Reorganizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines

Structure of command and staff

Section 1 establishes a Chief of Staff as the officer who executes the President’s command functions related to military strategy, tactics and operations.
The Chief of Staff is the immediate adviser of the Secretary of National Defense and is responsible for planning, development and execution of the national defense program as prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense.
The Chief of Staff has command of all elements of the Armed Forces.
Subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense, the Chief of Staff is authorized to prescribe the organization, functions, duties and powers of staffs, services, installations and other units of the Armed Forces.
The Chief of Staff may issue detailed instructions on personnel, funds, records, property, routing of correspondence, and other matters necessary to carry out the Order, and orders and directives are published in the name of the Chief of Staff by order of the Secretary of National Defense.
The Commanding General, Armed Forces of the Philippines is redesignated as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Vice Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff

Section 2 creates a Vice Chief of Staff with the rank of Brigadier General, designated by the President.
The Vice Chief of Staff assists the Chief of Staff and performs the Chief of Staff’s functions during the Chief of Staff’s absence or inability.
The Deputy Commanding General, Armed Forces of the Philippines is redesignated as Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Section 3 creates a Deputy Chief of Staff with the rank of Colonel, designated by the Chief of Staff.
The Deputy Chief of Staff exercises general supervision over the General, Special, Administrative and Technical Staffs and Services.
Within the Deputy Chief of Staff’s office, an Office of the Secretary to the General Staff is created, where the Secretary General Staff acts as Executive Officer of the Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff, and performs other functions assigned by the Deputy Chief of Staff.

General Military Council and general staff

Section 4 creates a General Military Council composed of:
- the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines,
- the Vice Chief of Staff,
- the Deputy Chief of Staff, and
- all Commanders of the Major Services and Area Commands.
The General Military Council advises the Secretary of National Defense on broad military policy.
Section 5 establishes an integrated Armed Forces General Staff composed of:
- the Chief of Staff,
- the Vice Chief of Staff (who takes the place of the Chief of Staff in his absence or inability),
- the Deputy Chief of Staff, and
- other officers of grades not below first lieutenant detailed by the Chief of Staff from time to time.
The number of General Staff officers from all Major Services is based on what is necessary, as determined under the staffing arrangements of the General Staff.
Assignment to, and relief from, the Armed Forces General Staff is governed by rules the Chief of Staff prescribes with the approval of the Secretary of National Defense.
Only officers on the General Staff Corps Eligibility List may be assigned to the Armed Forces General Staff, but if there are not enough available officers, officers from other branches may be assigned without that assignment conferring eligibility to the General Staff Corps Eligibility List.

General Staff divisions and functions

Section 6(a) organizes the Armed Forces General Staff into four Divisions, each under an Assistant Chief of Staff:
- G-1 Personnel and Administrative Division;
- G-2 Intelligence Division;
- G-3 Organization, Operation, Plan and Training Division; and
- G-4 Logistics Division.
Section 6(b) requires Assistant Chiefs of Staff to:
- prepare current and long range policies and plans for national security for use by various armed services separately or as an integrated team for recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, serving those armed services that assist execution of powers, duties, or functions vested in or assigned by the Secretary of National Defense;
- investigate and report questions affecting the efficiency of the armed services and their preparedness for military operations;
- prepare general instructions for executing approved plans and policies and supervise execution of those policies, plans and instructions;
- insure against unnecessary duplication and over-lapping among the armed services; and
- perform other duties not otherwise assigned by law as may be prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense.
Section 6(c) restricts assignment to the Armed Forces General Staff to officers eligible under the General Staff Corps Eligibility List, subject to the limited staffing exception for insufficient numbers.

Special, administrative, and technical staffs

Section 7(a) designates the Armed Forces Administrative Staff under the Chief of Staff as including:
- the Inspector General’s Service;
- the Adjutant General’s Service;
- the Judge Advocate General’s Service;
- the Chaplain’s Service; and
- the Finance Service.
Section 7(b) designates the Armed Forces Technical Staff under the Chief of Staff as including:
- the Corps of Engineers;
- the Ordnance and Chemical Service;
- the Quartermaster and Transport Service;
- the Signal Corps; and
- the Medical Service.
Section 8 requires each member of the Special, Administrative and Technical Staffs to have offices and assistants as the Secretary of National Defense prescribes.
Section 8 mandates that these staff members are responsible for efficient performance of duties in their branches and for proper execution of all orders and instructions prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense or the Chief of Staff.

Major services, areas, and missions

Section 9(a) divides the Armed Forces of the Philippines into four major services and other permanent installations, separate commands, or task forces created by authority of the President.
Section 9(b) identifies the four Major Services as:
- Philippine Army;
- Philippine Constabulary;
- Philippine Air Force; and
- Philippine Navy.
Section 9(c) designates four Military Areas: First, Second, Third and Fourth Military Areas.
The President may abolish a Military Area or create new ones whenever he deems it necessary.

