Philippine Army Research Articles

Strengthening the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Professional Military Education of the Enlisted Personnel Towards Performance Index

This study shows the factors of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Professional Military Education and its impact on the Enlisted Personnel’s operations, specifically with the Non-Commissioned Officers. This will inspire the Enlisted Personnel to elevate their educational degree as they reach higher positions and rank and handle the numbers of personnel. Further, this study emphasizes the importance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Education and Training Management System (AFPETMS) through the research model used to determine its weight impact on the rank and files of Enlisted Personnel within the three (3) Major Services (Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and as a whole military organization. The findings of this study will help the organization conduct more research or studies that can answer future possible issues that may arise, for the advancement of the Enlisted Personnel, both in personal and career aspects. Keywords: Factors, Education, Training, Impact, Military Operations, Enlisted Personnel, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Service, Management, Rank

The Defender of the Nation: Experiences of the Philippine Army Personnel in Armed Conflicts

Armed conflicts arise when different parties or groups oppose each other’s interests or objectives, often manifesting in violence and threats that instill fear in affected populations and lead to loss of life, psychological trauma, and property destruction. This study focused on the sacrifices made by Philippine Army personnel during armed conflict operations. It aimed to explore their lived experiences, identify the coping mechanisms they employed, and gather their suggestions and recommendations to mitigate the impacts of armed conflict. This study utilized a semi-structured interview guide to collect data. The findings revealed that the lived experiences of Philippine Army personnel during armed conflicts include citizen cooperation, battlefield encounters, fear, emotional anxiety, inspiration, heroism, difficulties during initial encounters, grief, loss of appetite, and psychological trauma. Coping mechanisms identified included unwavering commitment, positive thinking, faith and spiritual guidance, resilience, and prioritizing safety in military operations. The study recommends that Philippine Army personnel undergo counseling services to ensure their well-being and mental health. Furthermore, it advises the Department of National Defense to enhance the modernization and availability of protective equipment. It also encourages citizens to appreciate the work of soldiers and suggests that criminology students consider diverse career paths beyond the traditional tri-bureau.

Effectiveness of Instructor Training and Development At Artillery Training School, Army Artillery Regiment, Philippine Army

Effectiveness of Instructor Training and Development At Artillery Training School, Army Artillery Regiment, Philippine Army

Security Practices and its Correlates to Incident Command System on Safety Procedures

This paper sheds light to the crucial role being played by army officers not just in the site of interest which is Philippines but also in almost all countries taking into consideration security practices and Incident Command System on safety procedures. In effect, as to the significant differences in the assessment of the respondents on the internal security practices of the Philippine Army considering variables of the present study where p values are generally higher than the level of significance, has resulted to the acceptance of the null hypothesis of no significant difference. This presupposes that intervening variables move in a somewhat the same direction but different magnitude. In the context of the current academic piece, this implies that respondents are performing satisfactorily their functions in acquiescence to the commanding authority and is compliant with ICS. After careful scrutiny of data, researchers recommend that Philippine Army shall issue relevant policies for authorization of its personnel to visit other offices nationwide. On operational security, the P.A.’s treasury office or finance office shall be secured properly by security personnel or military police. For future researches, relevant studies may be conducted to a widened scope to improve the internal security practices of the P.A. exploring other relevant variables and its compliance to the security management system. As for international security standards, benchmarking on safety practices and procedures among allied countries be cultivated and reinforced to ameliorate its treaty and ensure its international resiliency against potential threat both natural and man-made.

