AFPSAT AFP Knowledge — Philippine Defence History & Current AffairsCheat Sheet
Philippine Defence History & Current Affairs cheat sheet — the reference card you wish you had on exam day. Condensed from the full study notes, this is the high-yield core of Philippine Defence History & Current Affairs for AFPSAT AFP Knowledge. Download, print, revise.
Exam context
On the AFPSAT 2026, the AFP Knowledge subtest carries a "Core" weight in Armed Forces of the Philippines's pattern. Philippine Defence History & Current Affairs lands at position 3rd out of 3 in the standard review order. Target score is AFP-set percentile, and roughly a meaningful share of items come from AFP Knowledge on a typical AFPSAT paper.
Philippine Defence History & Current Affairs - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering AFP's rich history and contemporary security challenges for the AFPSAT
Sections
Common Values
Value
1892
Symbol
Start of organized resistance
Quantity
Katipunan founding
Value
1896
Symbol
Beginning of armed struggle
Quantity
Philippine Revolution start
Section Title
Pre-Colonial & Spanish Era Defense
Important Facts
- Battle of Pinaglabanan - August 30, 1896 (first major revolutionary battle)
- General Antonio Luna assassinated June 5, 1899
- Battle of Tirad Pass - December 2, 1899 (Gregorio del Pilar's last stand)
- Spanish used Filipino indios as enlisted soldiers under Spanish officers
- Bonifacio formed the Katipunan to organize armed resistance
Key Definitions
Term
Kuta
Example
Maranao fortified settlements in Mindanao
Definition
Indigenous fortifications built by Filipino tribes for defense
Term
Tercios
Example
Spanish colonial garrisons in Intramuros
Definition
Spanish military formation combining pikemen, musketeers, and arquebusiers
Term
Katipunan
Example
Started the Philippine Revolution in 1896
Definition
Revolutionary society founded by Bonifacio in 1892 to fight Spanish rule
Diagrams To Know
- Spanish colonial military structure
- Katipunan organizational chart
Common Values
Value
1901
Symbol
First organized force
Quantity
Philippine Constabulary establishment
Value
December 8, 1941
Symbol
WWII begins in Philippines
Quantity
Japanese invasion
Value
July 4, 1946
Symbol
End of American colonial period
Quantity
Philippine independence
Section Title
American Period & World War II
Important Facts
- National Defense Act of 1935 created Philippine Army, made MacArthur Field Marshal
- Philippine Military Academy founded 1936
- Japanese invasion - December 8, 1941
- Bataan Death March - ~75,000 POWs forced to walk ~100 km north
- Fall of Corregidor - May 6, 1942
- MacArthur's return - Leyte landing October 20, 1944
- Battle of Manila - February 3 to March 3, 1945
- Philippine independence - July 4, 1946
- Korean War - 10th Battalion Combat Team deployed (1950-1953)
Key Definitions
Term
Philippine Constabulary
Example
Precursor to modern AFP structure
Definition
First organized national police-military force established in 1901
Term
USAFFE
Example
Defended Bataan and Corregidor
Definition
United States Army Forces in the Far East - Filipino-American forces in WWII
Term
Hukbalahap
Example
Anti-Japanese resistance turned post-war rebellion
Definition
Communist-led peasant guerrillas in Central Luzon during WWII
Diagrams To Know
- WWII Pacific Theater timeline
- Bataan Peninsula defense positions
Common Values
Value
September 21, 1972
Symbol
Military control begins
Quantity
Martial Law declaration
Value
February 1986
Symbol
People Power triumph
Quantity
EDSA Revolution
Section Title
Martial Law & EDSA Revolution
Important Facts
- Martial Law declared - September 21, 1972
- Defection of Enrile and Ramos triggered EDSA Revolution
- Marcos exile to Hawaii - February 1986
- Corazon Aquino installed as President
- At least 7 coup attempts against Aquino (1986-1989)
- December 1989 - most serious coup attempt
- R.A. 7898 (1995) - AFP Modernization Act
Key Definitions
Term
RAM
Example
Key players in EDSA Revolution
Definition
Reform Armed Forces of the Philippines Movement - reform-minded officers in 1980s
Term
EDSA Revolution
Example
Millions gathered at EDSA to support military rebels
Definition
February 1986 peaceful people power revolution that ousted Marcos
Diagrams To Know
- EDSA Revolution timeline
- Coup attempts during Aquino administration
Common Values
Value
July 12, 2016
Symbol
International law victory
Quantity
PCA ruling on WPS
Value
2019
Symbol
Bangsamoro autonomy
Quantity
BARMM establishment
Value
May-October 2017
Symbol
Urban warfare challenge
Quantity
Marawi siege
Section Title
Contemporary Security Challenges
Important Facts
- 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff with China
