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/
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