Civilian-Military Service through Voluntary Engagement in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Perspectives from the Philippine Army

Civilian-Military Service through Voluntary Engagement in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Perspectives from the Philippine Army

Physical Activity and Self-Efficacy on Exercise among Elderly Retired Philippine Army: Basis for Policy-making on Physical Activity Program

This study aimed to investigate the physical activity and the level of self-efficacy in relation to exercise among the retired Philippine Army based in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines during the months of May and June 2023. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was utilized in the study. Data were gathered from 19 retired Philippine Army personnel during the Armed Forces Veteran Association- Zamboanga del Norte’s monthly meeting. Frequency count, weighted mean and Pearson Correlation was used to analyze the collected data. The study found out that there was no significant relationship between physical activity on age, gender and length of service. It was also noted that there was a positive correlation between the variables age, gender and length of service this suggests that if there were changes in the variable physical activity, all other variables would change on the same direction. Moreover, Results showed that age and gender had a significant relationship as well as age and self-efficacy as both relationships showed a positive correlation. However, length of service and self-efficacy does not show significant relationship because of its negative correlation. Furthermore, results show no significant relationship between physical activity and the level of self-efficacy among Armed Forces veterans in Zamboanga del Norte. The results revealed a positive correlation which indicates that when the variable self-efficacy changes, the variable physical activity also changes on the same direction.

A Correlational Study Among Personal Accomplishment, Occupational Exhaustion, Skepticism, and Self-Efficacy Among Philippine Army Soldiers as COVID-19 Frontliners

A Correlational Study Among Personal Accomplishment, Occupational Exhaustion, Skepticism, and Self-Efficacy Among Philippine Army Soldiers as COVID-19 Frontliners

CRIMINOLOGY GRADUATES IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR PROFESSION: AN ANALYSIS OF EMPLOYERS’ FEEDBACK

The main purpose of this study is to determine the employers’ feedback in the performance of NEUST criminology graduates in the practice of their profession. This study made use of a descriptive-quantitative-qualitative survey technique. The study was conducted in the different agencies of the law enforcement with in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces area where graduates were employed or assigned, specifically, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Army (PA), Universities and Colleges within Nueva Ecija, and Private Sector. Based on the findings, employers were very much impressed with the performance of the NEUST criminology graduates as can be seen from their positive responses during the conduct of the study.

Combatant rank and socialization to norms of restraint: examining the Australian and Philippine armies

ABSTRACT How does combatant rank influence the adoption of international humanitarian law (IHL) norms—or “norms of restraint”—within military organizations? To date, few political science studies have directly examined the impact of rank in influencing combatant socialization to norms of restraint. Such a gap in the literature is striking: rank is perhaps one of the most fundamentally important characteristics that shapes combatant identity. This study helps to fill this gap by examining combatant rank and the transmission and adoption of norms of restraint in military organizations. To do so, it conducts the first known comparative research study exploiting original survey and interview data from two state armed forces—the Australian Army and the Philippine Army. Research results show that under some conditions combatant rank can significantly influence the norm socialization process. Data further suggest that the adoption of such norms may be linked to the nature of command relationships within the military: the relative influence possessed by senior officers and junior enlisted members may affect the degree to which official norms are transmitted to enlisted combatants. Finally, data reveal the potentially problematic paradox of rank: the noncommissioned officers (NCOs) most influential for junior enlisted soldiers may themselves be more resistant to norms of restraint than senior officers operating at higher levels of command. Such data provide noteworthy new data enhancing our understanding of rank, military culture, and combatant socialization to norms of restraint.

Combatant Rank and Socialization to Norms of Restraint: Examining the Australian and Philippine Armies

How does combatant rank influence the adoption of international humanitarian law (IHL) norms—or “norms of restraint”—within military organizations? To date, no studies have examined how combatant rank influences the adoption of norms of restraint within armed groups. This study helps to fill this gap by conducting the first known study explicitly examining the role of combatant rank in shaping the transmission and adoption of norms of restraint in military organizations. To do so, this study conducts one of the first known comparative academic studies exploiting original survey and interview data from two state armed forces—the Australian Army and the Philippine Army. Research results indicate that under some conditions combatant rank can significantly influence the norm socialization process in ways both expected and surprising. Combatant adoption of norms of restraint can vary considerably within the military hierarchy. Australian and Philippine data further suggest that the adoption of such norms may be linked to the nature of command relationships within the military. Such data provides noteworthy new data enhancing our understanding of rank, military culture, and combatant socialization to norms of restraint.

