Armed Forces of the Philippines

Armed Forces of the Philippines
Original: Armed Forces of the Philippines Vector: Pbrks · Public domain · source
Name	Armed Forces of the Philippines
Native name	Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas
Caption	Flag of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Founded	21 December 1935
Branches	Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force
Headquarters	Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
Commander-in-chief	Bongbong Marcos
Secretary	Gilberto Teodoro
Chief-of-staff	Romeo Brawner Jr.
Age	18–56
Conscription	None (selective service registration under law)
Manpower	143,100 active personnel
Reserves	1,200,000
Domestic suppliers	Government Arsenal
Foreign suppliers	United States, South Korea, Israel, Japan, France
Imports	United States, South Korea, Israel
History	Philippine Revolution, Philippine–American War, World War II, Hukbalahap Rebellion, Korean War, Vietnam War, Martial Law Era, People Power Revolution, Operation Fiery Vigil, Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, Battle of Marawi
Ranks	Philippine military ranks

Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the unified military force of the Republic of the Philippines, tasked with national defense and security. It traces its origins to the revolutionary forces of the late 19th century and was formally established under the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The organization is composed of three main service branches: the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Air Force, all under the civilian authority of the Department of National Defense.

History

The military lineage begins with the revolutionary armies of the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and continues through the Philippine–American War. The modern institution was created by the National Defense Act of 1935 under President Manuel L. Quezon, with Douglas MacArthur serving as its first field marshal. Its baptism by fire came during World War II, with units fighting under the United States Army Forces in the Far East and engaging in the Battle of Bataan and the Battle of Corregidor. Post-war, it contended with the Hukbalahap Rebellion and later participated in international conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The force played a pivotal role during the Martial Law Era under President Ferdinand Marcos and later during the People Power Revolution that ousted him. Recent history includes major counter-insurgency operations and the pivotal Battle of Marawi against pro-Islamic State militants.

Organization

The command structure is headed by the President of the Philippines as Commander-in-Chief, with operational oversight from the Secretary of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The three major service commands are the Philippine Army, headquartered at Fort Bonifacio; the Philippine Navy, including the Philippine Marine Corps, based at Naval Station Jose Andrada; and the Philippine Air Force at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base. The Philippine Coast Guard is a separate service under the Department of Transportation. Unified commands include the Northern Luzon Command, Southern Luzon Command, Visayas Command, Western Mindanao Command, and Eastern Mindanao Command, which oversee joint operations in their respective areas.

Personnel and training

Active personnel strength is approximately 143,100, supported by a large reserve force. Key officer training is conducted at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, modeled after West Point. Enlisted personnel and specialized training are handled by various branch-specific schools, such as the Philippine Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Philippine Navy Education, Training and Doctrine Command. The force also participates in extensive bilateral exercises with allies, most notably the annual Balikatan exercises with the United States Armed Forces, and engages in training with counterparts from Japan, Australia, and the South Korean military.

Equipment

The inventory is a mix of legacy systems and modern platforms acquired through foreign military sales and grants. The army's primary armored vehicles include the Simba and newly delivered Sabrah light tanks. The navy's flagship is the BRP Jose Rizal frigate, with other major vessels including the BRP Conrado Yap and Tarlac-class landing docks. The air force operates FA-50PH Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft, C-130 Hercules transport planes, and AW109 attack helicopters. Primary suppliers include the United States through programs like Excess Defense Articles, South Korea via companies such as Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Israel with systems like the Spike missile.

Role and deployments

Its primary constitutional mandate is to secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of its national territory. This involves internal security operations against communist insurgents like the New People's Army and Islamist groups such as Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. It also asserts the country's claims in the West Philippine Sea, conducting patrols and resupply missions to outposts like the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal. Internationally, it has contributed to United Nations peacekeeping missions in regions like Golan Heights, Liberia, and Timor-Leste. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, such as during Typhoon Haiyan, are also critical functions.

Budget and modernization

Defense spending is guided by the multi-phase Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act, which aims to transition from internal security to territorial defense capabilities. Recent acquisitions funded under this program include the Jose Rizal-class frigates, A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, and BrahMos anti-ship missile systems. The budget is also allocated for base development, including upgrades to facilities on Pag-asa Island and Antonio Bautista Air Base. Funding and strategic support are heavily influenced by security partnerships, particularly the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States and visiting forces agreements with Australia and Japan.

Category:Military of the Philippines Category:Armed Forces of the Philippines