POLICY AREAS
The seventeen (17) policy areas expounded in this chapter are designed to develop a sound and balanced National Defense Policy. They serve as the strategic guidance to operationalize the national defense approach and achieve our national defense objectives. Put together, they link the three vital components of our national defense strategy -defense objectives, approach to national defense and defense resources. They provide the necessary guidance for the direction and focus of the plans, programs and activities of the bureaus under the Department of National Defense, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines. These policy areas also act as guidance to other government agencies, non-governmental organizations and business and civic organizations whose activities are directly or indirectly affiliated with the Department of National Defense and the common defense of the country.
These policy areas imply the commitment of the Department of National Defense towards force preparedness in dealing with diverse challenges and rising up to the opportunities. They are geared towards the continuing effort of rebuilding the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be professional, capable, responsive and a source of national pride.
These policy areas likewise imply a continued concern for our veterans who are very much an integral part of the manpower resources of the defense establishment. Indeed, the welfare of our veterans is a prime concern of the Department of National Defense. Taking care of their welfare is reflective of our concern for them for they symbolize the courage and valor of the Filipino soldier in the fight for freedom and democracy. DND will ensure that our veterans are well taken care of in terms of benefits and privileges. particularly in health services and the provision of their pensions.
This chapter expounds on the standpoint and outlook of Defense in operational, relational and functional areas. These policy areas necessarily overlap with one another as the effective management of defense demands a systemic approach which may at times require simultaneous action and efficient processes.
RESPONSE TO MILITARY THREATS
Dealing with military threats is the primary concern of the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. All other activities are ancillary to the primordial mission of protecting and defending the people and the state. The Armed Forces will be organized, trained and equipped for dealing with military threats that seek to destabilize our society and threaten Filipino communities, lives and properties. It will always be prepared to deal with both external and internal threats and contingencies.
For external threats, the Defense Department adheres to the concept that diplomacy is our first line of defense. DND will work closely with other government agencies, especially the National Security Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs, for the purpose of strategic monitoring, intelligence sensing and in the implementation of confidence-building and conflict prevention measures. During times of crisis or conflict, DND will respond consistent with the decisions of our national command authorities and with resources sufficient to achieve national objectives. Appropriate rules of engagement will formulated and implemented, reflective of limitations of our international obligations, force missions and defense capabilities.
For internal threats, at present referring to the communist insurgency and the secessionist movement in Southern Philippines, the DND will work towards the containment of violence and contribute to an environment that permits the establishment of political, social and economic conditions or institutions that will allow the attainment of a permanent solution. The AFP will continue to spearhead the counterinsurgency campaign using regular maneuver units and territorial forces. It will harness the support of the Philippine National Police and other government agencies in the conduct of internal security operations. The DND supports the government's peace effort to resolve the secessionist problem in Mindanao, as well as the ongoing negotiations with the communist movement.
The approach to national defense, Defense Self-Reliance and Cooperation, will be continually strengthened through effective management of defense personnel and material resources and the constant improvement of doctrine at the operational and tactical levels. The Armed Forces of the Philippines must be a trained and ready force capable of dominating the situation and achieving decisive victory against military threats.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The Armed Forces is a potent force for national development and has been mobilized for this purpose. Military equipment can be used for development concerns: Navy ships for the patrolling of our Exclusive Economic Zone and the enforcement of maritime laws; Army units can double as forest rangers in the conduct of patrols in the hinterlands and forest areas; Air Force assets can monitor our maritime surroundings and deliver goods and services to remote areas.
Consistent with the duty to promote the people's welfare, Armed Forces assets can be used for the following developmental activities:
a. Infrastructure development
b. Rescue and relief operations
c. Resettlement and rehabilitation operations
d. Protection and preservation of the environment
a. Safety of life at sea
f. Sealift and airlift of civilian passengers and cargoes
g. Delivery of government services to remote areas
h. Food production
i. Assistance to law enforcement
These developmental activities underscore the importance of civil-military operations (CMO) as part of the campaigns of AFP units. CMO activities include information programs, medical and dental civic action, literacy programs and many other projects designed to reach out to and build the community.
TRANSNATIONAL CRIMES
Transnational crimes are illegal activities that out across national borders. Examples include international terrorism, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, people trafficking, maritime piracy, illegal migration, money laundering, fraud (credit card, insurance and cellular phone) and counterfeiting. AFP intelligence capabilities will be mobilized to monitor developments and trends regarding transnational crimes and crime organizations. Information gathered will be shared with concerned law-enforcement agencies. The AFP will likewise provide manpower and material resources to concerned government agencies in support of the national governments effort to deal with transnational crimes. AFP personnel will be trained on appropriate rules of engagement and how to properly deal with transnational crimes in conjunction with other government agencies, especially the DILG.
