THE Philippine Army is an institution with an illustrious history. Valor is its identity. It was born in the field of battle on March 22, 1897. While the enemy was attacking, the revolutionary leaders met at Tejeros and established a revolutionary government and a revolutionary army with General Artemio "Vibora" Ricarte as its first Captain General.
First called the Army of the Revolution, it became the Army of the Republic when President Emilio F. Aguinaldo formally proclaimed on January 23, 1899 the Filipino Republic. The Philippine Army was thus the first citizen army in Asia.
Succeeding battles tried and tested the Philippine Army. The February 17, 1897, battle at Sapote Bridge; the March 24, 1897, battle at Pasong Santol; the February 5, 1899, battle at La Loma Cemetery, the December 2 and 10, 1899 battles at Tirad Pass and San Mateo, etc., are glorious chapters in the history of the Philippine Army. In Bataan and Corregidor, in the Korean War and Vietnam Wars, and in many other foreign fields of assignment, the Philippine Army upheld its best traditions and the country’s honor.
Over and above its traditional task of preserving the country’s integrity and sovereignty, the Philippine Army has also established itself as a major partner of the government in nation-building. It has been a constant source of support and fountain of leadership for the people in manning the manifold institutions in the country.
Fighters for freedom, sentinels of the nation, models of the youth and instrument of peace and democracy – these are the many lofty roles that the Philippine Army has ably performed.
We congratulate the men and women of the Philippine Army headed by its Commanding General, Lieutenant General Romeo P. Tolentino, Officers and Personnel, on the occasion of its 110th Anniversary with the theme "Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas: Tapat na Panunungkulan Para sa Diyos, Bansa at Kapwa." We wish them success in all their endeavors.
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