9 TH MEETING OF THE ARF HEADS OF DEFENSE UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS (HDUCI), HANOI, VIETNAM, OCTOBER 2005 PHILIPPINE PAPER

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1 9 TH MEETING OF THE ARF HEADS OF DEFENSE UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS (HDUCI), HANOI, VIETNAM, OCTOBER 2005 PHILIPPINE PAPER (Presented by Commodore Carlos L Agustin, AFP (Ret.), President, National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) during the 9 Meeting of the ARF Heads Of Defense Universities, Colleges and Institutions (HDUCI), Hanoi, Vietnam, October 2005) I. THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) IN HANDLING NON- TRADITIONAL SECURITY AND IN PREVENTING AND OVERCOMING NATURAL DISASTERS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES This paper covers the role of the AFP in handling nontraditional security tasks, disaster management and securing the people from infectious diseases. A. NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY ROLES OF THE AFP Traditionally, the role of the military has always been the defense of the nation against external aggression or threat. For the Philippine case, national security covers both external and internal dimensions and the military, inevitably, performs both types of roles as a significant pillar in nation building. The Philippine Constitution and other legal mandates take a comprehensive view of national security and do not explicitly distinguish between external and internal defense. As such, the role of the AFP has often encompassed activities spanning both areas. While the AFP has been involved in non-traditional security roles, there was a reversal after 1986 but a significant expansion of this role beginning in the These include (I) counter-insurgency operations, (2) Anti-Terrorism, (3) Support to Law Enforcement, (4) Environmental protection, (5) Maritime and transport security and (6) Other security missions and tasks Counter-insurgency The AFP has a long history of involvement in counterinsurgency operations. For a long time, the police (then the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police) was a part of the armed forces. In 1991 RA 6975 separated the PC from the AFP and created the Philippine National Police (PNP) when the police was separated from the military and, together with it, the responsibility over counter-insurgency operations (COIN). However, a reassessment of the government's policy a few years later led to the issuance of an Executive Order from the President of the Republic which reverted internal security operations, particularly counter-insurgency, back to the military. Anti-terrorism In recent years, the military has been playing an increasing role in anti-terrorism to augment the forces and capabilities of the

2 police. The AFP is an important part of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF) under the Office of the President. Support to Law Enforcement The AFP is likewise involved in enforcement of various special laws as requested by implementing agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, Fisheries and other agencies. The Navy conducts maritime law enforcement to augment the resources of PCG in combating piracy, illegal entry, and smuggling, as well as in the protection of the country's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). The AFP had elements in the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) and some commanders are members of the National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (NALECC). Environmental protection Environmental protection is another non-traditional area where the AFP has also been involved for a long time. The Philippine Army has Forestry Battalions where army personnel have been deputized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as forest rangers. Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy also assists the DENR and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in containing oil spills and preservation of fishery resources. Maritime and transport security Maritime security involves security of the sealanes and tourist destinations and the protection of the country's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), which is done in close collaboration with the PCG and the departments involved. Other security missions and tasks Other security missions and tasks may fall under the previous categories but which are highlighted because of the creation of specific task assignments, i.e., the security of critical infrastructures, the Office of the President, the legislature and others as may be assigned. Currently the Navy is in charge of the security of the Malampaya gas project and army troops augment the guards of almost all power plants. Another area is International Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). Philippine experience in international peacekeeping missions spans several decades and covers a wide range of geographical locations. Our first exposure was in the Congo, July 1960-June Subsequent k PKO missions include the UN Peacekeeping Operations in Congo (ONUC) in , the UN Guard Contingent in Iraq (UNGCI) in 1991, the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1992, the UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) in 1994, the UN Mission in Kosovo in 1999, the International Forces in East Timor and United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (INTERFET and UNTAET) to name a few. A significant participation of the Philippines in a peace keeping mission was in East Timor. In September 1999, troops were deployed to East Timor to join the UN-mandated multinational force, International Forces in East Timor (INTERFET). The contingent was composed of combat-experienced Scout Rangers and Special Forces from the Philippine Army since the initial mission

3 was primarily peace-enforcement. A Philippine Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor composed of three groups supplemented this contingent. These are 1) security task group; 2) engineering task group; and 3) medical/dental group. The task of these groups was to conduct civil-military operations. On October 1999, the UN Security Council passed Resolution No. 1272, which established the UNTAET. UNTAET was considered an integrated, multi-dimensional peace-maintenance operation tasked with administration of East Timor during its transition to independence. The UN transferred the authority of INTERFET to UNTAET on February With the transfer of authority, Philippine Army Lt. General Jaime S. De Los Santos became the commander of the 24-nation Peace-Maintenance Force. He was the first Filipino and ASEAN national to lead a UN Multinational Peacekeeping Force. Last July 2005 President Arroyo approved the deployment of 200 additional Filipino soldiers in Haiti ahead of elections in the violence wracked Caribbean country. The dispatch of the 200 strong second Filipino peacekeeping contingent was in response to the request of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for a bigger Philippine contribution in boosting the UN stabilization force deployed in Haiti, UN peacekeeping forces are in Haiti to help the country regain its stability. The Philippines sent a 146-man military contingent to Haiti last November to serve as the headquarters support unit of the UN Stabilization Mission. A dozen of military -and civilian police officers are also in that country to help the UN mission in restoring stability in the area after its president, Jean- Bertrand Aristide, was ousted in February last year. Last April, rebels shot one AFP NCO dead in an ambush during a civic action project in Cite Soleil, one of Haiti's most dangerous areas. Since taking a non-permanent seat in the 15-member UN Security Council last year, the Philippines has contributed peacekeeping forces to such African states as Ivory Coast and Liberia. It nas also sent troops to troubled East Timor. To further strengthen its support to international peacekeeping, the Philippines hosted the first seminar of the Asia-Pacific Operations Capacity Building Program, which took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manila, Philippines from May 31-June 2, The United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations, the Philippines' National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance jointly sponsored the three-day seminar/workshop. Twenty-four countries and 85 delegates and observers participated.

