Philippine Marine Corps

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.

Philippine Marine Corps
Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas
Seal of the Philippine Marine Corps
FoundedNovember 7, 1950 (1950-11-07)
Country Philippines
TypeMarines, Naval infantry
RoleAmphibious and expeditionary warfare
Size12,500 (2021)[1]
Part of Philippine Navy
Garrison/HQFort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines
Motto(s)Karangalan, Katungkulan, Kabayanihan
("Honor, Duty, Valor") or
("Honor, Deber, Valor")
ColorsScarlet, Gold and Blue
Anniversaries7 November
Engagements
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Rodrigo Duterte
Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, PA
Chief of the NavyVADM Giovanni Bacordo, PN
Commandant of the Philippine Marine CorpsMaj. Gen. Ariel Reyes Caculitan, PN(M)
Insignia
Flag
Battledress identification patch
Emblem

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."

— LTSG Manuel Gomez's mission on the formation of the Philippine Marine Corps in 1950

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, 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]

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), 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

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 Engineering 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 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 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

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
Main article: 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

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 7.62 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.

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]

Major 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 ACPM1911unknownStandard 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 PhilippinesSemi-automatic pistol.45 ACPTAC Ultra FS HC 45 ACPunknown (+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 StatesSemi-automatic pistol.45 ACPG21 SF200+Provided as a US government grant for MARSOG, delivery by June 2017.[15]
Glock 17 AustriaSemi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumGlock 17 Gen 4– (+5,000)Contract awarded to Glock Asia Pacific on September 2017 to supply 5,000 units to be issued to the Philippine Marines.[16]
Submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP5 GermanySubmachine gun9×19mmMP5A3
MP5A5		unknownIssued to Force Reconnaissance Battalion.[17]
Assault rifle
M16 rifle United States
 Philippines		Assault rifle5.56×45mmA1
A1 (enhanced)
A1 Dissipator
A2		unknownStandard 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 PhilippinesAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOPVARUnknownA 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 PhilippinesAssault rifle5.56×45mmNFWSunknownIntroduced in 2004, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle after experiences in the MSSR. Used by MARSOG.[18]
M4 carbine United StatesCarbine5.56×45mmColt 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 StatesCarbine5.56×45mmMk.18 Mod.0unknownGranted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG.[15][20]
LMT CQB United StatesCarbine5.56×45mmCQB14.5 5.56300Granted 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 GermanyCarbine5.56×45mmD10RS
D14.5RS		unknownUsed by MARSOG.[21]
CAR-15 United StatesCarbine5.56×45mmM653
M653P		unknownUsed by MARSOG.
M14 rifle United StatesBattle rifle / designated marksman rifle7.62×51mmM14unknownStandard battle rifle, several were installed with optics and used as designated marksman rifles.
M1 Garand United StatesSemi-automatic rifle.30-06 SpringfieldM1unknownUsed for ceremonial purposes. Others distributed to ROTC units armed and trained by the Philippine Marine Corps.
Sniper rifle
M21 Sniper Weapon System United StatesSniper rifle7.62×51mmM21unknown
Marine Scout Sniper Rifle PhilippinesSniper rifle5.56×45mmMSSR 1st Gen
MSSR 2nd Gen
MSSR 3rd Gen
MSSR 4th Gen
MSSR 5th Gen		unknownIntroduced in 1996, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle.[18] Primary sniper rifle of PMC Scout Snipers.
Remington Model 700 United StatesSniper rifle7.62×51mmM40A3
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 StatesSniper rifle.50 BMGM95unknownUsed by Marine Scout Snipers.[18]
Zastava M93 Black Arrow SerbiaSniper rifle.50 BMGM93unknownDonated to the PMC, in limited numbers.[24]
Machine gun
FN Minimi BelgiumLight machine gun5.56×45mmMinimi76In limited service.[25]
M60 machine gun United StatesGeneral-purpose machine gun7.62×51mmM60E3
M60E4		unknown
230		Standard general purpose machine gun. 230 new M60E4 (Mk. 43) delivered in 2014. Several older M60E3 were refurbished to M60E4 standards by Government Arsenal. More M60E4 units delivered in June 2017 for MARSOG.[15]
M1919 Browning machine gun United StatesMedium machine gun.30-06 SpringfieldM1919A4
M1919A6		unknownUsed for static/base defense, mounted on vehicles, including gun trucks, and training of auxiliary and reserve units.[26][27]
M2 Browning United StatesHeavy machine gun.50 BMGM2
M2A1		unknownStandard heavy machine gun. Either on tripod or vehicle mounted.
M134 Minigun United StatesRotary machine gun7.62×51mm NATOM134D4Delivered on June 2017.[15]
Grenade Launcher
M203 grenade launcher United StatesGrenade launcher40mmM203
M203A1
LMP300L360		unknownAttached to M4/M4A1 and M16A1/M16A2 rifles. 100 LMT-made grenade launchers granted by the US government and delivered to MARSOG on June 2017, and attached to LMT CQB 5.56mm rifles.[15][20]
M320 Grenade Launcher Module GermanyGrenade launcher40mmM320
M320 stand-alone		unknownAttached to HK416 carbine. Several units are in stand-alone system.
M79 grenade launcher United StatesGrenade launcher40mmM79unknown
Milkor MGL United StatesGrenade launcher40mmM32A1unknownIn limited numbers.[28][29]
STK 40 AGL SingaporeAutomatic grenade launcher40mmStandard0 (+8)8 ordered in 2014.[30]

