HANDOUT

CHAPTER 1
THE OPERATIONAL IMPERATIVE

“The profession of arms, as a noble calling, demands from its members not
only specialized knowledge and skills but also a distinct lifestyle governed by a
commonly held belief system containing non-negotiable enduring core values of
honor, loyalty, valor, duty and solidarity..."

AFP Code of Ethics

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) exist to conduct operations in

defense of the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of the Philippines and to
support all initiatives for national development. Within the AFP, the Philippine Army
is the largest of the armed services and is tasked to organize, train, equip and
provide ground forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained security operations,
independently or jointly with the other armed services, to achieve the defined
mission whether in war or in peace.

The choice of committing his life to service in the Philippine Army is the first
and only choice the soldier will make on his own. Thereafter, it is his fidelity to the
core values of the Army and its standards of conduct that will preserve the soldier's
life and guide him, as he marches to the beat of the drums reminiscent of all other
soldiers in any army who have walked the path. France's best soldier, General
Charles De Gaulle recognized this when he said:

"Men who adopt the profession of arms submit of their own free will to a law
of perpetual constraint of their own accord. They reject their right to live where they
choose, to eat what they want, to dress as they like. From the moment they become
soldiers, it needs but an order to settle them from this place, to move them to that,
to separate them from their families and dislocate their normal lives. In the world of
command, they must rise, march, run, endure bad weather, go even without food
and sleep, and be isolated in some distant post. They cease to be the masters of
their own fate. If they drop on their tracks and their ashes are scattered in the four
winds, it is part and parcel of their job."

The Philippine Army soldier believes in the Republic of the Philippines. This
belief likewise creates a whole-hearted belief in his task, and confidence in carrying
it out for as long as it is for the welfare of the entire country. This desire for the
welfare of the country binds him with the others in the spirit of camaraderie
recognized as the brotherhood that binds comrades-in-arms. It binds the soldier to
his mission and enables the soldier to triumph over adversity. It cuts through all
ranks and captures the heart of each man whether in command or under him,
unparalleled in any civilian setting, which also leads to responsibility in the collective
tasks undertaken under command.

It is a truism that the Philippine Army soldier will follow an outstanding

commander. When properly led, the Filipino soldier is known to achieve far more
than expected of him. Leadership is therefore an important factor in bringing out the
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best conduct in the field of duty. With his solid sense of patriotism and duty, the
Filipino soldier deserves the best leader. It is leadership that provides the purpose,
direction and motivation to accomplish the mission. Sound leadership is equally vital
to the improvement of the organization. Army leadership begins with a good
foundation of values and attributes that shape a leader's character. These values
propel the Army leader to be effective and competent in performing the mandated
missions. The Army leader is bestowed with the greater responsibility in leading the
charge, and epitomizing the finest traditions of the Philippine Army. The Army leader
not only refers to the Officer Corps but also includes the NonCommissioned Officer
(NCO) Corps. Together, they serve as the catalyst that effects concrete action and,
in the long run, determine the fate of the whole Philippine Army. Through their
synergy, they deliver the country’s success in any battle in all types of conflict, and
pride in any activity.

CHAPTER 2
CORE VALUES

"I want to give an example to my people that, I write not for myself nor for my
glory but for my country. Hence, I prefer truth to fame. May my countrymen also
sacrifice their passions for the welfare of the country, may they not seek their good
in honors, employments, bribes, and adulations but in virtues that distinguish and
adorn free peoples. "

Dr Jose P Rizal

The Philippine Army core philosophy focuses on values that are the basis of
the soldier's daily existence. It is the foundation of all his acts and deeds. These are
the ties that bind. With the country moving forward in nation building, these values
have shown their enduring quality and have provided the soldier with the time-tested
tools for the future.

