NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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of llK ^cc'dwp
23 JAN 31 P3 50
Rl-CEIVtDBV:
S. No.
SENATE
1816
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A SYSTEM OF COMBAT PAY AND COMBAT INCENTIVE PAY 
OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) AND THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG), 
SETTING THE RATES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the military force of the 
Philippines. The AFP, being the protector of the people, plays a crucial role in 
preserving peace and harmony by defending the country against terrorism and other 
forms of threats, whether of civilian or military nature. It consists of three main service 
branches; the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy (including the Marine Corps).
The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, is the armed national 
police force in the Philippines. The agency is administered and controlled by the 
National Police Commission and is part of the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG). Municipal mayors operationally control local police officers. DILG,


on the other hand, organizes, trains and equips the PNP for the performance of police 
functions as a police force that is national in scope and civilian in character
The 1987 Constitution expressly declares that "[t]he Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) is the protector of the people and the State" and "[i]ts goal is to 
secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory." Our 
Constitution further provides that "[p]rofessionalism in the armed forces and adequate 
remuneration and benefits of its members shall be a prime concern of the State."
Sections 4 and 5, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declare that, "the 
prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people" and that, "the 
maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property and 
promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of 
the blessings of democracy." These duties are carried out by the country's premier 
police force, the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Despite these lofty constitutional precepts, our soldiers and police personnel 
receive measly salaries, inadequate allowances, and insufficient benefits, compared to 
the circumstantial stressors and challenges they face. Some of these are societal 
isolation, the sleep deprivation that comes with long shifts, and continued exposure 
to harmful human elements.
The Combat Duty Pay our soldiers receive is a testament to this. Combat Duty 
Pay (CDP) is a special combat allowance in addition to base pay for AFP personnel 
performing combat duties and PNP uniformed personnel engaged in actual police 
operations. Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, under Executive Order No. 3, s. 
2016 mandated that all entitled uniformed personnel shall receive a fixed rate of Php 
3,000.00 CDP. In addition, a Combat Incentive Pay (CIP) amounting to Php 300 per 
day is accorded to personnel in uniform who figure directly or involve in actual 
combat/police operation against members of various insurgent, terrorist, and lawless


elements. CIP is also a collateral allowance that is excluded from gross income and 
exempt from taxation under Republic Act No. 8424 or the Tax Reform Act of 1997.
Indeed, said incentives can hardly address the increasing economic burden of 
soldiers who are subjected to numerous risks and perils when they put their lives on 
the line to protect our people, our institutions and our democratic way of life. In line 
with this, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also needs to be recognized and should 
also receive such incentives since they are primarily tasked with safeguarding life and 
property at sea, protecting marine resources and the environment, and assisting in 
the enforcement of maritime laws within the Philippine jurisdiction paralleled to the 
service of the AFP and PNP.
This bill seeks to increase the CDP to a fixed amount of PhP 5,000.00, and CIP 
to a fixed amount of PhP 1,000 to a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of their salary 
so that our uniformed personnel may receive a commensurate allowance for the 
dangers they encounter in protecting our citizens. It has been a long time since they 
were compensated well. It is just right and statutory because relative pay plays an 
integral part in career decision-making and boosting the morale of those engaged in 
combating threats or risky duties. The CDP and CIP increases would also help improve 
the living conditions of uniformed personnel and their respective families since inflation 
has been quite progressive.
The initial required budget for the Combat Duty Pay increase shall be charged 
against the savings of the respective departments of the concerned units of the 
uniformed personnel covered under this Act. Thereafter, the National Government 
shall appropriate annually and include in the General Appropriations Act the amount 
corresponding to the total annual cost of the increase in CDP and CIP.
It is high time that we recognize and honor the vital role played by the officers 
and men of the AFP, PNP and the PCG and members of the AFP by looking after their


welfare and providing them with decent and adequate compensation as well as 
reasonable and substantial benefits.
Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RaffyT. Tulfo
SeriatOF-----


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
23 JAN 31 P3S0
RUCEIVEOBV.
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A SYSTEM OF COMBAT PAY AND COMBAT INCENTIVE PAY 
OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP)7 THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) AND THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG)f 
SETTING THE RATES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines, in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Title. -This act shall be known as the "Combat Incentives Act."
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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promote professionalism in the armed forces and place as prime consideration the
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adequate remuneration and benefits of its members.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms- As used in this Act:
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a) Actual Combat - means any armed engagements, tactical incidents, or
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confrontations that are either offensive or defensive in nature and further
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characterized by actual firefights or gun battles between any member or
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members of the AFP or any of its units or commands against various insurgent.


