HEADQUARTERS

MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY-ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS UNIT
1002ND (LDN) CDC, 10TH RCDG, ARESCOM
A. Boniacio Avenue, 9200 Iligan City

AFP CODE CORE VALUES

CODE OF ETHICS

P R E A M B L E

WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, IMPLORING

ENLIGHTENMENT FROM ALMIGHTY GOD, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION, WORTHY OF PUBLIC TRUST AND RESPECT,
FAITHFUL TO ITS CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE AS THE PROTECTOR OF THE PEOPLE,
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE STATE, THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND THE
INTEGRITY OF THE NATIONAL TERRITORY, FREELY AND COLLECTIVELY COMMIT
OURSELVES AS OUR WAY OF LIFE, TO ABIDE BY AND ADHERE TO THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS CODE OF ETHICS WHICH WE HEREBY DO ORDAIN AND PROMULGATE.

ARTICLE I. IDENTITY

Section 1. Constitutional Mandate – The AFP recognized the Constitution of the Republic
as the legitimate expression of the people’s will.

Section 2. Organization and Chain of Command – The AFP duly treated by law as
integral part of the Executive Branch of Government.

Section 3. Commitment, Measure and Standards – The AFP shall maintain a high level of
credibility to gain trust and respect of the Pilipino People. It shall manifest a high level of
competence and standard of performance in all its undertaking.

ARTICLE II. AFP HISTORY

Section 1. Historical Perspective – The AFP identifies itself with the Pilipino People’s
historical struggle for freedom and justices and their vigilance against any attempt to violate the
country’s integrity and sovereignty.

Section 2. Lessons Learned from the Dark Pages of AFP History – The AFP recognizes
the resolves to correct misdeed of some of its members who sacrifice national interest for
individual gains. Committed graft and corruption, perpetuated the ill effects of Martial Law,
including the deteriorating effect of the AFP and national econ9my caused by the unsuccessful
coup attempts which betrayed the AFP’s tradition of ethical and professional conduct.

ARTICLE III. THE AFP CREED AND STAND ON BASIC ISSUES

Section 1. The AFP Core Values – The Profession of arms, noble callings, and demands
from its members only specialized knowledge and skill but also a distinct lifestyle governed by
commonly held belief-system containing non-negotiable enduring core values of honor, loyalty,
valor, duty and solidarity.

WHERE THEREFORE EXPRESS THE FOLLOWING CREED:

1-1 We believe in honor - as our crowning values as it is more precious than life
itself. It hallmark of our military conduct which implies our clear consciousness of personnel
dignity and worth. To us honor means truthfulness, sincerity, honesty, uprightness, credibility
and avoidance of deception, t that out written word may be accepted without question.

1.2. We believe in inflicting Loyalty – Our oath of office requires us to be loyal

to our nation and to obey the mandate to support and defend the Constitution, We shall
be obedient t the duly constituted political order. We shall support the Chain of
Command and obey lawful orders of those legally appointed over us.

1.3. We believe in Valor – as the power of strength, courage and ability to

overcome fear to carry-our mission and to accomplish what seemingly impossible. To
us, valor goes beyond the physical dimension of boldness and endurance to pain and
hardship.

1.4. We believe in Duty – as the value of obedience and disciplined

performance despite difficulty and danger. To us duty is personal act of responsibility to
accomplishing all assigned task to the fullest one’s capabilities, meeting all our
willingness to sacrifice even it means giving up lives in defense of our country.

1.5. We believe Solidarity – for it is consolidating and integrating value to

which al of us bind ourselves with the rest comrades-in arms. With it, we reject divisive
fraternal organization with the AFP.

Section 2. The AFP Stand on Basic Issues – The employment of the AFP in any
areas of national concern which life beyond the traditional martial role of the
organization in the country and abroad has ushered in a lot misunderstanding and
confusion not only in the mind of the soldier but also in that ordinary citizens. It is
therefore very necessary and import for the AFP to clearly define its Stand on the
following issues:

2.1. The AFP Organization – Shall be so designed , structured, staffed

and manned as to be able to carry out its missions and functions effectively through the
optimum use of resources. It shall allow development and equipage of both action and
reserve force.

