Introduction to Intelligence

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC INTELLIGENCE

INTRODUCTION

In a country like the Philippines, where serious internal security threats thrive,
notably, the Communist Terrorist Movement (CTM), the Southern Philippines
Secessionist Groups (SPSGs) and other anti-government groups as well as potential
external enemies with possible intentions inimical to national security, the crucial role
played by army intelligence in safeguarding internal and external security cannot be
overemphasized. The number, readiness, mobility and deployment of army forces in
the country make it ideally suited to serve as primary instruments of national resolve
during peace, crisis and war. Army intelligence is likewise considered a vital factor
in the framing of national policies and defense plans, not to mention the formulation
of tactics and strategy that determine the conduct of war against various local threat
groups, where sound and accurate intelligence is a potent weapon. Army
intelligence is a supporting arm that when properly understood and confidently used
by army commanders considerably increases success at all levels.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

INFORMATION - Is an assimilation of data that has been gathered, but not

fully correlated, analyzed, or interpreted. While not fully analyzed or correlated,
information still has significant value to tactical commanders and plays a key role in
threat warning and target acquisition. In military parlance, combat information is
“unevaluated data, gathered by or provided to the tactical commander which, due to
its highly perishable nature or the criticality of the situation, cannot be processed into
tactical intelligence in time to satisfy the user’s tactical intelligence requirements.”
INTELLIGENCE is the product resulting from the collection, exploitation,
processing, integration, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of available
information concerning areas and threat groups. Integration and analysis, combined
with thorough understanding of mission requirements, convert information into
usable intelligence. Thus, intelligence is the product we derive from analyzing all
available and relevant information.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER. A Staff Officer responsible to the commander for
the collection of intelligence from which the commander needs to formulate his plans
and makes decisions. His primary function is to keep the commander informed about
the enemy and of the area of operations. He also assists the commander in the
formulation and supervisions of counterintelligence activities within the command
INTELLIGENCE CYCLE – It is the process in which information is processed
in order to obtain the production of intelligence may be divided into four phases: (1)
Planning of the collection effort, (2) Collection of information, (3) Processing of
collected information into intelligence, (4) Dissemination and use of the intelligence
produced. All four of these phases may take place concurrently. ; if one fails, the
entire intelligence effort will fall. We can compare the intelligence process to a cycle;
hence the descriptive title ---"The Intelligence Cycle".

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COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE. Counter-intelligence is that aspect of
intelligence, which comprises civil and military measures, including the collection,
processing, and distribution of information, and executive actions, designed to
counter enemy, or to prevent sabotage or subversive activities. Counter-intelligence
is inseparable from intelligence. By its very nature, counter-intelligence makes
valuable contributions to the overall production of intelligence.

THE FOUR (4) AXIOMS OF INTELLIGENCE

Intelligence axioms are facts that require no proof because the truth of these
statements is obvious.
1. AXIOM NO 1 - Intelligence is crucial to internal security. It can provide
us with advanced warning of insurgent activities. Intelligence can also provide
detailed knowledge of insurgent organizations, personnel, plans and tactics. In short,
intelligence provides the information which the government and the Armed Forces
as a whole need to act upon.
2. AXIOM NO 2 - Intelligence is essential to all types of operations. This
axiom means that the government of a nation should initiate a carefully planned, fully
coordinated and intensely executed program to maintain or restore internal security.
This overall program contains three (3) basic types of operations, namely:
A. Internal Defense Operations - It is directed against armed
insurgents, secessionist movements, as well as the ultra-rightists, their
organizations, methods, motives, their support system to include their human and
material resources.
B. Internal Development Operations - This is undertaken to
improve the political, economic and social aspects and environments within a nation
thereby alleviating causes of dissatisfaction by the people towards the government.
One of the best examples of this kind of operation is the civil military operations and
the Special Operations Team concept adopted by the Armed Forces in its latest
drive against insurgency.
C. Psychological Operations - This is conducted to influence the
attitude and behavior of all groups within the populace thereby obtaining the
maximum support for the government.
Intelligence provides all the information where all these
operations must be planned, implemented and evaluated if the government is to be
successful.
3. AXIOM NO 3 - Intelligence is the responsibility of all government
agencies. As the nature of subversive insurgency requires a thoroughly controlled
and coordinated effort on the part of the government, all government agencies
should contribute to the intelligence efforts to collect the detailed information and
produce a comprehensive intelligence that are required for internal defense, internal
development, and psychological operations.
4. AXIOM NO 4 - Intelligence of the government must be superior to that
of the enemy. The struggle between subversive insurgent organization and that of
the constituted government of a nation has sometimes been called the "intelligence

