Name: TAKINAN, Crismar T.

Course: BSA-CS1
Date of submission: 10/0921
Submitted to: Ma’am Precious Joy Agustin

Instruction: Identify and fill in the blanks.

PHILIPPINE MILITARY HISTORY

1. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AFP

Pre-Spanish Occupation
The first recorded organized resistance against foreign aggressor took place in
the Visayas during the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, when the native chieftain
named Lapu-Lapu, the acknowledge father of the AFP fought against the Spaniards led
by Magellan in the latter’s effort to subdue the former. Lapu-Lapu refused to pay
homage to the King of Spain. Underestimating the capability of the natives, the
foreigners lost in the battle and Magellan was killed.
Spanish Occupation
Some islands of the archipelago were successfully occupied by the Spaniards. In

1570, they tried to land in Manila, however, t h e M u s l i m l e a d e r , Rajah Soliman

resisted their effort. In 1571, Legaspi conquered Manila and made it as the capital of the
Philippines.
Pockets of rebellion took place. Notable of which was the uprising led by Diego
Silang where he displayed his exemplary military leadership style and tactics in
defeating the Spaniards.
The Filipino soldiers were also organized to fight for Spain and to support some
expeditions. Filipino forces were also sent to reinforce Spanish troops during the
Chinese revolt in 1603.
General Jose Prim Dethroned Queen Isabela II of Spain in 1868. The latter
espoused liberal principles of democracy. This paved the way for the exposure of the
Filipinos in foreign culture leading to the development of strong sense of nationalism
among Filipinos. The works of famous propagandists Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Garciano
Lopez Jaena a n d Jose Rizal further nurtured the national spirit. Andres Bonifacio,
who is considered as the father of the Philippine Army, founded a more radical group
called the “Katipunan” on 7 Jul 1892. On August 23, 1896, the “Cry of Pugad Lawin”
signaled the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. This was followed by
pockets of rebellion which inflicted so much loss to the Spaniards. While Katipunan was
gaining strength, two factions emerged –the MAGDALO led by Aguinaldo a n d t h e
MAGDIWANG l e d b y Bonifacio. On 22 Mar 1897, the Tejeros Convention was
called to resolve the conflict between the two factions. As a result, Aguinaldo won the
presidency. The occasion also gave birth to the Philippine Army.
 American Influence
As the war broke out between the United States and Spain on April 23, 1898, the
Americans convinced the Filipinos to cooperate with the Americans against Spain with
the promise that the United States will grant independence to the Philippines.
Aguinaldo declared war against Spain. On June 12, 1898, the Philippine Independence
from Spain was declared in Kawit, Cavite. Later on, the Philippine Navy was created 22
June 22, 1898, by the Revolutionary Army.
The occupation of the American forces did not gain much acceptance from the
Filipinos because of many restrictions imposed to the Filipino forces as to access to
some areas. The harsh treatment by the Americans ignited the conflict between them
and the Filipinos. The latter were defeated which led to the fall of the Malolos Republic.
With the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States.
Finding the archipelago as a lucrative place for some economic activities, the United
States strengthened their presence in the Philippines. This prompted the Filipinos to
again unite and fight for the freedom they have just won. Significant battles followed suit
exemplifying the fighting spirit and skills of the Filipino soldiers against formidable
opponents. The capture of General Aguinaldo by the Americans in Palanan, Isabela in
March 23, 1901 and the laying down of arms of General Malvar in April 16, 1902 ended
the organized resistance against the American forces.
To hasten the Philippine campaign and to establish peace and order, an insular
police force known as the Philippine Constabulary was organized on August 8, 1901
followed by the establishment of the Philippine Military Academy on February 7, 1905.
On December 21, 1935, the National Defense Act was enacted which officially
created the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Philippine Air Force was later
established on July 1, 1947

