Philippine Marine Corps

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Philippine Marine Corps
Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas
Seal of the Philippine Marine Corps
Founded	November 7, 1950; 70 years ago (1950-11-07)
Country	Philippines
Type	Marines, Naval infantry
Role	Amphibious and expeditionary warfare
Size	12,500 (2021)[1]
Part of	Armed Forces of the Philippines under the command of Philippine Navy
Garrison/HQ	Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines
Motto(s)	Karangalan, Katungkulan, Kabayanihan ("Honor, Duty, Valor") or ("Honor, Deber, Valor")
Colors	Scarlet, Gold and Blue
Anniversaries	7 November
Engagements	Communist Insurgencies Moro Conflict Spratly Islands Dispute Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines UN Peacekeeping Operations Manila Peninsula siege 2013 Zamboanga crisis 2017 Marawi siege
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	President Rodrigo Duterte
Secretary of National Defense	Delfin Lorenzana
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs	Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, PA
Chief of the Navy	VADM Giovanni Bacordo, PN
Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps	Maj. Gen. Ariel Reyes Caculitan, PN(M)
Insignia
Flag
Battledress identification patch
Emblem

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) (Filipino: Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special operations missions.

History[]

Philippine marines in 1992

"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."

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 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, several of these officers being veterans of the Second World War.

Their hard work 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, as well as overseas deployments to Korea, 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.)

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.^[2]

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

The Marines are also seen in action in the 2013 Battle of Zamboanga city providing amphibious assault and fire-support for the Infantry forces. During the 2017 battle of Marawi they are also seen fighting against the Islamic state militants as their Vehicles like LAV-300s and V-150s are modified with Wooden planks to protect them against IEDs and RPGs.

On 2018, Filipino lawmakers were proposing a law to make the Marines as an independent branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but the ties with the Navy would still remain.^[3] Defense Secretary Lorenzana has opposed this proposal.^[4]

Organization[]

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), the Coastal Defense Regiment (CDR) and independent units such as the Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) 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.^[5]

In addition, a number of Reserve Brigades are under the control of the Naval Reserve Command.

Leadership[]

• Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps- Major General Ariel R. Caculitan (incumbent since 20 December 2020)^[6]

Marine Brigades[]

• 1st Marine Brigade
• 2nd Marine Brigade
• 3rd Marine Brigade
• 4th Marine Brigade

Marine Rifle Battalions[]

The Philippine Marine Corps has twelve regular Marine Battalions.^[7] 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 the southern Philippines.^[8]

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 Engineer Brigade (NCEBde) or Seabees can be attached for construction, survivability, mobility and countermobility support. Elements from the Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) can also be attached for reconnaissance and unconventional warfare support to make it Special Operations Capable (SOC).^[8]

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.

A marine UAV operator with the MAG Super Swiper II UAV, which is part of the Marine Forces Imaging & Targeting Support System (MITSS) of the Philippine Marines.

Marine Reserve Units[]

The 7th Marine Brigade (Reserve) was activated as a provisional unit of the Philippine Navy on October 22, 1996, pursuant to Section I General Order No. 229 ONA dated October 21, 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.^[9] The 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 the M101A1 howitzer, the OTO Melara Model 56/14 pack howitzer and the Soltam M71A1 155 howitzer. The unit also provides a limited air-defense capability through a token number of Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns, Oerlikon 20mm guns and M2 Browning guns, either in truck-mounted or towed configuration.

Assault Armor Battalion[]

A LAV-300 vehicle of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC)

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, AAV7A1. 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 Special Operations Group[]

A Philippine marine rushes up a small ditch while a U.S. Marine provides communication during the Balikatan Exercise

The Marine Special Operations Group, formerly the Marine Force Recon Battalion, was first activated on August 19, 1972^[10]

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 Operations 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[]

Philippine Marines guarding the Rizal Monument.

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[]

Balikatan 2019 - Marines participate in Combined-Arms Live Fire at CERAB

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.

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 7.62 mm rounds.^{[citation needed]} 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, 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.

