CRS Audio Video Presentation 2010

The Civil Relations Service, AFP then, CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICE (CAO) was created on March 1, 1951 by virtue of Department of National Defense Order Number 31. It was a special section of the Office of the Secretary of National Defense with the direct supervision by then Secretary Ramon Magsaysay. It was created and organized under the provisions of Section 79(B) of the Revised Administrative Code of the DND. The concept of Psychological Warfare in a war of ideologies was the brainchild of Secretary Magsaysay.

After a year, Secretary Magsaysay designated MAJOR JOSE M CRISOL PA to head the Civil Affairs Office.

In 1960, the General Headquarters AFP created the OFFICE OF MILITARY INFORMATION (OMI) to integrate the tasks and deactivated the Civil Affairs Office.  It became the Special Staff to the Chief of Staff, AFP and handled the press relations of the Chief of Staff.

In 1969, after 18 years, BGEN GUILLERMO A PECACHE assumed leadership of OMI.  He was at the helm of the office for 3 years.

In 1970, as the communist movement increased its forces and as the Mindanao conflict intensified, to strengthen the unit, it was reorganized on 17 August 1970, with more diversified tasks, making integral into the AFP the functions of civic action and civil relations. Its name was changed to OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS (OCR).

In May 1972, the Office for Community Relations assumed an expanded role in various activities under a new leader, COLONEL NOE S ANDAYA PA.  It was then that the country was under Martial Rule.   The OCR opened its doors to the general public and became the link between the civilians and the military thru the social welfare office.  Additionally, the Board of Censors was under the management of OCR.  The OCR was also authorized to serve Arrest Search and Seizure Order (ASSO) to those with pending cases in court and who have planned to go abroad.   The OCR became the window of the AFP and the busiest unit in the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the Martial Law period.

OCR was reorganized as a GHQ Unit to provide AFP Wide Support for Civil Relations on July 1, 1975 to focus in handling the AFP's socio-civic action programs and mass communications, providing the needed initiative to reacquire the loyalty and support of the people.  Three months after, it was given additional duties as a Special Civil Operations in Rural Environs (SCORE) Team as its operating units in critical regions around the archipelago.

On January 31, 1978, OCR was deactivated but reactivated consequently as an AFP Wide Support and Service Unit with a new name, CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (CRSAFP). The unit was instrumental in the creation of the "Tanod Bayan," which was later named "Ombudsman" tasked to provide legal support and assistance to the general public and is mandated in the 1973 Constitution.  The unit was also given additional tasks to conduct Tanod at Gabay ng Lahi at Watawat (TANGLAW).

On April 16, 1978, BGENERAL ALEXANDER FELIX took the reigns of CRSAFP replacing COL NOE S ANDAYA PA. Under BGEN FELIX, CRSAFP started regionalizing itself. The Civil Relations Groups were created and housed at all strategic areas nationwide.

On March 14, 1983, BGEN PACIFICO M LOPEZ DE LEON assumed responsibility as CG, CRSAFP. During his term, CRSAFP organized a Cultural Committee that centered on looking after the welfare of the indigenous people.

Two years after, BGEN EDUARDO R ERMITA took the helm of CRSAFP on March 7, 1985.  During the EDSA 1 People Power Revolution of 1986, the CRSAFP was fully utilized and different media activities were conducted.

On February 26, 1986, BGEN LUIS G SAN ANDRES became the 7th Commander of CRSAFP. The CRSAFP promoted the AFP's major thrusts of national reconciliation, security and development.

BGENERAL HONESTO M ISLETA assumed the leadership of CRSAFP on September 30, 1986. The CRSAFP role expanded from CIVAC to real communication efforts, propaganda and counter propaganda.

After the tenure of BGEN ISLETA, BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO took over the helm on April 20, 1989.  He made use of CMO activities that jibed with the maximum use of the multi-media and communications network.

On April 16, 1990, the Command welcomed the newly designated Commander, BGENERAL RAMBERTO B SAAVEDRA.  He laid emphasis on the moral and spiritual renewal of the men-in-uniform.

The leadership of CRSAFP was passed on to BGENERAL ROMEO A PADIERNOS on February 1, 1992. It was during his term that CRSAFP was in-charge of the National Reconciliation and Development Program (NRDP) of the government.  It became the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for the DND Balik-Baril Program.

