FAQ on the AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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).

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.