STUDENT HANDOUT 1

As a Reserve Officer, Students are entitled to know the History and core
values of ROTC. Simply because history can make us understand the
present as well as the future endeavors of the Reserved Officers in the
Philippines. It makes us value the past occurrences that shapes and molds
us to be what we are now.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AFP

Pre-Spanish Occupation

The first recorded organized resistance against foreign aggressor took

place in the Visayas during the Battle of Mactan on 27 Apr 1521 when the
native chieftain named Lapu-lapu, the acknowledge father of the AFP fought
against the Spaniards led by Magellan in the latter’s effort to subdue the
former. Lapu-lapu refused to pay homage to the King of Spain. Under
estimating the capability of the natives, the foreigners lost in the battle and
Magellan was killed.

Spanish Occupation

Some islands of the archipelago were successfully occupied by the

Spaniards. In 1570, they tried to land in Manila, however, the Muslim leader,
Rajah Soliman resisted their effort. In 1571, Legaspi conquered Manila and
made it as the capital of the Philippines.
Pockets of rebellion took place. Notable of which was the uprising led by
Diego Silang where he displayed his exemplary military leadership style and
tactics in defeating the Spaniards.
The Filipino soldiers were also organized to fight for Spain and to support
some expeditions. Filipino forces were also sent to reinforce Spanish troops
during the Chinese revolt in 1603.

General Jose Prim dethroned Queen Isabela II of Spain in 1868. That later
espoused liberal principles of democracy. This paved the way for the
exposure of the Filipinos in foreign culture leading to the development of
strong sense of nationalism among Filipinos. The works of famous
propagandists Marcelo G del Pilar, Graceano Lopez Jaena and Jose Rizal
further nurtured the national spirit. Andres Bonifacio, who is considered as
the father of the Philippine Army, founded a more radical group called the
“Katipunan” on 7 Jul 182. I August 23, 1896, the Cry of Pugad Lawin
signaled the start of the Philippines Revolution against Spain. This was
followed by pockets of rebellion which inflicted so much loss to the
Spaniards. While Katipunan was gaining strength, two factions emerged –
the Magdalo led by Aguinaldo and the Magdiwang led by Bonifacio. On 22
Mar 2897, the Tejeros Convention was called to resolve the conflict
between the two factions. As a result, Aguinaldo won the presidency. The
occasion also gave birth to the Philippine Army.

American Influence

As the war broke out between the United States and Spain on April 23,
1898, the Americans convinced the Filipinos to cooperate with the
Americans against Spain with the promise that the United States will grant
independence to the Philippines. Aguinaldo declared war against Spain. In
June 12, 1898, the Philippine Independence from Spain was declared in
Kawit, Cavite. Later on, the Philippine Navy was created 22 June 22, 1898
by the Revolutionary Army.
The occupation of the American forces did not gain much acceptance from
the Filipinos because of many restrictions imposed to the Filipino forces as
to access to some areas. The harsh treatment by the Americans ignited the
conflict between them and the Filipinos. The latter were defeated which led
to the fall of the Malolos Republic.
With the Treaty of Paris, Spain cede the Philippines to the United States.
Finding the archipelago as a lucrative place for some economic activities,
the United States strengthened their presence in the Philippines. This
prompted the Filipinos to again unite and fight for the freedom they have
just won. Significant battles followed suit exemplifying the fighting spirit and
skills of the Filipino soldiers against formidable opponents. The capture of
General Aguinaldo by the Americans in Palanan, Isabela in March 23, 1901
and the laying down of arms f General Malvar in April 16, 1902 ended the
organized resistance against the American forces.
To hasten the Philippine campaign and to establish peace and order, an
insular police force known as the Philippine Constabulary was organized on
August 8, 1901 followed by the establishment of the Philippine Military
Academy on February 7, 1905.
On December 21, 1935, the National Defense Act was enacted which
officially created the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Philippine Air
Force was later established on July 1, 1947.

The Japanese Occupation

Consequent to the declaration of war by the Japan with the United States,
the invading Japanese Forces landed in Vigan and Aparri in Luzon on
December 19, 1945. Un-able to withstand the very strong adversary and to
save more lives and properties from destruction, the combined military
forces of the United States and the Filipinos withdrew to Bataan for the
implementation of War Plan Orange. Un-abated Japanese strikes caused
the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 and Corregidor on May 6, 1942. These
events ended the organized resistance against the Japanese invasion.
The defeat of the Fil-Am forces did not end the armed struggle in the
Philippines. Those who refused to surrender went underground and waged
a guerilla fighting against the Japanese. The activities of the guerilla forces
were very instrumental in the successful come back of the liberating US
Forces under Gen Douglas Mc Arthur who landed in Leyte on October 20,
1944.