Section 2-1 Love of Country

Foremost among these values is the soldier's unwavering love for his country.
General Gregorio Del Pilar, when writing in his diary and pondering his fate in
defense of Tirad Pass, was resolute to the end in his love for the Philippines:
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"The General (Aguinaldo) has given me the pick of all the men that can be
spared and ordered me to defend the Pass. I realize what a terrible task has been
given to me. And yet, I feel that this is the most glorious moment of my life. What I
do is done for my beloved country. No sacrifice can be too great .

It is the foremost nature of an Army soldier to love his country. The country is
the land of his birth, the cradle of his people. It is for the country that a soldier
willingly commits to a life of service. This is the highest value that the Filipino soldier
possesses. It is not measured by money or rank or possessions, and it endures
through him and is kept alive by those after him. It is the energy that drives the
soldier as the defender of national sovereignty. He stands by his oath of service with
a stout heart, knowing that even if he is ultimately left standing alone or when dying
in the battlefield, he rests content with the thought that his reason for existence has
been fulfilled. It is this love of country that pervades every citation of valor for
deserving soldiers, valor that further uplifts the spirit of the nation.

Section 2-2 Valor

Valor flows naturally from one's love of country. It is the power and strength,
courage and ability to overcome fear in carrying out one's mission. Courage is
beyond bravery. It is pursuing a mission against all odds. It is calculating but not
suicidal. With courage, you do what is right. Captain Conrado D. Yap, awardee of
the Medal of Valor showed how:
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On 22 April 1951, overwhelming superior forces assaulted the PEFTOK

position resulting to the capture of Lt. Artiaga's position with many killed, wounded
or captured. Captain Yap in a desperate effort to rescue the lost unit, ordered
covering fire from the unit under his command and personally led a counter-attack
to regain the hill position and rescue the beleaguered unit, despite receiving
authority that he may withdraw. He succeeded in recovering the body of Lt. Artiaga
and three enlisted men, and proceeded to assault an enemy fire emplacement
about 800 yards away, despite the hail of enemy fire.

It also means moral courage in continuing the fight for a principled cause.
Indeed, it was both the physical and moral courage of the Filipino soldier, whose
fierce resistance against subjugating powers in the past and despite the enemy's
superior arms and number, which defined the road map to independence and to
freedom. Such courage beyond measure exhibited by valiant Filipinos rebelling
against Spanish, American, and Japanese forces determined the course of
Philippine history and provided an important role in shaping the Filipino soldier's
identity. Even beyond valor, one could also see the strong sense of honor that
resonated with the call to arms in the past.

Section 2-3 Honor

Honor is the military's crowning value, the hallmark of military conduct, the
quality of the soldier's consciousness of personal dignity and self worth. From
prelude and campaign to the aftermath, the solider carries his honor in meeting the
military imperative:
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On 06 April 1990, Capt. Arturo B. Ortiz, as Commander of five 12-man joint

teams of SF and CAFGU elements initiated a raid against a large CT camp of about
300 NP A rebels in hinterlands of Murcia, Negros Occidental. Under cover of
darkness, Capt. Ortiz led his troops in a grueling 11-hour cross-country foot march
and dangerously scaled a 1,000-foot steep cliff to infiltrate the enemy territory.
Disregarding personal safety, he darted from one team to another, directing their
line of fire. Risking the cross fires, rushed towards a group of hysterical women and
children and ensured their safety. Lead his men in hot pursuit against rebels, the
troops overwhelmed the enemy and completely overran the 28-hut NP A training
camp. The 2-hour gun battle resulted in 84 terrorists killed, 8 captured, and several
others wounded. Only one was wounded on the government side.

No matter the arena, honor is respected in one's self as in the other. In

outward form, honor is seen in cleanliness of the person, courtesy in manners,
decency in daily living and prudence in the use of personal or country resources. It
shows in the candor, honesty and straightforwardness in speech as well as in
actions. When one leads an honorable life, he is perceived of good reputation;
deferred to because of his credibility and sincerity; and emulated for his uprightness
and transparency in all his dealings. Facts are identified as facts just as one's
opinions are taken for what they are.