Capabilities of Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division Personnel in the Conduct of Disaster Response Operations

The purpose of the study is to determine the knowledge and preparedness of military personnel of the Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, in Disaster Response Operations. A survey using questionnaire was conducted to available personnel using Convenience Sampling. Quantitative research was used in the study. Descriptive statistics were also employed to determine the Mean, Standard Deviation, Frequency, and Percentage. The study has established that the personnel of Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, are prepared and knowledgeable in Disaster Response Operations. Furthermore, Demographic Profile is not significant, while Knowledge in Disaster Response Operations is significant in terms of preparedness in Disaster Response Operations. The study would contribute in an evaluation of personnel regarding their knowledge and preparedness in Disaster Response Operations in order to further enhance their skills for them to be effective responders in helping the community in saving lives and properties during disasters and calamities. Keyword s: military personnel, disaster preparedness, operations

Frustrated Ambition: General Vicente Lim and the Philippine Military Experience, 1910–1944

Richard B. Meixsel wanted to write a biography of Brig. Gen. Vicente Lim for a number of reasons. Primarily, it was because Lim was the first Filipino graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Army Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. In addition, Lim was considered the most capable Filipino officer, who possessed a unique vision for establishing the military of a newly sovereign nation, and he has been largely forgotten—as are almost all of the Filipino soldiers—in American-centric military histories of the Philippines. Since these soldiers constituted the bulk of the forces that fought there in the 1941–1942 period, however, Meixsel desires to provide the history of the Filipino forces to paint a more realistic portrait of the Philippines during the American period of occupation as well as during and immediately after the war. In particular, Meixsel wants to illustrate the agency of the Filipinos; but the problem with this goal is first illustrated in the chapter on U.S. military defense planning for the Philippines in the 1920s. Lim and other Filipino leaders are barely seen since they were not included in any of the defense planning. Perhaps it is not possible to illustrate Filipino agency if they was no agency, at least at that level? Again, when Douglas MacArthur was hired as military adviser, Lim was in the background and not really seen. President Manuel Quezon and other Filipino political elites wanted MacArthur as the military adviser to build a Philippine army because of his stature, a stature that no Filipino officer could match. Filipino agency was thus demonstrated, but not at Lim's level. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the situation was similar. During the defense planning for the war, Filipino military officers were hardly present; ultimately, neither were Filipino officials. Agency was still in the hands of American policy makers in Washington, D.C., then the U.S. Army, then MacArthur and the U.S. Military Mission, and finally Quezon, not the small number of highly qualified officers who could have been tapped for their talent.

Frustrated Ambition: General Vicente Lim and the Philippine Military Experience, 1910–1944 by Richard B. Meixsel

