MBLT-8 Lights the Beacon of Education for the students of Canduyog

Located 185 kilometers away from the city, the lone classroom of Canduyog Primary School sits atop a hill overlooking dry farmlands and dusty road.
But the dull scenery, lack of electricity and learning materials did not hinder the students to pursue education which inspired the Aklat Kong Laan ay Talino (AKLAT) Project, a book and school supplies-giving program by the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8) under LTCOL YURI G PESIGAN PN(M) and 1LT JOHN A DELA CRUZ PN(M) as the project chairman in partnership with the JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock Inc., under Ms. Rashida Taneo and Smart Communications which benefitted a total of 150 students in turn-over program conducted on June 17, 2010 at Sitio Canduyog, Bagangay Abongan, Taytay, Palawan.
The plight of the students in Canduyog first challenge and eventually inspired 1LT DELA CRUZ while serving as the Commanding Officer of the 48th Marine Company stationed at the said barangay which led to the creation of AKLAT Project which aims not only to bring hope to the students but also inspire them to aim higher in life. (PIO, Marine Battalion Landing Team 8)

RETIRED MARINE GENERAL RECALLED FOR UN PEACEKEEPING COMMAND

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City—Retired Major General Natalio C Ecarma III, the first Filipino Marine General who held the third highest position in the United Nations as Assistant Secretary General was recalled for active duty and extends his service as Force Commander and Head of Mission in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Golan Heights on the troubled border of Syria and Israel until February 13, 2012.

Major General Ecarma assumed as Force Commander of UNDOF in Golan Heights on March 1, 2010. He officially retired from the military service on June 3, 2011. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon recommended and invited the Philippine Government to extend the tour of duty of Major General Ecarma which President Benigno S. Aquino III approved.

In the Testimonial honors tendered for Major General Ecarma on June 22, 2011 at the Bonifacio Naval Station Parade Ground in Fort Bonifacio, Marines and Sailors of the Philippine Navy paid tribute to him for his dedicated service and inspiration he gave not only to the Armed Forces of the Philippines but also to the entire nation.

It is worthy to stress that the United Nations surely did not lack qualified leaders on its bench to assume the position that Major General Ecarma would have vacated, yet they have chosen the Filipino General to stay which is a testament that world leaders noted his dedication and leadership, which to us is a source of inspiration and national pride. (1Lt Cherryl P Tindog PN(M)--Acting Director, Marine Corps Public Affairs Office)

MAJOR GENERAL RUSTICO OBZUM GUERRERO AFP 25th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps

Former Joint Task Force Comet Commander then Brigadier General Rustico O Guerrero AFP assumed as the 25th Commandant of the elite Philippine Marine Corps in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on August 24, 2010.

Now Major General, Rusty, as fondly called by his friends and colleagues replaced then Major General now Lieutenant General Juancho M Sabban AFP in a simple yet meaningful ceremony with former Acting Flag Officer in Command, Navy Vice Admiral Danilo M Cortez as presiding officer and guest of honor. LGen Sabban is now assigned as Commander of the Western Command in Palawan Province.

MGen Guerrero is a member of the PMA Class 1981. He finished his Masters of Military Study and Command and Staff College in Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, USA. He also finished his Foreign Officers Tactical Intelligence Course in Queensland, Australia. He also took tactical, operational and strategic command courses in military institutions in the country.

He assumed key positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines such as Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Brigade which is stationed in Basilan Province, Superintendent of the Marine Corps Training Center, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Marine Corps and Chief of Plans and Policy Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, J8.

Under the helm of Major General Guerrero, the Philippine Marine Corps steps forward to the accomplishment of its mission as the nation's force of choice, fully implementing the Fleet-Marine Doctrine on Operations and the Internal Peace and Security Plan (Bayanihan Campaign).


1Lt Cherryl Pontillas Tindog PN(M)
Acting Director
Marine Corps Public Affairs Office
Website: http://www.marinecorps.mil.ph/
See us in Facebook: www.philippinemarinecorps.facebook.com/

MARINES NEED 2000 RECRUITS FOR 2010

By 2nd Lt Cherryl Pontillas-Tindog PN(M)
Deputy Director
Marine Corps Public Affairs Office


There are 2000 slots available for new recruits to fill up the manpower requirement of the Philippine Marine Corps for the year 2010. Below are the pertinent details in connection with the nation-wide recruitment of the Corps:

A. QUALIFICATIONS
1. OFFICERS
v 21-28 years old
v Baccalaureate degree holder
v Single and a natural born Filipino
v At least 5’0 in height
v Physically, mentally and psychologically fit for active service
v Of good moral character
v Must not have any pending civil/criminal case
v Must pass the AFPABT, IQ and SWE examinations

2. EP
v 18-23 years old
v At least 72 units in college, graduate of a 2-year vocational course, or possesses any skill duly certified by TESDA
v Single and a natural born Filipino
v At least 5’0 in height
v Physically, mentally and psychologically fit for active service
v Of good moral character
v Must not have any pending civil/criminal case
v Must pass the AFPABT and IQ examinations

B. REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION
1. NSO birth certificate
2. diploma/transcript of records
3. original marriage certificate of parents
4. two pcs 2X2 colored picture with white background

C. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
v Basic Pay: OFFICERS Php 20,708.00 (2LT)/ EP Php 9,466.00(PVT)
v Subsistence Allowance, clothing allowance
v Billeting and housing facilities
v Cash bonuses and gifts
v Insurance and healthcare benefits
v Job security, career advancement and local and foreign schooling

D. MOBILE RECRUTING AREAS
> Pangasinan (20 February 2010)
> Isabela (27 February 2010)
> Ilocos Norte (13 March 2010)
> Bicol (27 March 2010)
> Cebu (10 April 2010)
> Bohol (24 April 2010)
> Dumaguete (29 May 2010)
> Iloilo (19 June 2010)
> Sulu (26 June 2010)
> Basilan (03 July 2010)
> Zamboanga (08 July 2010)
> Cagayan de Oro City (07 August 2010)
> Davao (26 August 2010)
> Cotabato (04 September 2010)
> Tacloban (18 September 2010)
> Dipolog City (02 October 2010)
> Oriental Mindoro (18 October 2010)
> Palawan (06 November 2010)

E. HOW TO APPLY:
a. Visit and submit the requirements to the PMC recruiting center and mobile recruiting areas.
b. Take the AFP Qualifying examination and IQ test as scheduled
c. After passing the exams, take the physical fitness test
d. Monitor the schedule of deliberation and release of results.
e. Prepare accordingly for the rigid training
f. For inquiries, you may contact:
THE PMC RECRUITING CENTER
Marine Barracks, BNS, Taguig City
Landline: 02-8153429/02-8192860 Local 6154
Cellphone: 0928-4507674 / 0916-5733710
E-mail: pmc_recruiting@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.marinecorps.mil.ph/

MARINES' MORALE HIGH; NO RIFLE LOST

(Published in PDI dated 19 January 2010, page A14)


To: Isagani Yambot
The Publisher
Philippine Daily Inquirer


This has reference to an article written by one of your columnists Mr. Ramon Tulfo entitled “That’s How Callous GMA Has Become” wherein he cited that the Marine Corps is demoralized over the inaction by the AFP top brass on the Cal .50 Barrett Rifle found in the confiscated arsenal of the Ampatuans. He further cited that the said Barrett rifle belonged to a Marine sniper who was killed by the Abu Sayyaf in an ambush.

Please allow us to inform you and your readers of the prevailing situation in the Philippine Marine Corps relative to the news article. While it is true that the demise of our brother Marines in the past years has been very unfortunate, the morale of the rank and file of the Philippine Marine Corps remains high and strong. We are busy performing our mandated and designated missions. In particular, our units in the operational areas are running after the terrorists Abu Sayyaf, rogue members of MILF and other security threats in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan under the helm of Major General Juancho Sabban, a competent and well-respected combat commander and current Commandant of the Marine Corps. Let me say that our troops in the field are well focused not only on the neutralization of the threat groups in their respective areas of operation, but also on the development of the socio-economic conditions of the civilian populace. Here at the headquarters, the Marines are actively focused in attending to the much needed support and services of all kinds for the troops. All these only prove that demoralization among our ranks is far from truth.

The Cal .50 Barrett Rifle that was found in the arsenal seized from the Ampatuans did not belong to any of our Marines. For the record, all the Barrett rifles issued to the Marine Corps are all accounted for and remain in the good hands of your Marine Corps. There was never a time that a Barrett Rifle was taken from any of your Marines, dead or alive.

In parting, let me just reiterate that your Marine Corps remains strong and spirited, and we shall always be so that we may continue fulfilling our commitment to protect our maritime nation and sovereign people.

We hope this merits your attention. Thank you very much



(Sgd)
ALDEN GWYN T AMARGO
CPT PN(M)
Director, Public Affairs Office

KIDS WITH CANCER MEET AND PLAY WITH MARINES

About 300 children with cancer met and played with their Marine friends last December 5 at the Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters, Taguig City in a Cancer Awareness Campaign dubbed as “You Can Hug Me”.

The Cancer Treatment and Support Foundation (CTSF) in cooperation with the Deutsche Knowledge Services invited the Marine Corps to participate in their year-end activity that would educate the people that cancer is not contagious. It also aimed to encourage the public to extend support to cancer patients as the Marines are doing for quite a while now.

The Philippine Marine Corps headed by Commandant Major General Juancho Sabban opened its door and reached out for cancer patients, especially the under privileged so that they can have access to proper healthcare. This is one of the means and ways the Corps addresses sociopolitical unrest and insurgency.

Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Oncologists said, “a small fragile child afflicted with cancer draws strength from the strong, able bodied courageous Marines who fulfill their civic duties to protect and inspire a child.”

“You Can Hug Me” activity was attended by more or less 300 cancer patients from the Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Manila Doctor’s Hospital and University of Sto. Tomas Hospital. The Marines inspired them and their families through Photo Static Display, film showing, Combo Concert, silent drill exhibition and Drum and Bugle performance.

The organizers believe that the activity was worthwhile and heart-warming. “Seeing small frail children with cancer mingling and playing with the lean and tough Marines is such a wonderful sight,” they said.

CPTindog/12-04-09