International Peace Keeping Operations

It is also noteworthy that the AFP had participated in International peace

keeping efforts as its commitment to the United Nations such as the
Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) in the early 50’s, the
Philippine Air Force Contingent in Congo, Africa in the early 60’s and the
Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) in South Vietnam in the 60’s.
Philippine contingents were also sent to East Timor, Iraq and Liberia to
participate in UN peace keeping operations.

EVOLUTION AND ROLE OF THE ROTC IN THE PREVIOUS WARS

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program has gone a long way
in the Philippine history. The Commonwealth Act Number 1 otherwise
known as the National Defense Act provided the legal basis for the conduct
of ROTC instruction, the need for a citizen reserve force had been realized
as early as before the American occupation of the Philippines. In fact, it was
utilized even during the long and arduous Spanish colonial rule in the
archipelago. A military training course, that time, became inevitable in the
light of the constant.
As the result of the so called Seven Year’s War in Europe between France
and Great Britain, a British flotilla of thirteen ships, headed by Admiral
Samuel Cornish and General William Draper, arrived in the Colony on
September 22, 1762. The Philippines got entangled in this European power
struggle because the monarchs of Spain and France both belonged to the
Bourbon Dynasty. On the one side where the combined French and
Spanish forces together with their colonies; on the other, the rising tide of
British colonialism in Asia, in retaliation for this entanglement, a military
expedition from Madras was sent to India, then a British colony.
Spanish authorities int he colony were ill-prepared for such kind of
international assault. During this tumultuous period, the Philippines was
headed by Archbishop Manuel Rojo, a situation clearly indicative of the
unstable political situation in the archipelago. Father Domingo Collantes,
OP, Rector and chancellor of the University of Santo Tomas, organized a
group of around two hundred (200) students from UST and Colegio de San
Juan de Letran who underwent military training at Sto Tomas Plaza in
Intramuros, Manila. Father Collantes was assisted by a sergeant in the
Royal Spanish Army in setting up a battalion of young students from military
instruction.
These students were immediately sent to action together with 500 HispanoFilipino regulars (in the
King’s Regiment) and 8 Filipinos to counter the 7000
strong British Regiment. Though obviously mismatched against the British
force, the ragtag force assembles by Spanish authorities was able to
somehow temporarily ward – off the advancing enemies. Their skirmish
lasted for five days, and the defenders suffered much in terms of the number
of casualties and injuries. Realizing the futility of continuous fighting,
Governor-Archbishop Rojo surrendered Manila and Cavite to Lieutenant
General Dawsonne Drake on October 6, 1762. Though not so well known
in the Philippine history, our country become a British colony for a while until
June 1764. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763,
the Seven Year’s war ended and the British consequently left the
archipelago for good.
Despite the debacle, the Spanish king duly recognized the courage and
bravery these students exhibited in the battlefield. Henceforth, he granted
the prestigious titles ‘muy leal’ (very loyal) to these young defenders and
‘regalia’ (royal) to the institution to which most of them belonged. Up until
this day, the ‘muy leal’ emblem remains part of the UST ROTC seal. A
testament to the unwavering valor and the commendable spirit once shown
in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity.
Exactly one hundred fifty years later after 1762, various college and
universities in the Philippines would offer military training for their students.
According to Brigadier General Jose Syjuco, author of the Military education
in the Philippines, most military historians marked the year 1912 as the
beginning of the genuine ROTC instruction in the country. In that year, the
Philippine constabulary (PC) started conducting military instructions at the
University of the Philippines (UP) on the old Padre Faura Campus. All ablebodied male students in all
colleges, institutes and schools of the University
were required to undergo military trainings that focused initially on infantry
and use of rifles. Appointed as the first military instructor was Captain
Silvino Gallardo, who assumed office in the first semester of 1912. The need
for reserve officer was further realized with the advent of the First World
War in Europe, even though the Philippines had no direct military
participation in that international squabble.
In 1912, during the American regime, UP and Ateneo de Manila started to
offer military training. But their graduates could not find a career in military
unless they joined the PC or the Philippines Scouts (PS). Governor General
Leonard Wood encouraged the development of ROTC units, which were
quite similar to those he had organized in the United States, in the
Philippines. With representation from the UP Board of Regents to the US
War Department, the services of an American Army officer was obtained.
This officer was later appointed as professor of Military Science.
On March 17, 1922, the Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST)
was formally organized in UP. Among the department’s objectives were to:
1.) develop patriotic, physically sound, upright and disciplined citizens. 2.)
create a corps of trained officers for the reserve force; 3.) take the lead in
fostering the university spirit. On July 3,1922, with the first ROTC unit in the
country having been organized, formal military instruction began in UP.
Since then, basic course in infantry became compulsory and a pre-requisite
for graduation from the university. On October 26, 1929, the field artillery
unit of UP was organized with the issuance of 75mm field guns. In 1935, a
mounted battery unit, equipped with 2.95-inch guns was also put in place.
As a result of these encouraging events, other colleges and universities in
Manilafollowed suit. Ateneo de Manila, National University, Liceo de Manila,
and San Juan de Letran later formed their ROTC units. These units
remained independent from one another until 1936, when Office of the
Superintendent (of ROTC units) of the Philippine Army was activated to
supervise all ROTC units in the country.
Under the American tutelage, Commonwealth Act Number 1 provided the
legal basis for the mandatory citizen military training in the Philippines. The
country’s national defense plan was put into motion by the combined efforts
of General Douglas McArthur and Manuel Quezon, the defense plan
envisioned an organization on citizen army consisting of two major
components: 1.) a regular force of about 10,000 men (including PC) and 2.)
a reserve force to number 400,000 by end of ten-year period. The second
component was to be accomplished by way of continuing program to train
21-year old bodied men for a period of more than five months. Quezon
personally hand-picked Gen. Mc Arthur to become the military adviser of
