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Philippine Army

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This article is about the Philippine Army of today. For the revolutionary force that existed from March 1897 to November 1899, see Philippine Revolutionary Army.
Philippine Army
Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas
FoundedDecember 21, 1935; 88 years ago (1935-12-21)
Country Philippines
TypeArmy
RoleGround Warfare
Size
Part of Armed Forces of the Philippines
Garrison/HQFort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines
Motto(s)"Serving the People, Securing the Land"
Colors Army Green 
Mascot(s)Musang (civet)
AnniversariesMarch 22, Army Day
Engagements
List
Websitewww.army.mil.ph/home/
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Bongbong Marcos
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines GEN Romeo S. Brawner Jr. PA
Commanding General of the Philippine Army LTGEN Roy M. Galido, PA
Vice Commander of the Philippine ArmyMGEN Leodevic B. Guinid, PA
Chief of Staff of the Philippine ArmyMGEN Ferdinand B. Napuli, PA (Acting)
Army Sergeant MajorCMSgt Rogelio P. Caacbay, PA
Insignia
Flag

The Philippine Army (PA) (Filipino: Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas, lit. 'Land Army of the Philippines') is the main, oldest and largest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), responsible for ground warfare and as of 2021 had an estimated strength of 143,100 soldiers[1] The service branch was established on December 21, 1935, as the Philippine Commonwealth Army. The Philippine Army has engaged in many conflicts including the ongoing Communist rebellion in the Philippines, the Moro conflict and, alongside other national military forces, in conflicts of international scope.

The Commanding General of the Philippine Army is its professional and overall head. Its main headquarters (Headquarters Philippine Army or HPA) is located at Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Background

[edit]
Main article: Military history of the Philippines

Philippine Revolution (1896–1898)

[edit]
Main articles: Philippine Revolution and Philippine Revolutionary Army

After three centuries of Spanish rule there were calls for social reforms and an end to the perceived oppressive friar rule. In 1896, Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan to prepare his band of Filipinos for armed revolt against the Spanish government. The Katipunan formed an army of insurgents.[4]

On March 22, 1897, almost a year after the outbreak of hostilities between the Katipuneros and the Spanish troops, Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as revolutionary president in the Tejeros Convention and revolutionary forces were organized into the Philippine Revolutionary Army (PRA). General Artemio Ricarte was named Captain General. This date marks the founding day of the PRA, and is considered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be the establishment date of the Philippine Army.[5]

On November 1, the Republic of Biak-na-Bato was established, with the PRA as its military arm. That republic was dissolved on December 14 by the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, with Aguinaldo and other senior leadership going into exile in Hong Kong. During the exile period, some elements of the PRA remained active in the Philippines under the Central Executive Committee established by Francisco Macabulos. On May 19, 1898, during the Spanish–American War, Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines, rekindled the revolution, declared independence from Spain, and became President of the First Philippine Republic which was established during the lull following Spanish surrender to American forces in the Philippines.

Philippine–American War (1899–1902)

[edit]
Main article: Philippine–American War
Philippine revolutionary soldiers in 1899.
Philippine Scouts in formation during the American colonial period

The 1898 Treaty of Paris formalized the end of the Spanish–American War, with one of its provisions being cession of the Philippines to America by Spain. Shortly thereafter, the Philippine–American War erupted between that nascent republic and occupying American forces, eventually resulting in American victory and the disbanding of the PRA.

During the final years of the Philippine–American War, with the notable successes by the all-Filipino Macabebe Scouts cavalry squadron (raised in 1899) under U.S. command against the PRA, the American President Theodore Roosevelt officially sanctioned the raising of the Philippine Scouts (PS) as part of the United States Army, with full effect starting from October 1901. Earlier, in August that same year, came the colonial civil government's decision to found the Philippine Constabulary (PC) as the national gendarmerie force for law enforcement. Both of these organizations and their victories over the PRA; the Scouts were integrated into the U.S. Army,[6] and the Constabulary gradually took over the responsibility for suppressing hostile forces' activities from United States Army units.[7] This contributed to ending the conflict in 1902, even as resistance continued (inclusive of the Muslims of the south, resulting in the Moro Rebellion) through 1914.

