Dencio Acop - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Dencio Acop

Apart from traditionally fighting the nations wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has often... more Apart from traditionally fighting the nations wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has often played a crucial developmental role in nation-building. Whether such should continue or not, this paper argues that the expansion or diminution of the AFPs nation-building role ultimately depends upon its eventual impact not only on the development of the organization or the nation but on the very survival of the state itself. Supporting its argument, the paper finds evidence in the nation-building history of the AFP during five periods, beginning with the revolutionary era between 1896 and 1901, and concluding with the post-EDSA period up until the present time. Based on the evidence, it seems apparent that the traditional nation-building role is still best for the AFP and the country, although certain modifications may be in need of adoption. First, the AFP needs to focus more on its core competency of war-fighting than its civil-related activities, given its limited resources. Second...

Prism: A Journal of the Center for Complex Operations, 2012

This article argues that the experiences of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during deca... more This article argues that the experiences of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during decades of counterinsurgency have had both positive and negative consequences for the AFP as an institution, as well as for state-building in the Philippines. Positive experiences can be attributed to the AFP contribution of its military values to its external environment, while many of the negative experiences are accounted for by its expanded interaction with its external environment. This kind of interaction, though essential, managed to undermine its professionalism and values, specifically from graft and corruption. Furthermore, the article argues that though there are seemingly insurmountable problems, the situation for the AFP and the state is not entirely hopeless. This optimism lies in good leadership from the top, especially political leadership.The article also examines the traditional role of the AFP. In doing so, it takes a look at its history of security and development and the...

Prism a Journal of the Center For Complex Operations, Mar 1, 2012

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 2008

Apart from traditionally fighting the nation's wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has ofte... more Apart from traditionally fighting the nation's wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has often played a crucial developmental role in nation-building. Whether such should continue or not, this paper argues that the expansion or diminution of the AFP's nation-building role ultimately depends upon its eventual impact not only on the development of the organization or the nation but on the very survival of the state itself. Supporting its argument, the paper finds evidence in the nation-building history of the AFP during five periods, beginning with the revolutionary era between 1896 and 1901, and concluding with the post-EDSA period up until the present time. Based on the evidence, it seems apparent that the traditional nationbuilding role is still best for the AFP and the country, although certain modifications may be in need of adoption. First, the AFP needs to focus more on its core competency of war-fighting than its civilrelated activities, given its limited resources. Second, the AFP needs to be streamlined so that the remaining mainstream force composes the combat arms. Third, government has to seriously enhance the AFP's material and technical capabilities. And finally, the restoration of unit cohesiveness and the culture of excellence in the AFP must be made a priority if the organization is to remain effective. This

Apart from traditionally fighting the nations wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has often... more Apart from traditionally fighting the nations wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has often played a crucial developmental role in nation-building. Whether such should continue or not, this paper argues that the expansion or diminution of the AFPs nation-building role ultimately depends upon its eventual impact not only on the development of the organization or the nation but on the very survival of the state itself. Supporting its argument, the paper finds evidence in the nation-building history of the AFP during five periods, beginning with the revolutionary era between 1896 and 1901, and concluding with the post-EDSA period up until the present time. Based on the evidence, it seems apparent that the traditional nation-building role is still best for the AFP and the country, although certain modifications may be in need of adoption. First, the AFP needs to focus more on its core competency of war-fighting than its civil-related activities, given its limited resources. Second...

Prism: A Journal of the Center for Complex Operations, 2012

This article argues that the experiences of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during deca... more This article argues that the experiences of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during decades of counterinsurgency have had both positive and negative consequences for the AFP as an institution, as well as for state-building in the Philippines. Positive experiences can be attributed to the AFP contribution of its military values to its external environment, while many of the negative experiences are accounted for by its expanded interaction with its external environment. This kind of interaction, though essential, managed to undermine its professionalism and values, specifically from graft and corruption. Furthermore, the article argues that though there are seemingly insurmountable problems, the situation for the AFP and the state is not entirely hopeless. This optimism lies in good leadership from the top, especially political leadership.The article also examines the traditional role of the AFP. In doing so, it takes a look at its history of security and development and the...

Prism a Journal of the Center For Complex Operations, Mar 1, 2012

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 2008

Apart from traditionally fighting the nation's wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has ofte... more Apart from traditionally fighting the nation's wars, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has often played a crucial developmental role in nation-building. Whether such should continue or not, this paper argues that the expansion or diminution of the AFP's nation-building role ultimately depends upon its eventual impact not only on the development of the organization or the nation but on the very survival of the state itself. Supporting its argument, the paper finds evidence in the nation-building history of the AFP during five periods, beginning with the revolutionary era between 1896 and 1901, and concluding with the post-EDSA period up until the present time. Based on the evidence, it seems apparent that the traditional nationbuilding role is still best for the AFP and the country, although certain modifications may be in need of adoption. First, the AFP needs to focus more on its core competency of war-fighting than its civilrelated activities, given its limited resources. Second, the AFP needs to be streamlined so that the remaining mainstream force composes the combat arms. Third, government has to seriously enhance the AFP's material and technical capabilities. And finally, the restoration of unit cohesiveness and the culture of excellence in the AFP must be made a priority if the organization is to remain effective. This