Reviewed by: Frustrated Ambition: General Vicente Lim and the Philippine Military Experience, 1910–1944 by Richard B. Meixsel Maria Felisa S. Tan RICHARD B. MEIXSEL Frustrated Ambition: General Vicente Lim and the Philippine Military Experience, 1910–1944 Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2018. 351 pages. Together with Josefa Llanes Escoda and Jose Abad Santos, Vicente Lim is memorialized in the Philippines's 1000-peso banknote. But sadly, no in-depth biography over the past decades has been written about him by any Filipino scholar or historian probably due to the lack of written sources. The closest to a biography there was on Lim was the compilation of his letters to his wife and sons, To Inspire and to Lead (1980), which was published privately by his granddaughter Nieves Lim Ledesma. It is thus commendable that an American military historian, Richard Meixsel, has written a biography on Lim: Frustrated Ambition: General Vicente Lim and the Philippine Military Experience, 1910–1944. The author is an associate professor of history at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. Meixsel has also written articles on Philippine and US military history, and he is the author of two books, Clark Field and The US Army Air Corps (2002) and Philippine–American Military History, 1902–1942: An Annotated Bibliography (2003). Frustrated Ambition contains eleven chapters that trace Lim's military career and his involvement in every significant military development in the Philippines. Unlike the standard biography where the focus is on a [End Page 407] single person's life, this book juxtaposes Lim's story with the formation of the Philippine Army. The amount of detail on the history of the Philippine Army and the various personalities involved with the institution is both the book's strength and weakness. While the idea of interspersing facets of Lim's story with that of the Philippine Army is an interesting one, it overwhelms the reader with too much information on the Philippine Army, leaving too little on Lim in most chapters. This difficulty can be gleaned for instance in chapter 4, where the author provides a lengthy discussion on the origins of the Philippine military system and then, toward the end of the chapter, merely quotes a lecture that Lim delivered arguing that the Filipinos recruited to the Philippine Army should be military-minded (91). From these eleven chapters, the information pertaining directly to Lim can be summarized as follows: Born on 5 April 1888 in Calamba, Laguna, Lim graduated from the Philippine Normal School and later taught for six months at a public school in Santa Cruz, Laguna. In March 1910 Lim began his military career when he was accepted in the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. He was the first Filipino to graduate from West Point, after which he received his commission as a second lieutenant. After Lim returned to the Philippines in 1914, he joined the Philippine Scouts and was subsequently assigned to Fort San Pedro in Iloilo. During his stay at the fort, Lim disclosed that he was not happy with the way his American commanding officer was treating him, but he neither explained how nor stated the reason why he was treated that way. He reported the American officer's behavior to higher authorities, and the officer was relieved (33). Although membership in the Philippine Scouts represented the peak of one's career for both Filipino officers and American enlisted men, Lim was not satisfied with this achievement; he kept looking for opportunities to expand his military education and experience. In 1916 he was attached to the Philippine Constabulary (PC), then the country's militarized national police. Lim had hoped to head the PC. However, the US War Department turned down Gov.-Gen. Theodore Roosevelt's request for Lim's leadership of the PC not because of his qualifications but probably because of his character (72–73). Lim had a temper, and he lacked tact, allegedly not an easy person to get along with (105). [End Page 408] The National Defense Act of 1920 permitted Filipino Scout officers to attend service schools in the US. Lim took advantage of this opportunity to further improve his military education. From 1926...

Human Resource Management Practices on Personnel Retention in 4ID, Philippine Army

The retention of Army Personnel especially the best and brightest plays a significant role in the Philippine Army (PA), because their knowledge and skills are vital for Army’s ability in the accomplishment of its mission. With the advent of globalization, developing technology and booming economy in the country, the demand for talent has increased considerably. These emerging trends became the major challenges of every companies or organizations (private or public) to include the Philippine Army. Patriotic soldiers with brilliant minds and special expertise are now targets of this competitive environment. Having this situation, a study has been conducted to look into the five practices of Human Resource Management (HRM) on personnel retention in the Philippine Army. These HRM practices include career development opportunities, supervisor support, working environment, rewards and work-life policies. Descriptive survey research design was used and questionnaire was being filled-up by each respondent who were members of the different line units under the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), PA whose area of responsibility covers large portion of Northern Mindanao and the whole CARAGA Region. The results of the study revealed that the HRM factors were indeed practiced and these 5 practices influenced the willingness of Army personnel to stay in the Philippine Army.  Keywords: Employee, human resource management, retention, motivation Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE ‘“ ’” /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Human Resource Management Practices on Personnel Retention in 4ID, Philippine Army

The retention of Army Personnel especially the best and brightest plays a significant role in the Philippine Army (PA), because their knowledge and skills are vital for Army’s ability in the accomplishment of its mission. With the advent of globalization, developing technology and booming economy in the country, the demand for talent has increased considerably. These emerging trends became the major challenges of every companies or organizations (private or public) to include the Philippine Army. Patriotic soldiers with brilliant minds and special expertise are now targets of this competitive environment. Having this situation, a study has been conducted to look into the five practices of Human Resource Management (HRM) on personnel retention in the Philippine Army. These HRM practices include career development opportunities, supervisor support, working environment, rewards and work-life policies. Descriptive survey research design was used and questionnaire was being filled-up by each respondent who were members of the different line units under the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), PA whose area of responsibility covers large portion of Northern Mindanao and the whole CARAGA Region. The results of the study revealed that the HRM factors were indeed practiced and these 5 practices influenced the willingness of Army personnel to stay in the Philippine Army.  Keywords: Employee, human resource management, retention, motivation Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE ‘“ ’” /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Motivational Factors Influencing Civilian Volunteers to Enlist in the Philippine Army