Honor also means integrity. Integrity is the foundation of the character that is
embedded in the soldier's thinking, feeling or doing. It is a requirement in both
leadership and esprit-de-corps. It is expected in one and sought for in the other
because it cements the bonds of professionalism between and among commanders
and the men under them. For those in positions of authority, one leads by example
especially in this respect.
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Section 2-4 Loyalty

Loyalty underlies the soldier's Oath of Service. It demands obedience to "the

legal prerogatives of dilly constituted authority and functions of such offices" in the
pursuit of the nation's interests, observance of the Chain of Command, and
compliance with the orders to the best of one's ability as all orders must be obeyed.
Loyalty while itself a cause, reaps the harvest of military unity. It fosters cohesion,
sincere concern for the welfare of each member of the Army and those they work
with, and is best expressed in each member's adherence to the military value
system as herein explained, just as he is bound to follow the rule of law and the
declared policies and principles of the country. But it must not be forgotten that
soldiers must be astute and inquisitive, and therefore the leaders must be equally
prudent and enlightened in their orders.

Loyalty is indivisible. One cannot serve two masters and remain whole in
himself. Well did President Manuel L. Quezon state that, "My loyalty to my party
ends where my loyalty to the country begin.," for it is a continuing allegiance, a
steadfast commitment and an unwavering support of all who serve in the military
service. As the soldier follows, so the leader must faithfully represent his
subordinates' interests, deal with concerns fairly and thoroughly, and ensure their
proper training necessary to maintain his team in combat-ready status. In turn, the
loyalty of those under him comes as a matter of course. For both leaders and
subordinates, loyalty is a continuing quality whether one is off duty or at work
because as in honor, any breach thereof instantly affects both the person and the
organization. In terms of resources, more may have to be committed to repair the
damage done, which otherwise could have been used for equally pressing needs
such as equipment, training and benefits for military personnel. Clearly, loyalty is
both given and earned in the dynamics of the army life and is continuously sustained
by the expression of the foregoing core values, through the conduct expected of a
soldier. Indeed, the soldier is perceived as much through his demeanor as his
dedication to duty, for it is the product of such diligence that armies can be
harnessed at a moment's notice and missions achieved according to the training
and preparedness of each soldier.
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Section 2-5 Duty

Duty is not imposed. It derives its authority from the soldier's steadfast
commitment to the service of the country. Any civilian and any person intending to
join the military service must understand that the soldier's dedication to the military
life is incomparable to a civilian's job, for a soldier makes himself available for duty
at all times. His is not a commercial transaction or a 0800H to 1700H job because
he wills himself to put the interest of the country and the service above all others,
including his own personal agenda. Duty is a continuous process that is cultivated
by both the challenges faced on the job as well as the discipline in the service. Duty
is exercised in peace when in support of all legal initiatives of the civilian authority,
more so in war that may take the very life of the person himself.

While serving as Detachment Commander of Salvacion Patrol Base, 29th IB,

4th ID, during a fierce fire fight against 100 armed communist terrorists at Barangay
Salvacion, Tandag, Surigao del Sur on 30 October 1991, it was steadfastness to
duty that made Staff Sergeant Roy L. Cuenca a model soldier:

Despite being wounded, Sergeant Cuenca ferociously fought the enemy,

rallied his men and ordered strict adherence to fire discipline to conserve
ammunition. Staff Sergeant Cuenca repeatedly repulsed and subdued the enemy's
continued attempts to overrun their detachment. Although outnumbered, he was
able to hold his ground for almost three (3) hours of heavy firefight and was able to
repel the enemy that caused them to withdraw, leaving behind nine (9) dead bodies.

The exacting standard of duty also requires that those in command positions
discharge their responsibilities to the fullest, making the care and interests of their
subordinates of paramount concern within the constraints of discipline, to elicit the
high level of commitment that the service deserves.
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Incorporating the core values means exhibiting conduct in accordance

therewith. Military stature is the Army's brand image.
Any conduct undermining the Chain of Command, the military uniform, and
the soldier is degrading to the profession and damaging to the morale. Every act in
accord with the Philippine Army core philosophy, as explained herein, is unifying for
both the organization as well as the country because of the stability that ensues
from such perception. Indeed, the solidarity of the organization has been continually
tested throughout the years and even more so because of the socio-political
individualized interests that compete for national support.

