The humble beginnings of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines dates back as early as 1951. It was then called as Civil Affairs Office or CAO established by former Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay. During that time, the office helped in projecting the good image of the AFP and its credibility in service. At the same time, it supported the AFP’s anti-dissident forces particularly by demoralizing and destroying various communist groups such as the Hukbalahap movement, a notorious communist group at that time, through effective conduct of intelligence operations. It was also the time when the office began to realize its direction in the military organization.
       In 1960, the Civil Affairs Office was later renamed Office for Military Institution or OMI. It was during that moment when the office assisted the AFP in conducting different civic action, socio-economic and developmental programs during the Vietnam war operations and handled numerous media activities and psychological warfare. The office became Special Staff to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at that time.
        During the martial law era, the then CRS was put to a crucial test. Despite of a very critical situation, the office still managed to endeavor to a much complicated tasks and offered a wide variety of services to the general public such as a social welfare center, complaints office, lost and found counter, counselling center and many more. It also focused the responsibility of handling the AFP's socio-civic action programs and mass communications. It was also the time when the Office for Military Institution was subsequently renamed the Office for Civil Relations or OCR.
        The Office for Civil Relations which was better known as OCR was reorganized as a General Headquarters unit to provide AFP wide support for Civil Relations in 1975. It was further organized to an Armed Forces of the Phillipines Wide Support Service Unit with a very important mission: Special Civil Operations in Rural Environs Teams (SCORE) as its operating units in the critical regions of the country.
        In January 31, 1978, the Office for Civil Relations was deactivated only to be reactivated immediately as an AFP Wide Support and Service Unit with a new name, Civil Relations Service. The unit was instrumental in the creation of the “Tanod Bayan,” which was later named “Ombudsman” tasked to provide legal support and assistance to the general public and is mandated in the 1973 Constitution. “Oplan Katatagan” was also implemented which was geared towards winning the hearts amd minds of the people and focused on security and development. The unit was also regionalized and adopted elements against counter-insurgency such as intelligence operations and civil relations operations.
        The 1986 People Power Revolution paved new challenges in the CRS. While new leaders took over, the unit endeavored to a new sense of direction and dedication. During that historical event, the men and women of the CRS were always prepared for any eventuality. They were disciplined, composed and more importantly, believed in the preservation of freedom and democracy. At that time, different media activities and programs to attract rebel groups were conducted. Voluminous information materials, which was very important at that time, that contained correct and credible information for internal and external public were prepared and disseminated.
        Two years after the EDSA Revolt, the CRS continued to focus on its mission. The CRS promoted the AFP's major thrusts of national reconciliation, security and development. Its activities provided emphasis on mass communication and public information. A combination of Civil Military Operations (CMO) activities were also made possible through effective use of tri-media and communications network and gave emphasis on the renewal of the moral and spiritual aspect of all the military personnel. The Civl Relations Groups (CRGs) were also established in support of the AFP units.
        When Fidel V Ramos took over as the new President of the Republic, the CRS supported his administration by achieveing a higher degree in terms of responsibilities and other significant tasks. It effectively implemented the Balik-Baril Program and produced propaganda materials against enemies of the state with the publication such as the “Veritas Vincit” later renamed Peacemaker Newsletter, the AFP’s monthly newsletter. TALA Magazine, AFP Troop Bulletin, was also revived. The Command also supported the Ramos administration’s effort on the peace agreement between the government panel and the moro sessecionist movement.
        A year after, the responsibility to lead the CRS was then transferred to then Colonel and present Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen Angelo T Reyes. During his incumbency, community relations and development efforts became the main concern of the Command. “Kabuhayan 2000” and other livelihood programs were realized which was mainly intended to help soldiers and their dependents. It was also the time when Gen Reyes contributed a lot in terms of improvement of the CRS facilities and equipment as well as the enhancement of the skills and talents of his personnel. He also endeavored to greater tasks that led to significant accomplishments, programs and activities of the Command. His tenure was one of the most important highlights in the history of the CRS for he also became one of many sources of the Command’s strong foundation. Gen Reyes is a pride and honor of the CRS, for he is a man of integrity and conviction, a noble and committed soldier.
        The CRS indulged into a more serious tasks in the AFP’s programs and projects at the beginning of 1996. The CRS participated in the AFP’s Campaign Plan “Kaisaganaan” which addressed its concerns on national security, peace efforts and national development.
        February 1998, or two years after, the Civil Relations Service,AFP was again renamed as Public Affairs Service,AFP. The renaming was in accordance with the downsizing of the Civil Relations Group to Civil Relations Unit and with the Republic Act 7898 which provides for the AFP Modernization. It was also during that time when the Command made a mark in its performance. Majority of its operations were successful such as the rescue and retrieval efforts to the victims of the Cherry Hills landslide and the successful implementatation of Project Halina which was a joint project of the AFP, barangays and non-government organizations. It was created to render available humanitarian services to poor and needy.
        February 21, 2000 when then Colonel, BGen Jaime L Canatoy took over as the new Commander of the Public Affairs Service,AFP which later on reverted to its former name Civil Relations Service,AFP upon the approval of the AFP Chief of Staff Gen Angelo T Reyes on April 29, 2000.
        At the time of his assumption to office, BGen Canatoy started to improve and strengthen more the rapport between the military and the civilian sector. He likewise doing his very best to doubly intensify public information and media activities of the CRS and focus on enhancing and developing the skills and values of officers and personnel of the Command through various people oriented activities and programs.
        In the Payatas tragedy, the CRS was also in the forefront of rescue efforts to save unfortunate victims.

        At present, with the able leadership of BGen Jaime L Canatoy, the Command takes pride in fulfilling its mission and at the same time, projecting the good image of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines.
        On its 50th year anniversary, the existence of CRS is not just a rich history of accomplishments, goodwill and professionalism, but only a continuation of intense commitment and service to the Filipino people... Golden deeds, indeed.

NOTE: AN UPDATE ON THIS BRIEF HISTORY SHALL BE MADE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMAND. ANY CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CRGs SHALL BE MOST APPRECIATE