Philippine Marine Corps

Philippine Marine Corps Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas
Seal of the PMC
Active	November 2, 1950 – present
Country	Republic of the Philippines
Allegiance	Republic of the Philippines
Branch	Philippine Navy
Type	Marines,Conventional-Special Warfare, Internal-External Defense
Role	Direct Actions, Naval Combat & Support
Size	8,700
Part of	Armed Forces of the Philippines
Garrison/HQ	Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, Philippines
Nickname	PMC, Philippine Marines. "The Few The Proud The Marines" The Best In Soldiery.
Motto	Karangalan' Katungkulan, Kabayanihan "Honor, Duty, Valor" "Honor, Deber, Valor"
Colors	Scarlet, Gold and Blue
Anniversaries	November 7
Engagements	Communist Insurgencies Islamic Insurgencies, Counter Insurgencies-Terrorism, Civilian Military Operations, International Peace Support and Humanitarian Relief Operations, UN Operation.
Commanders
Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps	Major General Romeo Tanalgo, AFP

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) (Filipino: Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas; is the marine corps of the Philippines, and it is a Naval infantry branch of the Philippine Navy. It is in charge of manning naval garissons in shoals like Ayungin Shoal where a marine detachment is stationed on the grounded BRP. Sierra Madre. It conducts amphibious operation to support its mother branch :the Philippine navy

History

"The task of training these young men into Marines is vested upon us. Today, as we start training them, we will be striking the first hammer blow in forging the "cutting edge" of the Armed Forces."

MGen Romeo Tanalgo AFP, the incumbent Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.

On orders from President Elpidio Quirino and Ramon Magsaysay, then Secretary of National Defense, the Corps was organized on November 7, 1950, as A Company of the Philippine Fleet's 1st Marine Battalion and then headquartered in Cavite City, in Naval Base Cavite. Personnel from the United States Army and United States Marine Corps helped train the very first Philippine Marines in combat and amphibious duties in Fort Bonifacio in Makati City and in various other locations. Lieutenant (senior grade) Manuel Gomez was its first commandant, with then Lieutenant (junior grade) Gregorio Lim assisting him, with six other officers (4 seconded from the Navy and two from the Philippine Army) joining them.

Their hardwork and training would pay off as the Marine Company conducted its first amphibious landing on April 19, 1951 in Umiray, Quezon, and took part in battle for the first time on June 4 of the same year in Nueva Ecija against communist rebels. These and other notable battles in various parts of the country led to the Navy's decision to complete the 1st Marine Battalion with the raising of B Company in 1955 and the Headquarters and Service Company also in the same year, thus the marine battalion of one HQ company and two marine rifle companies, with now LCDR Lim in charge, was finally complete. (November 7, the date of the 1955 formal raising of the 1st Marine Battalion, is the official date of the Corps Birthday to this very day.)

By August 1 1952 when Lt. Gen Gregorio Lim took over the corps had operated in Nueva Ecija, Coasts of North Luzon ,Tarlac. Security Detachments were also sent Korea ,Japan and North Borneo.

On Noveber 5 1955 Alpha Company or A company was expanded in to a Battalion

Further marine companies and a weapons company would later be formed to augment the expansion of the force in the 1960s, and the abilities even expanded to VIP protection, and would also see the raising of its very own drum and bugle corps. The Marines would see themselves in action in securing the Spratly Islands in 1971 and in combating Muslim separatist forces and a strong New People's Army in the following years as the force became the Philippine Marine Brigade with the formation of the 2nd and 3rd Marine Battalions, the Headquarters Service Group, the 1st Provisional Tactical Battalion which saw action in Mindanao against Islamic separatists, and the Marine Training Group, later the Philippine Marines Training Group.

To highlight these changes the force was, in 1976, renamed as the Philippine Marines.

As the 1980s arrived, the force expansion was accompanied by battles against both communists and armed Islamist rebels all over the country, and in 1986 even took part in the successful People Power Revolution. The latter years would also see them in action as one coup d'état after another was launched against the Corazon Aquino administration, all ending in failure. It also saw Rodolfo Biazon becoming the first and only Marine Corps general to head the Armed Forces as Chief of Staff after a fruitful term as Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, the first and only Marine Corps general officer to occupy the office so far in PMA history.

The 1990s would see further expansion as the force, as part of the Philippine Navy, became the Philippine Marine Corps of today in 1995 as the force turned 45 years. The early 2000s would see the Marine Corps once more facing not just communists and Islamic militants but also terrorist groups as well.

