PHILIPPINE MILITARY HISTORY 1. BRIEF HISTORY of the AFP Pre
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PHILIPPINE MILITARY HISTORY 1. 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. The latter 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 H 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 1892. In August 23, 1896, the Cry of Pugad Lawin signaled the start of the Philippine 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 1897, 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 harse 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 ceded 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 of 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 3rd LECTURE MS 1 The Japanese Occupation Consequent to the declaration of war by Japan with the United States, the invading Japanese Forces landed in Vigan and Aparri in Luzon on December 10, 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. 2. 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 in the 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 Sto 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 for military instruction. These students were immediately sent to action together with 500 Hispano-Filipino regulars (in the King’s Regiment) and 80 Filipinos to counter the 7000 strong British Regiment. Though obviously mismatched against the British force, the ragtag force assembled 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 did 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 this 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 colleges 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 able- bodied male students in all colleges, institutes, and 3rd LECTURE MS 1 schools of the university were required to undergo military training 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.