the Commonwealth, with the responsibility of formulating the Philippine
Defense system. (Quezon later conferred the status of “Field Marshall”, the
highest military rank known in international usage, on McArthur). At the
opening session of the National Assembly on November 26, 1935, Quezon
re-iterated the need for a defense plan. According to him “Self-defense is
the supreme right of mankind no more sacred to the individual than to the
nation, the interests of which are immeasurably of greater significance and
extent... In my opinion, the plan reflects the lessons of history, the
conclusion of the acknowledge masters of warfare and of statesmanship,
and the sentiments and aspirations of the Filipino people. It is founded upon
enduring principles that are fundamental to any plan applicable to our
needs,”
On December 21, 1935, the National Assembly approved the plan amid
criticisms it received, and the strict opposition mounted by several
lawmakers namely Juan Sumulong and Camilo Osias, and former President
Emilio Aguinaldo. One important provision of the plan stated the “at such
universities and colleges as the President may designate, there shall be
established and maintain ROTC units of such arm and service as he shall
specify, where every physically fit student shall be required to pursue a
course of military instruction.. “ROTC units in various universities and
colleges, therefore became source of reserve officers. However, a major
concern was that these units had yet to be standardized (although most
were yet to be formally recognized). UP’s ROTC was the first to be officially
recognized; the ROTC unit of Letran, UST, De la Salle, Adamson, Philippine
Normal School, the Philippine School of Arts and Trades, San Beda and
Siliman were likewise given recognition. By 1937, the Philippine
government had established and recognized seventeen ROTC, most of
them infantry units. UP had a field of artillery unit aside from an infantry unit;
Adamson and the Quisumbing schools had chemical warfare units.
Furthermore, UP also served as the training ground for ROTC instructors
and a source of basic ROTC training policies.
Under the system, male students had to take basic two-year course and
attend training on weekends. Those students desiring reserve commission
could attend two more years of advanced course made one eligible for a
reserve officer commission. However, mandatory training was not instituted
in al colleges. As a result, students who did not want to undergo military
training simply opted to transfer to schools who did not have ROTC units.
To resolve the issue, President Quezon issued Executive Order No. 207.
By virtue of this directive, ROTC became compulsory in all colleges and
universities with enrollment of a hundred students or more. This action
taken by Quezon was partly in response to the protest launched by some
schools that their enrollment had dropped due to the institution of ROTC
units. However, all of these schools closed down during the Japanese
incursion in the Philippines.
Japan’s misadventure in the Philippines had ended, but the service
rendered to the nation by the heroic men of ROTC has turned into a lifelong commitment. Even during
the post war era, UP ROTC graduates
exhibited here and abroad meritorious deeds in the service of the Filipino
people. On the one hand, they became part of the government’s effort to
solve the problem of insurgency in the country; on the other, they manned
the contingency forces that were sent at the height of the Korean (1950)
and Vietnam (1964) wars.
Less than seventy years have passed since the inception of student
military training in various colleges and universities throughout the
country. Times have changed, and the ROTC program has been placed in
constant scrutiny, especially in terms of significance to the importance in
today’s reality. It drew a number of problems and subsequent protests not
only from the student sector but also from the school administration and
the parents of the students who view the program as militarization. The
strongest clamor for its abolition occurred in March 2001 as a
consequence of the death of University of Santo Tomas ROTC Cadet
Mark Chua who was alleged hazed by senior ROTC cadets for his expose’
of several malpractices in the ROTC program. This incident was exploited
by some leftist organizations who staged rallies demanding the abolition of
the ROTC. This clamor prompted both Houses of Representatives filed
House Bill Number 3593 and the Senate filed Senate Bill Number 1824
which led to the enactment of the Republic Act 9163 otherwise known as
the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001, making ROTC
just one of the three components of NSTP where the students can choose
from. The ROTC period was also reduced from two years to one year.
Students can also select any component of the NSTP, thus making ROTC
optional. Female students are also required to undergo NSTP as a
prerequisite for graduation for a baccalaureate degree or two-year
vocational courses.
The NSTP has three (3) components namely: the ROTC, which is
designed to provide military training to students to prepare for national
defense, the Department of National Defense (DND) is the lead agency in
the implementation of the ROTC component, the Literacy Training Service
(LTS), which is designed to train students to become teachers to school
children, out of school youth and other segments if the society who are in
dire need of their service, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is
the lead agency in the implementation of LTS components and the Civic
Welfare Training Service (CWTS), which will involve the students to
activities to contribute to general welfare and betterment of life, the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the
lead agency in the implementation of CWTS component. The students can
select any of the three (3) components as a requirement for their
baccalaureate degree or two-year vocational course.
Prior to the implementation of the NSTP, the ROTC was a two-year,
mandatory training for male students and also a requisite for graduation in
college. Through the years the enrollment had gone down tremendously.
The program also experienced steady deterioration essentially due to
issues and concerns which include among others graft and corruption,
lack of competent, dedicated and committed instructors and higher
student-instructor ratio. Moreover, students do not appreciate the Program
as shown by the high rate of students dropping out or deferring the ROTC
training while many have decided to enroll in the other two components.
This has significantly reduced the number of our reserve force pool who
are not readily available in case of war or national emergency but also to
perform relief and rescue tasks when needed.
As of today, many concerned citizens and school administrators and
legislators alike are advocating for the enhancement of the ROTC
program by making the same compulsory to state colleges and
universities. The armed forces of the Philippines is fully supporting this
effort. The advocacy is based on the perceived decline in the appreciation
of the youth on the value of patriotism and good citizenship.

