Philippine Army

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Philippine Army
Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas
Rparmy.gif
Philippine Army Emblem
Founded March 22, 1897
Country Republic of the Philippines
Type Army
Size 80,000 active troops [1]
Part of Armed Forces of the Philippines
Garrison/HQ Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Motto "At your service, across the land"
Anniversaries March 22
Engagements Philippine Revolution
Spanish-American War
Philippine-American War
World War II
Hukbalahap Rebellion
Korean War
Vietnam War
Persian Gulf War[2]
Iraq War[3]
Communist Insurgencies
Islamic Insurgencies
Commanders
Commanding General of the Philippine Army LTG Arturo B. Ortiz, AFP

The Philippine Army (PA) is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen. Arturo Ortiz as the commanding general of the army.[4]

Contents

[edit] History

Main article: Military History of the Philippines

Captain General Artemio Ricarte is considered the father of the Philippine Army,[citation needed]. The armed force of General Emilio Aguinaldo's revolutionary government replaced the Katipunan military. The Philippine Army grew out of forces which fought in opposition to and which defeated forces generaled by Ricarte and others. The Philippine Army was initially organized from among former holders of reserve commissions in the United States Army, from among former officers of the Philippine Scouts and Constabulary, and others—forces involved in the defeat of the revolutionary forces in which Ricarte served. Ricarte was the only revolutionary general who refused to take the oath of allegiance to the U.S. and that he lived in exile in Hong Kong and later in Japan.[5] Ricarte was one of the leaders of an organization termed "MAKAPILIS", called Makabayan: Katipunan ng mga Pilipino (Patriotic Society of Filipinos), and characterized as having been a "fanatical pro-Japanese organization" during the WW-II Japanese occupation.[6]

After the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth on November 15, 1935, President Manuel L. Quezon sought the services of General Douglas MacArthur to evolve a national defense plan. The official birth of the Philippine Army occurred with the passage of Commonwealth Act No. 1, approved on December 21, 1935, which effected the organization of a Council of National Defense and an Army of the Philippines. The act set forth the organizational structure of the army in some detail, set forth enlistment procedures, and established mobilization procedures. The act specified that in so far as may be practicable, original appointments by the President in grades above third lieutenant shall be made from among those formerly holding Reserve Commissions in the United States Army, from among former officers of the Philippine Scouts and Constabulary, from among former officers of the National Guard and from such others who possess exceptional ability or special training and skill.[7]

A decade later, with the threat of war with Japan imminent, on July 26, 1941 a new U.S. command in the Far East was created, known as the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE). On the same date, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, issued a Presidential Order (6 Fed. Reg. 3825) which called the Philippine Commonwealth Army into the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Presidential Order did not order all the military forces of the Philippine government into the service of the United States Armed Forces. Only those units and personnel indicated in orders issued by a general officer of the United States Army were mobilized and made an integral part of the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), and only those members of a unit who physically reported for duty were inducted.[8] With an annual appropriation of 16 million pesos, the mobilized units trained new Filipino members in defending the nation and protecting its people.[citation needed]

Japanese forces invaded the Philippines after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the island of Hawaii on 7 December 1941. At this time, two regular and ten reserve divisions of the Philippine Army undertook the defense of the Philippines. These divisions were incorporated into the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The equipment of these units included: Canon de 155mm GPF; 75 mm Gun M1917; 2.95 inch QF Mountain gun; Stokes Mortar; Brandt mle 27/31; M2 Browning machine gun; M1917 Browning machine gun; M1919 Browning machine gun; M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle; M1917 Enfield rifle; M1903 Springfield rifle; Thompson submachine gun; and the M1911 pistol.

After the surrender of the Filipino and American forces in the Philippines in May 1942, independent guerrilla groups, composed of both civilian and military personnel, began to form throughout the Islands. Many of these groups worked under the control of General Douglas MacArthur's General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area. A recognized military force is defined as a force under a commander who has been appointed, designated or recognized by a general officer of the United States Army.

Service of the Philippine Commonwealth Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces terminated as of midnight, June 30, 1947, by authority of General Order #168, Army Forces Western Pacific.[8]

Philippine Army Staff Sgt. Manolo Martin demonstrates the proper method of holding a cobra during a survival course in the Balikatan Exercise 2008.

