LESSON 1: PHILIPPINE MILITARY HISTORY

1. Spanish Colonization
The rule was first introduced to the rest when Ferdinand Magellan discovered the island on 16 Mar 1521. He makes friends with Rajah Kulambu,
Chieftain of Limasawa Island and Rajah Siagu of Butuan.

Magellan’s effort to firmly establish Spanish rule over the islands were put in vain when he was killed by a local chieftain named Lapu-lapu in the
Battle of Mactan.

Only 18 men and 1 ship (Victoria) returned to Spain.

Feb 1565, another expedition headed by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi a navigator and a governor arrived in Cebu in 1565 succeeded where Magellan’s
had failed.

Legaspi established a Spanish forthold in Cebu and nearby areas; Spanish control extended over the rest of the island.

In 1571, Martin de Goiti captured Manila and made it as the colony’s capital. From then on, Spanish ruled over the islands because of an established
pact, a condition that lasted for 333 years.

The colonial rule was not a generous one. The populace were set aside deliberately ignorant by denying education to all but a handful of the nature
gentry.

1. Spanish Colonization

1.1. Revolution Against Spain

As early as the first decade of Spanish rule, the Filipinos already rose in revolt. Notable of which are:

- Rajah Lakandula in 1574

- Magat Salamat in 1588

- Tamblot in Bohol in 1622

- Igorot in 1601

- Gaddangs in 1621

- Leyte in 1622

- Malong’s Revolt in 1660

- Basi and Silang Revolt in Ilocos

- Dagohoy Rebellion in Bohol

The reason for these uprisings were varied stemming from protest against unfair practices and discrimination. The previous uprisings failed because
Filipinos again could not unite against the common enemy until finally, the savage retribution after the failed Cavite Mutiny of 1872 planted the seed
of a truly national uprising of 1896.

The Philippines was a colony of the Spanish Empire for more than 300 years. Spain gave the natives – a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and small
indigenous tribes – a colonial government to rule by the sword and what was essentially a state religion, Spanish Catholicism, which ruled by the
cross.

2. The Truly Military Organization

KKK was organized by Andres Bonifacio on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga Street (now Claro M Recto) in Tondo Manila. Whose primary aim is
to gain independence from Spain through revolution.

Two phases of revolution were formed. (Magdalo and Magdiwang faction)

The peasant-initiated revolution spearheaded by the Katipunan up to the time of the Biak-na-Bato Pact.

The return of Aguinaldo to the proclamation of Philippine Independence of June 12, 1898

In the Tejeros Convention of 1897, the revolutionary gov’t of 1897 was organized. Among the agreed appointments is the designation on Mar 22,
1897 of Gen Artemio Ricarte as CG. Formalization of various arms of the army such as Arty, Cavalry, Ordnance, Commissary, Quartermaster, Signal,
Medical and Dental Services as well as the local Sandatahan (Militia).

The infant Phil Army has its baptism of fire during the war against America on Feb 4, 1899. The army about 30,000 men whom 16,000 were fully
armed except 26,000 poorly armed militia.

Gen Ricarte was captured in 1910. He died in 1945 still a defiant patriot.

Others who continued to resist were Macario Sakay proclaimed as Pres of the Tagalog Republic and General Bicol.

Other leaders dubbed as COLORUM MOVEMENTS emerged from 1901 to 1910.

3. The Commonwealth Army (1935-1945)
With the passing of the Tydings-McDuffy Law Act of 1934, also called Philippine Commonwealth and Independence Act. Commonwealth of the
Philippines was inaugurated in 1935.

Commonwealth (National Defense) Act Nr 1 Circa 1935 was passed. An act provides for the establishment of the National Defense Forces.

Phil Army was reactivated on 11 Jan 1936 pur to EO Nr 11 with Phil Constabulary elements as its nucleus.

The 10 Reserve Divisions were drawn from 10 Military Districts in which the Philippines is divided.

On July 26, 1941 US Pres Franklin Delano Roosevelt called into services of the US Army the 2 Regular and 10 Res Div as part of the United States Army
Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) contingent and were called to active duty the following day.

4. The Hukbalahap Rebellion

The HUKBALAHAP or Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon was a socialist/communist guerrilla movement formed by the farmers of Central Luzon. They
are popularly known as the “HUKS”. They were originally formed to fight the Japanese, but extended their fight into a rebellion against the
Philippine Government, known as the Hukbalahap Rebellion in 1946. It started during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942 and
continued during the presidency of Manuel Roxas and ended in 1954 under the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay which resulted to Philippine
Government Victory.