Starting in 1910, one Philippine Scout soldier was sent to the United States Military Academy each year. Several of these graduates who had served with the Scouts, along with PC officers, formed part of the first officer corps of the revitalized Philippine Army established in 1935.[8]

World War I (1914–1918)

[edit]
Main article: World War I

In 1917 the Philippine Assembly created the Philippine National Guard with the intent to join the American Expeditionary Force. By the time it was absorbed into the National Army it had grown to 25,000 soldiers. However, these units did not see action. The first Filipino to die in World War I was Private Tomas Mateo Claudio who served with the U.S. Army as part of the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe. He died in the Battle of Chateau Thierry in France on June 29, 1918.[9][10] The Tomas Claudio Memorial College in Morong Rizal, Philippines, which was founded in 1950, was named in his honor.[11]

Post-WWI (1918–1935)

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The Philippine National Guard unit of the U.S. Army was deactivated following World War I, then formally disbanded in 1921.[12] During most of the Interwar period, spanning about 20 years from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939, the Philippines had no armed forces other than the Philippine Scouts, the Constabulary, and some semimilitary units which were generally privately organized and had no connection with conventional military forces.[13]

History

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Main article: History of the Philippine Army

Commonwealth Period (1935–1946)

[edit]

The Philippine Army of today was initially organized under the National Defense Act of 1935 (Commonwealth Act No. 1) that formally created the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The act specified that insofar as may be practicable, original appointments by the President in grades above third lieutenant "shall be made from among those formerly holding Reserve Commissions in the United States Army, from among former officers of the Philippine Scouts and Constabulary, from among former officers of the National Guard and from such others who possess exceptional ability or special training and skill."[14][15]

After the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth on November 15, 1935, President Manuel L. Quezon sought the services of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (also Philippine Army Field Marshal) to evolve a national defense plan. The official rebirth of the Philippine Army occurred with the passage of Commonwealth Act No. 1, approved on December 21, 1935, which effected the organization of a Council of National Defense and of the Army of the Philippines. The act set forth the organizational structure of the army in some detail, set forth enlistment procedures, and established mobilization procedures.[14] With this act, the AFP was officially established.

The development of the by now renewed Philippine Army was slow.[16] The year 1936 was devoted to the building of camps, organization of cadres, and the special training of instructors, drawn largely from the Constabulary, which joined the new force as the Constabulary Division. The commander of the Philippine Department provided Philippine Scouts as instructors and detailed U.S. Army officers to assist in the inspection, instruction, and administration of the program. By the end of the year instructors had been trained and camps established.

The first group of 20,000 men was called up on January 1, 1937, and by the end of 1939 there were 4,800 officers and 104,000 men in the reserves.[16] Infantry training was given at camps scattered throughout the Philippines. Field artillery training was concentrated in the vicinity of the U.S. Army's Fort Stotsenburg near Angeles, about fifty miles north of Manila, and specialized training was given at Fort William McKinley just south of Manila. Coast artillery instruction was carried on at Fort Stotsenburg and at Grande Island in Subic Bay by personnel supplied largely by the American commander at Corregidor.

With the threat of war with Japan becoming imminent, on July 26, 1941, a new U.S. command in the Far East was created, known as the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) under the command of General MacArthur. On the same date, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, issued a Presidential Order (6 Fed. Reg. 3825) which called the Philippine Army into the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Presidential Order did not order all the military forces of the Philippine government into the service of the United States Armed Forces; only those units and personnel indicated in orders issued by a general officer of the United States Army were mobilized and made an integral part of the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), and only those members of a unit who physically reported for duty were inducted.[17][18] With an annual appropriation of 16 million pesos, the mobilized units trained new Filipino members in defending the nation and protecting its people.[citation needed]

World War II

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Philippine Scouts operating a 37 mm gun M3 at Fort McKinley.

When World War II broke out in December 1941, two regular and ten reserve divisions of the Philippine Army undertook the defense of the Philippines. These divisions were incorporated into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the command of General Jhun De Silva and General MacArthur.