Coastal Defense Regiment[]

The Coastal Defense Regiment is a newly formed unit of the Philippine Marine Corps, founded on August 7, 2020. The unit is part of the Philippine Navy's Defense Capability Program, and also serves as a part of thr Philippine Navy's Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy, which aims to improve and increase sea control capabilities based on anti-access and area denial operations, while maintaining overall territorial integrity, asserting the country's sovereignty in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf, and protect Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). The unit also plans to acquire Shore Based Anti Ship Missile Systems, and has expressed plans to acquire the BrahMos Missile System, in order to increase the units capabilities on defending coastlines, deterring enemy littoral ships and amphibious forces, and support overall naval operations and littoral capabilities . The unit is expected to be fully functional within 2026.^{[11] [12]}

Equipment[]

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

Infantry weapons[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Caliber	Version	In service	Notes
Pistol
	M1911 pistol	United States  Philippines	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	M1911	unknown	Standard issue sidearm, mostly issued to officers. Majority are former EDA US Army stocks made by Colt, Springfield Armory, and Remington. Being replaced by TAC Ultra FS HC and Glock 17 Gen 4 as standard sidearm of the Philippine Army. Some pistols refurbished and upgraded by Government Arsenal.
	Rock Island Armory 1911 series	Philippines	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	TAC Ultra FS HC 45 ACP	unknown (+5,000)	3,000 acquired by Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2017, for issue to all service branches. Majority went to the Philippine Army.[13] AFP ordered 60,000 units under AFP 0.45 caliber Hammer Fired Pistol acquisition project, around 5,000 units expected to go to Philippine Marines.[14]
	Glock 21	United States	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	G21 SF	200+	Provided as a US government grant for MARSOG, delivery by June 2017.[15]
	Glock 17	Austria	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	Glock 17 Gen 4	– (+5,000)	Contract awarded to Glock Asia Pacific in September 2017 to supply 5,000 units to be issued to the Philippine Marines.[16]
Submachine gun
	Heckler & Koch MP5	Germany	Submachine gun	9×19mm	MP5A3 MP5A5	unknown	Issued to Force Reconnaissance Battalion.[17]
Assault rifle
	M16 rifle	United States  Philippines	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	A1 A1 (enhanced) A1 Dissipator A2	unknown	Standard issue rifle, either made by Colt USA or Elisco Tool Philippines. Government Arsenal refurbishing M16A1-standard rifles to M16A1 (enhanced). Being replaced by the Remington R4A3 as standard issue rifle.
	PVAR rifle	Philippines	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	PVAR	Unknown	A variant of the Armalite AR-15 and M16 rifle, using a Pneumatic Valve and Rod system. Used by the Special Operations Command.
	Night Fighting Weapons System	Philippines	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	NFWS	unknown	Introduced in 2004, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle after experiences in the MSSR. Used by MARSOG.[18]
	M4 carbine	United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm	Colt M4 & M4A1 Remington R4A3	unknown ~7,412	Remington R4A3 to replace the M16A1 as the PMC's standard rifle. 6,443 units were ordered for the PMC by the AFP.[19] More expected from additional orders made by AFP. 969 more units from residual orders. Colt M4s are used by MARSOG.
	LMT Mk.18 CQBR	United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm	Mk.18 Mod.0	unknown	Granted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG.[15][20]
	LMT CQB	United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm	CQB14.5 5.56	300	Granted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG.[15][20] Similar to New Zealand Defence Force's MARS-L rifle.
	Heckler & Koch HK416	Germany	Carbine	5.56×45mm	D10RS D14.5RS	unknown	Used by MARSOG.[21]
	CAR-15	United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm	M653 M653P	unknown	Used by MARSOG.
	M14 rifle	United States	Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle	7.62×51mm	M14	unknown	Standard battle rifle, several were installed with optics and used as designated marksman rifles.
	M1 Garand	United States	Semi-automatic rifle	.30-06 Springfield	M1	unknown	Used for ceremonial purposes. Others distributed to ROTC units armed and trained by the Philippine Marine Corps.
Sniper rifle
	M21 Sniper Weapon System	United States	Sniper rifle	7.62×51mm	M21	unknown
	Marine Scout Sniper Rifle	Philippines	Sniper rifle	5.56×45mm	MSSR 1st Gen MSSR 2nd Gen MSSR 3rd Gen MSSR 4th Gen MSSR 5th Gen	unknown	Introduced in 1996, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle.[18] Primary sniper rifle of PMC Scout Snipers.
	Remington Model 700	United States	Sniper rifle	7.62×51mm	M40A3 M40A5	unknown ~100	Introduced the M700P in 2004, modified by the PMC to M40A3 standard to suit their requirements.[18][22] 148 units of M40A5 ordered by the Philippine Navy in 2016, 85 were delivered in February 2017,[23] the rest were delivered before end of 2017. Marines received majority of the sniper rifles.
	Barrett M95	United States	Anti-material rifle	.50 BMG	M95	unknown	Used by Marine Scout Snipers.[18]
	Zastava M93 Black Arrow	Serbia	Anti-material rifle	.50 BMG	M93	unknown	Donated to the PMC by a private entity, in limited numbers.[24]
Machine gun
	FN Minimi	Belgium	Light machine gun	5.56×45mm	Minimi	76	In limited service.[25]
	M60 machine gun	United States	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm	M60E3 M60E4 M60E6	unknown 230 unknown	Standard general purpose machine gun. 230 new M60E4 (Mk. 43) delivered in 2014. Several older M60E3 were refurbished to M60E4 standards by Government Arsenal. US provided several units of new M60E6 delivered in June 2017 for MARSOG.[15]
	M1919 Browning machine gun	United States	Medium machine gun	.30-06 Springfield	M1919A4 M1919A6	unknown	Used for static/base defense, mounted on vehicles, including gun trucks, and training of auxiliary and reserve units.[26][27]
	M2 Browning	United States	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG	M2 M2A1	unknown	Standard heavy machine gun. Either on tripod or vehicle mounted. Several more units received in 2021.
	M134 Minigun	United States	Rotary machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	M134D	4	Delivered in June 2017.[15]
Grenade Launcher
	M203 grenade launcher	United States	Grenade launcher	40mm	M203 M203A1 M203EXPIC LMP300L360	unknown unknown 720 200	M203s are attached with M16A1 rifles, while M203A1 are attached with M4 rifles. 720 units of M203EXPIC grenade launchers acquired in 2015, and are attached with the Remington R4A3 rifles. 100 LMT LMP300L3260 grenade launchers donated by the US government and delivered to MARSOG in June 2017, and attached to LMT CQB 5.56mm rifles.[15][20]
	M320 Grenade Launcher Module	Germany	Grenade launcher	40mm	M320 M320 stand-alone	unknown	Attached to HK416 carbine. Several units are in stand-alone system.
	M79 grenade launcher	United States	Grenade launcher	40mm	M79	unknown
	Milkor MGL	United States	Grenade launcher	40mm	M32A1	unknown	In limited numbers.[28][29]
	STK 40 AGL	Singapore	Automatic grenade launcher	40mm	Standard	0 (+8)	8 ordered in 2014.[30]

