Stock photographs on the Philippine Marines are available from Planet Art. Inquiries can be made at pmcmssr@yahoo.com
*Suplemental pages for book owners of "Gallant Warriors From the Sea...", are being made available. Contact above e-mail address to register.
"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed a new commandant of the Marine Corps.
The new Marine Commandant, Major General Juancho Sabban, will replace Major General Ben Dolorfino. Arroyo signed Sabban’s appointment papers on Monday night, said Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman.
"Ang Marine Corps nag-devise ng bagong strategy para matalo ang grupo na ito ... We will pursue this line of action, hindi lang purely combat operations, but we will also try to reach out them and try to give them a decent way of living, nang sa gayon hindi na sila kailangang mang-hostage pa," Brawner said.
[Our Marine Corps has devised a new strategy to beat this group. We will combine combat operations with attempts to reach out to them to give them an opportunity to get a decent life without resorting to kidnapping.]
Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 deployed to Naval Forces Western Mindanao, which has jurisdiction over the provinces of Tawi-tawi, Zamboanga, Sulu and Basilan, said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo.
Fresh from retraining, the MBLT-8 will replace the MBLT-9 in Palawan.
The Navy also deployed a patrol ship, BRP Magat Salamat and three multi-purpose attack crafts to the area, he said.
The attack crafts can cruise at a top speed of up to 40 knots and are armed with 50-caliber machine guns. They can load up to 20 fully-armed troops, he said.
“The deployment of the 8th Marine Battalion and our floating assets to their respective areas of responsibility is in response to the requirements of higher headquarters to address the need for increased tempo of operations in the operational area,” said Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy.
Orange, CA — Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz, Philippine Navy (Ret) passed away this Thursday, 25 June 09.
When Ramon Magsaysay was appointed Secretary of Defense of the Philippines. He had Ramon Alcaraz travel to the USA to study the organization of the United States Marine Corps. Alcaraz said he was assisted by the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot. San Diego, and visited the other training facilities such as the Amphibious Warfare School on Coronado, CA, Camp Pendleton and Quantico, VA.
Upon return to the Philippines, Alcaraz took up his billet as Naval Personnel Officer (N-1).
Based on his research and material on the USMC, he allocated billets and personnel for the Marine Company of the Philippine Navy. Alcaraz assigned his former Q-boat Executive Officer, Lt. Manuel Gomez as the Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Company that grew into the Philippine Marine Corps of today.
MANILA (AP) — Al-Qaeda-linked militants holding an Italian Red Cross worker captive killed five Philippine marines and wounded 10 others in an ambush Saturday on a southern island. One police officer was wounded.
Also in the south, the military said fighting with a different militant group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, left 10 dead and 20 wounded on Friday.
About 40 militants from the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group attacked marines and special operations police pursuing Abu Sayyaf gunmen holding 62-year-old Eugenio Vagni outside Parang township on Jolo island, said marines spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.
5 Marines killed, 2 APC's immobilized.
CARAT 09 stories and images at this link.
Provided by 51st Marine Battalion(Res).
Marines carry the massed colors of the AFP at the Anniversary Parade last Dec. 09.
Treading Softly in the Philippines
New uniforms will be issued in 2009.
The PMC will be issuing a digital pattern camouflage uniform in 2009. The first unit to wear it is the Training Battalion that will be participating at the AFP Anniversary Day parade on December 22, 08.
Why a low-intensity counterinsurgency strategy seems to be working there.
by Max Boot & Richard Bennet 01/05/2009, Volume 014, Issue 16
The Weekly Standard.
Traditional "kinetic" operations in which bullets are fired and bombs dropped are still part of the Philippine strategy against their numerous guerrilla foes, but they have become less important over the years, thanks partly to the advice Philippine forces have received from the U.S. Special Forces. At the officers' club of the Philippine Marine headquarters in Manila, we sat down with Major General Juancho Sabban, a bullet-headed, brown-skinned, bull-necked Filipino who has spent much of the past 30 years battling various insurgent groups. Today he commands Task Force Comet, two marine brigades charged with pacifying Sulu island.
Fleet Marine: answer to Mindanao?s troubles?
Written by Criselda Yabes
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Jolo, SULU. 06 DEC 08
HQ 3rd Marine BrigadeMarines thwart MILF attack on Basilan camp
By Roel Pare?o Updated December 03, 2008 12:00 AM
Happy Birthday Marines!
Philippine Marines show their skills during a rifle exercise as part of a program to mark this month's anniversary of their founding inside the military headquarters in Taguig city, Metro Manila November 4, 2008. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)
New US president should keep troops in RP - Marines chief 11/04/2008 | 04:33 PM RP-US inaugurate road, hold tree planting in Sulu Saturday, November 08, 2008 ‘Dead’ Philippine rebel surrenders. 10/30/2008 | GMA newsFleet Marine Music Video on Youtube!
Video of Marines training with USMC Spec OPS
New PMC Force Recon Website. Flash viewer required.