Formation

Philippine Marines 8th Marine Battalion Landing Team, push forward after splashing ashore in an amphibious assault vehicle during an amphibious assault training exercise

The Philippine Marine Corps is organized into three maneuver brigades, a Combat Service and Support Brigade (CSSB), a Headquarters for 7th Marine Brigade(R)NCR, and independent units such as the Force Recon Battalion (FRBn) and the Marine Security and Escort Group (MSEG). The three maneuver brigades provide administrative and logistical support to the units assigned to them, while the CSSB acts as a training and administrative command for the Field Artillery (FABN) and Assault Armor (AABN) battalions.^[1]

Marine Rifle Battalion

The Philippine Marine Corps has twelve regular Marine Battalions.^[2] Three battalions are assigned to each of the three maneuver brigades and a single battalion is rotated back to the Marine headquarters for refit and retraining for at least six months up to one year before redeployment to operational areas in Southern Philippines.^[3]

Each of the twelve battalions is organized into three rifle companies and a headquarters and service company. The battalions are augmented with elements of other units, such as artillery, armored vehicles or watercraft, for specific tasks. These units, when supported with assets from the CSSB form the core of a Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT). A combat engineer unit from the Naval Combat Engineering Brigade (NCEBde) or Seabees can be attached for construction, survivability, mobility and countermobility support. Elements from the PMC Force Recon Battalion can also be attached for reconnaissance and unconventional warfare support to make it Special Operations Capable (SOC).^[3]

A Philippine Marine Corps instructor teaches the U.S. Marines a style of Philippine Martial Arts known as Pekiti-Tirsia Kali during a combat training exercise.

Marine Reserve Units

The 7th Marine Brigade (Reserve) was activated as a provisional unit of the Philippine Navy on 22 October 1996 pursuant to Section I General Order No. 229 ONA dated 21 October 1996 during the term of Vice Admiral Pio Carranza AFP as FOIC. PN. It was assigned to the Naval Reserve Command and placed under the operational control of the Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps.ref name="Philippine Marine Corps (official website)">"Philippine Marine Corps (official website)". Retrieved 2015-04-30. }</ref> The 7th Marine Brigade (NCR) is the Main Active Reserve Force of the Philippine Marine Corps with 3 operational Marine Battalions Composed of active men & women from different backgrounds & experiences, that are integrated to the regular & special units of the Corps. Given the same (MOS) training that enable the 7th MBde personnel to have interoperability with the rest of the Corps. Administrative control rest on the Naval Reserve Command (NCR), Philippine Navy while Operational is with the Philippine Marine Corps (MC9). (Motto: Always Faithful, Always Ready, Nickname: Shadow Warriors)

Field Artillery Battalion

The Field Artillery Battalion (FABN) is currently organized into a Headquarters and Service Company and several howitzer batteries which are attached to the maneuver brigades to support their operations. It is equipped with both the M101A1 howitzer and the OTO Melara Model 56/14 pack howitzer. The unit also provides a limited air-defense capability through a token number of Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns.

Assault Armor Battalion

The Assault Armor Battalion (AABN) contains a Headquarters and Service Company, an Armor Maintenance Company (Armor Mnt Co), an Assault Amphibian Company (AAV Co), and a Light Armor Vehicle Company (LAV Co). It is tasked with providing the maneuver brigades with armored assets to support their operations. The unit's inventory consists of LAV-150s, LAV-300s, LVTP-5s and LVTH-6s. None of the LVTP-5s are currently in service but the Marines have been able to recondition four of the LVTH-6s for their use.

Marine Force Reconnaissance Battalion

Philippine Marine rushes up a small ditch while the unit of USMC provides communication during the Balikatan Exercise

The Force Marine Recon Battalion was first activated on August 19 1972^[4]

The Force Recon Battalion (FRBn) is organized into a Headquarters, Service and Training Company and four Recon Companies, numbered 61st, 62nd, 63rd,and 64th. Each of these companies is attached to a Marine Brigade to serve as quick maneuvering force. It specialises in sea, air and land operations, like its counterpart in the Naval Special Warfare Group of the Philippine Navy, ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support to the overall naval operations.(Swift Silent Deadly)

Marine Security and Escort Group

The Marine Security and Escort Group (MSEG) is responsible for security on naval facilities, vital government installations and protection of VIPs. The unit also fills most of the PMC's ceremonial duties, and mounts the honor guard at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Manila.

Marine Drum and Bugle Team

The Marine Drum and Bugle Team (MDBT) is the prime musical unit of the Philippine Marine Corps and the only Drum and Bugle Corps in the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines that provides marching band and musical services in support of the ceremonial and morale activities of the Corps. This is patterned along the lines of the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and is stationed at Marine Barracks R. Brown in Makati City.

