;
Formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures, strategies, tactics and techniques for
operations peculiar to the Air Force;
Organize, train and equip all Air Force reserve units; and
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authority.

UPHMO-JHS-ADM-335/rev1 AFCAT – 1 Program of Instruction - Page 2


Junior Business High School Department

2.3. Philippine Navy


The Philippine Navy is the branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines responsible for naval warfare. The Navy was
founded on 20 May 1898, and is currently headquartered at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Manila. It shares the
responsibility of guarding our waters with the Philippine Coast Guard, a formerly attached unit who is now attached to
the Department of Transportation (DoTr)
Current Active Personnel: 25,370 (including 7,500-strong PMC)
Reserve Personnel: 15,000

3. Unified Commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines


Unified Commands Headquarters
AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac
AFP Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena, Quezon
AFP Central Command (CENTCOM) Camp Lapu-lapu, Cebu City, Cebu
AFP Western Command (WESCOM) Puerto Princesa, Palawan
AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Panacan, Davao City
AFP Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Camp General Navarro, Zamboanga City

4. AFP Chain of Command


Name Position Tenure Service
President President, Republic of the Philippines 30 June 2016 - present Executive
Rodrigo Roa Duterte Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the
Philippines
Vice President Vice President, Republic of the Philippines 30 June 2016 – present Executive
Maria Leonor Gerona Member, National Security Council
Robredo
Secretary Secretary, Department of National Defense 30 June 2016 – present Executive
Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana
Lieutenant General Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the 24 September 2019 – PH Army
Noel S. Clement Philippines present
Vice Admiral Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the 21 June 2019 – present PH Navy
Gaudencio C. Collado, Jr. Philippines
Lieutenant General Commanding General, Philippine Army 15 October 2018 – present PH Army
Macairog S. Alberto
Vice Admiral Flag Officer-in-Command, Philippine Navy 19 December 2018 – PH Navy
Robert A. Empedrad present
Lieutenant General Commanding General, Philippine Air Force 21 December 2018 – PH Air Force
Rozzano D. Briguez present
It should be noted that officially, the Vice President of the Philippines has no official duties inside of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines. However, as Vice President, the titleholder is a member of the National Security Council, an advisory
council that advises the Chief Executive on matters relating to domestic, foreign and military policies with regards to the
general national security.

UPHMO-JHS-ADM-335/rev1 AFCAT – 1 Program of Instruction - Page 3

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