On July 16, 1993, BGENERAL RENE S DADO took over the leadership. The Command centered on Lambat-Bitag that focused on Civil Military Operations.

A year after, the responsibility to lead the CRS was then transferred to then Colonel later and BGENERAL ANGELO T REYES on April 14, 1994. During his incumbency, community relations and development efforts became the main concern of the Command.  "Kabuhayan 2000" and other livelihood programs were realized which was mainly intended to help soldiers and their dependents.

On August 3, 1995, the command of CRSAFP, fell on BGENERAL VICTOR U GARCIA.  The function of the Command centered on weakening the enemy's will to fight and to justify the soldiers will to win the people's support.  Task Force Kandili was created and mobilized with a mission in areas hit by disasters and calamities.

On September 11, 1996 COLONEL NESTOR C CASTILLO PA was designated Commanding Officer, CRSAFP.  He was subsequently promoted to Brigadier General.  During his term, the CRSAFP was for the 5th time, renamed to PUBLIC AFFAIRS SERVICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (PASAFP) to conform to the downsizing policy of the AFP pursuant to GO# 1463 GHQAFP dated 26 December 1997.  PASAFP was chosen as project implementor of Project HALINA.

Upon compulsory retirement of BGENERAL CASTILLO on 21 February 2000, the first Philippine Air Force officer to Command PASAFP, was then COLONEL JAIME L CANATOY PAF who was also subsequently promoted to Brigadier General.  In his term, PASAFP was later reverted to its former name Civil Relations Service Armed Forces of the Philippines effective 27 May 2000 pursuant to GO# 669 GHQ AFP dtd 2 June 2000.

On May 15, 2001, BGENERAL EDILBERTO P ADAN took over the responsibility as Commanding General, CRSAFP.  He took the lead role in the creation of the AFP Official website launched on March 13. 2002.  The AFP website, www.afp.mil.ph provided credible and up-to-date AFP info intended to satisfy the user's needs.

COLONEL JOSE A MENDOZA PAF was designated as the new Commanding Officer of CRSAFP on April 16, 2002.  The CRSAFP conducted pro-active CMO/Psyops efforts in support of AFP Joint Task Force Libra.

On 10 June 2003, REAR ADMIRAL EDGARDO M ISRAEL assumed leadership of CRSAFP. During his term, the Command spearheaded advocacy campaign for the AFP and the duly - constituted government in order to neutralize the propaganda efforts of the misguided soldiers during the failed mutiny on July 27, 2003 popularly known as Oakwood Mutiny.

After three months, BGENERAL VICTOR N CORPUS replaced REAR ADMIRAL ISRAEL on 01 October 2003.  His term was marked with great challenges for CRSAFP following the pro-active stance of the government on the destabilization moves against Arroyo administration.

On 15 October 2004, BGENERAL ALEXANDER B YANO took the mantle of responsibility to lead CRSAFP.  During his term, the AFP was then the subject of denigration after a full-blown account of corruption case against the former AFP Comptroller was sensationalized by the media lines. CRSAFP ably planned and immediately implemented daily Information Operations (IO).

BGENERAL JOSE ANGEL C HONRADO assumed as Commander CRSAFP on 05 February 2005.  Under him, the Command was in the forefront in supporting the AFP's CMO/Psyops efforts against destabilization plots on the Arroyo administration and in neutralizing various threat groups and reducing their influence through deeds and words psyops and establishment of counter organizations in White areas.

The ball of power to command CRSAFP was officially turned over to BGENERAL JAIME B BUENAFLOR.  On 24 January 2006, BGENERAL BUENAFLOR accepted the symbol of authority as Commander, CRSAFP.  The CRSAFP, on his time, focused on five information campaign programs namely: "Talakayan sa Kampo", Psyops Plan "Diwa", One AFP, COMPLAN KINIG and "Ang AFP …isang Pamilya".

On August 11, 2006, COMMODORE AMABLE B TOLENTINO assumed as Commander CRSAFP and vows to continue the implementation of programs that seek to strengthen the Command's capability in performing its various roles.