Section 2-6 Solidarity

Solidarity within the organization is the Army's benchmark for action, growth,
and resilience as it protects the country and nurtures its development. With the
internalization by the soldier of all the core values herein and the ensuing self-
discipline and confidence that follows, solidarity with the organization is achieved.
Solidarity is also as much a manifestation of sound leadership as it is the expression
of a soldier's solid commitment to the service. It is solidarity that powers the smallest
unit to the largest battalion. It was solidarity that enabled a remote 11-man
detachment in San Agustin town, Isabela province, composed of 4 regulars and 7
CAA, to overcome a company-size enemy in Isabela province.

When expanded to cover a national scale, a solid Philippine Army can now
provide a model of action, and the organization can become an effective social
change agent. In this light, the solidarity of the Philippine Army is the soldier's own
protection against threats to its mission, whether internal or external and, by
extension, a formidable opponent to challenges to the sovereignty and the integrity
of the country and a deterrent to those initially intending to commit adverse acts.
Likewise, such solidarity binds the Army to oneness with the aspirations of the rest
of the country and in the manner of conduct befitting a Filipino who is proud of his
country.
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CHAPTER 3
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Section 3-1 Pursuit of Excellence

A soldier powered by the pursuit of excellence is not readily seen, for the
soldier operates in silence though he carries the organization with him. Within each
soldier, there lies the competence necessary to attain outstanding performance in
any place. He has full knowledge of his job; he has proficiency in training, in combat
requirements, in peacekeeping, and in the implementation of national policies for
development. He has the unparalleled wealth of combat experience within the
context of a dynamic security environment. Hence, pursuit of excellence is seen in
the utmost efficiency and maximum use of the soldier's abilities with the prudent use
of resources available to him. It is a continuing goal that, when achieved in any
endeavor, reaps the full confidence, morale, esprit-de-corps, and pride that the
soldier carries as the symbol of the military spirit. Historically, even when reduced to
the barest of fighting paraphernalia, the pursuit of excellence remained constant
such as when the guerillas were recognized for their best weapons: "silence,
invisibility, and speed". In more recent times, the elite unit of the then Scout Rangers
was organized to perform dual roles in tactical intelligence and combat, recognizing
that it was within the individual soldier's capability to be supreme in his field:
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"(General) Ileto geared this concept on the fact that the best weapon in the
unit is the individual himself, thus aiming to develop that individual to be the most
potent weapon. Besides the actual encounters, Ileto considers this a major
accomplishment: the creation in the enemy's mind that there exists a unit that can
penetrate the jungle, the enemy territory."
And as one continually strives to perfect his craft and achieve his mission, the
soldier becomes more confident in his mission and his uniform assumes a whole
new significance.

Section 3-2 Pride in Uniform

In any legitimate army of any sovereign country, the military uniform reflects
one's pride in being the guardian of his country. Each soldier carries the Army on his
shoulders, projecting an image of strength and more suggestively, the core values
for which the Army stands. He also projects humility in such strength and invites
reliance by his fellow countrymen on the Army symbolized by his uniform. The
manner of wearing the uniform is therefore a manifestation of the state of the Army.
It reflects not only the personality and character of the individual soldier but also that
of the whole organization. It is the responsibility of the soldier to take extra care and
use of his uniform and all insignias he carries on them, for it is in this simple ritual
that the soldier is set apart from the rest. Embedded in the uniform is the
extraordinary patriotism and dedication that begets respect and admiration from the
people he serves.
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The uniform is proudly worn with the seal of the Philippine Army that has
captured the essence of the Filipino soldier forged through the crucible of history:

"The present Army insigne contains the historical events descriptive of the
Philippine Army. It is symbolic of the glory and aspirations that remain aglow in the
Filipino soldier's heart to preserve liberty, freedom and democracy in his country.
Present Army patch is basically that of a modified pentagonal shield which signifies
defense, the Army's primary and ultimate mission. As an instrument of defense, it
also strives to destroy internal threats and subversion. It also depicts the
determination of the Filipino people in seeking his identity as a Nation. Within the
shield is a red. equilateral triangle with three stars at its vertices, representing the
three major island groupings Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. At the center of the
triangle is an eight-rayed sun, which represents the first eight provinces that
revolted against Spain.
This triangular emblem, with a white border signifying the Army's foremost
preoccupation with peace, is the historic coat-of-arms of an ancient Filipino script
representing the letter "K", which stands for the Katipunan Army raised by Andres
Bonifacio in the initial struggles for Philippine Independence. It rests on a shield of
green, symbolic of the verdant land over which it exerts its influence. The shield and
the coat-of-arms in turn, lie on a white field symbolic of the purity and loftiness of the
Filipino ideals." (The First 100 Years, Philippine Army, 1997)

The uniform is also the symbol of integrity and discipline in the service; thus,
any damage deliberately done thereto or any soldier appearing in civilian clothing
without authority, or appearing in unclean uniform, or not in the prescribed uniform,
or in uniform but worn otherwise than in the prescribed manner constitute serious
misconduct warranting punishment of equal severity, if only to reinforce the
importance of the profession and the steadfast commitment required of it. This
commitment is also an unconditional acceptance of the discipline that accompanies
the immense responsibility for one bearing arms.

Section 3-3 Discipline

A soldier is a model of self-discipline. As he follows the disciplined path, he

generates the same quality of discipline from those he walks with. In this manner,
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disciplined governance from the Chain of Command is correspondingly achieved

especially since a Philippine Army soldier performs excellently under the tutelage of
an excellent commander. The soldier and ultimately the Philippine Army's energy
come from this unity of disciplined purpose. Thus, the Philippine Army operates in a
uniform and collective manner, requiring a continuous regimen of training, practice,
self-responsible conduct, and complete obedience to authority. Good discipline
conquers fear and the best discipline, which is self-discipline, conquers all. This
means continuing the fight even when alone and to the last man; staying alert when
all others are asleep; and keeping to the objective when all else seems lost. This is
more than being fierce in battle; it is being true to the noble warrior spirit in all of us.

Discipline is equally vital to preservation of life as much as to the success of

military operations, and demands unconditional compliance as its foremost aspect. It
requires that each person in authority must be able to enforce it when necessary
and the follower must, in turn, be confident in following the orders for battle.
Discipline may be rigorous but history has shown that fairness and equality in its
application has and will continue to work in war as well as in peace. And, it is
rigorous training enforced with discipline that kicks in when theory is tested in actual
combat:

"This is the only firefight I've ever been, none of us had experienced it before but
when the battle started, the training just took over." (Corporal
Sierra Leone, September 2000)

Each disciplined soldier generates pride from the people he is protecting.

Many challenges have been resolved with the mere presence of a disciplined array
of soldiers with characteristic military bearing, ready at a moment's notice to
respond to a command from one of equal bearing. It is discipline that is the bedrock
of the military profession just as professionalism enhances and projects the
discipline required to carry out the soldier's mission.

Section 3-4 Professionalism

Professionalism in the military career stands for commitment, knowledge, and

skills and is better expressed in one's attention to duty with the required discipline
and competence. Each soldier is guided by standards of military professionalism
that embody the core values of the Philippine Army and more particularly spelled out
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in issuances of the AFP, and the various branches of government. Professionalism

comes from the soldier's pursuit of excellence; his disciplined performance as to
When, Where and How; the recognition of individual merit; humility where respect is
earned and not coveted; and most of all, humor in being human and in keeping
one's feet on the ground. This prescription comes from a battle-hardened general
who rose through the ranks and consistently believes that military professionalism
can only pave the way for peace rather than insurgency, and stability rather than
conflict in the country.