[edit] Functions

Question book-new.svg
 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2010)

The functions of the Philippine Army are:

  • Organize, train and equip Army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained combat operations on land;
  • Prepare such units as may be necessary for the effective prosecution of national defense plans and programs and Armed Forces mission, including the expansion of the peacetime Army component to meet any emergency;
  • Develop, in accordance with the other major services, tactics, techniques and equipment of interest to the Army on field operations;
  • Train, organize and equip all Army reserve units; and
  • Perform such functions as the higher authorities may direct.

[edit] Acquisition projects

As part of the AFP's Capability Upgrade Program (CUP), the Army has these acquisition projects:

[edit] Audio-visual systems

The Philippine Army, now in the thick of addressing internal threats, will have 62 units of audio-visual systems for its civil military operations in the countryside.

[edit] 81mm mortar acquisition project

A joint-venture of two companies won the bidding for the acquisition of 100 units of 81mm mortars with integrated logistics support and 2000 rounds of 81mm ammunition. A notice of award may be issued this month. [9]

[edit] Armored Personnel Carriers

Procurement for 14 units of armored personnel carriers are still awaiting the issuance of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO). [10] It was also reported that an additional 110 units of Infantry Fighting Vehicles will be procured between 2012 and 2016.[11]

[edit] Rocket Launchers

335 pieces of RPG-7 are expected to be delivered mid-year through a government-to-government transaction. No additional details are distributed yet.[12]

[edit] Major equipment

 This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2011)
Delta Mini Cruiser
Armored Vehicles Unit Received
United Kingdom FV101 Scorpion Light tank 41, delivered in 1977.[13] 65 as of 2011.
Turkey ACV-300 Tracked-APC 7, including one armoured recovery vehicle, delivered in 2010.[13]
United Kingdom FV104 Samaritan Tracked-APC 6[14]
United Kingdom FV106 Samson Tracked-APC 3[14]
United States M113 armored personnel carrier 143, delivered in 1981.[13]
United States Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) 51, delivered in 1980 (one unit modified with FV101 turret).[13][15]
United Kingdom FV432 Tracked-APC/Mortar Carrier 1[16]
Portugal Bravia Chaimite Wheeled-APC 20, delivered in 1980.[13]
United Kingdom GKN Simba Wheeled-APC 150, delivered in 1997.[13]
United States V-150 Commando Wheeled-APC 155, delivered in 1988.[13]
Utility Vehicles Unit Received
Philippines Delta Mini Cruiser[17] unknown
Philippines CMC Cruiser unknown
United States Humvee 300[citation needed]
United States HMMWV M997A2 Maxi-Ambulance 23, delivered November 2011[18]
United States M35 2½ ton cargo truck unknown
South Korea Kia KM-250 2½ ton truck All 250 delivered[19]
Japan Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter FK Series unknown
Japan Mitsubishi L200 unknown, used by Military Police
South Korea Kia KM-450 651 purchased by AFP on 2007, majority went to Army. 2nd batch of 137 units delivered December 2010.
Japan Suzuki Multi-cab unknown
United States M151 MUTT unknown
United States M880 unknown
Aircraft Unit Received
United States Beechraft 80 Queen Air 3[citation needed]
United States Cessna 421 Golden Eagle[20] 2[citation needed]
United States Cessna 206 Super Skylane 2 units received[citation needed]
United States Cessna 172 Skyhawk[21] 1 units received[citation needed]
Italy Polaris Motor SRL (Flying Inflatable Boat) 2[citation needed]
Artillery Unit Received
Israel Soltam M-71 155mm howitzer 7, delivered in 1983.[13]
United States M114A1 155 mm howitzer 8, delivered in 1972.[13]
United States M101A1 105mm howitzer 150, delivered in 1957.[13]
United States M102 105mm howitzer 24, delivered in 1978.[13]
Italy OTO Melara Model-56 105mm howitzer 120, delivered in 1983.[13]
United States M2 mortar unknown
United States M29 mortar unknown
United States M30 107mm Mortar 70, delivered in 1974.[13]
Anti-tank weapons Unit Received
United States M40 recoilless rifle unknown
United States M67 recoilless rifle unknown
United States M20 recoilless rifle unknown
United States M72 LAW unknown
Light Infantry weapons Unit Received
United States M16 Rifle- Assault Rifle 200,000+ and under licensed production[citation needed]
United States M4 Carbine- Assault Carbine unknown
United States M14 Rifle- Assault Rifle 40,000+[citation needed]
United States CAR-15- Assault Rifle unknown
Austria Steyr AUG - Assault Rifle unknown
Germany Heckler & Koch MP5 - Submachine Gun[22] unknown
Germany Heckler & Koch G36 - Assault Rifle[22] unknown
United States M60- General Purpose Machine Gun unknown
South Korea Daewoo K3 - Light Machine Gun 5,883[citation needed]
Singapore Ultimax 100 - Light Machine Gun unknown
United States M2HB - .50 caliber Heavy machine Gun unknown
Belgium FN Minimi - Light Machine Gun unknown
United States M21- Sniper Weapon System unknown
United States M203- Rifle-mounted Grenade Launcher unknown
United States M79- Standalone Grenade Launcher unknown
United States Barrett M82A1 - sniper rifle unknown
Italy Beretta 92 - Semiautomatic Pistol[citation needed] unknown
Italy Benelli M1 Super 90 - Shotgun unknown
Italy Benelli M3 - Shotgun unknown
United States M1911 - Semiautomatic Pistol unknown