Japanese forces invaded the Philippines after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu on December 7, 1941. At this time, two regular and ten reserve divisions of the Philippine Army undertook the defense of the Philippines. This included North Luzon Force (under then Major General Jonathan M. Wainwright), South Luzon Force activated December 13, 1941 under Brig. Gen. George M. Parker Jr., the Visayas-Mindanao Force under Colonel W.F. Sharp in the southern islands (61st, 81st, and 101st Divisions plus three other regiments),[19] and the Reserve Force. North Luzon Force included the 11th, 21st, and 31st Divisions, all reserve.[20] South Luzon Force include the 1st (regular) Division, and the 41st, 51st, and 71st (reserve) Divisions.[21] These divisions were incorporated into the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).[22]

The equipment of these units included: Renault FT tank (prewar training only); 75mm SPM (manned by PA and PS personnel); Bren Gun Carrier (ex-Canadian); Canon de 155 mm GPF; Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider[23] 75 mm Gun M1917; 2.95 inch QF Mountain gun; 3-inch gun; 6-pounder naval gun; Stokes Mortar; Brandt mle 27/31; Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP; M2 Browning machine gun; M1917 Browning machine gun; M1919 Browning machine gun; M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle; M1917 Enfield rifle; M1903 Springfield rifle; Thompson submachine gun; and the M1911 pistol.[citation needed]

After the Battle of Bataan, the Japanese began the siege and Battle of Corregidor. Defending forces included regiments of the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays, the 4th Marine Regiment and other Philippine, U.S. Army and Navy units and soldiers. Japanese forces landed at Corregidor on May 5, 1942. The island's fall led to the surrender of all defending Filipino and American forces on May 6, 1942. About 4,000 of the 11,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war from the island were marched through the streets of Manila to incarceration at Fort Santiago in Intramuros and Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Rizal, which had become Japanese camps.

With the fall of Corregidor, Filipino and U.S. forces under U.S. command surrendered. After the surrender, thousands of Filipinos formerly under U.S. command (especially the former Visayas-Mindanao Force, which had seen little combat) evaded Japanese confinement and hid in the jungle. Every major island had guerrilla groups; Luzon had a dozen, including the Communist Huks. After initial clashes based on religious and political rivalries order was gradually restored, with most willing to trust the United States to grant independence in time.[24] Many of these groups worked under the control of General Douglas MacArthur's General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area. The Japanese occupation of the Philippines saw repeated combat between the Japanese imperial forces, their collaborators and Filipino guerrillas. The American and Allied liberation force which began landing on October 17, 1944, was aided by local Filipino soldiers and recognized guerrillas in the liberation of the Philippines.

President Sergio Osmeña and Major General Basilio J. Valdes ordered the re-establishment of the army. The general headquarters of the Philippine Army and the United States Army Forces in the Far East moved to Tacloban, Leyte on October 23. From October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945, local Philippine Constabulary troops, guerrilla units and the American liberation forces fought Imperial Japanese and Kempeitai troops which were supported by the Bureau of Constabulary and Makapili militia.

After the restoration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines on October 20, 1944, President Sergio Osmeña, the government, military officials and cabinet returned from exile in the United States.

After the war, four military areas were activated to take the place of military districts. The Armed Forces were reorganized, thereby giving birth to its four major services. Headquarters National Defense Forces was renamed General Headquarters Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Philippine Army M4 Shermans shortly after the country became independent
Philippine Army M18 Hellcat of the 10th Infantry Battalion during the 1950s

Post-war period

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Former M24 Chaffee Displayed in Capitol Lingayen, Pangasinan
Former M41 Walker Bulldog Tank of the Philippine Army
Philippine Army Special Operations Command (SOCOM) operators with Special Operations Command, stationed at Fort Magsaysay.

Service of the Philippine Army as part of the United States Army terminated as of midnight, June 30, 1946, by authority of General Order #168, U.S. Army Forces, Western Pacific.[18] The next day, on July 1, President Manuel Roxas issued Executive Order No. 94 s. 1947 which, among other things, reorganized the Philippine Army into a service branch of what was now called the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[25] This resulted in the formation of the Philippine Air Force and reformation of the Philippine Navy as separate organizations after long years as part of the Philippine Army.

In the early fifties and the mid-sixties, the Philippine government extended a helping hand to war-torn countries as part of its commitment as member of the United Nations.

1950 would see the new army not just fighting Communist groups in Luzon but from August of that year, even the Korean People's Army and their allies in the People's Liberation Army in the Korean War as PA Battalion Combat Teams (BCTs) forming the bulk of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea formed part of the UN forces, led by the US, that fought in the conflict. The decade saw the raising of the first active division of the Army, the 1st Infantry Division. With the victory over the Huks later in the 50s, the BCTs became active duty infantry battalions. Formed in the same time was the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and in 1962 the PA raised its airborne and special forces formation, the Special Forces Regiment (Philippines) following the traditions of the US Army Special Forces (the Green Berets) and the 11th Airborne Division that helped liberate Southern Luzon and Manila at the closing stages of the Japanese occupation of the country.