Marine Scout Snipers

The Marine Scout Snipers (MSS) is the very first unit in the Armed Forces of the Philippines dedicated exclusively to sniping and marksmanship. The Scout Snipers are notable for being able to effectively hit and neutralize targets at 800 metres (2,600 ft) using only 5.56 mm rounds. The Marine Scout Snipers are renowned for the development and manufacture of their own weapon, the Colt M16A1 based Marine Scout Sniper Rifle.

Philippine Marine Corps Marine Silent Drill Platoon

Also headquartered in Makati City, this is the premier military drill team of the Corps and one of 4 such units in the AFP, patterned after the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. Like its US counterpart it does a unique silent precision exhibition drill using the M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets demonstrating the Corps's professionalism and discipline in all events where it is a part of.

A display of Philippine Navy and Philippine Marine Corps individual weapons during ADAS 2014

Major Equipment

Infantry weapons

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Caliber	Version	In Service	Notes
Pistol
	M1911 pistol	United States  Philippines	Semi-Automatic Pistol	.45 ACP	M1911	------------	Standard issue sidearm; local variants made by Armscor company; Some pistols refurbished and upgraded by Government Arsenal
Submachine Gun
	MP5	Germany	Submachine gun	9x19mm	Standard	-	Standard army issue submachine gun [5]
	M3 Grease Gun	United States	Submachine gun	.45 ACP	M3 Upgraded	-	Some reserved units refurbished and upgraded, used by armored crew and support troops[6][7]
Assault rifle
	M16	United States  Philippines	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	A1 A1 (enhanced) A1 Dissipator A2	-	Standard infantry issue rifle. Government Arsenal refurbishing A1-standard rifles to A1 (enhanced) and A1 Dissipator 16" standards
	Night Fighting Weapons System	Philippines	Assault Rifle	5.56×45mm	NFWS	-	Introduced in 2004, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle after experiences in the MSSR. Used by Force Recon Battalion[8]
	M4 carbine	United States	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	M4 & M4A1 Remington R4	- (+6,443)	Remington R4 to replace the M16A1 as the PMC's standard rifle. 6,443 will be delivered to the PMC from the first batch of 50,629 delivered to the AFP.[9] More expected from additional orders made by AFP. Non-Remington M4s are used by Force Recon Battalion
	HK416	Germany	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	D10RS & D14.5RS	-	Used by Force Recon Battalion[10]
	CAR-15	United States	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	Standard	-	Used by Force Recon Battalion
	M14 rifle	United States	Battle rifle	7.62x51mm	M14	-	In service as standard squad battle rifle
Sniper Rifle
	Marine Scout Sniper Rifle	Philippines	Designated Marksman Rifle	5.56×45mm	MSSR 1st Gen MSSR 2nd Gen MSSR 3rd Gen	-	Introduced in 1996, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle[8]
	M21	United States	Sniper Rifle	7.62x51mm	Standard	-
	Remington M700	United States	Sniper Rifle	7.62x51mm	M40A1	-	Introduced the M700P in 2004, modified by the PMC to M40A1 standard to suit their requirements[8][11]
	Barrett M95	United States	Sniper Rifle	.50 BMG	M95	-	Used by Marine Scout Snipers.[8]
Machine Gun
	M240	United States	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm	Standard	------------	Standard Squad Automatic Weapon
	M60	United States	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm	M60 M60E4 M60E6[12]	------------	Standard Squad Automatic Weapon
	M1919 Browning	United States	Medium Machine Gun	.30-06 Springfield	M1919A4	------------	Used on gun trucks and other vehicles[7][13]
	FN Minimi	Belgium	Light machine gun	5.56x45mm	Standard	------------	Standard Squad Automatic Weapon.[14][15]
	M2 Browning	United States	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG	Standard	------------	In Service
Grenade Launcher
	M320 Grenade Launcher Module	Germany	Grenade launcher	40mm	M320	------------	Attached to HK416, some in stand-alone system
	M203	United States	Grenade launcher	40mm	Standard	------------	Attached to M4/M4A1 and M16A1/M16A2
	M79	United States	Grenade launcher	40mm	Standard	------------
	Milkor MGL	United States	Grenade launcher	40mm	M32A1	------------	in limited numbers[16][17]
	CIS 40 AGL	Singapore	Automatic Grenade launcher	40mm	Standard	0 (8)	8 ordered on 2014.[18]
Anti-tank Weapon
	Armbrust	Germany/ Singapore	Anti-tank Weapon	66mm	Standard	------------	Sourced from Singapore, in limited numbers as an alternative to recoilless rifles.[19]
	M72 LAW	United States	Anti-tank Weapon	66mm	Standard	------------	Standard army issue anti-tank weapon
	M40	United States	Recoilless rifle	105mm	Standard	------------	In Service
	M67	United States	Recoilless rifle	90mm	Standard	------------	In Service
Mortar
	M29 mortar	United States	Mortar	81mm	Standard	-	[20]
	M30 mortar	United States	Mortar	107mm	Standard	-	Delivered in 1974.[20][21]