The Japanese Occupation

Consequent to the declaration of war by Japan with the United States, the
invading Japanese Forces landed in Vigan and Appari in Luzon on December 10,
1945. Un-able to withstand the very strong adversary and to save more lives and
properties from destruction, the combined military forces of the United States and the
Filipinos withdrew to Bataan for the implementation of War Plan Orange. Un-abated
Japanese strikes caused the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, and Corregidor on May
6, 1942. These events ended the organized resistance against the Japanese invasion.
The defeat of the Fil-Am forces did not end the armed struggle in the Philippines.
Those who refused to surrender went underground and waged a guerilla fighting
against the Japanese. The activities of the guerilla forces were very instrumental in the
successful come back of the liberating US Forces under Gen. Douglas McArthur who
landed in Leyte on October 20, 1944.

International Peace Keeping Operations

It is also noteworthy that the AFP had participated in international peace keeping
efforts as its commitment to the United Nations such as the Philippine Expeditionary
Force to Korea (PEFTOK) in the early 50’s, the Philippine Air Force Contingent in
Congo, Africa in the early 60’s and the Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) in
South Vietnam in the 60’s. Philippine contingents were also sent to East Timor, Iraq and
Liberia to participate in UN peace keeping operations.
2. EVOLUTION AND ROLE OF THE ROTC IN THE PREVIOUS WARS
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program has gone a long way in the