2.2. Supremacy of Civilian Authority – The AFP shall uphold the

supremacy of the civilian authority over the military. The President as Commander-in-
Chief of all the Armed Forces shall exercise command and control over the armed
forces.

2.3. Chain of Command – The AFP shall follow the Chain of Command.
Every officer and soldier shall obey the lawful orders of his immediate officers. Anyone
who shall refuse or fail to carry out a lawful order from the military Chain of Command
shall be subject to military discipline.

2.4. Democracy – The AFP adheres to the principle of democracy that

the government is to the people, by the people. The real power and authority in the
governance of the nation among people base on justice.

2.5. P e a c e – Peace is a priceless gift to mankind which connotes

freedom from any hostilities such as political, social and economic ills. It is the
Tranquility, Orderliness and Harmony among people base on justice.

2.6 W a r – War is defined as the use of organized military force by a

state to achieve its ends against the physical opposition of a hostile state or states.

2.7. Human Rights – The AFP shall respect the inherent dignity of
human being and his inalienable rights as contained in the “Universal Declaration of
Human Rights” and other declaration to which our country is a signatory. As such the
AFP shall pledge itself to protect and promote these rights.

ARTICLE IV. AFP MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. General Statement – The AFP members make the most important asset
of all the organization resources. Efforts shall, therefore, be exerted to attract only the
best qualified and most deserving in order to maintain high standards ser forth in this
code.

COMMISSIONED OFFICER:

1. Must be natural born citizen of good moral character, physically and

mentally fit, single and within the age bracket from 18 – 26 years of age.
2. Must be at least a high school graduate
3. Must be attained an average IQ rating in the general military qualification
test prepared and administered in accordance with AFP regulations.
4. Must be of minimum height as set forth in AFP regulations.
ENLISTED PERSONNEL:

1. Must be a natural born citizen.

2. Must have earned at least 72 units in college or its equivalent.
3. Must have attained an average IQ rating in the general military
qualifications Test.
4. Must be of minimum height as set forth in AFP regulations.
5.

ARTICLE V. MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM

Section 1. General Statement – The members of the AFP are public servants who
are oath-bound to fulfill the lofty mandate of the constitution. The peculiarity of military
service, which requires the right of bear arms, calls for a corresponding assurance of
professionalism for every military man.

Section 2. Professionalism – The expert application of specialized skills base on a

organized body of knowledge and in accordance with laws and Code of Ethics with the
highest degree of excellence in the accomplishment of mission.

Section 3. Standards of Military Professionalism – Every member of the AFP shall

observe the following as guidelines of the discharge of their officials duties.

3.1. Standard of Loyalty – All military personnel shall be loyal and true
to the Republic of the Philippines Constitution, the AFP and to the people of all times.
They shall obey the authorities and abide by laws, legal orders, good morals, good
customs and promote order and public safety.

3.2. Standard of Competence – All military personnel must posses the

knowledge, skill, physical attribute and character traits necessary for adequate
performance of duty and accomplishment of mission.

3.3. Standard of Ethics – The military community is a part of a larger

society – the Filipino society. Hence, every soldier must observe and conformed to the
accepted principles of right conduct being observed in the society of which he I part.

3.4. Standard of Morals – Man is rational being. Man is also a moral

being who is given the capacity to determine what is right and do it and what is wrong
and avoid it.

Section 4. Unprofessional Acts – Behavior that fall short of the professional standard
set forth in this code are considered unprofessional acts.

4.1. Acts of Disloyalty – Acts or missions betraying one’s faith, duty,

and commitment to God , Country, People Constitutional Government, AFP Chain of
Command, Unit and office of its mission.
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4.2. Acts of Incompetence – Refer to the lack of the required
knowledge, skills, special attribute, and character traits necessary for the adequate
performance of the duty and accomplishment of mission.