Anti-tank and Assault Weapons[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Caliber	Version	In Service	Notes
	RPG-7	Bulgaria	Rocket-propelled grenade launcher	40mm	Arsenal ATGL-L	702	702 units ordered from Bulgaria's Arsenal JSCo. after winning tender in December 2019, all delivered on 14 April 2021. Weapons to undergo testing, while Marine units will undergo training and familiarization before distribution to Marine squads.[31]
	Armbrust	Germany/ Singapore	Anti-tank Weapon	67mm	Armbrust AT	unknown	Sourced from Singapore, in limited numbers as an alternative to recoilless rifles.[32]
	M72 LAW	United States	Anti-tank Weapon	66mm	unknown	unknown	In limited service with the Force Reconnaissance Battalion.
	M40	United States	Recoilless rifle	105mm	M40	unknown	Vehicle mounted, mostly on M151 or MMPV vehicles.
	M67	United States	Recoilless rifle	90mm	M67	unknown	Standard shoulder-mounted assault and anti-tank weapon.

Night Vision Equipment[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	AN/PVS-14	United States	Monocular Night Vision Device	M914A	unknown
	AN/PVS-7	United States	Binocular Night Vision Device	–	unknown
	Night Optics Argus D-740	United States	Night Vision Weapons Sight	D-740	unknown	used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[33]
	Night Optics Gladius D-760	United States	Night Vision Weapons Sight	D-740	unknown	used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[33]
	Litton M845	United States	Night Vision Weapons Sight	M845 Mk.II	unknown	used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[33]
	AN/PEQ-2	United States	Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light	–	unknown

