Philippine Reserve Force Laws: RA 7077 & RA 9163 Overview

RA 7077

An Act Providing for the Development, Administration, Organization, Training, Maintenance, and Utilization of the Citizen Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and For Other Purposes.

RA 9163

NSTP Act of 2001.

Commonwealth Act No. 1

Enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippines on 21 December 1935, it establishes the obligation of every citizen to preserve the State and the establishment of ROTC at designated colleges and universities.

Executive Order 207

Issued by Pres. Quezon in 1939 requiring the establishment of ROTC Course in all colleges and universities with a total enrollment of at least 100 students.

Executive Order 59

Issued by Pres. Marcos in 1967 requiring the establishment of ROTC Course in all colleges and universities with a total enrollment of at least 250 male students.

P.D. NO. 1706

Presidential Decree No. 1706 (8 August 1980) providing for compulsory National Service for all Filipino citizens.

National Service Law

The law that provides for compulsory National Service for all Filipino citizens, consisting of Civic Welfare Service, Law Enforcement Service, and Military Service.

AFP Reserve Force

Composed of a Citizen Armed Force who shall undergo military training and serve as provided by law, as stated in Section 4, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution.

EO 264

Issued by Pres. Aquino in 1987 providing for the Citizen Armed Force, which includes reservists and officers, and enlisted men on inactive status.

Citizen Armed Force

Composed of all reservists and officers, and enlisted men on inactive status, organized into reserve geographical units subject to call and mobilization.

Republic Act 7077 (Citizen Armed Force Act)

To maintain a standing of regular military force in times of peace consistent with the adequate and actual need for the security of the State.

Civic Welfare Service

One of the three main programs under the National Service Law.

Law Enforcement Service

One of the three main programs under the National Service Law.

Military Service

One of the three main programs under the National Service Law.

Obligation of every citizen

The preservation of the State as mandated by Commonwealth Act No. 1.

ROTC

Reserve Officers' Training Corps established under Commonwealth Act No. 1.

Regular military force

A standing military force maintained in times of peace.

Compulsory National Service

Mandatory service required from all Filipino citizens as per P.D. NO. 1706.

Geographical units

Organized units of reservists in a particular locality subject to mobilization.

Enlisted men on inactive status

Members of the armed forces who are not currently active but are part of the reserve force.

Able-bodied citizens

Individuals eligible to become reservists with appropriate ranks.

Republic Act 7077

Provides the base for the expansion of the AFP in the event of war, rebellion or invasion; assists in relief and rescue during disaster or calamities; assists in socio-economic development, and in the operation & maintenance of essential government or private utilities.

Components of Republic Act 7077

Includes Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, AFP-Wide Technical Reserve, and Affiliated Reserves.

Affiliated Reserve

Certain private and government entities, corporations, establishments, and organizations that provide essential public services such as water, electricity, transportation, and communication during times of war or emergency.

Citizen Soldiers

Includes ROTC graduates, graduates of authorized Basic Military Training, ex-servicemen, retired officers, recognized World War II guerrillas, commissioned officers, NCOs under the Affiliated Reservist category, and graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines.

Categorization of Citizen Soldiers

Composed of all able-bodied reservists categorized into three groups: 1st Category (18-35 years old), 2nd Category (36-51 years old), and 3rd Category (above 51 years of age).

Classification of Citizen Soldiers

Includes Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, and Retired Reserve.

Mobilization of Citizen Soldiers

Utilization of the Reserve Force in times of emergency to meet threats to national security, with pay and allowances, medical care, and other benefits for reservists.

Demobilization

Ordered by the President, where reservists of deactivated units revert to inactive status.

Civil Auxiliary Service

Helps maintain local peace and order, meets local insurgency threats, assists in rescue and relief operations, and participates in local socioeconomic development projects.

Activation of Civil Auxiliary Service

The President may call upon reservists in affected localities to volunteer their services.

Entitlement in Civil Auxiliary Service

Reservists shall not receive pay but are entitled to allowances and burial benefits.

Manpower Development

Compulsory Military Registration and Training for all male citizens aged 18-25 who are not reservists, with registration held every two years.

Exemptions from Compulsory Military Training

Includes clergy members (unless they volunteer), active AFP personnel, PNP members, superintendents and uniformed staff of penitentiaries, and licensed air and maritime pilots.

Check on Learning Question 1

What Act provides for the development, administration, organization, training, maintenance, and utilization of the Citizen Armed Forces or the Armed Forces of the Philippines? Answer: Republic Act 7077.

Check on Learning Question 2

What are the 5 Components of the Citizen's Armed Forces? Answer: Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, AFP-Wide Technical Reserve, and Affiliated Reserves.

2nd Category

between 36-51 years old, inclusive

1st Category

between 18-35 years old, inclusive

3rd Category

above 51 years of age

Ready Reserve

a classification of citizen soldiers that are available for immediate military service.

Standby Reserve

a classification of citizen soldiers that are not in active service but can be called upon when needed.

Retired Reserve

a classification of citizen soldiers who have completed their service and are no longer active.

Compulsory Training

Duration: 30 to 60 days per year; applies to individual reservists or reserve units; preferably targets 1st category reservists; includes pay, allowances, and burial benefits.

Voluntary Training

based on AFP's capacity to conduct training; encouraged to enhance reservist proficiency; priority given to officers and key NCOs of Standby Reserve Units; no allowances granted for voluntary training.

Effect of Military Training on Security of Tenure

Government Employees: No separation or termination from employment; no forfeiture of seniority status; continue receiving previous salary during military training. Private Sector Employees: Payment of basic salary during military training follows existing labor laws or company policy on employees on leave.

Learning Points from Training

Virtues and patriotism; discipline; support for adherence to the Constitution; respect for the rights of civilians.

Benefits from Training

Opportunities to upgrade skills through voluntary training; training covers various fields of endeavor; prepares reservists to respond effectively to the call of service.

Women Reservists

Have the right and duty to serve in the AFP; subject to the same standards for admission, training, and commissionship as men; adjustments allowed only for essential physiological and biological differences.

Republic Act 9163

An Act Establishing the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for Tertiary Level Students, amending for the purpose of RA 7077 and PD 1706 and for other purposes.

NSTP Act of 2001

Approved: 23 January 2002; effectivity: 15 days after its publication and commenced in the SY of 2002-2003.

Declaration of Policy

Gov't has the prime duty to serve and protect its citizens; all citizens must help defend the State through personal, military, or civil service; youth are vital to nation-building and shall be trained, organized, and mobilized.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

designed to provide military training to tertiary level students in order to motivate, train, organize and mobilize them for national defense preparedness.

Literacy Training Service (LTS)

designed to train students to become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills to school children, OSY, and other segments of society in need of their services.

Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS)

refers to programs or activities contributory to the general welfare and the betterment of life for the members of the community or the enhancement of its facilities.

Mandatory ROTC

a proposal for mandatory ROTC for SHS students.

2 million reservists

will augment the AFP Reserve Force every year once the ROTC becomes mandatory again.

First SY that implemented NSTP

SY 2002-2003.

Program that trains youth to become Reserve Officers

ROTC.

Program designed to train teachers of literacy and numeracy

LTS.

Program for community betterment activities

CWTS.