ARTICLE III – AFP CREED AND STAND ON BASIC ISSUES

Section 1. The AFP Core Values

the profession of arms, noble calling, demands from its members not only
specialized knowledge and skill but also a distinct lifestyle governed by commonly
held belief-system containing non-negotiable enduring core values of honor,
loyalty, valor duty and solidarity.

WHERE THEREFORE EXPRESS THE FOLLOWING CREED:

1-1. We believe in honor as our crowning value as it is more
precious than life itself. It hallmarks of our military conduct which implies our
clear consciousness of personnel dignity and worth. To us honor means
truthfulness, sincerity, honesty, uprightness, credibility and avoidance of
deception, so that out written word may be accepted without question.
1-2. We believe in inflicting loyalty – Our oath of office requires us
to be loyal to our nation and to obey the mandate to support and defend the
constitution, we shall be obedient to the duly constituted political order. We
shall support the Chain of command and obey lawful orders of those legally
appointed over us.
1-3. We believe in valor as the power of strength, courage and
ability to overcome fear to carry-out our mission and to accomplish what
seemingly impossible. To us, valor goes beyond the physical dimension of
boldness and endurance to pain and hardships.
1-4. We believe in duty as the value of obedience and disciplined
performance despite difficulty and danger. To us duty is personal act of
responsibility to accomplishing all assigned task to the fullest one’s
capabilities, meeting all our willingness to sacrifice event it means giving up
lives in defense of our country.
1-5. We believe in solidarity for it is consolidating and integrating value to
which all of us bind ourselves with the rest comrades-in-arms. With it, we
reject divisive fraternal organizations with the AFP