It would only take until the 1970s and the Communist and Muslim rebellions that would force the PA into the establishment of its 2nd Infantry Division, which led to the raising of more infantry divisions all over the country, as well as the formal raising of the Army's Special Operations Command and what is now today the Armor Division. The Philippine Army was also involved in major conflicts worldwide, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the War on terror, the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War, as well as missions with the United Nations, such as the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Golan Heights and the United Nations Mission in East Timor. By the 2000s, the Army acquired a small aviation capability for transport purposes, with plans to include attack and transport helicopters, a rocket artillery battery unit, and a land-based missile battery system unit.

Rank structure

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Main article: Military ranks of the Philippines

Officer

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Main article: Officer (armed forces)
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Philippine Army[26]
 General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Lieutenant Commandant First Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenant
General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant

Enlisted

[edit]
Main article: Enlisted rank
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Philippine Army[26]
Chief master sergeant Senior master sergeant Master sergeant Technical sergeant Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Private first class Private

These ranks and insignia are also found in buttons of camouflage military uniforms

Organization

[edit]

The Philippine Army is headed by the Chief of the Army, attaining the rank of Lieutenant General. He is assisted by the Vice-Commander of the Philippine Army, and the Chief of Staff, Philippine Army in charge on organizational and administrative matters, both holding the ranks of Major General. The Philippine Army consists of 11 infantry divisions, 1 armor division, 1 combined arms brigade, 1 artillery regiment, 5 engineer brigades, 1 aviation regiment, and 7 combat support units which are spread throughout the Philippine Archipelago.

Regular Units

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Cpl. Cale Splivalo, a Soldier with 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, teaches a Philippine Army soldier how to operate the M320 Grenade Launcher Module March 11, 2019, at Nueva Ecija Province, Philippines.

The Philippine Army has several regular units (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Special Forces, Intelligence, Signalling and Engineering units) and five regular support units (Medical, Ordinance, Quartermaster, Finance and Adjutant General units) dedicated to both counter-insurgency and conventional army operations.

  • Infantry
  • Armor and Cavalry
  • Artillery
  • Special Forces
  • Military Intelligence
  • Corps of Engineers
  • Signal Corps
  • Medical Services
  • Ordinance Service
  • Quartermaster Service
  • Finance Service
  • Adjutant General Service

Commands

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Philippine Army's ASCOD 2 Command Vehicle Tank Displayed at 88th Founding Anniversary of AFP

The Army has 4 support commands, and is responsible for the handling of reserves, creating doctrines and training operations, and overall installation and combat support in the army's operations.

  • Reserve Command
  • Training Command - established 1986, was reorganised as Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) effective March 1, 1995.[27][failed verification]
  • Army Support Command
  • Installation Management Command (Provisional)

Infantry Divisions

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Soldiers of the 11th "Alakdan" Infantry Division
Sulu Commander Major General William N Gonzales extended his appreciation to the soldiers of the 11th Infantry Division Philippine Army and Joint Task Force

The Army has a total of 11 infantry divisions, composed of 2-4 infantry brigades. The infantry divisions are also part of the 6 Unified Commands of the AFP, and are responsible for overall infantry operations within their respective areas of responsibility.

Combined Arms Brigade

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The Army has one combined arms brigade, and also serves as a rapid deployment force, combined in one major unit, and serves as a major maneuver unit, capable of rapid mobilization and conventional warfare.

Armor, Cavalry and Mechanized Support units

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M-113 vehicle of the Philippine Army (PA) with a UT-25 Remote Weapons Station (RWS)
ASCOD 2 Sabrah Tank of the Philippine Army
Simba 4x4 armored personnel carrier of the Philippine Army

The Army has one armor division, comprising two mechanized brigades, six mechanized battalions, seven separate cavalry squadrons, a maintenance unit and an aviation arm. The unit is responsible for mechanized fire support, as well as the deployment of mobile infantry brigades and armored reconnaissance units.