Soldiers are considered as the most valuable asset of the Army. They must be well motivated and be able to perform given tasks despite the hardship and danger of losing their lives. In doing this study, the motivations of civilian volunteers and how these influence them in enlisting in the Philippine Army are determined by utilizing survey questionnaire complimented with interview of subject matter experts. Primary basis is the Hierarchy of Needs theory by Maslow centered on the graduated needs of individuals to be motivated to work. It turns out that Esteem and Self-Actualization needs such as service and patriotism have more influence to them in joining the Army than the Physiological Needs like pay, food, clothing and shelter. However, it was also found out that on specific motivators the income (pay and allowances) is what influence most civilian volunteers followed closely by service to country and people. The results in general presented positive outlook on volunteers and an opportunity for the Army of having soldiers who are willing to serve the country and the Filipino people even if some basic physiological needs are barely lacking.  Keywords: Motivation, volunteers, needs, civilians, soldiers, service

Motivational Factors Influencing Civilian Volunteers to Enlist in the Philippine Army

Soldiers are considered as the most valuable asset of the Army. They must be well motivated and be able to perform given tasks despite the hardship and danger of losing their lives. In doing this study, the motivations of civilian volunteers and how these influence them in enlisting in the Philippine Army are determined by utilizing survey questionnaire complimented with interview of subject matter experts. Primary basis is the Hierarchy of Needs theory by Maslow centered on the graduated needs of individuals to be motivated to work. It turns out that Esteem and Self-Actualization needs such as service and patriotism have more influence to them in joining the Army than the Physiological Needs like pay, food, clothing and shelter. However, it was also found out that on specific motivators the income (pay and allowances) is what influence most civilian volunteers followed closely by service to country and people. The results in general presented positive outlook on volunteers and an opportunity for the Army of having soldiers who are willing to serve the country and the Filipino people even if some basic physiological needs are barely lacking.  Keywords: Motivation, volunteers, needs, civilians, soldiers, service

Guardians reinvented: the Philippine army’s non-traditional engagements in Panay island, Philippines

AbstractThe Philippine military rolled out the Internal Peace and Security Plan (Bayanihan) in 2011, legitimizing the military’s support role to the government’s peace initiatives. Bayanihan commits the military to cooperative relationships with local stakeholders in all its activities towards the goal of turning over internal security responsibility to local governments and effecting an institutional shift towards an external security role. Based on research that used community-member focus group discussions and interviews of military officers and NGO leaders involved in construction, peace and development and disaster response activities in select Panay island localities, local military units have a limited number of nontraditional activities featuring seminal outward linkages, resource and expertise sharing with government agencies, the private sector, and local community from 2010 to 2014. The use of civilian mechanisms for project conceptualization, design and implementation were uneven, but with cle...

Bonner Fellers in the Philippines: American Colonial Prototype

Bonner Fellers (1896-1973), later prominent in the American occupation of Japan, in 1936 was assigned as captain in the U.S. Army to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur in Manila. His first assignment was to organize and develop a Reserve Officers’ Service School for the newly founded Philippine Army. Fellers's letters to his wife give a private view of how he gained the confidence of both General MacArthur and Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon when from 1937 to 1940 he served both men as principal aide and supported them on a trip to Washington in 1937. Fellers multitasked remarkably well and was privy to the highest level of both the American and Philippine governments.

Independence or Not? Paul V. McNutt, Manuel L. Quezon, and the Re-examination of Philippine Independence, 1937–9

In 1934 the United States set the Philippines on a new course, one that was to begin with autonomy for the archipelago as a ‘commonwealth’ - not a colony - and end with the Islands gaining independ...