PROTECTION OF MARITIME AREAS
Protection of our maritime areas serves as a clear demonstration of sovereignty and our desire to protect national economic interests. DND must be able to monitor activities, both legal and illegal, in these areas and to respond to unauthorized incursions and criminal activities like piracy and smuggling.
The ability to monitor and respond requires effective air and naval assets working together. The Air Force and Navy must develop joint concepts and work to enhance its interoperability in patrolling our maritime areas and in responding to maritime concerns. They must work hand in hand with related government agencies n the enforcement of maritime laws and in the implementation of maritime protection programs. DND will ensure that all necessary assets are made available in the protection of our maritime areas. Local shipping and fishing industry resources will be mobilized consistent with existing laws and mobilized plans.
ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS
The protection and preservation of the ecology is essential to sustainable development. Forest and maritime areas must be protected from illegal and wasteful activities and preserved for posterity. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and related agencies and non-governmental organizations. AFP units will take an active role in the environmental campaign of the government. Bases and camps will act as models of environmental stewardship. AFP personnel will be educated on environmental concerns, specially on how to protect and preserve the environment.
COMBINED, JOINT AND INTER-AGENCY OPERATIONS
To effectively meet our defense responsibilities, the Armed Forces must be able to operate in a combined, joint and inter-agency mode. Units within the major services should be able to complement one another in a "combined arms" environment. The Army, Air Force and Navy should be able to work successfully together in "joint" missions involving the teamwork of air, naval and ground assets. They must be able to effectively work alongside government agencies and NGO s in "inter-agency" operations.
The Defense Department will harness the assistance of the Department of Interior and Local Government in internal security operations. DND will support DILG in law enforcement activities. DND will also provide support to other government agencies when called upon to assist in disaster and relief operations, calamities and crisis, search and rescue and in national development activities.
Operational procedures to enhance interoperability in combined, joint and inter-agency operations will be developed and continually reviewed. Defense personnel will be properly educated and trained in these types of operations. A particular area that will be strengthened is the sharing of information among the various agencies as this is an important factor for operational efficiency and effectiveness.
PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS AND HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS
The Philippines has a tradition of active support for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions under the auspices of the United Nations or as an independent, responsible state-in Korea (1951), Congo (1963), Mozambique (1992), Cambodia (1992-1993), Iraq (1991 to present), and Haiti (1994). Likewise, the Philippines has experienced evacuating Overseas Filipino Workers from areas where crisis or war threaten the lives of our Filipino compatriots.
Support for UN peacekeeping operations and humanitarian missions abroad, as well as evacuation missions of Overseas Filipino Workers and Filipino citizens from crises or war-torn areas, shall be provided consistent with our foreign policy and with the availability of personnel, material and financial resources. AFP personnel selected for these missions must be competent and able to work with personnel of other armed forces. They will be properly oriented and trained for the missions they are projected to perform.
RP-US DEFENSE ALLIANCE
The continued commitment of the United States to the stability of the Asia-Pacific remains an important factor in regional stability and our national security as well. The Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1951, is the only defense alliance the Philippines has with another country. The MDT not only enhances our national defense and security but also contributes to regional stability as a vital facet of continuing US commitment to the region. Enhancement of the RP-US MDT makes possible a coalition type of arrangement which calls for the United States to maintain a level of sufficient strength around which allies can coalesce in times of crisis or conflict.
The Defense Department is committed to the strengthening of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty through the Mutual Defense Board and the Council of Foreign Ministers. It actively supports the development of a high degree of interoperability between forces of the US alliance network. Interoperability calls for closer coordination in planning and the conduct of combined operations, compatibility in military doctrine and policies, knowledge of weapons and equipment -all of which can be achieved through regular educational and training exchanges.
DEFENSE COOPERATION
The Philippines maintains bilateral defense arrangements with a number of countries: in Southeast Asia, with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand; in Northeast Asia, with South Korea; and with Australia, the United Kingdom, France and Spain. These linkages promote friendly cooperation and form a network of defense arrangements that together contribute to our national security and to regional stability. They can also serve to assist the continuing modernization and professionalization of the AFP.
The Defense Department supports the enhancement of existing arrangements as wall as the deepening of the scope of these arrangements to other areas which would be beneficial to both parties. In particular, the DND seeks to explore further opportunities for the enrichment of dialogue, sharing of intelligence on common security interests, training for better inter-operability and acquisition and maintenance of defense equipment.
Consistent with our foreign policy, the DND likewise supports the widening of defense relations by the opening up of defense agreements with other countries in the spirit of defense cooperation and the promotion of peace and stability around the world.
