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AFP REGULATIONS AFPR G 131-013

G 131-013

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City

24 September 1987

MILITARY DISCIPLINE-PERSONNEL
Table of Contents

Paragraph
General ……………………………………………………………. 1
Military Discipline and Courtesy ………………………………… 2
Relationship of Superiors toward Subordinate ………………… 3
Complaints and Redress ………………………………………… 4
Legislative Activities………………………………………………. 5
Political and Business Activities…………………………………. 6
AFP Service……………………………………………………….. 7
Prohibitive Acts………………………………………………………8
Supersession………………………………………………………. 9

1. General.

a. All persons in the military service are required to obey strictly and execute
promptly the lawful orders of their superiors. Military personnel who execute
manifestly and patently unlawful order of a superior for the consequences of his acts
unless the subordinate manifested his objection to such unlawful order.

b. Exercise of military authority – Military authority shall be exercised with

promptness, firmness, and justice. Trial by court-martial, administrative proceedings
or punishment under Article of War 105 shall not be resorted to in case of trivial
offenses, except the less drastic methods of administering discipline have been tried
but without result. (Offenses which have already been corrected upon being brought
to the attention of the officer concerned need not be noted on the offender’s record
and shall be considered closed incidents).

c. Superiors shall avoid any display of anger or administer reproofs upon their
subordinates in the presence of their juniors.

d. It is the duty of every commissioned officer and non-commissioned officers

to assist in the preservation of good order and discipline in the service. He shall
make spot corrections for any negligence or impropriety observed by him among
subordinates whether they are on or off duty.

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2. Military Discipline and Courtesy.

a. Military discipline is a state of order and obedience existing within a

command that. It involves the ready subordination of the will of the individual for the
good of the group. Military discipline is an extension and specialized application of
the discipline of any organized society. Discipline demands habitual but reasoned
obedience to command an obedience that preserves initiative and functions
unfalteringly even in the absence of the commander. Discipline is created within a
command by training, judicious use of punishment and reward, and instilling a sense
of confidence and responsibility in each individual. Discipline demands correct
performance of duty. The need for discipline is best inculcated in an individual by
appealing to his sense of reason. In instances where appeal to reason fails, the use
of punishment is effective in causing the recalcitrant individual to conform to and
appreciate the need of for discipline. Commendation and earned praise from senior
to his subordinate, either individually or collectively for a task well done, serve to
strengthen the disciplinary bond which bind together the smooth-functioning team. In
dealing with the civilian populace, his conduct should be in conformity with the norm
of social behavior. It should be designed to win the confidence and support of the
people for the Armed Forces.
In short, military discipline is prompt, willing and cheerful obedience to all lawful
orders, and in the absence of an order, to do what one believes the order would
have been.

b. Military Courtesy - Courtesy among military men is indispensable and

characterized the conduct of both officers and enlisted personnel on all occasions.
Respect to superior shall be extended at all times.

3. Relationship to Superiors Towards Subordinates.

Superiors are prohibited from injuring those under their authority by tyrannical
or capricious conduct or by abusive language while maintaining discipline as well as
thorough and prompt performance of military duty, superiors should bear in mind the
absolute necessity of treating their subordinates in such a way as to preserve their
self- respect. Officers and NCOs of all ranks shall adopt such methods of treatment
as well insure respect for authority and promote that sense of mutual confidence,
goodwill and cooperation throughout the service which is essential to efficiency.
They shall be in close touch with the men under command and strive to build up
such relations of confidence and sympathy as will insure the free approach of their
men for counseling and assistance. This relationship may be gained and may be
trained without replacing the bonds of discipline with great benefits of the service as
a whole.