Scout Ranger as organized by then CPT RAFAEL ILETO used in the neutralization of Huks. When the need for the Scout Rangers no longer existed
brought about by lack of action, the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment was deactivated in 1959.

5. The Third Republic (1950-1953)

Pres Roxas issued EO Nr 92 dtd Oct 4, 1947. The Army was renamed the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

May 6, 1948 - 4 mil areas were activated replacing the 10 mil district. On same date, the mil training command were elevated to Major Commands as
Phil ground Force, Phil Naval Patrol and the Philippine Air Force.
6. The Battle of Yuldung (1950-1953)
On June 25 1950, 135,000 North Korea Communist Army stormed across 38th parallel to invade South Korea and captured Seoul, the capital of South
Korea in just 2 days.

US sent forces to help defend South Korea but were eventually overpowered and forced to temporary retreat.

UN appealed to allied nations for reinforcement.

On September 1950, when the war broke out, immediately the Philippine Government under the leadership of Pres Elpidio Quirino offered to support
although at that time we still on the stage of recovery from the damage of WWII.

In 1950, 7 Army Commands and 26 BCT (BCTs) were organized, 5 of these BCTs took turns in serving with the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea
(PEFTOK) from 1950-1953.

Pres Elpidio Quirino also sent his only son and his son in law to war and he quote, “ I sent ahead of you my only son and my son in law to offer their
blood in the defense of the democracy, thus, my pride will be that with my own flesh and blood.

7. The Vietnam War (1966-1968)

The Philippines was involved in the Vietnam War, under the leadership of Pres Ferdinand Marcos supporting civil and medical operations. Initial
deployment in 1964 amounted to 28 military personnel including nurses, and 6 civilians. The number of Filipino troops who serve Vietnam swelled to
182 Officers and 1,882 Enlisted Personnel during the period 1966-1968

On July 1, 1957, HPA was organized with BGEN LEONCIO TAN as Commanding General.

In the late 1960’s, Army was also utilized as a National Defense Force and as a nation-builder.

The Army Corps of Engrs with 51st Engr Bde as center.

By 1970, 1 Army Division (1st TABAK) and 3 Bdes (2nd, 4th and 5th) as well as supporting anti-tank Artillery and independent Armor company size
units were activated.

8. The Martial Law Years (1972-1986)

Sept 21, 1972 - Pres Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos declared Martial Law all over the country.

Faced with serious insurgent, Marcos expanded the Army from 29,000 in 1972 to 65,000 in 1986 and strengthened the 3 independent Bdes to full
Divisions.

The Phil Light Armor Regiment later renamed PALAB was organized.
The First Scout Ranger Regiment was reactivated.

Aug 21, 1983- Sen Benigno Aquino was assassinated.

The NPA regained strength from only 3,000 in 1979 to 25,000 guerillas in 1986.

Resentment within the military grew, thus the birth of Reform the AFP Movement (RAM) headed by Sen Honasan and Min Juan Ponce Enrile.

Feb 7, 1986 Pres Marcos called for SNAP Election. The opposition rallied behind Sen Aquino’s widow Mrs Corazon C Aquino.

Minister Enrile tried to mount a coup but failed when the plan was discovered and arrested some perpetrators on 22 Feb ‘86.

LT GEN FIDEL V RAMOS joined Enrile in the barricading Cp Crame announcing their support to Mrs Aquino as the rightful President.

Agapito Aquino, brother of the slain senator and Archibishop Jaime Sin urged the people to surround the camps in order to protect the Enrile and
Ramos thus what came to known as the Edsa People Power Revolution.

Feb 24, 1986 when a flight of several Sikorsky who were ordered to strafed Cp Crame landed on said camp and defected instead.

Military support for Marcos eroded swiftly and accepted US offer to fly him out of Malacanang Palace.

He was eventually forced into exile in Hawaii where he died in 1989.

It was the most bloodless “REVOLUTION” in history.

Ten years after the EDSA revolution, the AFP has regained prestige and credibility in the eyes of the people and government. The rebellions and the
Human Right issues were slowly being resolved. The communist challenge has been beaten back and the greater discipline and professionalism
repeatedly displayed by the members of the military establishment has earned admiration from critical observers both here and abroad. But with
greater awareness and a higher sense of duty among the military, we are confident that we are in the right path towards the achievement of modern,
effective, professional and truly popular Armed Forces of the people.