  • Armor "Pambato" Division (formerly Mechanized Infantry Division)[28][29]
    • 1st Mechanized Infantry (Maasahan) Brigade
    • 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade
      • 1st Tank (Masikan) Battalion
      • 1st Mechanized Infantry (Lakan) Battalion
      • 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Makasag) Battalion
      • 3rd Mechanized Infantry (Makatarungan) Battalion
      • 4th Mechanized Infantry (Kalasag) Battalion
      • 5th Mechanized Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion
      • 6th Mechanized Infantry (Salaknib) Battalion [30]
        • 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron
        • 2nd Cavalry (Kaagapay) Squadron
        • 3rd Cavalry (Masigasig) Squadron
        • 1st Cavalry (Rapido) Company (S)
        • 2nd Cavalry (Tagapaglingkod) Company (S)
        • 3rd Cavalry (Katapangan) Company (S)
        • 4th Cavalry (Karangalan) Company (S)
        • 5th Cavalry (Kasangga) Company (S)
        • 6th Cavalry (Paghiliugyon) Company (S)
        • 7th Cavalry (Masasanigan) Company (S)
      • Armor Maintenance (Masinop) Battalion

Artillery units

[edit]
Philippine Army ATMOS 2000 Live Fire Exercise
120 mm Cardom Mortar Carrier of the Philippine Army (PA)

The Army has one artillery regiment, comprising nine artillery battalions and six artillery battery units, responsible of overall artillery fire support to the army's maneuver units.

  • Army Artillery "King of Battle" Regiment (AAR)
    • 1st Field Artillery "Beat 'Em" Battalion
    • 2nd Field Artillery "First Round Accuracy" Battalion
    • 3rd Field Artillery "Hell Every Shell" Battalion
    • 4th Field Artillery "Strike from Afar" Battalion
    • 5th Field Artillery Battalion
    • 6th Field Artillery "Deadly Accurate" Battalion
    • 7th Field Artillery "Steel Rain" Battalion
    • 8th Field Artillery "Final Option" Battalion
    • 9th Field Artillery "Firestorm" Battalion
    • 10th Field Artillery "Rolling Thunder" Battalion (155mm Self Propelled)[31]
      • 1st Field Artillery (155mm Self Propelled) Battery
      • 2nd Field Artillery (155mm Self Propelled) Battery
    • 1st Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (1MLRS Btry)
    • 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) [32]
    • 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry) [32]
    • 1st Air Defense Artillery Battery (1ADA Btry)
    • 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery (2ADA Btry)

Engineering units

[edit]
Philippine Army M113 Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV)

The Army has 5 engineer brigades, responsible for overall engineering support, construction of army facilities, and counter-mobility operations.

  • 51st Engineer "Primera Brigada" Brigade
    • 525th Engineer Combat "Mandirigtas" Battalion
    • 564th Engineer Construction "Tagabuklod" Battalion
    • 522nd Engineer Construction "Central Luzon Builders" Battalion
    • 548th Engineer Construction "Essayons" Battalion
    • 513th Engineer Construction "Nasiglat" Battalion
    • 514th Engineer Construction "Ang Gumagawa" Battalion
    • 565th Engineer Construction "Bikol Builders" Battalion
    • Engineer Support "Kaakibat" Company
  • 52nd Engineer "Kaayadan" Brigade
  • 53rd Engineer "Visayas Builders" Brigade
  • 54th Engineer "Sarangay" Brigade
    • 545th Engineer "Peaceseeker" Battalion
    • 547th Engineer "Agila" Battalion
    • 549th Engineer "Kapayapaan" Battalion
    • Engineer "Primemover" Support Company
    • Headquarters and Headquarters "Provider" Company
  • 55th Engineer "Mobilizer" Brigade
  • 500th Engineer Combat Battalion
  • 551st Engineer Battalion
  • 553rd Engineer Battalion
  • 554th Engineer Battalion

Aviation unit

[edit]
Bo-105M Helicopter of the Philippine Army (PA) Aviation Regiment conducting Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) Training

The Army has one aviation regiment, which is part of the Army's Armor Division, responsible for reconnaissance and airborne operations such as aerial transport and medical evacuation duties. The unit is also undergoing significant upgrades as the Army slowly fulfills its modernization efforts and will soon be responsible for future air support and improved transport operations.

