MILITARY ORGANIZATION

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recognizes the constitution of the Republic of
the Philippines as the legitimate expression of the peoples will. It is mandated to serve and
protect the people and secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of its national territory
from internal and external threats. Therefore, the AFP pledges allegiance to the Filipino people,
adheres to the principle of supremacy of civilian authority over the military at all times and vows
to uphold and defend the constitution.
MILITARY ORGANIZATION
It is defined as a group of persons or units bonded together to perform military functions
with definite responsibilities and duties assigned to each individual.
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND
In any organization, flow of authority and responsibility is of utmost importance. It
enables an organization to function smoothly. And thus, everything that has to do with the
operation of the group must pass through channels. In the military point of view, effective
management of the groups is shown through the chain of command.
The President (Commander-in-Chief)
Secretary of National Defense
Chief of Staff, AFP
Major Service Commanders (PA, PN, PAF)
Unified Command Commander (NOLCOM, SOLCOM, WESCOM, VISCOM, WESTMINCOM,
EASTMINCOM)
Division Commanders
Brigade Commanders
Battalion Commanders
Company Commanders
Platoon Leaders
Squad Leaders/Team Leaders
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
The Department of National Defense (DND) is located at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, EDSA,
Quezon City.
The DND is the agency under the Executive Branch of the government which is
responsible for the supervision of the national defense program of the country. To accomplish
this mission, it has executive supervision over the bureaus, offices and services that are placed
by the President under its jurisdiction.
MISSION OF DND

2.
3.

1.
To support and defend the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines against
all enemies both foreign and domestics.
To ensure, by timely and effective action, the security of the RP and of vital interest.
To uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the RP.
4.
To safeguard the internal security of RP.

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

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In line with the accepted concept of civilian authority over the military and as provided in
our Constitution, the President is the Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. The President exercises strategic direction through the Secretary of National
Defense and exercises the same through the Chief of Staff, AFP who directly represents him.
MISSION OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.

3.
4.

1.
To uphold the sovereignty, support the constitution and defend the territory of the
RP against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
2.
To advance the national aims interests and policies.
To effectively plan for the organization, maintenance, development and
employment of its active and reserve forces for national security.
To perform such other duties as the President may direct.
STATEMENT OF BASIC FUNCTIONS
1.
The Chief of Staff, AFP is the highest military officer in the AFP. Being the
Commanding General of the AFP, he exercises command over all elements of the organization. He
executes the Presidents command functions in relation to military strategy, tactics and operation.
He is the immediate adviser of the SND and is responsible for the planning, development and
examination of the National Defense Program.
2.
The Vice Chief of Staff, AFP VCSAFP is the Deputy Commanding General of the
AFP. He assist the Chief of Staff and performs his function during the latters absence or inability
to perform.
3.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP DCSAFP is designated by the CSAFP and
exercises general supervision over the Joint Staff and Special Staff (Administrative and
Technical).
4.
Secretary of Joint Staff, AFP the SJSAFP is the executive officer of the CSAFP,
VCSAFP and DCSAFP. He is the secretary of the Joint Staff.
a.

The Joint Chief, AFP:

The general staff of the AFP is known as the Joint Staff, AFP (JSAFP). It is
composed of the CSAFP, the VCSAFP, the DCSAFP and the heads of the Joint Staff Divisions.
Following are the different Joint Staff Divisions:
1

6
8

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Administration, J1

2
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2
3
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3
4
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4
5
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics and
Information
J6
7
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operation, J7
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Reserve Force Development, J8
b.

System,

The Special Staff:

The Special Staff for the AFP consist of the two staff groups, which advise
the CSAFP on matters pertaining to their specialized fields of service or activity.
1)

The Administrative Staff

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f)
i)

a)
The Inspector General (TIG)
b)
The Adjutant General (TAG)
c)
The Judge Advocate General (TJAG)
d)
The Chief, Chaplain Service (TCCHS)
e)
The Chief Finance Service (TCFS)
The Chief Provost Marshal General (TCPMG)
g)
The Chief Special Services (TCSPS)
h)
The Chief Historical Activities (TCHA)
The Chief Doctrines Development (TCDD)
2)

The Technical Staff

a)
b)

c)
d)
e)
f)
c.

The Chief of Engineers (TCE)

The Quartermaster General (TQMG)
The Chief, Communication, Electronics & Information
Service (TCCES)
The Surgeon General (TSG)
The Chief Dental Service (TCDS)
The Chief Nurse (TCN)

The AFP Wide-Support and Separate Units

Directly under the CSAFP are a number of separate units called the AFP
Wide Support and Separate Units (AFPWSSU). These units perform specific function and services
for the whole armed forces.

