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AFP REGULATIONS AFPR G 131-013

G 131-013

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City
24 September 1987

MILITARY DISCIPLINE-PERSONNEL

Table of Contents

Paragraph

General ……………………………………………………………. 1
Military Discipline and Courtesy ………………………………… 2
Relationship of Superiors toward Subordinate ………………… 3
Complaints and Redress ………………………………………… 4
Legislative Activities………………………………………………. 5
Political and Business Activities…………………………………. 6
AFP Service……………………………………………………… 7
Prohibitive Acts……………………………………………………. 8
Supersession………………………………………………………. 9

1. General.

a. All persons in the military service are required to obey strictly

and execute promptly the lawful orders of their superiors. Military personnel who
execute manifestly and patently unlawful order of a superior for the consequences of
his acts unless the subordinate manifested his objection to such unlawful order.

b. Exercise of military authority – Military authority shall be

exercised with promptness, firmness, and justice. Trial by court-martial,
administrative proceedings or punishment under Article of War 105 shall not be
resorted to in case of trivial offenses, except the less drastic methods of
administering discipline have been tried but without result. (Offenses which have
already been corrected upon being brought to the attention of the officer concerned
need not be noted on the offender’s record and shall be considered closed incidents).

c. Superiors shall avoid any display of anger or administer

reproofs upon their subordinates in the presence of their juniors.

d. It is the duty of every commissioned officer and non-

commissioned officers to assist in the preservation of good order and discipline in

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the service. He shall make spot corrections for any negligence or impropriety
observed by him among subordinates whether they are on or off duty.

2. Military Discipline and Courtesy.

a. Military discipline is a state of order and obedience existing

within a command that. It involves the ready subordination of the will of the
individual for the good of the group. Military discipline is an extension and
specialized application of the discipline of any organized society. Discipline
demands habitual but reasoned obedience to command an obedience that preserves
initiative and functions unfalteringly even in the absence of the commander.
Discipline is created within a command by training, judicious use of punishment
and reward, and instilling a sense of confidence and responsibility in each individual.
Discipline demands correct performance of duty. The need for discipline is best
inculcated in an individual by appealing to his sense of reason. In instances where
appeal to reason fails, the use of punishment is effective in causing the recalcitrant
individual to conform to and appreciate the need of for discipline. Commendation
and earned praise from senior to his subordinate, either individually or collectively
for a task well done, serve to strengthen the disciplinary bond which bind together
the smooth-functioning team. In dealing with the civilian populace, his conduct
should be in conformity with the norm of social behavior. It should be designed to
win the confidence and support of the people for the Armed Forces.

In short, military discipline is prompt, willing and cheerful obedience

to all lawful orders, and in the absence of an order, to do what one believes the order
would have been.

b. Military Courtesy - Courtesy among military men is

indispensable and characterized the conduct of both officers and enlisted personnel
on all occasions. Respect to superior shall be extended at all times.

3. Relationship to Superiors Towards Subordinates.

Superiors are prohibited from injuring those under their authority by

tyrannical or capricious conduct or by abusive language while maintaining discipline
as well as thorough and prompt performance of military duty, superiors should bear
in mind the absolute necessity of treating their subordinates in such a way as to
preserve their self- respect. Officers and NCOs of all ranks shall adopt such methods
of treatment as well insure respect for authority and promote that sense of mutual
confidence, goodwill and cooperation throughout the service which is essential to
efficiency. They shall be in close touch with the men under command and strive to
build up such relations of confidence and sympathy as will insure the free approach
of their men for counseling and assistance. This relationship may be gained and may
be trained without replacing the bonds of discipline with great benefits of the service
as a whole.

