Counterintelligence Group

Last updated
Armed Forces of the Philippines Counterintelligence Group
Active
  • 1989-1995
  • 18 January 2024;8 months ago (2024-01-18)
CountryFlag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Branch Coat of arms of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.svg Armed Forces of the Philippines
Type Military intelligence
Counterintelligence
Part ofUnder the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Jonathan Manio

The AFP Counterintelligence Group (Armed Forces of the Philippines Counterintelligence Group or AFP-CIG) is the counterintelligence command of the AFP. The first iteration of the AFP-CIG was created in 1989 until it was disbanded in 1995 during the administration of then president Fidel V. Ramos. The current iteration of the AFP-CIG was fully activated on January 18, 2024, after it was revived in 2005. It is mandated to conduct counterintelligence operations throughout the Philippines. [1]

Contents

Its counterintelligence role is distinct from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the latter conducting intelligence operations under AFP command. [2]

History

1989 to 1995

The CIG was originally established on December 29, 1989, [2] and tasked to "conduct intelligence and counterintelligence operations to detect and identify active and former military and police personnel and their cohorts involved in criminal activities" in accordance with Executive Order No. 280. [3] The command was originally involved in protecting the administration of then president Corazon Aquino against coup attempts and going after rogue soldiers who were reported to participate in bank heists and kidnapping operations. [4]

The CIG was disbanded on October 16, 1995, its functions transferred to the Presidential Task Force on Intelligence and Counterintelligence Against Scalawags. [5] According to then President Ramos, as the CIG had been successful in the "neutralization and prosecution of scalawags," the unit was no longer needed in the AFP. [5]

2005

In 2005, the administration of then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo revived the CIG to monitor coup attempts and corruption inside the AFP. [6]

Modern

General Brawner Jr. in a ceremony to reactivate the CIG on January 18, 2024. AFP CIG flag presentation.jpg
General Brawner Jr. in a ceremony to reactivate the CIG on January 18, 2024.

Prior to the CIG's full activation, rumors were raised of unrest and coup attempts from retired soldiers. [7] AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. spoke to President Bongbong Marcos about a supposed plot based on conversations he had with retired AFP officers on November 4, 2023. [7] However, Colonel Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said that General Brawner was merely misquoted. [7]

On December 21, 2023, General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a speech that the CIG would be reestablished. [8] According to AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, he said that the CIG's activation was based on a directive issued on January 11, 2024, by Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro. [2]

On January 18, 2024, General Brawner Jr. led the ceremony to activate the CIG at AFP General Headquarters. [9] The unit would be led by Colonel Jonathan Manio, under AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Major General Ferdinand Barandon. [5] AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla explained that the CIG's mandate includes counter-infiltration, counter-espionage, and counter-sabotage operations. [10]

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References

  1. ↑ Joaquin Camarena (8 February 2024). "The Philippines Implements Intelligence Community Reforms". Atlas News. Archived from the original on 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  2. 1 2 3 Priam Nepomuceno (2024-01-19). "AFP counter-intel group to help curb espionage, sabotage vs. PH". Philipine News Agency. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  3. ↑ "EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 280 October 16, 1995". The Lawphil Project. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  4. ↑ "Lawmaker calls on PNP to organize Task Force on Counter Intelligence". Office of Senator Win Gatchalian. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  5. 1 2 3 Bea Cupin (2024-01-20). "Why did the Philippines reactivate its military counterintelligence group?". Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  6. ↑ "SECURITY SECTOR REFORM AND GOVERNANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES" (PDF). National Defense College of the Philippines. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  7. 1 2 3 Herbie Gomez (4 November 2023). "WATCH: AFP chief Brawner warns coup plotters not to recruit active soldiers". Rappler. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  8. ↑ Priam Nepomuceno and Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos (2023-12-21). "PBBM to AFP: Enhance alliances, partnerships with foreign counterparts". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  9. ↑ Lade Jean Kabagani (2024-01-18). "AFP reactivates Counterintelligence Group". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  10. ↑ Joviland Rita (2024-01-19). "AFP reactivates Counterintelligence Group vs destab, sabotage threats". GMA Network (company). GMA Integrated News . Retrieved 2024-08-18.
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