- July 12, 2016 PCA ruling favored Philippines on WPS claims
- Marawi siege - May to October 2017 (ISIS-aligned Maute group)
- Mamasapano clash - January 2015 (44 SAF members killed)
- CPP-NPA-NDF insurgency ongoing since 1969
- AFP Cyber Group established for cybersecurity
- NDRRMC coordinates disaster response operations
Key Definitions
Term
West Philippine Sea
Example
Site of territorial disputes with China
Definition
Philippine term for parts of South China Sea within Philippine EEZ
Term
BARMM
Example
Result of Bangsamoro Organic Law (R.A. 11054, 2018)
Definition
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao established 2019
Term
NTF-ELCAC
Example
Duterte-era anti-communist strategy
Definition
National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
Diagrams To Know
- West Philippine Sea disputed areas map
- Mindanao conflict zones
Common Values
Value
1951
Symbol
US-PH alliance foundation
Quantity
MDT signing
Value
2014
Symbol
Enhanced defense cooperation
Quantity
EDCA signing
Section Title
Defense Alliances & Treaties
Important Facts
- Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan signed 2024
- Trilateral cooperation with US-Japan and US-Australia
- Joint patrols in West Philippine Sea with allies
- Balikatan - largest US-Philippines military exercise
- Kamandag - US-Philippine Marine Corps exercise
- CARAT - naval cooperation exercise with US
Key Definitions
Term
MDT
Example
Basis for joint exercises and shared defense planning
Definition
Mutual Defense Treaty (1951) with US - both parties bound to consult if attacked
Term
VFA
Example
Legal framework for American troops in Philippines
Definition
Visiting Forces Agreement (1998) - governs entry and conduct of US military personnel
Term
EDCA
Example
Training, equipment storage, and operations access
Definition
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (2014) - allows US use of designated AFP facilities
Diagrams To Know
- Philippine alliance network diagram
- Major military exercises calendar
Common Values
Value
12 units
Symbol
Current fighter strength
Quantity
FA-50 aircraft
Value
2 ships
Symbol
Modern naval capability
Quantity
Jose Rizal-class frigates
Section Title
Modern AFP Equipment & Structure
Important Facts
- BrahMos cruise missiles acquired 2024-2025 for coastal defense
- Black Hawk helicopters for utility operations
- AW-159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopters
- Additional C-130 transport planes acquired
- R.A. 10349 continues modernization program
- Medal of Valor - highest individual military award
- AFP Chief of Staff rotates regularly
Key Definitions
Term
FA-50 fighter jets
Example
Primary air defense platform
Definition
12 South Korean-made light fighter aircraft in AFP service
Term
Jose Rizal-class frigate
Example
Main naval surface combatants
Definition
Modern multi-role frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151)
Diagrams To Know
- AFP organizational structure
- Major equipment acquisition timeline
Must Remember
- National Defense Act of 1935 created Philippine Army
- Japanese invasion began December 8, 1941
- Philippine independence July 4, 1946
- Martial Law declared September 21, 1972
- EDSA Revolution February 1986
- PCA ruling on West Philippine Sea July 12, 2016
- Marawi siege May-October 2017
- BARMM established 2019
- MDT (1951), VFA (1998), EDCA (2014) are key US treaties
- Medal of Valor is highest military award
Last Minute Tips
- Focus on exact dates - AFPSAT loves testing specific dates of major events
- Remember the sequence: Spanish → American → Japanese → Independence → Modern era
- Know the acronyms: USAFFE, RAM, BARMM, NTF-ELCAC, and their meanings
- West Philippine Sea disputes are current affairs - know 2016 PCA ruling details
- Military exercises names often appear: Balikatan, Kamandag, CARAT, Salaknib
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- 1896-1898
- Pinaglabanan, Tirad Pass
- Spanish defeat, American occupation
Property
Philippine Revolution
Values
- 1899-1902
- Conventional then guerrilla
- American victory, colonial rule
Property
Philippine-American War
Values
- 1941-1945
- Bataan, Corregidor, Manila
- Allied victory, independence
Property
World War II
Columns
- War
- Period
- Key Battles
- Outcome
Table Title
Major Philippine Wars Comparison
Rows
Values
- 1951
- United States
- Mutual defense guarantee
Property
MDT
Values
- 1998
- United States
- Military personnel entry/conduct
Property
VFA
Values
- 2014
- United States
- Enhanced defense cooperation
Property
EDCA
Values
- 2024
- Japan
- Reciprocal military access
Property
RAA
Columns
- Treaty
- Year
- Partner
- Purpose
Table Title
Defense Treaties Timeline
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