9)
11)

1)
GHQ & HSC
2)
Presidential Security Group (PSG)
3)
Philippine Military Academy (PMA)
4)
Joint Command and Staff College (JCSC)
5)
AFP Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM)
6)
AFP Logistics Center (AFPLC)
7)
Intelligence Service, AFP (ISAFP)
8)
AFP Medical Center (AFPMC)
AFP Communications, Electronics and Information System
(AFPCEIS)
10)
AFP Finance Center (AFPFC)
AFP Commissary and Exchange Service (AFPCES)
12)
Civil Relation Service, AFP (CRSAFP)
MISSION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AFP
The mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is: To protect the people and secure
the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory.
The following are the functions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines:
1)
Uphold the sovereignty, support the Constitution and defend the territory of
the Republic of the Philippines against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
2)
Promote and advance the national aims, goals, interest and policies.
3)
Organize, maintain, develop and deploy its regular and reserve forces.
4)
Perform other functions as provided by law or assigned by higher
authority.
MAJOR SERVICES OF THE AFP

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The armed force is composed of the Regular Force and the Reserve Force. The regular
force consists of the regular officers and men and a percentage of reserve officers and personnel
called for or to active duty. The AFP has three Major Services namely:
1.
2.
3.

Philippine Army
Philippine Navy
Philippine Air Force
AFP ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
AFP

PA

PN

Major Services

PAF

Area Commands
WESTMINCOM

NOLCOM

SOLCOM

VISCOM

EASTMINCO
SOUTHCOM
M

WESCOM

AFP-Wide Support Separate Units

GHQ/HSC

PSG

PMA

AFPCEIS

AFPJCSC
AFPJCSC

AFP
RESCOM
RESCOM

AFPCEIS

LOGCTR

PASAFP

ISAFP

AFPMC

AFPFC

MISSION OF PHILIPPINE ARMY

To conduct prompt and sustained ground operations to accomplish the AFP mission.
CAPABILITIES
1.
2.
3.
4.

Organize, train and equip army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustain combat operation on
land.
Develop doctrines, procedures, tactics, organization & equipment peculiar to the army.
Develop in coordination with other major services, doctrines, procedures, tactics and equipment
of interest to the army for joint operations.
Provide an organization capable of furnishing adequate, timely and reliable intelligence for the
army.
5.
Organize, train and equip all army reserve units.
MISSION OF THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE
To conduct prompt and sustained operations in the air especially those forces needed to
defend the Philippines against air attacks, to gain air superiority and control vital air areas.

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CAPABILITIES
1.
Organize, train and equip air forces for close support of surface troops.
2.
Develop doctrines, procedures, tactics organization and equipment peculiar to air
force for unit-service operations.
3.
Develop in coordination with other major services, doctrines, procedures, tactics
and equipment of interest to the air force for joint operations.
4.
Furnish aerial photography for cartographic purposes in coordination with other
government agencies.
5.
Perform such other functions as the President may direct.
MISSION OF PHILIPPINE NAVY
To organize, train, equip, maintain and operate naval forces, aircraft and other naval units
necessary to provide the water borne support required by the AFP in accomplishment of its
mission.

CAPABILITIES
1.
Assist proper government agencies in the enforcement of laws and regulations
pertaining to navigation, immigration, custom revenue, quarantine and fishing in the territorial and
contiguous water of the Philippines.
2.
Develop doctrines, procedures, tactics, organization and equipment peculiar to the
navy for uni-service operations.
3.
Perform such other duties as the President may direct.
MISSION OF ARESCOM
To develop, organize, train, equip and administer a high competent mobilize able reserve
force as an integral component of the total army in the defense of the state and to participate in
socio-economics development effort of the government.
CAPABILITIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10

Administer reservists.
Provide ready reserve force.
Conduct informal assembly.
Sustain the production of reservists.
Assist in relief and rescue operations during disaster and calamities.
Assist the local government units.
Assist in socio-economic activities.
Assist retirees and veterans.
Support the internal security operations in terms of intelligence collection and civil
military operations.
Support the Berdeng Pilipinas Program of PGMA.

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PHILIPPINE ARMY ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

PA

Combat Units

INF DIV

HHSG
SOCOM

MechABDe

Combat Support Units

SG, PA

CAG

ISG

525ECBn

Engr Bde

Service Support Units

TRADOC

AREO

ASCOM

ARESCOM

AMIC

SSU

VICECOM

CS

RMISO

PED

ATC

HQS BN

NCR

HSCOY
CDC

RES Units

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ROTC UNIT

PAFC

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