Philippine history. The Commonwealth Act No 1 otherwise known as the National

Defense Act provided the legal basis for the conduct of ROTC instruction, the need for a
citizen reserve force had been realized as early as before the American occupation of
the Philippines. In fact, it was utilized even during the long and arduous Spanish
colonial rule in the archipelago. A military training course, that time, became inevitable
in the light of the constant
As the result of the so called Seven Year’s War in Europe between France and
Great Britain , a British flotilla of thirteen ships, headed by Admiral Samuel Cornish
and General William Draper, arrived in the Colony on September 22,1762. The
Philippines got entangled in this European power struggle because the monarchs of
Spain and France both belonged to the Bourbon Dynasty. On the one side where the
combined French and Spanish forces together with their colonies; on the other, the
rising tide of British colonialism in Asia. In retaliation for this entanglement, a military
expedition from Madras was sent to India, then a British colony.
Spanish authorities in the colony were ill- prepared for such kind of international
assault. During this tumultuous period, the Philippines was headed by Archbishop
Manuel Rojo, a situation clearly indicative of the unstable political situation in the
archipelago. Father Domingo Collantes, OP, Rector and chancellor of the University of
Sto Tomas, organized a group of around two hundred (200) students from UST and
Colegio de San Juan de Letran who underwent military training at Sto Tomas Plaza in
Intramuros, Manila. Father Collantes was assisted by a sergeant in the Royal Spanish
Army in setting up a battalion of young students for military instruction.
These students were immediately sent to action together with 500 Hispano-
Filipino regulars (in the King’s Regiment) and 80 Filipinos to counter the 7000 strong
British Regiment . Though obviously mismatched against the British force, the ragtag
force assembled by Spanish authorities was able to somehow temporarily ward - off the
advancing enemies. Their skirmish lasted for five days, and the defenders suffered
much in terms of the number of casualties and injuries. Realizing the futility of
continuous fighting, Governor-Archbishop Rojo surrendered Manila and Cavite to
Lieutenant General Dawsonne Drake on October 6, 1762. Though not so well known in
the Philippine history, our country did become a British colony for a while until June
1764. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763, the Seven Year’s
War ended and the British consequently left the archipelago for good.
Despite this debacle, the Spanish king duly recognized the courage and bravery
these students exhibited in the battlefield. Henceforth, he granted the prestigious titles
“muy leal” (very loyal) to these young defenders and ‘regalia’ (royal) to the institution
to which most of them belonged. Up until this day, the ‘muy leal’ emblem remains part of
the UST ROTC seal. A testament to the unwavering valor and the commendable spirit
once shown in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity.
Exactly one hundred fifty years later after 1762, various colleges and universities
in the Philippines would offer military training for their students. According to Brigadier
General Jose Syjuco, author of the Military education in the Philippines, most military
historians marked the year 1912 as the beginning of the genuine ROTC instruction in
the country. In that year, the Philippine Constabulary (PC) started conducting military
instructions at the University of the Philippines (UP) on the old Padre Faura Campus. All
able- bodied male students in all colleges, institutes, and schools of the university were
required to undergo military training that focused initially on infantry and use of rifles.
Appointed as the first military instructor was Captain Silvino Gallardo , who assumed
office in the first semester of 1912. The need for reserve officer was further realized with
the advent of the First World War in Europe, even though the Philippines had no direct
military participation in that international squabble.
In 1912, during the American regime , UP and Ateneo de Manila started to
offer military training. But their graduates could not find a career in military unless they
joined the PC or the Philippine Scouts (PS). Governor General Leonard Wood
encouraged the development of ROTC units, which were quite similar to those he had
organized in the United States, in the Philippines. With representation from the UP
Board of Regents to the US War Department, the services of an American Army officer
were obtained. This officer was later appointed as professor of Military Science.
On March 17, 1922, the Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) was
formally organized in UP. Among the department’s objectives were to: 1) develop
patriotic, physically sound, upright and disciplined citizens; 2) create a corps of trained
officers for the reserve force; and 3) take the lead in fostering the university spirit. On
July 3, 1922, with the first ROTC unit in the country having been organized, formal
military instruction began in UP. Since then, basic course in infantry became
compulsory and a pre-requisite for graduation from the university. On October 26, 1929,
the field artillery unit of UP was organized with the issuance of 75mm field guns. In
1935, a mounted battery unit, equipped with 2.95-inch guns was also put in place.
As a result of these encouraging events, other colleges and universities in Manila
followed suit. Ateneo de Manila, National University, Liceo de Manila, and San Juan de
Letran later formed their ROTC units. These units remained independent from one
another until 1936, when Office of the Superintendent (of ROTC units) of the Philippine
Army was activated to supervise all ROTC units in the country.
Under the American tutelage, Commonwealth Act No. 1 provided the legal
basis for the mandatory citizen military training in the Philippines. The country’s national
defense plan was put into motion by the combined efforts of General Douglas McArthur
and Manuel Quezon. The defense plan envisioned an organization on citizen army
consisting of two major components: 1) a regular force of about 10,000 men (including
PC) and 2) a reserve force to number 400,000 by end of ten-year period. The second
component was to be accomplished by way of continuing program to train 21-year-old
able bodied men for a period of more than five months. Quezon personally hand-picked