Anti-tank and Assault Weapons
Picture Model Origin Type Caliber Version In Service Notes
RPG-7 BulgariaRocket-propelled grenade launcher40mmArsenal ATGL-L– (+702)702 units ordered from Bulgaria's Arsenal JSCo. after winning tender in December 2019.[31]
Armbrust Germany/ SingaporeAnti-tank Weapon67mmArmbrust ATunknownSourced from Singapore, in limited numbers as an alternative to recoilless rifles.[32]
M72 LAW United StatesAnti-tank Weapon66mmunknownunknownIn limited service with the Force Reconnaissance Battalion.
M40 United StatesRecoilless rifle105mmM40unknownVehicle mounted, mostly on M151 or MMPV vehicles.
M67 United StatesRecoilless rifle90mmM67unknownStandard shoulder-mounted assault and anti-tank weapon.

Night Vision Equipment
Picture Model Origin Type Version In Service Notes
AN/PVS-14 United StatesMonocular Night Vision DeviceM914Aunknown
AN/PVS-7 United StatesBinocular Night Vision Device–unknown
Night Optics Argus D-740 United StatesNight Vision Weapons SightD-740unknownused on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[33]
Night Optics Gladius D-760 United StatesNight Vision Weapons SightD-740unknownused on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[33]
Litton M845 United StatesNight Vision Weapons SightM845 Mk.IIunknownused on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[33]
AN/PEQ-2 United StatesTarget Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light–unknown