4. Complaints and Redress.

a. Any military or civilian person in the AFP, who believes to be a victim of

injustice or capricious conduct by his/her superior, may complain to the next higher

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superior who shall act or endorse the complaint if meritorious, to the proper
investigating agency, through channels, within 72 hours from receipt thereof. In case
the next higher superior fails to act on the complaint, the complainant may elevate
his complaint directly to the Major Service Inspector or the Inspector General, AFP.
However, any subordinate who files any malicious and /or unfounded report to
harass or embarrass a superior officer shall be subject to disciplinary action.

b. The writing of anonymous letters or complaints by any member of the

military is strictly prohibited and the offenders shall be punished if discovered.

c. Every effort should be exerted to identify the author of an anonymous

complaint. If after a reasonable period, the author thereof has not been identified, the
case shall be treated in accordance with SOP Nr 13, this Headquarters dated 24 Sep
76, Subject: Processing of Complaints, Grievances and Allegations of Irregularities.

d. Complaints charging impositions, maltreatment, or abuse of office, against

officers or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces shall be made the subject of
prompt and thorough Investigation, by the senior officer first apprised of it. Report of
the investigation and recommendations concerning it shall be forwarded thru proper
channels, to the chief of Staff, AFP.

e. Any officer whose character and conduct as an officer and a gentleman has
been publicly impugned may, within thirty days, submit his case to the Chief of Staff,
AFP who shall; should the gravity of the case warrant, order an investigation. If the
allegations are proven unfounded or grossly exaggerated, the officer concern shall
be officially exonerated, and that fact shall be made public through the press or
otherwise.

5. Legislative Activities – Except as authorized by General Headquarters, Armed

Forces of the Philippines, efforts by any person in the active military service to
procure or oppose, or in any manner influence, legislation affecting the Armed
Forces of the Philippines are prohibited.

6. Political and Business Activities.

a. Officers and enlisted personnel are prohibited from instituting or taking part
in meetings, demonstrations, or processions for political or partisan purposes. Under
no circumstances shall they attend such affairs except when they are required to
perform or carry out lawful orders thereat.

b. Except when properly made by the military person himself, requests to

General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines for personal favor or
consideration for any individual in connection with promotion, assignment or other
official favor by means of political or outside influence are prohibited.

c. No military person on active duty shall take any active part in the
management and operation of any private business nor engage in any vocation or
profession without the prior approval of the Chief of the Staff, AFP, with the

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concurrence of the Secretary of National Defense. He shall not permit the use of his
military title or position for the advertisement of any commercial enterprise.
d. All Military personnel are cautioned against maintaining credit accounts in
excess of their financial ability to liquidate within a reasonable time. Disciplinary
measures may be applied by the Chief of Staff, AFP, under the Articles of War in
cases where a military person will fully or habitually fails to honor his financial
commitments.
7. Armed Forces of the Philippines Service – Members of the AFP shall serve with
highest degree of responsibility integrity and efficiency and shall remain accountable
to the people. In war or in peace, they shall always uphold the supremacy of civilian
authority over the military.
8. Prohibited Acts.
a. RA Nr 3019; as amended, and RA Nr 1379 punish certain acts or
omissions of public affairs which constitute graft or corrupt practices.
b. All military personnel are enjoined to keep themselves free from any
position that may put them under suspicion of being influenced in the discharge of
their duties by other than purely public consideration. Officers are instructed to be
scrupulous and exact in all official dealings with contractors, salesman and agents
c. No military person shall disclose orders, instructions or official information,
except to his superiors or person in the service entitled to such knowledge; nor shall
he use information obtained by him by virtue of his position for his own personal
benefit or gain.
d. Military personnel are prohibited from publishing or communicating to the
press in any form, either directly or indirectly, any military information or view on any
official matter without the approval of the Chief of the Staff, AFP. Officers or enlisted
personnel shall be held liable for statements made in communications to friends
which are prejudicial to the interest of the service and which may subsequently be
made public through the press.
9. Supersession – AFPR G 131-012 dtd 7 Nov 74 is hereby superseded
effective 14 September 1987.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE:

OFFICIAL: FIDEL V RAMOS

General, AFP
Chief of Staff
(Sgd) JULIAN M. MAALA
Colonel, PC(GSC)
The Adjutant General

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