Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 360)
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree No. 360 is to adjust the authorized grades in the command and staff structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to maintain a proper hierarchical pyramidal pattern and properly reflect the responsibilities of various key military positions.
The position of Chief of Staff, AFP, is authorized the highest grade of General (O-10).
The Vice Chief of Staff, AFP, is authorized the grade of Lieutenant General (O-9).
Both the Commanders of Major Services, AFP, and the Commander of the Presidential Security Command, AFP, are authorized the grade of Major General (O-8).
Deputy Chiefs of Staff hold varying grades from Major General (O-8) for Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP, to Brigadier General (O-7) for specific Deputy Chief of Staff positions such as Home Defense, Personnel (J1), Intelligence (J2), Operations, Organizations & Training (J3), Logistics (J4), Plans (J5), Comptrollership (J6), and Material Development and Foreign Military Assistance (J7).
The Chief of Staff of the AFP retires with the grade of General, the Vice Chief of Staff retires as Lieutenant General, and the Major Service Commanders retire as Major General, including their retirement benefits.
0.75 percent of the total officer strength authorized for the AFP is reserved for General Officers of the Regular Force.
The monthly base rate for a Lieutenant General of the AFP is one thousand seven hundred fifty pesos (P1,750).
The decree authorizes these positions to hold the grade of Brigadier General or Commodore as directed by the President.
One reason is the greatly increased responsibilities and crucial role of the military under Presidential Proclamations No. 1081 and No. 1104, and the significant increase in the AFP standing force from 21,000 in 1948 to 100,000 in 1973.