Philippine Army

Section 10(a) defines the Philippine Army as including land combat and service forces and other units organic therein, organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained combat operations on land.
Section 10(b) assigns the Philippine Army the functions to:
- organize, train and equip Army forces for prompt and sustained land combat, specifically to defeat enemy land forces and seize, occupy and defend land areas;
- develop, in coordination with other Major Services, tactics, technique and equipment of interest to the Army for field operations;
- train, organize and equip all Army reserve units; and
- perform such other functions as the President may direct.

Philippine Constabulary

Section 11(a) defines the Philippine Constabulary as units and services organic therein, organized, trained, and equipped primarily as a national police force for enforcement of law and order in the Philippines.
Section 11(b) declares that the provisions of Sections 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840 and 848 of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended are in force and govern Constabulary members:
- in the exercise of authority and duties as peace officers, and
- in their relationship with provincial and municipal law enforcement agencies and officials.
Section 11(c) provides that in time of emergency, the Philippine Constabulary may be employed to perform home defense responsibility in rear areas and such other service as the Chief of Staff may direct.

Philippine Air Force

Section 12(a) defines the Philippine Air Force as including air combat and service forces, organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained combat operations in the air, with primary interest in air operations.
Section 12(b) assigns the Philippine Air Force functions to:
- organize, train and equip Air Force forces for prompt and sustained air operations, specifically to be responsible for defense against air attacks, gain and maintain air superiority, and control vital air areas;
- organize, train and equip Air Force forces for close support of surface forces;
- develop doctrines, procedures, tactics, technique and equipment peculiar to the Air Force;
- develop, in coordination with other Major Services and area commands, doctrines, procedures, tactics, technique and equipment for joint operations;
- furnish aerial photography for cartographic purposes, in coordination with other concerned government agencies; and
- assume such other functions as the President may direct.

Philippine Navy

Section 13(a) defines the Philippine Navy as including all naval forces, combat vessels, auxiliary crafts, naval aircrafts, shore installations, supporting activities, and the personnel necessary to carry out the Service’s functions, with primary interest in operations at sea.
Section 13(b) assigns the Philippine Navy functions to:
- organize, train, equip, maintain and operate naval forces and naval aircrafts including naval reserve units, to provide water-borne support and assistance required by the Armed Forces to accomplish their mission;
- assist governmental agencies in enforcing laws and regulations relating to navigation, immigration, customs revenue opium, quarantine, fishing and neutrality in the territorial and contiguous waters of the Philippine Archipelago;
- develop, in coordination with other Major Services and area commands, doctrines, procedures, and naval equipment for joint operations, and doctrines and procedures for amphibious operations;
- be responsible for naval phases of reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare and protection of shipping; and
- perform such other duties as the President may direct.
Section 13(c) redesignates the Philippine Naval Patrol as the Philippine Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Tenure, designations, and executive powers

Section 14 sets the normal tour of duty of the Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff at three years, unless sooner terminated by the President.
The President may extend their tenure at his discretion.
Section 15 directs that changes in the designation of officers, headquarters, offices, installations and activities to conform to this Order are determined by the Secretary of National Defense.
Section 15 provides that laws, orders, regulations, and other actions relating to redesignated officers or units are deemed to relate, in so far as not inconsistent, to the newly designated officers or units.
Section 16 transfers the power of executive supervision and authority and duties previously exercised by the Secretary of the Interior regarding the Philippine Constabulary (and its members) to the Secretary of National Defense.
Section 16 provides that any mention of the Secretary of the Interior in existing law, rule, or regulation affecting the Philippine Constabulary or its individual personnel is understood to refer to the Secretary of National Defense, to the extent it pertains to the Philippine Constabulary or its personnel.
Section 17 requires that with approval of the Secretary of National Defense, the Chief of Staff prescribe the uniform and insignia of officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Section 18 authorizes the Armed Forces of the Philippines to make direct purchases without intervention of the Procurement Office for specific military-character materials, supplies and equipment, under rules recommended by the Secretary of National Defense and approved by the President.
Section 19 empowers the President, in the interest of public order and safety, economy, efficiency and simplicity, to abolish or modify existing Major Services and Area Commands, staff divisions and sections, services, installations, task forces and other units, and to establish new ones and assign them functions, duties and powers necessary for the national defense program.
Section 20 mandates that current appropriations for the Armed Forces of the Philippines are adjusted by the Secretary of National Defense as necessary, with approval of the President.

Repeals and transition rules

Section 21 repeals Executive Order No. 308 dated March 30, 1950.
Section 21 repeals Sections 98 to 117 of Executive Order No. 94 dated October 4, 1947.
Section 21 repeals all other laws and regulations, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of Executive Order No. 389.