4 The participating countries included Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Tonga, Russia, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. A follow-up seminar, the International Peacekeeping Operations Seminar on End States and Exit Strategies in Complex Contingencies was held at the Mandarin Hotel, Makati City on September 2003 in partnership with the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE), the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO), and United States Pacific Command (USPACOM). B. THE AFP IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT The Philippines is an archipelago located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and lies between the two major tectonic plates and in one of the typhoon belts of the world. The country's geologic and geographic conditions as well as its physical configuration make it vulnerable to various hazards every year resulting in great loss in life and property. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to be one of the major players in emergency management in the country. Since disaster management involves many players in the bureaucracy, there exists a National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chaired by the Secretary of National Defense, with the Administrator, Office of Civil Defense as its Executive Officer with membership from all executive departments. The NDCC is the highest policy making, coordinating, and supervising body at the national level for disaster management in the country. As a member of the NDCC, the AFP has been actively involved in various disaster events such as volcanic eruption, typhoon, earthquake and landslides to name a few. NDCC has direct local links, which are themselves coordinated through Regional, Provincial, Municipal/City Disaster Coordinating Councils. The disaster management authority is the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under the Department of National Defense. The AFP DRTF has three major components that are indicated in the AFP Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan: the PA, PAF and PN Disaster Response Task Groups AFPDRTF Capabilities The AFPDRTF has the following capabilities: 1. Assemble and deploy disaster response units on short notice anywhere in the country under any type of terrain and weather condition. 2. Undertake land and water rescue operations. 3. Undertake engineering work and rehabilitation operations. 4. Render relief/medical assistance to victims. 5. Provide land, air, and water transport and rapid delivery of relief supplies and materials. 6. Establish communication facilities at disaster areas.

5 7. Assist the PNP in securing the disaster area. Military Reservists play a significant role as well in disaster management. This role was emphasized in the Republic Act No. 7077, which requires reservists to assist the regular forces in disaster response. The involvement of the AFP in responding to natural disasters was highlighted when most of Luzon Island and the Eastern Visayas were hit by four extreme weather disturbances from November to December in The AFP played a major role in search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations, reconstruction and development activities. The AFP DRTF actively assisted the NDCC and various Local Disaster Coordinating Councils in respective areas and their contribution have been widely recognized and commended by the community. C. AFP ROLE IN PREVENTING AND OVERCOMING INFECTIOUS DISEASES The AFP has also been actively participating in civic action activities and this role is subsumed under this function. Regulations prescribe the policies on the conduct of Civic Action (CIVAC) and Humanitarian Assistance. CIVAC covers the following activities: Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP), Optical Civic Action Program (OPCAP), and even Veterinary Action Program (VETCAP) We have shown that AFP medical staff and units are imbedded in the AFPDRTF, including the service task forces. Beyond this, AFP medical staffs are also tasked to assist in medical crises that may arise from time to time. With the ' emergence of the infectious disease SARS which claimed the lives of hundreds of people all over the world, the AFP initiated a policy of participation in the campaign against the spread of such disease. The Surgeon General was also tasked to organize Task Force SARS. The Task Force provided assistance by augmenting quarantine personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon the request of airport officials. Whenever necessary, AFP medical personnel will be involved in all the prevention, control and mitigation of infectious diseases. II. THE" ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF) WORKSHOP ON CIVIL MILITARY OPERATIONS SEP 2005 Introduction As agreed by the Foreign Ministers at the 12 th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ARF Workshop on Civil Military Operations (CMO) was held on September 2005 at Dusit Hotel Nikko, Makati City, Ph;lippines and co-chaired by the Philippines and' Australia. The theme of the workshop is "Civil Military Operations (CMO) in Disaster Response: A Tool in Fostering Regional Cooperation to Achieve Peace and Security". The