4.3. Unethical Acts – Refer all acts of omissions which deviate from
established and accepted ethical and moral standard of behavior and performance as
set forth in this code.

EXAMPLE:

Arrogance words, allowing any wrong doing or irregularity in the military service,
fornication-adultery, concubine, homosexuality, engaging in vices including out not
limited executive gambling, excessive drinking of liquor, use of prohibited drugs.

4.4. Corrupt Acts – All acts omissions described and characterized as

cries against public interest, public moral, property, chastity, civil status of persons, and
honor under the pertinent provision of the Revised Penal Code and those specifically
mentioned in Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 6713 other special penal laws, including the
Article of War.

Section 5. Penalties and Administrative Sanctions – The penalties for the foregoing
disloyal, incompetent, unethical and corrupt acts mentioned in this Code shall be those
which are provided in the Revised Penal Code, the Article of War

ARTICLE VI. AFP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Section 1. General Statement – the importance of customs and traditions of the

AFP can not over emphasized.

Section 2. Definition of Terms

2.1. Traditions -- are inherited principles, standards and practices that

serve as the established guides for an individual or group. Traditions are accumulated
experiences and deeds passed on from generation to generation both in memory and
reality.

2.2. Customs -- are accepted practices realized through

continued usage that take the force and effect of a Common Law.

Section 3. Military Traditions – The following are the significant military traditions:
 3.1. Tradition of Valor – The Filipino soldiers have epitomized valor
during their gallant defense of Tirad Pass, Bataan, Corrigedor and other countless
battles against foreign enemy forces.

3.2. Tradition of Duty – The Filipino soldier has exemplified himself

throughout history as a dedicated public servant who performed his task with a deep
sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice by making himself available at all times
whenever situation demands.

3.3. Tradition of Honor – General Artemio Ricarte, the first recognized

Captain General as well as the other founding father of the AFP during those difficult
times have exemplified the value of Honor by leading a life of personal dignity and self
worthy time of peace or in War.

3.4. Tradition of Solidarity – The strongest, most enduring and

powerful military tradition that bound the soldiers is oneness to the people they serve.
3.5. Tradition of Loyalty – The Filipino has held the respect of the
nation by shedding blood and offering the supreme sacrifice in defense of the country.

Section 4. Military Customs – The following are some of the significant custom in
the AFP.

4.1. Salute – Men of arm have used some form of military salute as an
exchange of greeting since the earliest times.

4.2. Rank Has Its Privileges – Whenever a choice is to be made, such

as selection of billets of quarters or selecting means of transportation the option of
selection follows rank with senior given the privilege to select first.

4.3. Place of Honor – The place of honor is on the right. Accordingly,

when a junior walks , rides, or sit with a senior, he takes position abreast and to the left
of the junior.

4.4.. Use of the Word “Sir” – The word “SIR” is used in military
conversation by the junior officer in addressing a senior, and by all soldier in addressing
officers.

ARTICLE VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Legal Force – This Code of Ethics shall be guided y the provisions of the
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Articles of War, Revised Penal Code,
R.A. 6713 (Ethical Standard of Public Officials and Employees) R.A. 3019 (Anti Graft
and Practices Act) R.6869 (Anti-Coup Etat Act) and other special laws.
Section 2. Moral Force – All members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the
implementation of this code shall morally bound by the divine Laws, Oath of Office, AFP
Custom and Traditions, AFP Code of Conduct.

FIVE (5) AFP CORE VALUES

1. HONOR – Honest, dignified and with sense of integrity (Good Moral Values)
2. Duty – Active decisive and punctual (Trustworthiness, dependability)
3. Loyalty – Patriotic and Nationalistic (Loyalty to our Motherland)
4. Valor – with strong faith and determination (Courage, Bravery, Gallantry,
Firmness)
5. Solidarity – Togerthness, Emphaty, Pakikisama.