Communication equipment

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	AN/PRC-150 Falcon II	United States	Manpack Combat Radio	RF-5800H-MP	------------	Introduced in 2004. 15 units received in 2005, more units delivered in 2008[22][23] and 2011.[24]
	AN/PRC-152 Falcon III	United States	Handheld Combat Radio	RF-5800V	-	Introduced in 2004. 103 units received in 2005, More units delivered in 2008[22][23] and 2011.[24]

Armored vehicles

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	LVT-5	United States	Amphibious Fire Support Vehicle	LVTH-6	4	Previously out of service, refurbished and recommissioned in 2006 with armor upgrades.
	Commando	United States	Armoured personnel carrier	V-150	~18	Delivery starting 1975,[21] at least 18 known in service[25] and 12 refurbished in 2007.[26]
	LAV-300	United States	Armored personnel carrier & Fire Support Vehicle	V-300 APC V-300 FSV	12 11	Introduced in early 90s. 23 in service as at 2012,[20] 1 FSV destroyed in enemy action.
	M35 Armored Gun Truck	Philippines	Armored Gun Trucks	M35 Gun Truck	------------	Several M35 2 1/2-ton cargo trucks were converted to armored gun trucks by the PMC using armor plating from decommissioned LVT-5 acting as armored personnel carriers.[27]
	KAAV7A1	Republic of Korea	Armoured Personnel Carrier	KAAV7A1	8 on order	Delivery expected by 2 years & 6 months after the signing of the contract.[28]

Utility vehicles

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	LARC-V	United States	Amphibious Support Vehicle	LARC-V	5	Most refurbished in 2006.
	GKN Aquatrack	United Kingdom	Amphibious Support Vehicle	Aquatrack	2	Introduced in mid 1990s. Originally owned by the Office of Civil Defense but under PMC stewardship.
	AM General HMMWV	United States	Light Utility Vehicle	M998A1 M1038A1 M1025A1	–	Divided into several variants and series
	Maxi-Ambulance	United States	Light Utility Vehicle	M1152	4	23 delivered to AFP on November 2011,[29] PMC received 4 units.
	M939 truck	United States	Heavy Utility Vehicle	M923	–	Several delivered to AFP in 2013, several units for the Marines.[30]
	KM-500 Series	Republic of Korea	5-ton Utility Vehicle	KM-500	12	155mm Artillery prime mover. 1st batch of 6 delivered 2012.
	M35 Truck	United States	2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle	M35	–	Divided into several variants and series. More delivered in 2013.
	KM-250 Series	Republic of Korea	2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle	KM-250	-
	M151	United States	1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle and Weapons Carrier	Standard	–	In Service, several carrying M40 106mm recoilless rifle
	Delta Mini Cruiser	Philippines	1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle	M1777	-	Divided into several variants and series, including short and stretched utility and armed variants, and modified variants for specialized units.
	Marine Multi-purpose Vehicle	Philippines	Light Utility Vehicle and Weapons Carrier	Standard	–	To replace the M151 MUTT, usually armed with an M40 106mm recoilless rifle, or as a cheaper alternative to the Humvee.[31]
	KM-45 Series	Republic of Korea	1 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle Field Ambulance	KM-450 KM-451	<50 12	651 purchased by AFP on 2007, 61 units shared by Navy/Marines and Air Force[32] 60 purchased by AFP in 2012, 12 went to the Marines.
	Freightliner M2	United States	Utility Truck	M2 106 Crew Cab	6	Hauler for Riverine Patrol Boat trailer, each with RPB trailer.[33]

Artillery

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	M101	United States	105mm Towed Howitzer	Standard	~23	Total 300 delivered to the AFP, majority with the Army. Delivered in 1957-1958.[21] 75 still in service as of 2012.[20]
	Mod 56	Italy	105mm Towed Howitzer	Standard	~20	Total 250 delivered to AFP, majority went to the Army. Delivered in 1983.[21][25]

