Title
Amendment to National Defense Act provisions
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 569
Decision Date
Jun 7, 1940
The Amendments to Commonwealth Act No. 1 introduce changes to the registration of citizens for military service, the organization of the armed forces, and the obligations and benefits of trainees and reservists.
A

Military Organizational Structure and Territorial Division

  • The Philippines is divided into military districts as directed by the President.
  • These districts aid in recruiting manpower, preparatory military training, mobilization plans, and supplying armed forces in peace and war.

Provincial Roles in Recruitment and Mobilization

  • Provincial governors execute recruitment, mobilization laws, and regulations.
  • The Provincial Inspector of the Philippine Constabulary assists the governor.

Mobilization Centers Establishment and Operation

  • Mobilization centers are established in municipalities and districts based on military population.
  • The Chief of Staff determines location and types; District Commanders manage operation.

Composition and Structure of Organized Peace Establishment

  • Includes Regular Force and Reserves to ensure complete and prompt mobilization.
  • Army organized into battalions, regiments, divisions, and higher units as necessary.

Composition of the Regular Force

  • Includes Infantry, Cavalry, Field Artillery, Coast Artillery, Air Corps, Engineers, Chemical Corps, Signal Corps, Off-Shore Patrol, General Staff Corps, and various service branches.
  • Officers and enlisted men permanently assigned to services are considered Staff; others are line personnel.
  • Peace-time numbers are recommended annually by the Chief of Staff.
  • Personnel are drawn from all provinces as practicable.

Organization of the Regular Force

  • Other regular units organized as the President directs.
  • Reserve officers may be attached to regular units for annual training or extended active duty.
  • Trainees may be attached for prescribed military training periods.

Appointment, Transfer, and Rank of Officers

  • Regular officers appointed primarily as Third Lieutenants between ages 21-26.
  • Priority for appointment: Military Academy graduates, senior military training graduates, experienced enlisted men, and others.
  • Special grades for Judge Advocate General’s Service, Medical Service, and Chaplain Service with specific appointment rules.
  • Temporary promotions allowed under certain conditions without vacating permanent commissions.
  • Transfers between branches permitted except for certain services; war-time transfers regulated by Chief of Staff.
  • Reserve officer transfers governed by Presidential rules; limit on active duty employment without consent.

General Staff Corps Structure and Duties

  • Chief of Staff subordinate directly to the President.
  • Central General Staff prepares defense plans, investigates efficiency, inspects training, and assists the Chief of Staff.
  • General Staff with troops assists commanding generals, harmonizes operations, and supervises execution of plans.

Repeal of Section Twenty-Four

  • Section twenty-four of the original Act is repealed.

Services Within the Army and Their Functions

  • The Services comprise Adjutant General, Judge Advocate General, Inspector General, Quartermaster, Finance, Medical, Ordinance, and Chaplain Services.
  • Each headed by a Chief responsible under the Chief of Staff.
  • Adjutant General handles personnel administration.
  • Judge Advocate General provides legal assistance.
  • Inspector General conducts inspections and investigations.
  • Quartermaster handles procurement, storage, real estate, and transportation.
  • Finance Service manages funds, disbursements, accounting, and bonds officers handling government money.
  • Medical Service covers medical, dental, veterinary care, health, and sanitation.
  • Ordinance, Medical, Air Corps, Engineer, Signal, Offshore Patrol, and Chemical Corps manage their own specialized supplies.
  • Chaplain Service manages religious welfare.

Enlistment Conditions and Procedures

  • Males aged 18-30, able-bodied, of good moral character, and required education may enlist.
  • Enlistments for three years; continual service during war or emergencies.
  • Minors require parental or guardian consent.
  • Enlistments are provincial where practicable.
  • Former soldiers from Philippine Army or U.S. services may enlist if qualified.

Exemption and Discharge of Enlisted Men

  • Enlisted men who served honorably for at least three years and do not reenlist are exempt from further service except in national emergency.
  • Required to register address with local military headquarters.
  • Former soldiers may enlist voluntarily in Reserve.

Military Academy Admission and Graduation

  • President authorizes annual appointment of cadets to maintain corps strength.
  • Candidates are nominated by National Assembly members and must pass physical and mental exams.
  • Quotas assigned per Assembly district with provisions for filling vacancies.
  • Cadets receive pay and allowances as fixed by President.
  • Physical unfitness due to service injuries entitles cadets to retirement pay.
  • Graduates commissioned as Third Lieutenants with rank based on academic standing.
  • Academic Board grants degrees and oversees academic matters.
  • Graduates may be granted leave with pay; leaves for staff are regulated.