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4. Complaints and Redress.

a. Any military or civilian person in the AFP, who believes to be

a victim of injustice or capricious conduct by his/her superior, may complain to the
next higher superior who shall act or endorse the complaint if meritorious, to the
proper investigating agency, through channels, within 72 hours from receipt thereof.
In case the next higher superior fails to act on the complaint, the complainant may
elevate his complaint directly to the Major Service Inspector or the Inspector
General, AFP. However, any subordinate who files any malicious and /or unfounded
report to harass or embarrass a superior officer shall be subject to disciplinary action.

b. The writing of anonymous letters or complaints by any

member of the military is strictly prohibited and the offenders shall be punished if
discovered.

c. Every effort should be exerted to identify the author of an

anonymous complaint. If after a reasonable period, the author thereof has not been
identified, the case shall be treated in accordance with SOP Nr 13, this Headquarters
dated 24 Sep 76, Subject: Processing of Complaints, Grievances and Allegations of
Irregularities.

d. Complaints charging impositions, maltreatment, or abuse of

office, against officers or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces shall be made the
subject of prompt and thorough Investigation, by the senior officer first apprised of
it. Report of the investigation and recommendations concerning it shall be
forwarded thru proper channels, to the chief of Staff, AFP.

e. Any officer whose character and conduct as an officer and a

gentleman has been publicly impugned may, within thirty days, submit his case to
the Chief of Staff, AFP who shall; should the gravity of the case warrant, order an
investigation. If the allegations are proven unfounded or grossly exaggerated, the
officer concern shall be officially exonerated, and that fact shall be made public
through the press or otherwise.

5. Legislative Activities – Except as authorized by General

Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines, efforts by any person in the active
military service to procure or oppose, or in any manner influence, legislation
affecting the Armed Forces of the Philippines are prohibited.

6. Political and Business Activities.

a. Officers and enlisted personnel are prohibited from instituting

or taking part in meetings, demonstrations, or processions for political or partisan
purposes. Under no circumstances shall they attend such affairs except when they
are required to perform or carry out lawful orders thereat.

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b. Except when properly made by the military person himself,

requests to General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines for personal
favor or consideration for any individual in connection with promotion, assignment
or other official favor by means of political or outside influence are prohibited.

c. No military person on active duty shall take any active part in

the management and operation of any private business nor engage in any vocation or
profession without the prior approval of the Chief of the Staff, AFP, with the
concurrence of the Secretary of National Defense. He shall not permit the use of his
military title or position for the advertisement of any commercial enterprise.

d. All Military personnel are cautioned against maintaining credit

accounts in excess of their financial ability to liquidate within a reasonable time.
Disciplinary measures may be applied by the Chief of Staff, AFP, under the Articles
of War in cases where a military person will fully or habitually fails to honor his
financial commitments.

7. Armed Forces of the Philippines Service – Members of the AFP shall

serve with highest degree of responsibility integrity and efficiency and shall remain
accountable to the people. In war or in peace, they shall always uphold the
supremacy of civilian authority over the military.

8. Prohibited Acts.

a. RA Nr 3019; as amended, and RA Nr 1379 punish certain

acts or omissions of public affairs which constitute graft or corrupt practices.

b. All military personnel are enjoined to keep themselves free

from any position that may put them under suspicion of being influenced in the
discharge of their duties by other than purely public consideration. Officers are
instructed to be scrupulous and exact in all official dealings with contractors,
salesman and agents

c. No military person shall disclose orders, instructions or

official information, except to his superiors or person in the service entitled to such
knowledge; nor shall he use information obtained by him by virtue of his position for
his own personal benefit or gain.

d. Military personnel are prohibited from publishing or

communicating to the press in any form, either directly or indirectly, any military
information or view on any official matter without the approval of the Chief of the
Staff, AFP. Officers or enlisted personnel shall be held liable for statements made in
communications to friends which are prejudicial to the interest of the service and
which may subsequently be made public through the press.

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9. Supersession – AFPR G 131-012 dtd 7 Nov 74 is hereby superseded

effective 14 September 1987.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

OFFICIAL: FIDEL V RAMOS

General, AFP
Chief of Staff

(Sgd) JULIAN M. MAALA

Colonel, PC(GSC)
The Adjutant General

DISTRIBUTION:
“A”

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