Anti-Aircraft

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	Bofors 40mm L/60	United States	Anti-Aircraft gun	Single Naval Mk. 3 Twin Naval Mk. 16	-	Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on trailer carriages.[25][34] More being planned as the navy transfers more gun mounts to the PMC.
	Oerlikon 20mm gun	United States	Anti-Aircraft gun	Single Naval Mk. 10	–	Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted of M35 2 1/2-ton trucks.[25][34]
	M2 Browning	United States	Heavy machine gun	Twin Naval Mk. 56	–	Formerly patrol boat-mounted guns, with the naval gun tub fitted on an M35 2 1/2-ton trucks that tows the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun trailers.[25][34]

Watercraft

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	Riverine Patrol Boat	United States	Small Unit Riverine Craft	40' x 10'8" SURC	6	Similar but larger version of the SURC used by the US Marines produced by Silver Ships Inc., purchased under FMS worth $6.5 million and introduced on September 2013[35]

Future

• As of September 2013, DND invited bidders for Amphibious Assault Vehicles Acquisition Project of 8 brand-new units of amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) with Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) for the Philippine Navy amounted to Php2.5B. Delivery is required for 850 days from the opening of the letter of credit. This acquisition is part of the PN's MRV/SSV or "Mother Ship" Project which will serve as platform for insertion of troops in beaches in an event of military siege.^[36][37] Also, they are interested to purchase a Russian BMP-3F.^[38]
• The Philippine Marines has a joint purchase with the Philippine Army for around 44,080 new body armor (Force Protection Equipment),^[39] composed of basic vest, plate inserts and soft-ballistic panel and weighing between 5.8 kilograms to 6.8 kg.^[40]
• A joint project between the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Army is the procurement of around 50,000 new rifles based on M16/M4/M4A1/AR-15 platform, and 5,500 close combat optics.^[41][42] The PMC will get a fraction of the rifles and optics. The assault rifle acquisition project was awarded to Remington Defense for their Remington R4 carbine.^[43]
• A joint project between the Philippine Marines and Philippine Army for the acquisition of 12 units of 155mm towed howitzer and 280 rounds of 155mm howitzer HE ammunition.^[44]
• In January 2015, the Philippine Navy confirmed that the Marines will acquire an undisclosed number of M40 sniper rifles to replace their M14 rifle variants for marksmen to observe and engage targets at longer ranges.^[45]

Marine Bases

• Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown (Marine Base Manila), Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, Metro Manila.^[46]
• Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim (Marine Base Ternate), Ternate, Cavite
• Marine Barracks Arturo Asuncion (Marine Base Zamboanga), Zamboanga City
• Marine Barracks Domingo Deluana (Marine Base Tawi-Tawi), Tawi-Tawi
• Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu

Culture

The Philippine Marines share the traditions of both the US and Spanish marine units especially in the uniform and rank system. But the Corps has its own traditions as well.

Official traditions and customs

Core Values and Motto

Karangalan, Katungkulan, Kabayanihan (Honor, Duty, Valor) are not just the Marine Corps motto but also the main Core Values of the Philippine Marines of today, emphasizing the kind of values that service personnel of the PMC will always live on everyday.

PMC Seal

The seal incorporates the sun with its eight rays from the Flag of the Philippines, the anchor symbolizing the naval heritage and bond of the Corps as it is a part of the Philippine Navy, the closed loop rope (different from the rope in the USMC arms) symbolizing the links of Marines to one another and to show that a Philippine Marine once will be a Philippine Marine always, and the scroll showing the Marine Corps motto and Core Values: Karangalan, Katungkulan, Kabayanihan (Honor, Duty, Valor). As with the USMC, blue represents the naval heritage while the official Marine Corps colors of scarlet and gold are also present, forming the base of Marine Corps guidons, and all three form the basis for the battle color as opposed to the latter two which is the USMC color basis.

Battle Color of the Philippine Marine Corps

The battle color, maintained by Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, Metro Manila, is in navy blue with two golden scrolls, one indicating the name of the corps at the top and the other, surrounding the anchor and the sun, indicating the Marine Corps motto and core values, all in red lettering. The battle color incorporates both the anchor and the sun with eight rays from the seal, but also includes the three stars of the national flag symbolizing the Philippines's three major island groups above the anchor. The color is similar to the one used by the USMC during the First World War.

See also

• Marine Corps
• Philippine Navy
• Philippine Army
• Philippine Air Force
• Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Military History of the Philippines

References

Notes

Works consulted

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Philippine Marine Corps.

• Official Website of Philippine Marine Corps