General MacArthur to become the military adviser of the Commonwealth, with the
responsibility of formulating the Philippine Defense system. (Quezon later conferred the
status of “Field Marshall”, the highest military rank known in international usage, on
McArthur). At the opening session of the National Assembly on November 26, 1935,
Quezon re-iterated the need for a defense plan. According to him “Self-defense is the
supreme right of mankind no more sacred to the individual than to the nation, the
interests of which are immeasurably of greater significance and extent . . . In my
opinion, the plan reflects the lessons of history, the conclusion of the acknowledge
masters of warfare and of statesmanship, and the sentiments and aspirations of the
Filipino people. It is founded upon enduring principles that are fundamental to any plan
applicable to our needs,”
On December 21, 1935, the National Assembly approved the plan amid
criticisms it received and the strict opposition mounted by several lawmakers namely
Juan Sumulong and Camilo Osias, and former President Emilio Aguinaldo. One
important provision of the plan stated the “at such universities and colleges as the
President may designate, there shall be established and maintained ROTC units of
such arm and service as he shall specify, where every physically fit student shall be
required to pursue a course of military instruction. “ROTC units in various universities
and colleges, therefore became source of reserve officers. However, a major concern
was that these units had yet to be standardized (although most were yet to be formally
recognized). UP’s ROTC was the first to be officially recognized; the ROTC units of
Letran, UST, De la Salle, Adamson, Philippine Normal School, the Philippine School of
Arts and Trades, San Beda and Siliman were likewise given recognition. By 1937, the
Philippine government had established and recognized seventeen ROTC, most of them
infantry units. UP had a field artillery unit aside from an infantry unit; Adamson and the
Quisumbing schools had chemical warfare units. Furthermore, UP also served as the
training ground for ROTC instructors and a source of basic ROTC training policies.
Under the system, male students had to take a basic two-year course and
attend training on weekends. Those students desiring reserve commission could attend
two more years of advanced weekend training. Completion of the advanced course
made one eligible for a reserve officer commission. However, mandatory training was
not instituted in all colleges. As result, students who did not want to undergo military
training simply opted to transfer to schools who did not have ROTC units. To resolve the
issue, President Quezon issued Executive Order No. 207. By virtue of this directive,
ROTC became compulsory in all colleges and universities with enrollment of a hundred
students or more. This action taken by Quezon was partly in response to the protest
launched by some schools that their enrollment had dropped due to the institution of
ROTC units. By 1941, there were around thirty-three colleges and universities
throughout the country that maintained ROTC units. However, all of these schools
closed down during the Japanese incursion in the Philippines.
Japan’s misadventure in the Philippines had ended, but the service rendered to
the nation by the heroic men of ROTC has turned into a life-long commitment. Even
during the post war era, UP ROTC graduates exhibited here and abroad meritorious
deeds in the service of the Filipino people. On the one hand, they became part of the
government’s effort to solve the problem of insurgency in the country; on the other, they
manned the contingency forces that were sent at the height of the Korean (1950) and
Vietnam (1964) wars.
Less than seventy years have passed since the inception of student military
training in various colleges and universities throughout the country. Times have
changed and the ROTC program has been placed in constant scrutiny, especially in
terms of significance to the importance in today’s reality.
c The ROTC training period was also reduced from two years to one year.
Students can also select any component of the NSTP, thus making ROTC optional.
Female students are also required to undergo NSTP as a prerequisite for graduation for
a baccalaureate degree or two-year vocational courses.
The NSTP has three (3) components namely: the ROTC, which is designed to
provide military training to students to prepare for national defense, the Department of
National Defense (DND) is the lead agency in the implementation of the ROTC
component, Literacy Training Service (LTS), which is designed to train students to
become teachers to school children, out of school youth and other segments of the
society who are in dire need of their service, the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) is the lead agency in the implementation of the LTS component and the Civic
welfare training Service (CWTS), which will involve the students to activities to
contribute to general welfare and betterment of life, the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) is the lead agency in the implementation of CWTS
component. The students can select any of the three (3) components as a requirement
for their baccalaureate degree or two-year vocational course.
Prior to the implementation of the NSTP, the ROTC was a two-year mandatory
training for male college students and also a requisite for graduation in college.
Through the years the enrollment had gone down tremendously. The program also
experienced steady deterioration essentially due to issues and concerns which include
among others graft and corruption, lack of competent, dedicated and committed
instructors and higher student-instructor ratio. Moreover, students do not appreciate the
Program as shown by the high rate of students dropping out or deferring the ROTC
training while many have decided to enroll in the other two components. This has
significantly reduced the number of our reserve force pool who are not only to be readily
available in case of war or national emergency but also to perform relief and rescue
tasks when needed.
As of today, many concerned citizens and school administrators and legislators
alike are advocating for the enhancement of the ROTC program by making the same
compulsory to state colleges and universities. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is
fully supporting this effort. The advocacy is based on the perceived decline in the
appreciation of the youth on the value of patriotism and good citizenship.