STRATEGIC LINKAGES
The increasing interdependence of countries as manifested by the establishment of structures and processes for economic and security cooperation is a major incentive for the Philippines to strengthen its strategic linkages with organizations involved in security and defense dialogues, especially with those not within the scope of our defense alliances and bilateral arrangements. These strategic linkages, whether bilateral or multilateral, official or unofficial levels, serve to enhance our defense and security, both in the short and long term prospects. Participation in these strategic linkages contributes significantly to the nation's security by promoting understanding, building confidence and limiting the possibility of tension and conflict.
Strategic linkages enable Defense Department to network with domestic and foreign organizations and eminent persons involved in security and defense research. The Department regularly sends defense officials and AFP officers to official meetings like those in the ASEAN Regional Forum, to unofficial meeting like the annual Asia-Pacific Roundtable and to other meetings organized by the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP), the track 2 counterpart of the ARF. Defense personnel also participate in local seminars and workshops that deal with defense-related matters.
The Defense Department seeks active participation in these strategic dialogues and in the development of strategic linkages with government agencies, non-governmental organization and educational and research institutions involved in security research and advocacy, both here and abroad.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The effective defense of our country rests on the quality of our regular fighting force and the citizen armed force. The focus of defense in human resource development is twofold: first, to be able to gain and maintain quality people and second, to enhance the professionalism of our corps of officers and the rank and file in the enlisted and civilian corps. The object of HRD is to be able to put the right soldier, sailor or airman in the right job at the right time and place supported by a competent civilian work force.
HRD efforts will center on the following:
First, the development of a highly professional and strategically minded defense and military leadership through a combination of education and training, professional assignments and self-development programs.
Second, the enhancement of managerial and technological expertise particularly in the fields of research and development and systems acquisition.
Third, the enhancement of our competence and merit-based personnel management systems particularly in promotion and assignment.
Fourth, the improvement of the soldier's "quality of life" through the provision of the basics in health services and housing as well as facilities that will provide a decent life for the soldier and his family like centers for learning, child care amenities, family support centers, recreational facilities, commissaries, in-camp transport amenities and other beneficial programs and facilities.
RESERVE FORCE DEVELOPMENT
Citizen-based defense calls for the development of a readily mobilizable reserve force that is well-organized, well-trained and properly equipped. The "total force concept" of mobilizing our national resources for defense must be strengthened through the sound integration of the Armed Forces and the Reserve Force. Like the regular force, the reserve must be properly led and managed in all aspects -personnel, training, supply, material and financial.
The facilities and resources of the Armed Forces of the Philippines may not be enough to respond to national emergencies. In addition to the organization and maintenance of reserve forces, the guidance for future reserve force planning and programming is the establishment of a system to mobilize and integrate into the regular defense force the manpower and resources of the civilian community who are not part of reserve forces, particularly those in the business community, public utilities, non-governmental organizations and local government units. Specific sectors targeted for mobilization in times of crisis include the airlines, shipping lines, fishing industries, transport companies and medical facilities.
SELF-RELIANT DEFENSE POSTURE PROGRAM
Defense Self-Reliance is only possible after a period of foreign procurement coupled with technology transfer, in the short term, and the establishment of a domestic defense industry capable of indigenous support for AFP weapons and equipment, in the long term. The various SDRP projects, properly guided and managed, can be integrated and developed into a local defense industry initially capable of at least providing repair and maintenance support with a high level of domestic content. Later on, with sufficient investment in research and development and sound management, the industry can be elevated to provide upgrades and even move into the manufacture of defense products.
SRDP programs should give emphasis on projects for which the country has comparative advantages and should avoid one-shot projects or projects whose economic viability is doubtful-Beyond achieving defense self-reliance, a local defense industry, arising from today's self-reliant defense posture programs, will provide employment opportunities, enhance the depth and diversity of the Filipino's technological expertise and help build an industrial base for economic growth.
The already existing Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be periodically reviewed and analyzed for policy and structural changes to make it more responsive to changing and more complex defense requirements and to attune it to better support AFP requirements. The Defense Department will work to expand and strengthen government support for SRDP and seek to lay down strong management foundations for the SRDP. The thrust will be on four efforts:
First, the integration of SRDP and the AFP Modernization Program;
Second, the encouragement of research and development activities;
Third, the development of a strong partnership between the defense establishment and local industries;
Fourth, the strategic tie-up with foreign-based industries as necessary, especially on defense items with more advanced technology.
DOCTRINE DEVELOPMENT
Doctrine, in general, describes the way our units fight and operate. Sound doctrine, known and understood by all members of the Armed Forces, is crucial to success in military operations. Doctrine at the strategic, operational and tactical levels need to be developed and institutionalized with emphasis on combined, joint and inter-agency operations. The intellectual energies of the defense establishment must be harnessed in developing doctrine. Units responsible for doctrine development are to be staffed with personnel possessed with the right aptitude and a strategic mindset.