Protection of Government Employment During Military Service

  • Government employees called for training or active duty do not lose their positions or pay.
  • Reserve officers on extended active duty entitled to quarters or allowances.

Functions and Establishment of Mobilization Centers

  • Serve as storage for arms, equipment, and records for mobilization.
  • Provide advance mobilization shelter for men and animals.
  • One center per battalion or larger units for national interests.

Scope and Age Classifications of Military Training Obligation

  • Military training starts at age 10 and continues until age 21 during schooling.
  • Preparatory training is mandatory; Junior Reserve applies to youth 18-21 not in school.
  • All able-bodied males 20-51 categorized as Trainees, First, Second, and Third Reserves based on age.
  • Schoolgirls receive auxiliary training as prescribed.

Selection and Notification for Trainee Instruction

  • Annual drawing by Chief of Staff on May 15 to select trainees.
  • Names published promptly; provincial governors ensure notification.

Exemptions from Trainee Instruction

  • Clergy, seminarists, practicing physicians.
  • Superintendents of penal and mental institutions.
  • Coast guard and lighthouse personnel.
  • Maritime pilots and superintendents.
  • Philippine citizens regularly employed by U.S. Government with conditions.

Composition and Appointment of Acceptance Boards

  • Boards appointed by Secretary of National Defense for three years.
  • Comprise five members including two physicians and, where possible, Army officers.
  • Alternate members serve if regular members are unavailable.
  • Boards located as population dictates.

Supervision of Recruitment and Registration

  • District Commanders supervise recruitment and operation of Acceptance Boards.
  • Have access to related records and must report irregularities.

Composition and Terms of the Central Review Board

  • Five citizens appointed by Secretary of National Defense with staggered terms.
  • Includes one Army officer representative.
  • Chairmanship passes to longest-serving member after term expiration.
  • Sessions held in Manila.

Decision-Making and Staff of Central Review Board

  • Decisions by majority vote.
  • Employ staff and medical examiners as authorized.

Trainee Examination, Classification, and Assignment

  • Physical examination upon training reporting; reassignment based on fitness.
  • Possible reassignment involves transportation orders.
  • Physically unfit trainees returned home with reports.

Reserve Service Classification by Age

  • Trainees join First Reserve after training until age 31.
  • Transferred to Second Reserve until age 41.
  • Then to Third Reserve until age 51, members may be assigned to organizations.

Registration Duties of Reservists

  • All reservists aged 21 to 51 must register names with local secretary or police chief.
  • Registry books provided and managed as prescribed.

Physical Examination of Reserve Enlisted Men

  • Required physical exams as directed by Secretary of National Defense.

Exemption from Junior Reserve Training

  • Based on physical unfitness, residence abroad, or undergoing authorized military instruction.

Supervision and Assignment of Preparatory Training Instructors

  • District Commanders assign qualified male teachers as cadet instructors.
  • Officers and men of Regular or Reserve Forces assigned to junior reserve instruction.

Penal Provisions for Non-Attendance in Preparatory Training

  • Parents and employers must ensure attendance.
  • Failure to comply may result in fines up to one hundred pesos.
  • Enrollment regulated by Secretary of National Defense.

Enlisted Men Grades and Pay

  • Detailed monthly base pay scales for Regular Force enlisted ranks including Air Corps and Medical Service specifics.
  • Reenlistment bonuses and special pay for technical specialists and air mechanics outlined.
  • Additional pay for specialists categorized in classes with monthly rates.
  • Enlisted men entitled to rations, quarters, medical care, clothing, or respective allowances.
  • Reserve enlisted pay mirrors Regular Force but only during active status or emergencies.

Officer Pay and Special Flight Compensation

  • Officer pay rates established by Presidential Executive Orders.
  • Pending issuance, Constabulary rates apply.
  • Additional 25% pay for officers with regular flying duties due to high mortality.

Injury and Disease in Line of Duty

  • Injuries or diseases are considered service-connected unless due to misconduct, intoxication, or immoral acts.

Trainee Pay and Allowances

  • Trainees receive five centavos daily plus meals, barracks, medical care, clothing, and transportation.
  • Additional allowances for service beyond five and one-half months with exceptions for misconduct.

Probationary Third Lieutenant Pay

  • Paid at rates similar to trainees with more than five and one-half months.
  • Additional allowances prescribed by Chief of Staff.

Reserve Force Pay and Benefits During Training

  • No pay for reservists on annual active duty training.
  • Provided with subsistence, quarters, and travel expenses.

Appropriation and Use of Public Funds for National Defense

  • Funds categorized into six main p
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