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war". However, the government's intelligence must surpass the intelligence of the
subversive insurgents to be able to win every battle and consequently win the war of
insurgency in the country

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS

Certain basic principles guide the conduct of intelligence operations

regardless of requirements or available intelligence means or environmental
conditions at a particular time or place. Although the principles complement each
other and are mutually dependent, in some situations they conflict. Thus, the
application of the principles in any given situation is a matter of judgment and one or
more principles may be reemphasized because of existing circumstance.

1. Intelligence Is Continuous.
The basic principles of intelligence operations are that all intelligence
activities follow a simple cycle, which is continuous. At the same time that new
information is being collected in response to direction, other information is being
processed and intelligence is being used.
2. Intelligence Operations and Tactical Operations are Interdependent.
Intelligence operations are an integral part of the operation of all units. The
degree of success achieved in accomplishing a tactical mission is, in large part,
proportional to the quality of available intelligence in the effectiveness with which is
used. Tactics and strategy are the same time the cause in effect of intelligence
operations. Staff officers preparing operational orders/plans for issue and those
responsible for intelligence operation must work as one team with responsibility for
intelligence coordination resting jointly upon intelligence and other staff sections.
3. Intelligence must be Useful.
Intelligence produced only for the sake of increasing knowledge is merely
interesting. Useful intelligence enhances understanding of the problems to be
solved and results in assisting the commander's problem is essential to determine
what intelligence is useful.
4. Intelligence must be Timely.
The best intelligence is worthless if it does not reach the user in time for
appropriate consideration or action. Some sacrifice of completeness and accuracy
may have to be accepted because the situation requires a decision before complete
intelligence can be produced. If this occurs, the user must be advised of the loss of
completeness and accuracy.
5. Intelligence Operations must be Flexible.
Standard procedures must make intelligence operations more effective;
however, procedures must be responsible to changes to meet existing requirements
under any situation. Intelligence operations are based on reason and sound
judgment. Procedures, which do not readily adapt to a given situation, are generally
discarded.

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6. Intelligence Operations Require Imagination and Foresight.
Policies or procedures, which limit imagination or initiative, are
avoided. All intelligence personnel and agencies are exploited to insure that all
available information is processed to produce intelligence for the user. Acceptance
and satisfaction with continuance of the current situation can only lead to disaster.
7. Intelligence Requires Constant Security Measures.
Security measures are necessary to insure that unauthorized personnel are denied
of information and intelligence produced. However, it is imperative that a distinction
be made between security and secrecy. Secrecy connotes to hide from or conceal
information or intelligence. The free and complete exchange of information by
intelligence processing agencies is vital to permit production of the best and most
timely product. Security measures must not deter dissemination of information or
intelligence to those who have a "NEED TO KNOW".
SOURCES OF INTELLIGENCE

Intelligence sources vary greatly in capability, method, sophistication, and

utility. All have limitations as well. As a rule, however, the utility of the source is not
a function of its sophistication; the best intelligence often can come through the
simplest collection means. To be effective, intelligence must use all available
sources; it cannot simply concentrate on the most familiar. Furthermore, army
intelligence must be ready to function in an environment where only human
intelligence is available.

1. Counter-intelligence. Counter-intelligence (CI) is that aspect of

intelligence, which in peace or war is concerned with the detection, prevention, and
neutralization of espionage, sabotage, subversion, or other inimical activities of a
hostile state and also of local dissident groups or individuals, by planning and
developing suitable countermeasures to thwart such activities. It is also the activity
or activities collectively organized by an intelligence service aimed at obstructing the
enemy’s source of information through concealment, use of codes, cryptography,
censorship, disinformation, trickery and deception.