[edit] Regular units

The Philippine Army has several regular units dedicated to counter-insurgency and conventional army operations.

[edit] Infantry

[edit] Armor and cavalry

[edit] Combat support units

[edit] Service support units

[edit] Special units

The Philippine Army has a number of units dedicated to special operations. These units report directly to the Philippine Army Special Operations Command

[edit] Bases

[edit] Luzon

[edit] Visayas

[edit] Mindanao

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] (November 18, 2011).
  2. ^ mahalo.com. "Gulf War". http://www.mahalo.com/Gulf_War. Retrieved 2008-07-04 
  3. ^ cnn.com (July 9, 2004). "Death Toll For U.S.-Led Coalition in Iraq". CNN (CNN). http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/07/09/iraq.main/index.html. Retrieved 2008-07-04 
  4. ^ "Ortiz takes command of Philippine Army". Manila Bulletin. July 23, 2010. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268526/ortiz-takes-command-philippine-army. 
  5. ^ Zaide, Sonia M. (1999). The Philippines: a unique nation. All-Nations Pub.. ISBN 9789716420647. http://books.google.com/books?id=B6ZtAQAACAAJ.  p. 276.
  6. ^ Zaide 1999, p. 346.
  7. ^ Commonwealth Act No. 1, The National Defense Act, Approved December 21, 1935, Chanrobles Law Library.
  8. ^ a b The National Archives; National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis: Philippine Army and Guerrilla Records
  9. ^ "CUP Phase 2: 81mm Mortar acquisition project". Timawa.net. http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=25515.0. Retrieved 2011-01-09. [unreliable source?]
  10. ^ "Protect your taxes=AFP acquisitions". Timawa.net. http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=14770.30. Retrieved 2011-01-09. [unreliable source?]
  11. ^ Dhick, Mowby (05/17/11). "AFP needs P42.1 billion for Security Program". Philippine Star. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=651787&publicationSubCategoryId=63. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
  12. ^ "Rocket Launcher Acquisition (PA)". Timawa.net. http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=26818.0. Retrieved 2011-03-27. 
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Information generated in 17 June 2011. http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php. Retrieved 21 June 2011. 
  14. ^ a b Light Armored Division Official Website (archived from the original on 2008-06-24)
  15. ^ Light Armored Division website Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV)
  16. ^ "FV432 APC: LAD’s Newfound Son". Light Armored Division, Philippine Army. http://www.lightarmordivision.net.ph/FV432%20APC.htm. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  17. ^ Le MINI CRUISER de DELTA MOTOR CORP., seen Sep 24, 2008
  18. ^ "Military acquires 23 new Humvee units". BusinessMirror.com.ph. 2011-11-14. http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/19339-military-acquires-23-new-humvee-units. Retrieved 2011-11-15. 
  19. ^ Philippine Army Website
  20. ^ "Army chief unhurt as plane loses brakes". Inquirer.net. 2006-12-27. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20061227-40320/Army_chief_unhurt_as_plane_loses_brakes. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  21. ^ "Photographs of Cessna 172 #101 in Philippine Army colors, with roundel". Timawa.net. 2007-11-05. http://timawa.net/forum/index.php/topic,9979.0.html. Retrieved 2009-04-14. [unreliable source?]
  22. ^ a b GERMAN FIREARMS IN THE PHILIPPINES by Roman Deckert, seen Sep 24, 2008
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