AFP ORGANIZATION

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recognizes the constitution of the
Republic of the Philippines as the legitimate expression of the people’s 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, CENCOM,
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
1. To support and defend the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
against all enemies both foreign and domestics.
2. To ensure, by timely and effective action, the security of the RP and of
vital interest.
3. 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
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.

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.
3. To effectively plan for the organization, maintenance, development and
employment of its active and reserve forces for national security.
4. 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 President’s 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
latter’s 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. 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
6. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics and Information
System, J6
7. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operation, J7
8. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, J8
9. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Reserve Force Development, J9
 b. 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
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)
f) The Chief Provost Marshal General (TCPMG)
g) The Chief Special Services (TCSPS)
h) The Chief Historical Activities (TCHA)
i) The Chief Doctrines Development (TCDD)
2) The Technical Staff
a) The Chief of Engineers (TCE)
b) The Quartermaster General (TQMG)
c) The Chief, Communication, Electronics & Information Service
(TCCES)
d) The Surgeon General (TSG)
e) The Chief Dental Service (TCDS)
f) The Chief Nurse (TCN)
c. 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
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)
9) AFP Communications, Electronics and Information System
(AFPCEIS)
10) AFP Finance Center (AFPFC)
11) 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

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: The Philippine Army, The Philippine Navy and The Philippine Air Force

AFP ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

AFP

PA PN PAF Major Services

Area Commands

NOLCOM SOLCOM VISCOM WESCOM SOUTHCOM

EASTMINCO M WESTMINCOM

AFP-Wide Support Separate Units

GHQ/HSC PSG PMA AFPJCSC AFP

RESCOM
LOGCTR ISAFP AFPMC

AFPCEIS AFPCEIS PASAFP AFPFC

MISSION OF PHILIPPINE ARMY

To conduct prompt and sustained ground operations to accomplish the AFP
mission.
CAPABILITIES
1. Organize, train and equip army forces for the conduct of prompt and
sustain combat operation on land.
2. Develop doctrines, procedures, tactics, organization & equipment peculiar
to the army.
3. Develop in coordination with other major services, doctrines, procedures,
tactics and equipment of interest to the army for joint operations.
4. 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.

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 uni-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 mobilizeable
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. Administer reservists.
2. Provide ready reserve force.
3. Conduct informal assembly.
4. Sustain the production of reservists.
5. Assist in relief and rescue operations during disaster and calamities.
6. Assist the local government units.
7. Assist in socio-economic activities.
8. Assist retirees and veterans.
9. Support the internal security operations in terms of intelligence collection
and civil military operations.
10 Support the “Berdeng Pilipinas” Program of PGMA.
 PHILIPPINE ARMY ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

PA

Combat Units HHSG

LABDe SOCOM
Combat Support Units
INF DIV

SG, PA CAG ISG 525ECBn

Engr Bde

Service Support Units

TRADOC AREO ASCOM ARESCOM AMIC SSU PAFC

VICECOM

CS

RMISO PED ATC HQS BN

NCR

HSCOY

CDC

RES Units ROTC UNIT