CIVIL AFFAIRS (CA)

Feb 4, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Feb 13, 2023

“In My desire to bring my troops closer to the people, I was willing to risk almost anything to win their hearts and minds in support of the government’s effort to end the local communist conflict, at the very least, in my area of responsibility.”

-PLTGEN CESAR HAWTHORNE R BINAG (Ret)[1]

The vast experience of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the conduct of Internal Security Operations (ISO) has enriched its Civil Military Operations (CMO) activities through engagements and by empowering the youth’s sense of patriotism. The experience that established victory in this type of conflict is very much dependent on the support of the people and our ability to weaken the will of the enemies to resist. Getting the support of the people is no easy task, but it is an important component in the success of military operations. The support of the people enables us to gather real time intelligence that contributes a lot to our troops' ability to fix and destroy a highly mobile enemy. This will considerably lessen the material, financial, and moral support that the enemy obtains from the masses.

The National Internal Security Plan (NISP) recognizes that the AFP can address all internal threats and, more importantly, assist in nation-building. This is not a new role for the AFP since traditionally, it has been the government institution that not only deters aggressors but also assists in nation-building and development. [1]

I first came to know all about civil military operations (CMO) during my college days as one component of the Program of Instructions (POI) set forth in the military science and tactics of the basic Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC). It is during those times that I learned that the leftist group, especially the New People’s Army (NPA), is conducting their propaganda through engagement with the community, so the Philippine Army is conducting the CMO in order to counter their propaganda and the popular support of the people. We also watched YouTube videos depicting the New People's Army's good deeds, such as helping out on the farm while wearing their uniform and firearms.

Our instructor for this session is LJG ANDREI S BALDE (PN), Acting Commanding Officer of Civil Affairs, Civil Military Operations Group, Philippine Navy. Preceding the lecture, the instructor first explained to us the "NAVAL WARRIOR DIPLOMAT." As CMO operators, we are considered warrior diplomats simply because we do not need to resort to military power and weapons as tools of war, but with words and deeds, we can attain peace and order and gain the popular support of the community, so much so that when we are assigned to a particular area that we are not familiar with, it is a normal notion that we are already considered unwelcome. However, with knowledge and wisdom on how to conduct CMO, we can become friends with the community, and gaining their trust and hearts will also save your life against the Communist Terrorist Group. A civil affair is one of the pillars of CMO. It is a planned coordination among the AFP and the local government of the locality that promotes trust through cooperation and collaboration. There are two components: Civil Relations (CIVREL) and Civic Actions (CIVAC). I had learned that Civil Relation are about building cooperation and collaboration between military and civilian authorities. On the other hand, Civic Action is an activity where we conduct sociological and developmental activities together with stakeholders. Also, there are three levels of Civil Affairs; at the strategic level, careful planning before the operation begins At the operational level, the organization conducts activities to engage the community. On the tactical level, the interagency aims to gain the cooperation and collaboration of the leaders of the locality. Our last topic was all about key leader engagement and stakeholder engagement, and then we had our practical exercises. We had learned in this key leader engagement that when you are assigned as a station commander in an unfamiliar place, it is normal that the people of the locality will not welcome you because you are just a stranger in their hometown. In order to have an effective engagement with the masses, it is easier when you engage their leader, especially in the far-flung areas where the people listen to their village chief or elders. In a municipality, it is best to befriend the town mayor. In addition, it is also best to know your stakeholders so that you can gain support from corporations and other big companies that will help you in your programs for the community.