WHEREAS, the Philippine Army, now the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was officially created and organized with the approval of the National Defense Act on December 21, 1935;

WHEREAS, the esprit de corps among the members of the Armed Forces is greatly enchanced by instilling into the mind and heart of every soldier that pride in the traditions of his organization, that spirit of oneness, and that singleness of purpose, all of which are essential for securing cohesive and successful military action; and

WHEREAS, to attain this objective, it is imperative that a day of each year be designated on which all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines may devote their time, thought and energies in extolling and commemorating the birth of their organization;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, do hereby declare December 21 of each year as œArmed Forces Day  and call upon all members of the Armed Forces, both in the active and inactive service, to join in the observance of the day in such manner as may be determined by the Chief of Staff.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Baguio, this 21st day of March in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QURINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:
TEODORO EVANGELISTA
Executive Secretary