Communication equipment[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	AN/PRC-150 Falcon II	United States	Manpack Combat Radio	RF-5800H-MP	unknown	Introduced in 2004. 15 units received in 2005, more units delivered in 2008[34][35] and 2011.[36]
	AN/PRC-152 Falcon III	United States	Handheld Combat Radio	RF-5800V-HH	unknown	Introduced in 2004. 103 units received in 2005, More units delivered in 2008[34][35] and 2011.[36]

Armored vehicles[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	AAV7A1	South Korea  United States	Amphibious Assault Vehicle	KAAV7A1	8	All 8 in active service as of September 23, 2019, plans to acquire up to 16 units more are being considered.[37]
	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,[38] at least 18 known in service[39] and 12 refurbished in 2007.[40]
	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,[41] 1 FSV destroyed in enemy action.
	M35 Armored Gun Truck	United States  Philippines	Armored Gun Trucks	M35 Gun Truck	unknown	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 or armored escort vehicles.[42]

Utility vehicles[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	AM General HMMWV	United States	Light Utility Vehicle	M998A1 M1038A1 M1025A1	unknown	Divided into several variants and series
	Maxi-Ambulance	United States	Light Utility Vehicle	M1152	4	23 delivered to AFP in November 2011,[43] PMC received 4 units.
	Delta Mini Cruiser	Philippines	1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle	M1777	unknown	Divided into several variants and series, including short and stretched utility and armed variants, and modified variants for specialized units.
	M151	United States	1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle and Weapons Carrier	Standard	–	In Service, several carrying M40 106mm recoilless rifle.
	Kia KM45 Series	South Korea	Field Ambulance	KM450 KM451	<50 12	651 purchased by AFP on 2007, 61 units shared by Navy/Marines and Air Force[44] 60 km-451 field ambulance purchased by AFP in 2012, 12 assigned to the Marines.
	Freightliner M2	United States	Utility Truck	M2 106 Crew Cab	6	Hauler for Riverine Patrol Boat trailer, each with RPB trailer.[45]
	M35 Truck	United States	2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle	M35	–	Divided into several variants and series. More delivered in 2013.
	Kia KM25 Series	South Korea	2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle	KM250	–	Several dozens received in multiple batches acquired by the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
	M939 truck	United States	Heavy Utility Vehicle	M923	–	Several delivered to AFP in 2013, several units for the Marines.[46]
	Kia KM50 Series	South Korea	5-ton Utility Vehicle	KM500	6	155mm Artillery prime mover, 6 units delivered in 2012.
	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 the mid 1990s. Originally owned by the Office of Civil Defense but under PMC stewardship.

Artillery[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
Mortar
	M75 mortar	Philippines	60mm Mortar	M75	unknown	Several hundred units were produced as part of the AFP Self-Reliance Defense Posture Program starting 1977, several distributed for the PMC.[47]
	M29 mortar	United States	81mm Mortar	M29	unknown	In service.[41]
	EXPAL M-98 mortar	Spain	81mm Dismounted Mortar	M-98	– (+30)	Ordered as part of the RAFPMP Horizon 2 phase.[48]
Field Artillery
	Soltam M-71	Israel	155mm Towed Howitzer	M-71	6	First batch delivered April 2017. Second batch delivered June 2017. In service.[49]
	M101	United States	105mm Towed Howitzer	M101	~23	Total 150 delivered to the AFP, majority with the Army. Delivered in 1957–1958.[38]
	Mod 56	Italy	105mm Towed Howitzer	Mod 56	~20	Total 120 delivered to AFP, majority went to the Army. Delivered in 1983.[38][39]
	K136	South Korea	130mm multiple rocket launcher		– (+6)	With a total of 4 batteries, 1 will be for the PMC and 3 for the Army.[50]

Anti-Aircraft[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
	Bofors 40mm L/60	Sweden/ United States	Anti-Aircraft gun	Single Naval Mk. 3 Twin Naval Mk. 16	16+	Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on trailer carriages.[39][51] More being planned as the navy transfers more gun mounts to the PMC.
	Oerlikon 20mm gun	Switzerland/ United States	Anti-Aircraft gun	Single Naval Mk. 10	No more than 127 Units	Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on M35 2+1⁄2-ton trucks.[39][51]
	M2 Browning	United States	Heavy machine gun	Twin Naval Mk. 56	–	Formerly patrol boat-mounted guns, either mounted on a naval gun tub fitted on an M35 2+1⁄2-ton trucks that tows the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun trailers, or on trailer mounts.[39][51]
SPAA
	M35 SPAA Trucks	Philippines/ United States	Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon	M35 20mm SPAA(Equipped with an Mk 4 20mm cannon on a Mk 10 series mount) M35 Twin 50 caliber(Equipped with an Mk 56 Mod 0 Twin .50 caliber machine gun turret)	2+[52]	Constructed by the Philippine Marines based on the M35 Military Truck.[52] Only 2 were supposedly made, however, reports also surfaced for additional 2 or more units due to the many pictures surfacing from these SPAA trucks.

