PURPOSE                                                                                       

"Covenants without swords are but words."

Thomas Hobbes

As one joins the Philippine Army, he forges a covenant with the Divine, his country, and his people. He submits himself to a lifetime commitment and total sacrifice in defending and upholding national sovereignty. He takes as his own the Philippine Army's core philosophy, and takes pride and satisfaction in serving the nation he is sworn to protect. His guide is the fundamental law, the Constitution that establishes the basic principles that govern the country, with the military's express covenant to preserve the integrity of such principles and sovereignty of the country, both as a defender and as an agent of civil authority in nation building. This covenant may be written in paper but must reside in the heart of every soldier and, be exemplified in the performance of his mission.

The Philippine Army and the Soldier are united in principle. One being symbolic of the other. In his mission, the Soldier serves the country on behalf of the Philippine Army and therefore cannot be distinct from it. In understanding this relationship, the soldier's identity with the Army's core philosophy is paramount in defining the energy that guides the soldier. This is the focus of this handbook, where we identify and explain the core values that are fundamental to the identity of the Philippine Army and its soldiers, and basic to all it,,; operations. This handbook also identifies and explains the basic norms of conduct that are expected of every person in the service of the Philippine Army.  

Copyright © 2005. Philippine Army
Published by: Army Management Information Center