AFP CORE VALUES

1. The AFP Core of Values

a. Honor
The members of the AFP believe in honor as the most important virtue
that a soldier must possess. It is in fact considered as more precious than life itself.
Without honor, a man is nothing but a beast. Honor means clean consciousness,
personal dignity, good reputation, unquestionable character. Honor means truthfulness,
sincerity, honesty, credibility. Honor means integrity, a modest but decent life. A
honorable soldier does not lie, cheat, steal, violate moral and ethical codes not tolerate
the violations of the code of honor is the sacred part of the character of a soldier,
violation of which should bring shame.
b. Loyalty
The members of the AFP believe in unflinching loyalty. Thus, we shall
promote the national interest and security as a paramount concern. We shall support
and defend the constitution. We shall be obedient to the duly constituted government.
We shall obey the order of those legally appointed over us. We shall support those who
lead us and those who serve with us.
c. Valor
 We believe in valor as the power and strength, courage and ability to
overcome fear, which enables the soldiers to carry out their mission and to accomplish
what is seemingly impossible. It is more than bravery or ability to endure pain. Valor is
calmness and presence of mind in the heat of battle where danger or death is imminent.
It is the courage to stand for what is right and the perseverance to make it difficult for
others to do wrong.
d. Duty
Despite difficulty and danger, we perform our tasks as order or implied.
Discipline and obedience, we believe that duty is a personal act of responsibility, which
we show by doing all our assigned tasks to the best of our ability.
e. Solidarity
Solidarity is the value that binds us with the rest of our comrades-in-arms.
It is the value that makes us one strong and united organization.

2. Military Culture, Customs and Traditions and Core Philosophies

a. The AFP Organization
The AFP Organization proves that the AFP should be organized in such manner
that it can function effectively to accomplish its mission with minimum cost and
maximum result. The AFP Organization must also promote the active participation of
the people in the defense of the state and in civil assistance projects during disaster and
calamities and national emergencies. This is to avoid creation and manning of new units
that merely duplicates the function of another unit or office, if only to give positions to
the favored general officers or senior field grade officers who have no significant
assignments or if only to generate funds which will be divested for personal use of the
proponents at the expense of the government. The creation of CAFGU Active auxiliary,
the Bantay-bayan and the civilian volunteer organization, not to mention the
development of our reserve units in all the 13 regions of the country are some
organizational reforms embodied in the AFP Organization.
b. Supremacy of the Civilian Authority
Supremacy of civilian authority emphasizes the legal and moral obligation of the
soldier as an ordinary citizen of the republic to obey the laws, carryout directives and
subscribe to regulations enacted and issued by the legislative judicial and executive
branches of the civil government.

c. Chain of Command
Chain of Command deals on the generally accepted principles that a military
action being executed should pass the approval or consent of the Commander at each
level or echelon of command from lowest to highest without bypassing any approving
authority or taking the action upon oneself as his prerogative.
d. Military Leadership
Military Leadership summarizes the significant role of a military leader or
Commander to influence his men to carry out its mission, perform assigned tasks or
fulfill its obligations and functions.
 e. People’s Support
People’s support is a statement of the acknowledgement by the AFP of the vital
importance of people’s support to achieve peace and order. To get people’s support,
the members of the AFP should exercise prudence and justice when dealing with the
civilians. The soldiers should respect and protect the rights of the people, their beliefs,
ways of life and living conditions.
f. National Development
The AFP must be a catalyst of change, reform and development. It must actively
participate in endeavors that will contribute to national progress.
g. Partisan Politics
The members of the AFP shall not engage in partisan politics. Its involvement
shall be limited only to the exercises of his right to vote the candidate of his choices and
to assist in ensuring a clean and honest election.
h. Democracy
The AFP adheres to the principles of democracy. It believes that the Philippine
Government is the embodiment of the Filipino people’s will and was established to
protect their inherent rights and to fulfill their aspirations as a nation.
i. National Interest
The AFP realizes that the protection of national interest is for the common good
of the people. In accomplishing the mission given to AFP it shall keep in mind that
national interests are of paramount concern and must be enhanced and protected.
j. Peace
The AFP believes that program and development can only be attained if there is
stability, peace, and order.

