- What is IPSP?
The AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan is a broad
plan that shall guide the AFP in helping the nation attain and maintain
internal peace and security in the near and medium-term. It shall guide the
Unified Commands (UC), Major Services (MS) and concerned AFP-Wide Support and
Separate Units (AFPWSSUs) in planning for and contributing to the attainment of
internal peace and security in the country.
- How is it different
from the previous campaign plans?
IPSP “BAYANIHAN” emphasizes
that the primary focus of the AFP in the conduct of its operations is Winning
the Peace and not just defeating the enemy. Also, the new IPSP is a document open to the public to signify the AFP’s intent
to draw on the support of the broadest spectrum of stakeholders. It highlights
the importance of increased involvement of stakeholders, the national and local
government agencies, non-government entities and the entire citizenry in addressing
peace and security concerns.
- What is the difference between winning the peace and merely
defeating the enemy?
Winning the peace provides the framework for the AFP’s new approach to
peace and security. This is a shift from a predominantly militaristic solution
to a “People-Centered Security”/ “Human Security” approach that is founded on
broad-based consultations and engagements with key stakeholders. The AFP
chooses to focus on the long-term and more important effects of its military
operations on the people and communities. In other words, peace is to be won for the
people.
Defeating the enemy merely focuses on diminishing the armed components
of the threat groups through the number of body counts and firearms recovered
only. This is more on using the military
solution to the armed conflicts rather than employing the “Whole-of-Nation”
approach.
- How do we win the peace?
Winning the peace includes support to the primacy of the peace
process; addressing
the root causes of armed conflict by facilitating/assisting development to
conflict affected areas; uphold national and international laws; respect Human
Rights; and defend against armed internal security threats.
In winning the peace, the
development and professionalization of the military’s ranks must continue. The
AFP shall undertake necessary reforms to increase its institutional efficiency
and internalization of the AFP core values in order to win the hearts and minds
of the Filipino people.
- What do we mean
by “ Whole-of-Nation Approach”?
The “Whole-of- Nation Approach” is the framework
that shall guide how the AFP will implement this IPSP. It is based on the
recognition that the AFP cannot single-handedly solve the internal peace and
security concerns of the country. The comprehensive definition of security,
with focus on the well-being of the people, entails a multi-faceted and
multi-pronged approach. This can only be attained through a sustained
multi-stakeholder effort borne out of partnerships with different government
institutions, non-government stakeholders such as NGOs and CSOs, and the local
communities.
- What is “People-Centered
Approach”?
The “People-Centered Approach” of the IPSP, under
the broader frame of human security focuses on the people. A people-centered
security within the frame of human security puts people’s welfare at the center
of internal security operations. It focuses on the protection of civilians as a
primary objective before defeating the enemy. It puts primacy to human rights
and also explores ways on promoting local security and safety based on the
needs and realities of communities on the ground.
- What is “support
operations”?
This emphasizes the supporting role of the AFP in the “Whole-of-Nation
Approach” to finally address the root causes of the armed conflicts. It highlights the AFP’ support to civil
government authorities; to civil law
enforcement; to national development; to conflict resolution, peace advocacy, peace
constituency and Human Security.
- Is the IPSP concept within the competence of the AFP?
Yes, because the AFP’s primary role is to protect the people and the
state. It
recognizes the
importance of the support of all stakeholders in our quest for a just and
lasting peace. In doing so, the AFP will
place utmost emphasis on the respect for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law in the conduct of operations.
However, there is a need to conduct additional capacity-building
training especially focusing on other competencies that will realize the
objectives of IPSP like Inter-agency Coordination, Peacebuilding, Conflict
Resolution and Reconciliation, Community Development etc.
- What capabilities are needed to implement IPSP in winning the peace?
Implementing the concepts in this Internal Peace and Security Plan requires the development and enhancement of specific AFP capabilities. Indeed, the AFP should strive for a force
that is multi-mission capable—able to perform multiple roles without
sacrificing its core military competencies. Other than the traditional military
capabilities needed to impose the desired effects on the different threat
groups, the AFP needs to develop its capability for interagency and
stakeholders coordination as well as peacebuilding. More than the physical
development of capabilities is the transitioning of the AFP to an institution
capable of adapting to the paradigm shift in the AFP’s internal peace and
security operations.
- Will the AFP
abandon combat operations?
The AFP shall continue using legitimate force and
conducting combat operations with even greater vigor but only against armed
insurgents. Military combat operations shall be deliberate, accurate and
precise; ensuring that efforts of the AFP shall result in substantial gains for
internal peace and security. Intensified and relentless pursuit of the NPA is
intended to exhaust their armed capabilities and diminish their will to fight.
- What is the
basis of IPSP?
