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THE HISTORY:

In military forces worldwide, the Provost Marshal is the officer in the armed forces who is in‐charge of the military police. In Great Britain, the Provost Marshal heads the military police of each major service. The General der Feldjäger‐truppe of the German Military Police (Feldjäger) is equivalent to Provost Marshal General (PMG).

The PMG in the United States (US) reports to the Chief of Staff of the US Army and handles investigations and incarcerations, thus centralizing all aspects of law enforcement in the US military. The position was recreated in January 2003 after the attacks on the World Trade Center in September 2001.

THE ORIGIN:

1. The origin of the Office of the Provost Marshal General. AFP (OTPMG, AFP) dates back when the Philippine Constabulary (PC) was transformed into a division of the Philippine Army (PA) by virtue of Commonwealth Act Number (CA Nr) 1 dated 21 December 1935 (the National Defense Act). The PC now the Philippine National Police (PNP) was then the Philippine Insular Police Force charged with the maintenance of peace and order from as early as the American occupation in 1901.

2. In 1936, MGEN JOSE DELOS REYES AFP was designated as the first PMG. However, on account of CA Nr 343 dated 23 June 1938, and upon the separation of the PC from the PA, the title of PMG was conferred to BGEN FEDERICO OBOZA AFP.

BGEN OBOZA AFP was then assigned with the Military Police Command (MPC) under the United State Army Forces-Far East (USAFFE), Armed Forces of the Philippines Westem Pacific Command (AFPWESPAC) and, later, the Armed Forces Pacific (AFPAC).

The MPC was a post‐liberation period version of the PC, which was inappropriately associated with the Japanese Bureau of Constabulary. Trained under Military Police Programs, the primary mission of the MPC was akin to that of the pre‐war PC, with its key function of enforcing military law and order for the benefit of the civilian populace.

3. Following the surrender of Japan in 1945, the Military Police (MP) units deployed in various parts of the country were thought at as the only units Of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In Luzon, three (3) MP battalions were activated to form the PA, and trained as MP units (to distinguish these from the Military Police Command). The trained MP units were then attached to various US Army installations and bases. COL DOMINADOR SANTIAGO commanded the First Military Police Battalion (MP Bn), LT GEN MANUEL CABAL AFP then the AFP Chief of Staff (CSAFP), commanded the Second MP Bn. while COL PEDRO MERIT commanded the Third MP Bn. The deactivation of the PC on 31 December 1947 terminated the designation of BGEN OBOZA AFP as the PMG.

4. On 19 February 1953, the Provost Marshal General Section (PMGS) was created through General Order Number (GO Nr) 41. COL FLORENTINO CARDENAS INF PA was designated as the PMG of the AFP under Table of Organization 19·7 dated 22 January 1953. Conceived as a Special Staff, its mission is to advise the CSAFP with regard to laws, rules and regulations necessary to enforce order and discipline among all military personnel in the AFP. Three (3) branches were created to assist the PMG, AFP – Administrative, Plans and Policy, and Motor Vehicle.

5. Alongside the activation of the PMGS was the creation of three (3) Air Police companies from the Philippine Air Force bases; the 202^nd MP Company of the PA Training Center; the area MP companies of the First Military and Second Military Areas; the 303^rd MP Company; and, the MP Section of the Battalion Security Group (BSG), AFP. Subsequently, four (4) new units were organized: the MP Company of the Third Military Area (07 July 1953); the Fourth Military Area (01 March 1954); the Shore Patrol Detachment of the Philippine Navy (19 October 1954); and, the MP units of the PC (01 July 1961). On 16 October 1954, the 303^rd MP Company was attached with the OTPMG and placed under the command of the PMG, AFP. Subsequently, the PMG, AFP was made a member of the Special Staff of GHQ, AFP.

6. The 303^rd MP Company was given the jurisdiction over the Manila area while the 303rd MP units of the Major Services limited their activities within their respective posts. GO Nr 197 dated 31 October 1958, terminated the attachment of the 303^rd MP Company with GHQ, AFP. As provided in the revised Table of Distribution Nr 200, GHQ, AFP dated 10 February 1960, the PMGS was renamed the Provost Marshal Division. On 16 March 1961 LTC MARINAO ESCALOMA INF PA was designated as the PMG, AFP. Along this concept of organization, control, and supervision, the Major Services and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Support and Separate Units (AFPWSSUs) organized and designated their respective Provost Marshal Sections and Provost Marshals.

7. Pursuant 10 Letter of Instructions (LOI) GHQ, AFP dated 07 September 1973, the First Composite MP Battalion, AFP was organized and activated as an AFPWSSU, five days after its publication. It was placed under the operational control of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, GHQ, AFP and charged with the mission of enforcing military laws, rules and regulations among all AFP military personnel in the Greater Manila Area, which was designated as its area of jurisdiction and operation. The MP Company of GHQ and the Headquarters Service Company, AFP was eventually deactivated and the personnel, functions, equipment, and records of the former were transferred to the First Composite MP Bn, AFP.

8. In response to the reports received by the CSAFP in 1974 on the abuses committed by military personnel in Zamboanga City and the neighboring areas, the organization of an MP Bn to operate in the South was conceptualized. Through LOI dated 14 June 1974, the Second Composite MP BN, AFP was organized as an AFPWSSU effective 01 July 1974 and was placed under the operational control of the Southwestern Command (SOWESCOM). When the Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM) was deactivated on 01 July 1974, its personnel, functions, equipment and records were transferred to the Second Composite MP Bn, AFP. Zamboanga City and Jolo were the designated areas of operation of this newly organized unit. To beef up its manpower and to expedite its operations, the Alpha Company of the First Composite MP Bn, AFP (then stationed in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo) was attached to this command operationally pursuant to paragraph 6 of the same LOI that organized the Second Composite MP Bn, AFP.

9. To synchronize the activities of the First and Second Composite MP Bns. AFP, LOI dated 01 April 1975, (amending the previous LOI's that organized the First and Second Composite MP Battalions operating in the Greater Manila Area and Zamboanga City, respectively) placed both MP Bns under the operational control of the PMG, AFP effective 01 April 1975.

10. LOI dated 16 July 1975 and GO Nr 33 dated 17 July 1975 organized the Composite MP Brigade, AFP (Provisional), consisting of a Brigade Headquarters, a Headquarters Company, and the First and Second Composite MP Bns, into an AFPWSSU. The PMG, AFP was designated as the concurrent Brigade Commander of the Military Police Brigade (MP Bde), AFP, and entrusted with the mission of enforcing military laws, rules and regulations, and to instill discipline and order among all AFP personnel.

11. Pursuant to GO Nr 518 dated 02 August 1978, the OTPMG, AFP was deactivated and its mission, functions, records and personnel were absorbed by the MP Bde, AFP. The Commander of the AFP Composite MP (not Military Police Brigade) has since performed the functions of TPMG, but not in any way, acting officially as TPMG.

12. The compelling need for a unit in the MP Bde to advise the Commander and to plan Provost Marshal-related activities within the command, and in the whole AFP, paved way for the creation of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Provost Marshal on 16 October 1978, pursuant to GHQ CMO, BDE, AFP LOI dated 03 October 1978.

13. When the MP Bn was deactivated in 1986, its investigative function was returned to the Office of The Provost Marshal, thereby, assimilating all its records and pending cases. The Intelligence and Investigation Branch was later created to handle complaints and to conduct investigation on the numerous cases received by the office which consume no less than 60% of PMG's time and effort. The licensing of military drivers was later removed as one of its function when a Presidential Decree was amended, regulating among others the termination of the issuance of government driver's license.