Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Maintain a regular military force in times of peace for security.
- Citizen Armed Force expands military capacity in war, invasion, or rebellion.
- Reserve force participates in security and socioeconomic development.
- Emphasizes readiness, public awareness, and manpower needs without mass militarization.
Mission and Organization
- Mission includes base expansion for AFP, disaster relief, socioeconomic aid, and utility support.
- Reserve Force organized into five components: Army, Air Force, Navy, AFP-Wide Technical, Affiliated Reserves.
- Organization and manpower set by Secretary of National Defense and President.
- Reserve units structured to parallel regular force, organized by provincial or regional basis.
- Affiliated Reserves include private/government entities that provide essential public services for defense.
Citizen Soldiers Definition
- Comprised of ROTC graduates, trained recruits, ex-servicemen, WWII guerrillas, affiliated reserves, and current reservists.
- Must be Filipino citizens and may be commissioned or enlisted.
Categorization and Classification
- Three categories based on age:
- First Category (18-35 years)
- Second Category (36-51 years)
- Third Category (Above 51 years)
- Classification:
- Ready Reserve (mobilizable, mostly First Category, includes essential service workers)
- Standby Reserve (mostly Second and Third Category, for emergency mobilization)
- Retired Reserve (retired due to age/service, may be recalled if fit and needed)
- Exemptions include active military/police, those abroad temporarily, unfit individuals, and convicts of moral turpitude.
Manpower Development and Registration
- Compulsory military registration for males 18-25 years not already reservists.
- Biennial registration with registration officers designated by local treasurers.
- Exemptions for clergy (unless volunteering), active military/police, certain institutional personnel, licensed pilots.
- Selection by drawing lots, supervised by local Boards of Canvassers and Acceptance Boards.
- Registrants classified by physical fitness and may be deferred based on conditions like family support, education, or official duties.
- Appeals allowed to Secretary of National Defense.
- Protection of employment during training mandated with continuation of salary.
- Draftee training for males 18-35 can be ordered by the President for up to 24 months, with pay and benefits.
- Medical retention provided for reservists injured during training.
Citizen Military Training
- Selected registrants undergo up to 6 months basic training.
- Establishment of provincial Citizen Military Training Centers.
- ROTC is mandatory in schools with units formed upon request.
- ROTC divided into Basic (2 years, mandatory) and Advance (up to 2 years, voluntary) with scholarships for top students.
- Detailed organization, staffing, and funding of ROTC units provided.
Incorporation into Reserve Force
- Elected officials and appointees may be commissioned.
- ROTC graduates assigned ranks from private to sergeant; advance ROTC graduates recommended as second lieutenants.
- Reservists to be notified in writing of their assignment.
- AFP to maintain reservist registry with updated status.
Maintenance, Training, and Administration
- Major services manage administration, training, maintenance of reserve components.
- Creation of AFP Reserve Command.
- Training classified into compulsory (30-60 days) and voluntary.
- Nonresident instruction and active duty tours enhance proficiency.
- Reserve units categorized based on readiness (Ready Reserve I & II).
- Minimum equipment and supplies maintained for mobilization.
- Training completion required for promotion.
- Reservists on training subject to military law, entitled to allowances.
Utilization
- Mobilization modes: Full (Congress and President), Partial (Congress and President), Selective (President).
- Mobilization activates reservists, assigns pay/benefits equivalent to regular forces.
- Mobilization centers established province-wide.
- Demobilization ordered by President post-emergency.
- Auxiliary Service includes Civil (nonmilitary support) and Military (local defense) categories, with limited firearm use and no police powers.
- Women have equal right and duty to serve with appropriate standards.
Funding
- Exclusive allocation of existing and future funds to Reserve Force implementation.
- Military Assistance Fund can augment appropriations.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- ROTC units continue operation under the law.
- Repeal of conflicting laws.
- Effective upon approval.
Penalties
- Non-response to military service punishable by court-martial (2-12 months imprisonment).
- Failure to register or report for training punishable by civil court (1-3 months imprisonment).
- Registrars or canvassers failing to provide rosters punishable by imprisonment (1-3 months).