  • Aviation "Hiraya" Regiment (Part of the Armor Division)

Combat Support units

[edit]
Philippine Army's Kia Raycolt KLTV light tactical vehicle

The Army has seven combat support units, responsible for overall combat support operations, ranging from communications, logistics, intelligence, ordinance disposal, enforcement, signalling, and services operations.

  • Army Signal Regiment
  • Civil-Military Operations Regiment
  • 1st Logistics Support Brigade
  • 191st Military Police Battalion
  • Army Intelligence Regiment[33]
  • Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion
  • Headquarters & Headquarters Service (Tagapaglaan) Battalion

Combat Service Support units

[edit]
Philippine Army HUMVEE Ambulance shown during the Philippine Army's 118th Anniversary Exhibit at the Bonifacio Global City

The Army has 14 combat service support units, responsible for overall organizational support; as well as public, information, and military law affairs; security and escort operations; and medical, dental and religious services.

  • Finance Center Philippine Army
  • Philippine Army Band (formally known as Headquarters Philippine Army Band)
  • Philippine Army Nurse Corps
  • Philippine Army Medical Corps
  • Philippine Army Dental Service
  • Philippine Army Security and Escort Battalion
  • Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs
  • The Armor School (Kahusayan)
  • Philippine Army Medical Administrative Corps
  • Philippine Army Veterinary Corps
  • Judge Advocate General Service
  • Corps of Professors
  • Army Chief Chaplain Service

Special Operations Forces Units

[edit]
GA's Designated Marksman Rifle/Special Purpose Rifle (DMR/SPR) with an 18" barrel and optics
GA's Musang Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) with a 10" barrel chambered to fire the 7.62×37mm Musang round

The Philippine Army has three special operations regiments dedicated to special operations. These units report directly to the AFP Special Operations Command (SOCOM):

Bases

[edit]

The Army, being the dominant branch of the AFP, has maintained a large number of bases throughout the country compared to the other branches. They have used these bases in support of their operations nationwide.

Luzon
Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Quezon City
Camp Gen. Rigoberto Atienza Libis, Quezon City
Fort Bonifacio Taguig City
Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz Upi, Gamu, Isabela
Fort Gen. Gregorio H. Del Pilar Baguio
Camp Lt. Tito Abat Manaoag, Pangasinan
Fort Ramon Magsaysay Nueva Ecija
Camp Tinio Cabanatuan
Camp Servillano Aquino Tarlac City
Camp O'Donnell Santa Lucia, Capas, Tarlac
Camp Tecson San Miguel, Bulacan
Camp Gen. Mateo M. Capinpin Tanay, Rizal
Camp General Mariano Riego De Dios Tanza, Cavite
Camp Alfredo Santos Calauag, Quezon
Camp Guillermo Nakar Lucena City
Camp Elias Angeles San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur
Camp Weene Martillana San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur
Camp General Macario Sakay Los Baños, Laguna
Camp General Simeon A. Ola Legazpi, Albay
Visayas
Camp Lapu-Lapu Lahug, Cebu City
Camp Major Jesus M. Jizmundo Libas, Banga, Aklan
Camp Gen. Macario G. Peralta, Jr. Jamindan, Capiz
Camp Gen. Adriano Hernandez Dingle, Iloilo
Camp Monteclaro Igtuba, Miagao, Iloilo
Camp Tirambulo McKinley, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental
Camp Leon Kilat Tanjay, Negros Oriental
Camp Ruperto Kangleon Palo, Leyte
Camp Jorge Downes Ormoc, Leyte
Camp General Vicente Lukban Catbalogan, Samar
Camp Martin Delgado Iloilo City
Camp Francisco C. Fernandez Jr. Agan-an, Sibulan, Negros Oriental
Mindanao
Camp General Basilio Navarro Zamboanga City
Camp Panacan - Naval Station Felix Apolinario Panacan, Davao City
Camp Edilberto Evangelista Patag, Cagayan de Oro
Kuta Major Cesar L. Sang-an Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur
Camp Colonel Oscar F. Natividad Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
Camp Osito D. Bahian Malaybalay, Bukidnon
Camp Ranao Marawi City
Camp Allere Salvador, Lanao del Norte
Camp Duma Sinsuat Barira, Maguindanao
Camp Brig. Gen. Gonzalo H. Siongco Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Camp Robert Eduard M. Lucero Nasapian, Carmen, Cotabato
Camp Paulino Santos Dado, Alamada, Cotabato
Camp Brig. Gen. Hermenegildo Agaab Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani
Camp Climaco Pintoy Suarez, Iligan
Maria Cristina Military Reservation Maria Cristina, Iligan
Camp Fermin G. Lira, Jr. Bulaong Road, General Santos
Torrey Barracks Malabang, Lanao del Sur
Camp Amai Pakpak Marawi, Lanao del Sur
Camp Cabunbata Cabunbata, Isabela, Basilan
Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro
Camp San Gabriel Mintal, Davao City
Camp Arturo Enrile Malagutay, Zamboanga City
Camp Teodulfo Bautista Busbus, Jolo, Sulu
Camp Romualdo C. Rubi Bancasi, Butuan
Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