2. Imagery Intelligence. Imagery intelligence (IMINT) is the product of

imagery analysis. Imagery is derived from, but is not limited to, radar, photographic,
infrared, optical, and electro-optical sensors. IMINT and imagery systems increase
the commander’s ability to quickly and clearly understand the area of operation (AO)
and area of interest (AI). IMINT is an important source of intelligence for IPB,
targeting, terrain and environmental analysis, and battle damage assessment (BDA).
IMINT is often the primary source of intelligence for the physical damage
assessment portion of BDA. IMINT is also subject to some limitations. Since most
imagery requires ground processing and analysis, IMINT may be unable to respond
to time-sensitive requirements. Imagery collection may also be hampered by
adverse weather and the vulnerability of the platform. As with other intelligence
sources, IMINT is subject to threat attempts at deception. IMINT is most effective
when used to cue other collection systems or to verify information provided by other
sources.

3. Human Intelligence. Human intelligence (HUMINT) is a category

derived from information collected and provided by human sources. Tactically, it is

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represented by interrogation of enemy prisoners of war and civilian detainees,
translation of captured enemy documents, long range surveillance operations,
patrols, observation posts, liaising with local military or paramilitary forces and the
local populace, and most importantly, reports from friendly troops.

4. Open Source. Open source intelligence is information of potential

intelligence value that is available through the general public.

5. Signals Intelligence. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) results from

collecting, locating, processing, analyzing, and reporting intercepted
communications and non-communications emitters. SIGINT provides the
commander with valuable, often near real time intelligence and targeting information
on enemy intentions, readiness status, and dispositions by intercepting and locating
enemy command, maneuver, fire support, reconnaissance, air defense, and logistics
emitters. SIGINT operations require efficient collection management and
synchronization to effectively overcome and exploit enemy efforts to protect his
critical communications operating procedures, encryption, and deception.

LEVELS OF INTELLIGENCE
Army forces are prepared to operate at the strategic, operational and tactical
levels of conflict. Thus, army intelligence provides evaluated intelligence on enemy
capabilities and intentions to support planning and operations at all levels of conflict.
1. Strategic Intelligence. Strategic intelligence is required for the
formation of policy and military plans at national and international levels. At the
strategic level, intelligence is oriented toward national objectives and supports the
formulation of policies and determination of priorities. Strategic intelligence focuses
first on discerning the capabilities and intentions of existing and potential enemies as
well as considering the strategic intentions of friendly nations and other potential
multinational partners. Strategic intelligence plays a central role in identifying an
enemy’s center of gravity.
2. Operational Intelligence. Operational Intelligence is required for
planning operations within areas of operations. It concentrates on intelligence
collection, identification, location and analysis to support the operational level of
warfare, which includes identifying an enemy’s operational critical vulnerabilities.
Furthermore, it assists the commander in deciding how best to employ forces while
minimizing risk.
3. Tactical Intelligence. Tactical Intelligence is required for planning
and conducting tactical operations at the unit level. It is concerned with the effects
weather or terrain will have on enemy and friendly operations. It focuses on a
potential enemy’s capabilities, his immediate intentions and the environment.
Tactical intelligence, when exploited, should result in an encounter with an
adversary. It is oriented more toward combat than long-range planning. Far more
than any other level, tactical intelligence support is the primary focus of army
intelligence. With this type of intelligence, the commander can formulate an effective
tactical plan. In counterinsurgency situation, tactical intelligence should also include
information on the population, their attitudes, religious and political affiliations, and
economic backgrounds.

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GEOGRAPHICAL AREA INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS

The commander's need of information from different geographic areas varies

with the echelon of command. Generally, the area of a higher commander includes
that of his subordinate commanders. A commander’s intelligence operations are
concerned with definite geographic areas known as "areas of influence" and "areas
of interest".

1. Area of Influence. The area of influence is that portion of the area of

operations or zone of action in which the commander, by means available to him can
influence operations. The assigned or assumed zone normally limits the width and
depth of the area. Although differing friendly and enemy situations, a convenient
reference for its forward extent is the maximum effective range of weapons. Thus, in
a situation in which the battalion commander has direct support artillery, or priority of
fires of the other artillery, the range of such weapons the forward extent of the
battalion commander's area of influence; lacking such support the maximum
effective range of the heavy mortar applies.

2. Area of Interest. A larger area of concern to the commander is the

area of interest. While the area of influence is relatively measurable, a similar "rule
of thumb" cannot be readily applied to defining the area of interest. By definition, the
area of interest includes the area of influence; areas adjacent thereto; areas
occupied by the enemy which, if employed in the area of influence, could jeopardize
the accomplishment of the mission, and extend into enemy territory at least as far as
the objectives of current and planned operations.

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