JOLO Update
"the Philippine Marines will solely take over the security operations in Sulu..." 21 March 08
Philippine Marine units engage Abu Sayaff (ASG)in Jolo, neutralizing one terrorist as reported by the 3rd Marine Brigade to Task Force Comet Commander BG. Juancho Saban PN(M)AFP.
"An Abu Sayaff member was killed Friday during the 15-minute fire fight between the terrorist ASG and the Special Operations Platoon of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-5 at the vicinity of Brgy Pansul, Patikul, Sulu. The said platoon encountered around 10 ASG members. The following items were recovered from the enemy side: 1 M16 rifle; 8 long and 7 short M16 magazines with 170 rounds of ammunition; 1 cellphone with charger; 1 map; and 1 wallet."
The Joint Task Force Comet commended the soldiers for jobs well done. Every terrorist neutralized and every weapon seized indicate that the country has been rid of a serious threat --making every Suluano?s existence safer.
"Nevertheless, our soldiers will relentlessly pursue all the other Abu Sayaff bandits, refrain them from carrying out their vicious activities or if not, to completely crush them. Even as we trod in the right path, the end still lies ahead; there is still so much to do. There are efforts from the enemies to regain what they have lost; it is our job to prevent them as we go onwards with our tasks,? JTF Comet Commander B/Gen Juancho M Sabban stressed. "The successful operation indicates how persistent our soldiers pursue these cold-blooded bandits, capture them and seize their weapons to ensure the safety and well being of the people," Sabban added. Moreover, B/Gen Sabban thanked the civilians, saying that the success of the recent operation is also the result of the support and cooperation extended by the local populace towards the military. ? ?The heightened alertness and vigilance of our people significantly helped our troops in their operations against the ASG. Hence, we are grateful for their full support,? he said. Links:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth Marine Brigade Newsletter, Jan 2008 in PDF can be downloaded from ADROTH Reservist website.
Never Say Never Again.
Marine Ready Force goes to the Ritz (Manila Peninsula Hotel) ... Puede ba ito sa Valet Parking?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION IMPOSSIBLEDate: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 10:46:58 +0000
From: Wayne
?There is a need for a closer coordination and
cooperation among the bureaus and agencies of our
department and the three major services of the
Armed Forces down to the various military units
in confronting the various national security
challenges facing the country today,? he said.
Teodoro said there is a need to march in one
direction and synchronize all efforts ?for
greater
effectivity and efficiency in our work
and in our advocacy for a stable and secure nation.?
?On this aspect, I have high regard for your
cohesiveness and unity anchored on your motto,
the few, the proud, the Marines. However, we should not be island on our own.
We must embrace the concept ofjointness with the
otherservices in order to enhance our
interoperability withthe overarching aim of
achieving of our entrusted missions,? said Teodoro.
?Let us be one team in the DND and the AFP.
In closing let me assure the leadership and the
membership of the Philippine Marine Corps that
the DND will continue to support your endeavours
which will not only contribute to the
strengthening of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines but will also redound also to the
ultimate betterment of our country and our people,? he added.
PMC Armored Vehicles featured in Military Machines International Magazine cover.
Stalking Jihad featured on History Channel last Oct.20.
Marine efforts well described in the hunt for Abu Sayaff.
From the PMC Citemar 6 archive.
Marines to send newly constructed Armored Ambulance to Basilan this September via Phil. Navy Sealift.
The Combat Service Support Brigade (CSSB) accelerated the construction of a V150 Ambulance from a derlict hull that had been no-operational. Utilizing an engine removed from a later model V-150S that was converted in the LARSU program, should provide greater mobility to evecuate casualties under fire in Basilan and Jolo.
Click on image for more photos and information
Col. Oliver North interviews BG Juancho Saban on Fox News.
...someday in Sulu.
March 07 issue of Atlantic Monthly covers the Philippine Marines in the hunt for Abu Sabaya.
Jihadists in Paradise
A behind-the-scenes tale of intrigue, spycraft, and betrayal. By Mark Bowden
*Note: article available to registered subscribers only.
To Catch a Terrorist Atlantic Unbound | February 6, 2007
Mark Bowden, author of "Jihadists in Paradise," on hunting down the story of Abu Sabaya.
Video clips related to this story:
Quicktime player needed
[Web-only: Watch CIA surveillance footage and video interviews with the story's key players]
Philippine Marines on Front Line in War on Terror
By Douglas Bakshian; Jolo,20 February 2007. Voice of America
Philippine Marine Brigadier General Juancho Sabban at his headquarters near Jolo City.(photo by Antonin Kratochvil)
"This Is the War on Terror. Wish You Were Here!"
Outside Magazine, February 2007 online, on the island of Jolo. By John Falk.
More photos by Antonin Kratochvil.
Click on image above to view slide show.
View Contents of Philippine Marine Corps book and Philippine Navy books online
View contents of "Cutting Edge" in PDF format.
View contents of "Tides of Change" in PDF format.
Order Hard Copy of books "Cutting Edge" and "Tides of Change".
3>
3>
Master index of pages and links
3>
1997-2007 pmcmssr (at) yahoo.com<>
| |||||
There are currently sites in this ring. |