PDGS
Partnership for Democratic Governance and Security

C. GOAL AND THRUSTS

1. The AFP modernization program builds on fifteen years of development towards a self-reliant and a credible defense force applying the priorities set out in the National Defense Strategy (NDS), and the requirements of Republic Act #7898 otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act.

2. The following key parameters underpin the AFP Modernization Program:

a. The development of a self-reliant and credible Strategy Armed Force along the concept of a "Citizens Armed Force"; the reconfiguration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Structure; and the professionalization of the AFP;

b. The continuing implementation of reforms in the recruitment, training, employment and management of AFP personnel;

c. The development, validation or modification of AFP doctrines;

d The acquisition and upgrading of appropriate technology and equipment; and

e. The relocation, improvement, and construction of bases and other facilities.

3. The application of these parameters is not uniform across the major services which have quite different organizational and basing structures and weapons systems, the combat structures of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force are largely major equipment oriented, while the Philippine Army is organized around personnel based structure. Any significant reduction of the personnel strength of the AFP inevitably involves a more fundamental change in its organizations/basing structures and weapon systems including greater use of reserves from each major service while maintaining the required overall force readiness.

4. The AFP Modernization Program aims to develop the capabilities of the AFP to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty, and protect and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines. The AFP Modernization Program consists of the following components:

a. Force restructuring and organizational development - The development of the AFP into a compact, efficient, responsive and modern standing force with the capability to engage in conventional and/or unconventional warfare, disaster relief and rescue operations, and contribute to economic development and other now traditional military roles, it shall likewise provide for the identification, organization, training and development of reserve force and affiliated reserve units of the AFP, especially in the Navy and Air Force.

b. Capability, materiel, and technology development - This component involves acquisition and upgrade or Air Force, Navy and Army and general headquarters equipment and materiel of such types and quantities in accordance with the need to develop ACP capabilities pursuant to its modernization objectives and shall be synchronized with the phase-out of uneconomical and obsolete major equipment and weapons systems in the AFP inventory.

c. Bases/support system development - Development of permanent bases for Land, Air, and Naval Forces to confirm with National Defense Strategies and the government's socio-economic thrusts, provide a systematic relocation AFP units to enhance their capability in the performance of their mission, provide adequate support systems and housing facilities to AFP units and personnel; provide training grounds for maneuver and territorial forces as well as the reserve components; and develop bases and camps along standard criteria for space allocations, zoning and efficient correlation of land areas and structure.

d. Human resource development - The strengthening of the patriotic spirit and nationalist consciousness of the military, and respect for people's rights in the performance of their duty; development and transformation of the AFP into a primarily external security-oriented force; the development of a compact, effective, efficient and responsive citizen-based force; the implementation of programs that will enable the AFP to perform its role in environment/resource protection and multi-national peace-keeping operations; the conversion of the AFP into a service/people-oriented and professionally united force; and the improvement of the quality of life of soldiers and their families, and the reorientation of the values of all personnel in the AFP.

e. Doctrines development - This component requires the implementation of a rational and integrated approach for the generation, evaluation, consolidation and formalization of doctrines; the conduct of periodic review and validation of doctrines through field application, testing and exercises; and dissemination of approved doctrines at all levels of command.