| Unit Name: | Armed Forces of the Philippines Counterintelligence Group |
| Country: |  Philippines |
| Branch: | Armed Forces of the Philippines |
| Type: | Military intelligence Counterintelligence |
| Command Structure: | Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines |
| Current Commander: | Colonel Jonathan Manio |
The AFP Counterintelligence Group (Armed Forces of the Philippines Counterintelligence Group or AFP-CIG) is the counterintelligence command of the AFP. The first iteration of the AFP-CIG was created in 1989 until it was disbanded in 1995 during the administration of then president Fidel V. Ramos. The current iteration of the AFP-CIG was fully activated on January 18, 2024, after it was revived in 2005. It is mandated to conduct counterintelligence operations throughout the Philippines.[1]
Its counterintelligence role is distinct from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the latter conducting intelligence operations under AFP command.[2]
The CIG was originally established on December 29, 1989.[2] The command was involved in protecting the administration of then president Corazon Aquino against coup attempts and going after rogue soldiers who were reported to participate in bank heists and kidnapping operations.[3] The CIG was disbanded on October 16, 1995, its functions transferred to the Presidential Task Force on Intelligence and Counterintelligence Against Scalawags.[4]
According to then President Ramos, he said the CIG was successful in the "neutralization and prosecution of scalawags" that the unit was no longer needed in the AFP.[4] The task force was tasked to "conduct intelligence and counterintelligence operations to detect and identify active and former military and police personnel and their cohorts involved in criminal activities." in accordance to Executive Order No. 280.[5]
In 2005, the administration of then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo revived the CIG to monitor coup attempts and corruption inside the AFP.[6]
Prior to the CIG's full activation, rumors were raised of unrest and coup attempts from retired soldiers.[7] AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. spoke to President Bongbong Marcos about a supposed plot based on conversations he had with retired AFP officers on November 4, 2023.[7] However, Colonel Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said that General Brawner was merely misquoted.[7]
On December 21, 2023, General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a speech that the CIG would be reestablished.[8] According to AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, he said that the CIG's activation was based on a directive issued on January 11, 2024, by Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro.[2]
On January 18, 2024, General Brawner Jr. led the ceremony to activate the CIG at AFP General Headquarters.[9] The unit would be led by Colonel Jonathan Manio, under AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Major General Ferdinand Barandon.[4] AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla explained that the CIG's mandate includes counter-infiltration, counter-espionage, and counter-sabotage operations.[10]