The IPSP fulfills part of the function of the
General Headquarters (GHQ), AFP under the Revised Administrative Code of 1987
of providing strategic direction for the AFP, including the direction of
operations of unified or specified commands. Anchored on national security
policies and strategies, it lays out the AFP’s plan in attaining internal peace
and security objectives. The national security policy and strategy is likewise
based on the normative guidance of the Constitution, the President’s policy
pronouncements, and the policy thrust of the Department of National Defense
(DND).
- How will IPSP
be translated into concrete actions on the ground?
Within the institution itself, the AFP shall
implement measures to enhance the appreciation and understanding of troops on
the concept of human security. On the ground, vital components of this Plan’s
implementation include supporting local capacity building activities to tackle
the human security agenda, mobilizing the broadest possible participation of
people and communities to build the constituency for peace, and collaborating
with other government agencies (Gas), civil society, business community and
LGUs to pursue the human security agenda.
- Who has the lead role in the implementation of the IPSP?
The AFP has the lead role in implementing the IPSP.
Yet, government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society, and
other stakeholders possess complementing strengths that are indispensable in
attaining the goals of the IPSP.
- What is the role of the AFP in IPSP?
The AFP’s primary role is to address the armed
capability of groups who threaten the security and safety of the state, the
people, and the communities. This translates to the conduct of combat
operations against armed internal threats that are intelligence-driven,
deliberate, and calibrated to diminish the armed capability of said threat
groups. Military operations shall not be limited to purely combat operations.
The AFP shall likewise maximize the utilization of non-combat operations such
as civil-military operations (CMO) and development-oriented activities. The AFP
is dedicated as an active partner of the national government in defeating the
enemy by wielding the tools of justice and social reform.
- Do we have resources in the implementation of IPSP?
The AFP has the resources in addressing security
concerns with respect to threat groups. But it must be stressed that other
enablers of military capability also need to be considered. Building up the
necessary capability and requirements for internal peace and security requires
changes in non-tangible factors such as doctrine, organization, training
practices and human resource management.
- What is Human
Security?
Human Security is the protection and respect for
human rights, good governance, access to economic opportunity, education and
health care. It has several components: economic security, food security,
health security, environmental security, personal security, community security,
and political security. The two major components of human security are freedom
from fear and freedom from want.
- What is security sector reform?
It is the transformation of the security sector,
which includes all the actors, their roles, responsibilities and actions to
provide state and human security in an effective and efficient manner while
being consistent with democratic norms and sound principles of governance.
- How does IPSP treat CNN’s “front organizations”?
Front Organizations are considered non-government
organizations which could provide indispensable contributions to the pursuit of
internal peace and security. Along with Civil society organizations (CSOs),
non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) fill the
gaps in the dispensation of tasks and functions of national government agencies
and local government units. Also heavily involved, are the academic, religious
and other sectoral groups in capacity-building, research and advocacy work.
They have long been recognized by the AFP as vital partners in resolving
challenges to internal peace and security.
- What is the AFP’s new paradigm shift in relation to IPSP?
The AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan is, in a
nutshell, a paradigm shift on how the armed forces views its mandate of
protecting the people and the state—in this case, from armed threats. The
primary objective of AFP internal security operations shall be Winning the
Peace rather than simply defeating the enemy.
- What is the relevance of respect for human rights in IPSP?
Respect of Human Rights is among the focus of the
IPSP. It is an indispensable factor in achieving human security. All AFP
operations should put respect for Human Rights as one of the primary concerns.
- How does IPSP affect the current conduct of ISO in the ground?
All operations and activities of the AFP from the
General Headquarters down to the lowest squad or team shall strictly adhere to
the principles, concepts, provisions and spirit of Human Rights, International Humanitarian
Law and Rule of Law. The AFP Chain of Command is responsible in ensuring that
these principles are not only followed but internalized by all military
personnel.
- What measures are to be adopted to attain respect to human rights
in relation to IPSP?
The AFP shall ensure that adherence to HR, IHL and
the RoL is further emphasized in its doctrine, tactics, techniques, procedures
(TTPs) and operations. It shall ensure that its education and training programs
promote the internalization of its values. Human Rights Offices or desks shall
be established in AFP units down to the battalion level or its equivalent.
The AFP shall also continually engage stakeholders
with regard to HR, IHL, and RoL as a mechanism for consultation and
transparency. Moreover, the AFP shall ensure the prosecution of all AFP
personnel found guilty of violating HR, IHL, and other pertinent laws.
- How do we rate the performance and effectiveness of the Units in
the implementation of IPSP?
The AFP shall continually engage stakeholders as a
mechanism for consultation and transparency. AFP commanders at different levels
are directed to exert efforts and explore all possible mechanisms to achieve
multi-stakeholder participation. AFP partners namely government agencies, NGOs,
and Civil Society Organizations shall be consulted through the process of
continued dialogue, information sharing, and consultation. International observers
are most welcome to provide a feedback on the IPSP’s effectiveness.