Professionalism in the soldier gives rise to impartiality, objectivity, and non-

partisanship that is necessary to support common goals for the welfare of the
population. It stresses reliance on competence and ability rather than personality.
Professionalism and uniformity in the military does not breed anonymity that allows
the soldier to get lost in the crowd, but instead fosters the correct perception of the
uniqueness of the soldier's mission. The professional soldier is recognized as fully
equipped to handle threats to the country's security and stability and to be relied
upon for nation building, whether in war or in peace. It is this recognition that spells
the difference between civilian support and rejection of any military initiative.

Section 3-5 Adherence to Law

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is an organization that operates

pursuant to the policy direction of the National Command Authority. As a field of
service of the AFP, the Philippine Army and each soldier is committed to follow
orders that are pursuant to such national policy. Each soldier therefore does not
individually determine how policies of the government will be carried out, for it is the
military leadership in the chain of command that takes responsibility for this.
Moreover, members of the Philippine Army are both citizens and military personnel;
hence all soldiers are subject to the same law and shall uphold the same as part of
their duty of service to the Country. The Constitution, the Articles of War, the various
coded laws, the law on Ethical Standard and Public Accountability, and all other
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general special laws are to be followed as the minimum standard of conduct

expected of a military man.

In case of conflict, the higher military standard of conduct, required under the
same set of circumstances in either system, is always paramount. Likewise, in the
absence of an order or lack of knowledge on how a member of the military shall act
in unfamiliar situations, or in non-traditional roles, or even in the absence of an
order, the value system and the standard of conduct contained herein is to be
consistently followed.

The supremacy of civilian authority places the burden of responsibility for such
policy on the civil government, implemented only by the military upon being
appropriately handed down through the chain of command. The dilemma facing the
Philippine army soldier will occur only if the directive handed down through the chain
of command is patently irreconcilable with the convictions of the soldier tasked with
carrying out the order, such as when military personnel refused to fire on friendly
and unarmed civilians who surrounded them at EDSA in 1986. In this situation, the
propriety of following orders was no longer the issue in the face of the preservation
of civilian life for a rightful cause that had become paramount. Military doctrine
recognizes this reality in its basic doctrine:

"While the military fights wars, it is done so only as an instrument of public

policy which the government initiates. While war is primarily an instrument of
violence, it is subject to limitations as to means, objective, and conduct.// (AFP Basic
Doctrine)

Section 3-6 Deference to Authority

Authority refers to those with the right and responsibility to carry out functions
that affect an entire group. Within the military, authority is evident in the chain of
command, starting with the non-commissioned officer in the most vital role as
implementor, and the succession of Commanding Officers before him through which
commands are progressively issued and implemented at each level of the hierarchy.
Persons in position of authority within the military are entrusted with carrying out the
military operational imperative and discipline ensures this is followed. This should
not be confused with civil authority, which provides the policies to be implemented
by the Army as a whole organization. Military authority is inherent in its position as
well as earned. It is recognition of a soldier's right to command within his level of the
military organization. It is also a factor of solidarity for when one leads with
distinction; his success carries all of his men. Military ceremonies, traditions,
customs and practices honor the chain of command and show the best side of
discipline exhibited by the soldier.
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Deference to civil authority is likewise required of the soldier as a function of

his responsibility, for it is his response that can either influence the outcome of a
critical situation or even determine the stability of the authority in power. In this
respect a soldier, despite being confined by the bounds of his mission, can rely on
civilian authority to the extent that life is preserved and the goal is achieved. While
instances may arise wherein such deference may result in unwarranted results, a
professional soldier acting in accordance with the Philippine Army's core philosophy
can and will be able to carry the responsibility for decision made in the course of
duty and as required by circumstances. It is his professionalism that will be his
protection and his guide for action. By being true to himself and to the people he
serves, the soldier can thus face the conflict of ideas and actions that normally
characterize daily life, for his mission is lofty yet simple, profound and yet workable
in the daily crucible of life.