Unmanned Aerial Systems[]

Picture	Model	Origin	Type	Version	In Service	Notes
	AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven	United States	Miniature UAV	RQ-11B	1 system[53]	Initial 1 system with 3 drones delivered on January 27, 2017, with possibly more to follow.
	MAG Aerospace Super Swiper II	United States	Small UAV	Super Swiper II	6 system[54]	Acquired under the Marine Forces Imaging and Targeting Support System (MITSS) project. Delivered starting 2017.[55]

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 in September 2013[56]
	Combat Rubber Raiding Craft	United States	Combat Rubber Raiding Craft	CRRC	>25	Similar to the CRRC used by the US Marines produced by Zodiac Marine. 25 units were handed over by the US military in June 2017[57] Prior to that several more already in service with PMC from previous acquisitions.
	Coastal craft	Philippines	Special Operations Craft	SOC	– (+16)	Similar, longer, but less gunned SOC-R used by the US Marines, being built locally and for delivery by 2019. For use by the Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG)[58]

Future[]

• The Philippine Navy intends to acquire 60 new Tactical Combat Vehicles for the PMC, as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.
• 12 V-300 and 15 V-150 wheeled armored vehicles will have their turrets upgraded, and 7 V-150s will also undergo mobility upgrades as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program. Indian company Larsen & Toubro was contracted to conduct the said upgrade works.^[59]
• The Philippine Navy has ordered 702 units of ATGL-L rocket propelled grenade launchers and munitions from Bulgaria's Arsenal JSCo. for the PMC. These would replace the ageing 90mm recoilless rifles, which would in turn be mounted on light vehicles. The typical Marine squad table of organization will also be revised to include the ATGL-L RPG as part of its squad weapon. The weapons and munitions were delivered on 14 April 2021, and will be tested, while Marine units will undergo training with the new weapon.^[31]
• 7,491 new body armor and 9,528 new combat helmets were ordered from Israel's Maron Dolphin in August 2020.^[60]
• The PMC is procuring new 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm Mortars. 30 units M-98 81mm mortars expected to be delivered from Spain's EXPAL Systems SA,^[48] while procurement process is still ongoing for the acquisition of 60mm and 120mm mortars.
• The Philippine Navy announced its intention to acquire two or three batteries of shore-based anti-ship missile system, most likely the Indian-made PJ-10 BrahMos Coastal Defense Battery System, to be operated by the PMC.^[12][61]
• The Philippine Navy plans to acquire two or three batteries of shore-based air defense missile systems, to be operated by the PMC to defend naval and marine installations, and the anti-ship missile batteries.^[62]

Marine Bases[]

• Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown (Marine Base Manila), Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.^[63]
• 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, Taguig 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.

The BRP Sierra Madre[]

The Sierra Madre BRP is a Philippine Navy vessel that was intentionally beached off the shoal of Ayungin (also known as the Second Thomas Shoal) in 1999. It has since been occupied by a dozen Filipino Marines, all of whom take turns for an assignment of 5 months in order to assert the rights of sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines on the island against the Chinese demands. The history of the building and its occupants was put on the spotlight on March 29, 2014, when journalists were able to take pictures of the Chinese Coast Guard attempting to block a Philippine civilian ship bringing supplies to the Sierra Madre Marines.^[64]

See also[]

• Philippine Army
• Philippine Navy
• Philippine Air Force
• Philippine Coast Guard

References[]

Works consulted[]

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

Bibliography[]

• Gallant Warriors From The Sea: The Philippine Marines Today, March 8, 1998 by Franz Tinio Lopez ISBN 9719303700, ISBN 978-9719303701.

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Philippine Marine Corps.

• Official Website of Philippine Marine Corps (archived)