On March 04, 2007  BRIGADIER GENERAL NESTOR R SADIARIN replaced COMMODORE TOLENTINO who led the Command for six months and twenty-three days of service.  Presently, under BGENERAL SADIARIN there were seven noteworthy projects initiated to address the ideological, political and organizational activities of the Communist Terrorist Movement. These projects fostered awareness and enlightened the people regarding threats to our democracy.  During his term, the 8th Civil Relations Group was created and placed OPCOM under AFP National Development Support Command (AFPNADESCOM).  The activation/creation of the Communication Electronics and Information System Office (CEISO) and the creation and establishment of an Information Operation Center as a prompt response mechanism in order to ensure a round the clock monitoring of the AFP’s TRIAD operations.  Three (3) Civil Relations Team were created in Civil Relations Group.  The AFP CMO School was accredited as a secondary AFP Training School or Unit pursuant to GHQ Letter Order No. 15 dated 11 April 2008.  BGEN SADIARIN served CRSAFP for one year, nine months and six days.

On December 12, 2008 thru the virtue of SO# 357 GHQ AFP DTD 23 Dec 2008, BGEN GAUDENCIO S PANGILINAN took over to command CRSAFP. During his term, CRSAFP has several noteworthy projects that address the ideological, political and organizational activities of the lawless elements. Aside from these, the Command participated and supported numerous projects/activities of other AFP units, Government Agencies, and Non-Government Organizations such as GMA Kapuso Foundation, Kalayaan Barangay Program and etc to keep the people informed and to foster confidence building as well as to project the good image of the AFP.  Internally, the Command has undertaken a number of activities geared towards the upliftment of the morale and welfare of its personnel and in the improvement of its mobility, capability and ultimately its efficiency focusing on renovating the whole structure of the CRS building.

After eight (8) months and 19 days, BRIGADIER GENERAL PANGILINAN was promoted to higher office at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (OJ3) and consequently he was relieved by BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCISCO “DIEGO” N CRUZ  JR by virtue of Special Order # 435 DTD November 2009 effective 13 November 2009.

BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCISCO “DIEGO” N CRUZ JR turned to lead CRSAFP and on his first command guidance focused on the building up the good image of the government, informing the people of the on-going projects and the good deeds of the government for the welfare of the people and the nation as well. He led the Service to undertake an intensive and extensive strategic communication (STRATCOM) in support to the AFP ISO campaign.  The CRSAFP family pursued vigorous efforts to step-up its PSYOPS campaign by means of continuous and various press releases, letters to the editors through media mileage to drumbeat the AFP’s accomplishments and milestones towards achieving the AFP’s goal.  The Service had done concrete actions in support to the AFP’s role during the May 2010 elections; demonstrating its advocacy for credible and peaceful elections with various stakeholders through media mileage.  It also upholds on the non-partisan stance of the AFP in fulfilling its peace and development advocacies. It recognized the importance of supporting the AFP’s Community Outreach Program and humanitarian activities which have induced collaboration with other stakeholders like LGUs, NGOs, media and other volunteer organizations in bringing basic medical and health services to our less fortunate countrymen who were devastated by flagrant fire, typhoons, and other natural calamities.

With all these modest accomplishments, the CRSAFP has contributed immensely in the implementation of AFP CMO Programs as led by BGEN FRANCISCO N CRUZ JR AFP.

On July 22, 2010, Brigadier General Jose Z Mabanta Jr took the helm as Commander, CRSAFP. Under his watch, the CRSAFP continued its undertaking on Strategy Communication (STRATCOM) initiatives which aims to shape the information environment leading to a favorable perception change in affirming Counter Insurgency Operations victory within the bounds of law and with paramount respect for human rights. The Psyops  activities conducted were projected to win peace through the Armed Forces of the Philippines IPSP "Bayanihan" efforts. Likewise, these activities were implemented despite of limited resources and other constraints factors which the Command faced. The government, the  AFP, CRSAFP and   other stakeholders have contributed in the pursuit of social and economic development particularly in the more improverished regions in the country.

Brigadier General Eduardo D Del Rosario assumed as Commander, CRSAFP on 04 April 2011. Aside from the multifarious tasks given to the CRSAFP, its also focused its critical role in the implementation if the IPSP. It is in this light that the Service remained at the forefront in initiating engagements with the IPSP stakeholders particularly line government agencies and civil society groups. It intensified the information campaign by means of continuous and various press releases as well as T.V. appearances and the conduct of radio commentaries/interviews, conferences and symposia nationwide to promote IPSP "Bayanihan" in achieving long lasting peace and security and sustainable development.

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