The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged all soldiers and civilian human resources to remain faithful to their constitutional mandate to protect the people and secure the state amid persistent corruption issues confronting various sectors of government, as it marked the 35th anniversary of its Code of Conduct on Monday, Oct. 6.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. led an oath-taking ceremony to renew allegiance to the AFP Code of Conduct at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, urging all AFP personnel to uphold the moral foundations of military service.

“Strength without integrity is hollow. This is where the AFP Code of Conduct stands as our foundation. For 35 years, it has served as our moral compass, demanding of us the highest standards of honor, service, and patriotism,” Brawner said.

The military chief emphasized that discipline and good conduct are vital to sustaining public confidence in the military, particularly at a time when corruption and abuse of power continue to erode trust in some areas of government.

“At a time when the lines of morality are blurred and public scrutiny is sharp, the code guides us to remain disciplined, principled, and worthy of the trust of our people that our people place in us,” he said.

Across all major services, troops renewed their pledge of allegiance to the Code of Conduct during simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies.

The Code, first institutionalized 35 years ago, defines the AFP’s core values of honor, valor, duty, loyalty, and love of country, serving as a framework for ethical behavior and accountability.

Brawner directed unit leaders to reintroduce the AFP Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics among all personnel, both uniformed and civilian, to ensure that every member understands the expectations of moral behavior in service.

“They remind us that the true power of the AFP lies not only in weapons or strategies but in the courage, the character, and service of every soldier, airman, sailor, marine, and civilian who wears the badge of duty to God, country, and people,” he said.

Brawner also led the launch of the AFP’s new logo, which carries the theme “Matatag na Sandatahang Lakas, Sandigan ng Bagong Pilipinas,” for the military’s upcoming 90th founding anniversary in December.

“The logo we unveiled today is the story of our nine decades as an armed forces. The stories of soldiers who gave their lives in battle, sailors and marines who safeguard our seas, the airmen and airwomen who carry the hopes of our people into the skies, and the countless men and women whose service may not be recorded in books but whose sacrifice is written in the peace of our communities,” he shared.