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terrorist, and lawless groups. The armed engagement incident or confrontation
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could be on land, water, or airborne.
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b) Commissioned Officer or Officer-refers to the members of the Philippine Army,
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Philippine Air Force and Philippine Marine Corps with the rank of Second
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Lieutenant to General, to the members of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard
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personnel with the rank of Ensign to Admiral, and the personnel of the
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Philippine National Police with the rank of Police Lieutenant to Police General.
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c) Combat Duty - means the following duties:
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a. Combat Operations - refer to field operations involving armed
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hostilities against insurgents or dissidents, outlaws, and terrorists
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where the personnel of operating and maneuver forces, combat and
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service support, and support to law enforcement units are exposed
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to risks of injury or death from enemy action.
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b. Crime Prevention or Suppression Operations - refer to operations
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against armed criminals such as hostage rescue operations, anti-
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hijacking operations, hot pursuit operations, and other similar armed
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confrontations between members of the AFP and law offenders,
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including insurgent, rebels, and/or terrorists resulting in casualty or
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capture on either or both sides.
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c. Civil Military Operations refer to planned activities undertaken
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independently or in coordination with civilian entities in support of
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the accomplishment of the AFP mission to gain popular support and
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weaken the enemy's will to fight.
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d. Internal Security operations are activities designed to preserve
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internal security against insurgents, secessionists, and terrorists.
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Among others, it includes territorial defense operations, intelligence,
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combat, military, and police civil relations, legal offensives, police
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ISO, and psychological operations.
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e. Providing security to the President of the Philippines and his family,
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including AFP personnel assigned outside AFP providing security
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missions pursuant to Executive Order Number 41, sl966.


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f. Coastal Security Patrol - Seaborne or mobile patrols within coastal
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areas conducted by qualified PCG Uniformed Personnel who are in
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actual CG operation against elements of maritime threats. These
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patrols are covered by authorized LOI/Mission Order/ Letter Order/
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IMPLAn or similar CG operation order.
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d) Enlisted Personnel - refers to the members of the Philippine Army and Marine
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Corps with the rank of Private to Chief Master Sergeant, the Air Force with the
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rank of Airman to Chief Master Sergeant, and the members of the Philippine
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Navy and Coast Guard personnel with the rank of Seaman Apprentice to Master
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Chief Petty Officer. It also refers to the non-commissioned officers of the
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Philippine National Police with the rank of Patrolman to Police Executive Master
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Sergeant.
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e) Fragmentary Order (FRAGO) - means an abbreviated form of an operation
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order, usually issued on a day-to-day basis which eliminates the need for
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restating information contained in a basic operations order. Fragmentary orders
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which may be issued in sections, contain information of immediate concern to
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subordinates and provide brief, specific, and timely instructions. It can come in
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the form of an oral, a digital, or a written message. It is issued after an
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operation order to change or modify that order or to execute a branch sequel
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to that order.
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f) Operations Order (OPORD) - means a directive issued by a commander to his
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subordinate commanders for the purpose of effecting the coordinate execution
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of an operation. As used herein. Operations Order includes plans for camp
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defense, contingency, logistical run or movement, casualty evacuation, and
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case operation.
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g) Mission Order for Law Enforcement Activity (MO-LEA) - an order issued to
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qualified PCG Unit to conduct land-based and/or seaborne law enforcement
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operations. It includes the Situation, Mission, Execution of the mission. Admin
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and Logistical requirements to support the conduct of operation and the


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communication coordination among PCG Units. It requires after operations
report upon completion of the mission.
Sec. 4. Combat Duty Pay. — The rate of Combat Duty Pay for members of the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police and the Philippine 
Coast Guard is hereby fixed at Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) per month.
Sec. 5. Persons Entitled to Combat Duty Pay. - Active members of the AFP, the 
Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard who are performing Combat 
Duties as defined under Sec 3 Paragraph (c) of this Bill and as defined in regulation 
issued by the AFP Chief, the Chief PNP, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, 
respectively.
Sec. 6. Combat Incentive Pay. - The members of the AFP and the uniformed 
personnel of the PNP and PCG who figure directly in actual combat against members 
of various insurgent, terrorist, and lawless elements, shall be entitled to an additional 
Combat Incentive Pay of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per day, subject to the 
following conditions:
(a) The operation to which the enlisted personnel or officer is deployed must 
be for a specific combat mission that is duly covered by an Operations 
Order or Fragmentary Order for the AFP or a Mission Order for the PNP;
(b) The personnel involved in combat must be in the published task 
organization of the AFP Operations Order or Fragmentary Order or the 
PNP Mission Order; and
(c) The total additional Combat Incentive Pay for each qualified individual 
shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the base salary pay per month 
to be set by the respective Secretaries of each concerned departments, 
in consultation with the AFP Chief of Staff, The PNP chief, and the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard for this Act's Implementing Rules and 
Regulations.
The Combat Incentive Pay shall be over and above the Combat Duty Pay of 
Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) for qualified officers and enlisted personnel of 
the AFP, PNP and PCG.


1 
Sec. 7. Funding Requirement - The funding requirement necessary to
2 
implement this law shall be specifically included under the yearly appropriations
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for the AFP, PNP and PCG in the General Appropriations Act, provided that the
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actual and validated rosters of military and uniformed personnel of the said units
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are submitted to the Department of Budget and Management to be used as the
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basis for allocating funds for the succeeding year's budget.
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Sec. 8. Impiementing Ruies and Regulations - The Secretary of National
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Defense, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and the Secretary of
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Transportation, in consultation with the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chief of the
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Philippine National Police, the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the heads of
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all service branches of the armed forces, shall promulgate the rules and regulations
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necessary to implement the provisions of this act within ninety (90) days from its
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effectivity. Further, the secretaries of the concerned departments shall review this
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act's implementing rules and regulations every three (3) years.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any portion of this Act is
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the
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other provisions not affected thereby.
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Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
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rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
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are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.