People involved in doctrine development must be trained on how to properly develop doctrine, particularly in the research and analysis methods. Doctrine development units must be supported not only with administrative requirements but more importantly, with information management systems to include libraries, publications and the Internet. Additionally, there must exist a process whereby doctrinal output is tested, evaluated and improved through wargaming, simulation and, it possible, actual field application.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Spending for defense is taken from taxpayer's money and the Defense Department has the duty to practice fiscal and material responsibility in a resource constrained environment. Defense resources must be used wisely as defense spending is not only an expense, it is an investment in the future and well-being of the country for which the Filipino people expect the most return. This demands tough choices and decisions as spending in one area deprives resources from another. It must be understood that force capabilities and preparedness are tied up to availability of resources.
Present financial and material resources management will be regularly reviewed for efficiency. Emphasis will be on three things: cost-effectiveness, the proper match of support with requirements and the institutionalization of ethical business practices. The object of our resource management is the judicious and efficient use of limited resources. Transparency, probity and accountability should characterize all DND business processes and transactions.
Sound resource management calls for the computerization of offices and units. The education and training of defense and military personnel in resource management is another important factor which DND will focus on.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Proper education and training is the key to professionalism and force preparedness. High quality education and training programs results in good officers, soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilian personnel. This in turn translates to a quality force.
Education and training remains a top priority in defense activities. Schools and training institutions must be properly supported in terms of qualified and competent instructors and trainers, information sources (library, Internet, publications) and administrative support. Education programs must be designed to promote intellectual integrity and self-development.
Domestic and foreign schooling programs must be reviewed to make them congruent to the training needs of the Armed Forces and responsive to the AFP's changing operational environment. Educational opportunities arising out of our defense arrangements with other countries will be fully harnessed. In managing training requirements and give the individual the training necessary to effectively perform in the job. The selection criteria for both domestic and foreign schooling should not only be rank and position but more importantly, competence and service potential.
It must be emphasized that foreign education and training is not a substitute for local training but a complement. Our objective is to develop a truly indigenous education and training program for our soldiers and civilian personnel.
At the strategic level, a sound and appropriate program for continuing education and scientific inquiry for national defense, in both formal and non-formal context, needs to be institutionalized. An important component of this would be the education of defense and military personnel in sound resource management and policy formulation. As necessary and as resources would allow, "think tanks" will be established at appropriate levels of the Defense Department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct scientific policy analysis and management studies on defense and security questions. Defense research and development, especially in key fields of national defense such as information technology, communications electronics, navigation systems, weapons technology and logistical and materiel systems, life sciences and medicine will be strengthened.
The Defense Department will undertake steps toward a world-higher centers of defense learning at the National Defense College of the Philippines and the AFP Joint Command and Staff College. DND will see to it that the strategic levels of learning are harmonized with the operational and tactical levels. Like other facets of the defense organization, the continuing education and training program requires regular and systematic monitoring and evaluation. They should be subjected to intensive curriculum review to ensure that they are consistent with doctrine and national defense policy.
CONTINUING FORCE MODERNIZATION AND PROFESSIONALIZATION
To effectively meet changing defense challenges requires a professional and competent Armed Forces equipped with modern technology. The quality and smart use of modern military technology can make the difference between success and failure in addressing peacetime contingencies and victory or defeat during war. The Armed Forces must continually take advantage of modern technology to give it the capability to effectively deal with variegated security scenarios and the edge against the adversary during war. It must work towards the establishment of a good command and control structure that can efficiently and effectively manage and direct defense efforts. DND is committed to the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The AFP Modernization Program is presently the centerpiece program of force modernization. Defense priority is to expedite and strengthen the program through a sound equipment acquisition strategy and efficient project management processes. A regular evaluation of the program will to a conducted in response to economic developments and changes in national priorities.
The modernization of the Armed Forces, however, is not limited to the program. The Defense Department will, on a continuous basis, acquire modern military technology outside the budget of the AFP Modernization Program, particularly in the area of information technology. Acquisition of new equipment will be backed up by proper research and review as to overall relevance to strategy and doctrine and supported by sound and ethical management processes.
Force modernization must always be accompanied by professionalization -the continued enhancement of the state of professionalism in the officer corps, the enlisted personnel and civilian employess. Professionalism can be achieved through good human resource development programs that promote competence and ethical conduct. Along with force modernization, DND is likewise committed to the continuing professionalization of the Armed Forces through the enhancement of operational and functional procedures that adhere to standards of excellence and promote competence and integrity.
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