Equipment

[edit]
Main article: List of equipment of the Philippine Army

The Philippine Army has made use of its existing equipment to fulfill its mandate while modernization projects are underway. The Republic Act No. 7898 declares the policy of the State to modernize the military to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the republic. The law, as amended, has set conditions that should be satisfied when the defense department procures major equipment and weapon systems for the army.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 25, 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 294. ISBN 9781032012278.
  2. ^ "Philippine military revamping reserve force amid rising regional tensions". ipdefenseforum.com. November 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Death Toll For U.S.-Led Coalition in Iraq". CNN. July 9, 2004. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  4. ^ Jose 1992, p. 9
  5. ^ Jose 1992, p. 10
  6. ^ Jose 1992, pp. 15-16
  7. ^ "Philippines: United States Rule". Washington, D.C.: United States Library of Congress. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  8. ^ Meixsel, Richard B. (1993). AN ARMY FOR INDEPENDENCE? THE AMERICAN ROOTS OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY (phd). Ohio State University. pp. 141–.
  9. ^ Zena Sultana-Babao, America's Thanksgiving and the Philippines' National Heroes Day: Two Holidays Rooted in History and Tradition, Asian Journal, archived from the original on January 11, 2009, retrieved January 12, 2008
  10. ^ Source: Philippine Military Academy
  11. ^ "Schools, colleges and Universities: Tomas Claudio Memorial College". Manila Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
    - "Tomas Claudio Memorial College". www.tcmc.edu.ph. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  12. ^ "For Philippine Defense" (PDF). New York Times. December 7, 1921. p. 1.
  13. ^ Jose 1992, pp. 20-21
  14. ^ a b Jose 1992, pp. 23–49
  15. ^ "Commonwealth Act No. 1". Philippine Laws, Statutes, and Codes. Chan Robles Law Library. December 21, 1935. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
  16. ^ a b U.S. Army in World War II: "Fall of the Philippines", Chapter 1
  17. ^ Jose 1992, pp. 191–210.
  18. ^ a b "Philippine Army and Guerrilla Records". National Archives and Records Administration. July 3, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  19. ^ "World War II Armed Forces — Orders of Battle and Organizations". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  20. ^ Leo Niehorster, North Luzon Force Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed January 2014. See also Major Rolando Pesano, 'A Brief History of the 31st Division, Philippine Army.' Brig Gen William E. Brougher was assigned to command the 11th Division in September 1941.
  21. ^ Leo Niehorster
  22. ^ Jose 1992, pp. 210–214.
  23. ^ "World War II Relics Point". wikimapia.org. 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2019.[circular reference]
  24. ^ Michael Wright, "The World at Arms: The Reader's Digest Illustrated History of World War II" Reader’s Digest, 1989, 384.
  25. ^ "Executive Order No. 94 s. 1947". Official Gazette of the Philippines. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  26. ^ a b "Ranks and insignia". army.mil.ph. Philippine Army. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  27. ^ TRADOC website
  28. ^ "Name Change to Armor "Pambato" Division". Armor Pambato Division, Philippine Army. Philippine Army. May 7, 2023. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  29. ^ Mangosing, Frances (September 18, 2019). "Philippine Army rebrands primary armored unit". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  30. ^ "Army's Mechanized Infantry Division activates brand-new unit". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  31. ^ "Army activates new unit to operate Israel-made howitzers". www.pna.gov.ph.
  32. ^ a b Ladra, Pfc Jeonard E. "Army activates Aviation Regiment, Air Defense and Missile units". www.army.mil.ph. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  33. ^ "New Military Intelligence Chief named". The Manila Times. January 29, 2020.

Further reading

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