6 workshop was attended by 57 delegates." The participants of the workshop are operational level officials from regional defense and police forces, as well as delegates from government and nongovernment aid agencies involved in disaster relief. Objectives The objectives of the workshop were to recognize the importance of CMO in meeting regional peace and security challenges, foster harmonious relationship among the participants of the ARF through practical-level confidence-building activities, and identify possible areas of cooperation in developing CMO as an effective tool in disaster relief operations. The ASEAN Regional Workshop on Civil Military Operations (CMO), also known as the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC), covered non-combat activities designed to impact on the economic, social and political life of the people. It seeks to maintain and enhance the trust, confidence and cooperation between the military and the civilian populace. CMO efforts reflect and clearly support government programs, especially those that impact on the people's aspirations. The workshop recognized current work progress in other areas such as the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the need to avoid duplication and align outcomes. Mr Alejandro P Melchor III, Assistant Secretary for Policy and Special Concerns of Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines and AIRCDRE Mark Lax, Director General Military Strategy of the Department of Defence.of Australia co-chaired the Workshop. Presentations Dr. Anthony Golez, Deputy Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, Philippines, discussed his paper on "Philippines' CMO Experience in Disaster Relief Operations" highlighting the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Philippine Disaster Management System. Major Murray Heron, SO2 Training and Development, presented a paper on, "Australia CIMIC experience" of the Australian Peacekeeping Centre and gave a briefing on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Civil Military Interaction in Disaster Relief Operations. t Brigadier General Heryadi of Indonesia presented a paper on, "Indonesia's CMO Experience in Disaster Relief Operations" and emphasized the significant role played by the regional armed forces, international agencies, local and international nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in humanitarian assistance operations, particularly during the Aceh tsunami disaster relief. 1 Participating countries include: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, North Korea, Timor-Leste, EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States of America.

7 Mr. Felipe Donoso, Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) focused his paper on, "ICRC's Cooperation with the Military in Disaster Relief Operations," and also on the organization' s mandate and its relationship with the military. Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Department of Science and Technology presented a paper on "Philippine Earthquake Experience". Output of Group Exercise The participants were divided into 4 syndicate groups which analyzed and discussed CMO activities set in a disaster response scenario. Considering and adopting workshop outputs on identification and management of CMO challenges in disaster relief, the participants recognized the need for a rapid technical and scientific assessment to examine the coverage and extent of damages and prioritize efforts in disaster relief. Other CMO challenges in disaster relief were identified such as the need for a common understanding of CMO, formalization of CMO procedures, appropriate dissemination of information and disaster management plans at all levels, availability of funds for immediate deployment, and appropriateness and practicality of assistance and donations. The delegates also discussed the types of CMO assistance that the ARF participants may provide in disaster situations. This assistance may be in the form of search and rescue, engineering, emergency communication and transportation, health, public information, security and public safety, utilities/electricity, basic services and sanitation. Furthermore, they agreed that it was critical for the region to develop capabilities that enable the immediate provision of personnel and logistics. Other issues such as compatibility of equipment and appropriate allocation of resources to areas requiring assistance were identified as important areas to be addressed. The participants identified possible areas of regional cooperation. They recommended the following: 1. Create and maintain updated, shared database of assets and capabilities of ARF participants available and ready for deployment for international humanitarian aid. 2. Incorporate international assistance into National Disaster Response Plans including military especially in disaster prone region i.e. designation of national focal points of international aid and identification of entry points. 3. Standardize operating principle/procedures for use of both civilian and military disaster relief workers and materials within ARF participants i.e. visa, diplomatic clearance, * and landing permits. 4. Recognize the importance of the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre, the ASEAN Disaster Information Sharing and Communication Network, and regional instrument on disaster management and emergency response. It is

8 significant to strengthen their potential in capacity building and in coordinating regional disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts that affect ASEAN and its ARF partners, e.g. in the coordination and allocation of relief resources and efforts. 5. Establish ARF regional standby arrangements and strengthen current arrangements for disaster relief and emergency response. 6. Establish a registration procedure for incoming NGOs to minimize confusion and duplication and develop a list of NGOs, their capabilities, including funding arrangements and sustainability. Each country should gather relevant NGO information and maintain it within its emergency management agency. 7. Interpret UN guidelines at a regional level for compatibility with ARF participants' specific disaster needs and contributing nations' response. 8. Institutionalize.education, training and combined and joint exercises in CMO and in disaster relief operations, i.e. planning exercises, command exercises. 9. Establish exchange/attachment program between ARF participants and emergency management agencies, to exchange views, establish relationships and facilitate understanding of respective countries' procedures. 10. Consider the contribution to a common fund for regional disaster relief, i.e. for early warning system. 11. Establish legal arrangements (MOUs and SOFAs) to facilitate international assistance. 12. That the ARF Intersessional Meeting (ISM) on Disaster Relief invites volunteer countries to coordinate the implementation of these recommendations. CONCLUSION Despite its limitations, the AFP is currently enhancing its capability to be more responsive to the challenges posed to the country. The AFP continues to actively assist and support the national emergency management system, specifically the NDCC proving significantly to be a responsible partner before, during and after disasters. The country continues to recognize the significance of non-traditional military roles of Filipino soldiers in emergency management, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism all in support of nation-building. The Philippines likewise feels that the coordinated efforts of the ARF including the ARF HDUCI series of meetings and the ARF Workshop on CMO are slowly taking root and developing better approaches to finding solutions to problems and areas of mutual concern to the ARF membership.