Communication equipment
Picture Model Origin Type Version In Service Notes
AN/PRC-150 Falcon II United StatesManpack Combat RadioRF-5800H-MPunknownIntroduced in 2004. 15 units received in 2005, more units delivered in 2008[34][35] and 2011.[36]
AN/PRC-152 Falcon III United StatesHandheld Combat RadioRF-5800V-HHunknownIntroduced 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 VehicleKAAV7A18All 8 in active service as of September 23, 2019, plans to acquire up to 16 units more are being considered.[37]
LVT-5 United StatesAmphibious Fire Support VehicleLVTH-64Previously out of service, refurbished and recommissioned in 2006 with armor upgrades.
Commando United StatesArmoured personnel carrierV-15018Delivery starting 1975,[38] at least 18 known in service[39] and 12 refurbished in 2007.[40]
LAV-300 United StatesArmored personnel carrier & Fire Support VehicleV-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 TrucksM35 Gun TruckunknownSeveral 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 StatesLight Utility VehicleM998A1
M1038A1
M1025A1		unknownDivided into several variants and series
Maxi-Ambulance United StatesLight Utility VehicleM1152423 delivered to AFP in November 2011,[43] PMC received 4 units.
Delta Mini Cruiser Philippines1/4-ton Light Utility VehicleM1777unknownDivided into several variants and series, including short and stretched utility and armed variants, and modified variants for specialized units.
M151 United States1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle and Weapons CarrierStandard–In Service, several carrying M40 106mm recoilless rifle.
KM-45 Series South Korea1 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[44]
60 km-451 field ambulance purchased by AFP in 2012, 12 went to the Marines.
Freightliner M2 United StatesUtility TruckM2 106 Crew Cab6Hauler for Riverine Patrol Boat trailer, each with RPB trailer.[45]
M35 Truck United States2 1/2-ton Utility VehicleM35–Divided into several variants and series. More delivered in 2013.
KM-250 Series South Korea2 1/2-ton Utility VehicleKM-250–
M939 truck United StatesHeavy Utility VehicleM923–Several delivered to AFP in 2013, several units for the Marines.[46]
KM-500 Series South Korea5-ton Utility VehicleKM-50012155mm Artillery prime mover. 1st batch of 6 delivered 2012.
LARC-V United StatesAmphibious Support VehicleLARC-V5Most refurbished in 2006.
GKN Aquatrack United KingdomAmphibious Support VehicleAquatrack2Introduced 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 Philippines60mm MortarM75unknownSeveral 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 States81mm MortarM29unknownIn service.[41]
EXPAL M-98 mortar Spain81mm Dismounted MortarM-98– (+30)Ordered as part of the RAFPMP Horizon 2 phase.[48]
Field Artillery
Soltam M-71 Israel155mm Towed HowitzerM-716First batch delivered April 2017. Second batch delivered June 2017. In service.[49]
M101 United States105mm Towed HowitzerM101~23Total 150 delivered to the AFP, majority with the Army. Delivered in 1957–1958.[38]
Mod 56 Italy105mm Towed HowitzerMod 56~20Total 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 StatesAnti-Aircraft gunSingle 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 StatesAnti-Aircraft gunSingle Naval Mk. 10No more than 127 UnitsFormerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on M35 ​2 1⁄2-ton trucks.[39][51]
M2 Browning United StatesHeavy machine gunTwin 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 StatesSelf-propelled anti-aircraft weaponM35 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 StatesMiniature UAVRQ-11B1 system[53]Initial 1 system with 3 drones delivered on January 27, 2017, with possibly more to follow.
MAG Aerospace Super Swiper II United StatesSmall UAVSuper Swiper II6 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 StatesSmall unit riverine craft40' x 10'8" SURC6Similar 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 StatesCombat Rubber Raiding CraftCRRC>25Similar to the CRRC used by the US Marines produced by Zodiac Marine. 25 units were handed over by the US military on June 2017[57] Prior to that several more already in service with PMC from previous acquisitions.
Coastal craft PhilippinesSpecial Operations CraftSOC– (+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
Main article: AFP Modernization Act
  • The Philippine Marines has a joint purchase with the Philippine Army for around 44,080 new body armor (Force Protection Equipment),[59] composed of basic vest, plate inserts and soft-ballistic panel and weighing between 5.8 kilograms to 6.8 kg.[60]
  • 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.[61][62] 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.[63]
  • A joint project between the Philippine Marines and Philippine Army for the acquisition of 12 units of 155 mm towed howitzer and 280 rounds of 155 mm howitzer HE ammunition.[64]
  • 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.[65]
  • The PMC also laid plans to acquire the PJ-10 BrahMos Missile System.[12]

Marine Bases

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.

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 the 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.[67]

See also

References
  1. Mangosing, Frances, "New PH Marines commandant takes charge". Inquirer.net Online. October 19, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  2. "Resume". www.senate.gov.ph. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  3. "Press release". www.senate.gov.ph. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
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Bibliography
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