k. War
The AFP believes that war against the enemy of the state shall be resorted to
only when all the peaceful means shall have failed, and no other option is left to resolve
the conflict.
l. Use of Armed Force
When implementing government policies pertaining to security, the AFP must act
with restraint as far as use of force is concerned. When the use of arms is necessary, it
must have the authority of the duly established government.
m. Social Justice
The members of the AFP shall be instrument in the promotion of social justice. It
shall subscribe to the generally accepted principle that all men are created equal and
every citizen must be given the same rights and opportunities in life and equal
protection from the government.
n. Human Rights
The members of the AFP shall respect the inherent rights of an individual as a
“human being”. In the performance of its mission, the troops must see to it that the
lives and properties on non-combatants and innocent civilians are well protected.
 o. Enemies of the State
The AFP shall consider the following as enemies of the state:
1) Those who shall violate the sovereignty of the Philippines such as
foreign aggression whose intention is to occupy and control the national territory or part
thereof.
2) Those who violate the violence as a means to achieve their
ends such as CPP/NPA/Guerillas.
3) Those who shall not accept the supremacy of civilian authority
over the military, such as the coup plotters and participants.
4) Those who shall dismember the country or any part thereof, such
as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and other secessionist groups.
5) Those who shall engage in organized crimes, such as gambling
syndicates, drug pushers, gun runners, hired killers.
6) Those who shall organize the populace for the purpose of alienating their
allegiance from the state such as the national democratic front and the sectoral
organizations under its umbrella.
p. Professionalism
Military Professionalism is the heart and soul of the whole AFP code of ethics.
It emphasizes that being public servants, we in the AFP area expected to perform our
duties and responsibilities with utmost competence and efficiency. Our right to bear
arms as one of the peculiarities of the military service calls for the assurance to the
people that their safety, protection and welfare shall be our paramount concern.
The people expect the AFP to perform its tasks as mandated by the
constitution with the highest degree of excellence by applying expertly the basic and
specialized skills of soldiery while adhering strictly with the code of ethics and all laws
and statutes of the land.

q. Standards
1) Standard of Loyalty
All military personnel shall be loyal and true to the Republic of the Philippines,
the constitution, the AFP and to the people. We are loyal to the republic when we serve
its interest and protect its territorial integrity against the enemy, even if it shall cost our
lives.
2) Standard of Competence
All military must be competent in the performance of his duties. By competence
means the ability or capability to do what is expected him to do and to do it well.
3) Standard of Ethics
Every soldier must conform to the accepted principles of right conduct, being
observed in the society which he is a part, from being a soldier, he is also a citizen of the
community, because the military community is only a part of a larger society – the “Filipino
society”

4) Standard of Morals
 The soldier must be aware that he has the capacity to distinguish between what
is right and what is wrong. To be moral is to do the right things and to avoid the
wrong ones.

r. Unprofessional Acts

These behaviors that fall short of the professional standards as enumerated in

the AFP code of ethics are considered unprofessional acts.

1) Acts of Disloyalty
We are disloyal when we do something or refuse to do something that constitute
betrayal of our country and people, non-support to our duly constituted government and
disregard to the AFP chain of Command. Some disloyal acts are cowardice in the
face of the enemy, desertion or abandonment of post, AWOL, insubordination,
disrespect to superior, bypassing the chain of command.

2) Acts of Incompetence
We are incompetent when we lack the required knowledge, skills, physical
attributes and character traits necessary for the adequate performance of duty and
accomplishment of mission.
3) Unethical Acts
Unethical acts are deviations from the established and accepted ethical and
moral standards of behavior and performance laid down in the AFP code of ethics.
Some of these unethical acts are using government time for outside employment,
sideline, position or authority, unwarranted assertion or rank, tolerating irregularities in
the military service, etc.
4) Corrupt Acts
Corrupt acts are crimes against public interest, public morals, property,
chastity, civil status of person and honor. We are corrupt when we are dishonest, unjust
and commit moral acts.