WEEK LONG 58th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF THE PHIL. MARINE CORPS IN SULU (Nov.19 ,2008)

The Marines may be the most feared by enemies of the state but they, too, can be entertaining.

Leaving their arms in the barracks, the Philippine Marines wowed the Sulu local officials and guests bringing with them only their drill rifles, band and singers and their drum-and-bugle corps.

Highlighted by a silent drill, free concert, and static display of the Marines’ modern armament, a long week celebration in various areas and municipalities like Talipao, Maimbung , Patikul, Panglima Estino and inside the 3rd Marine Brigade Camp Teodolfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu.

"This is to show our people the other side of their Marines, "MGen. Juancho M. Sabban, Commanding Officer of Joint Task Force Comet, said, stressing these soldiers weren’t limited to battle.
What wowed the guests was the Marines’ drum-and-bugle exhibition. The soldiers performed mostly composed of male members.

Dispatching the Marines to combat in a certain area is usually the military’s last recourse to contain a delicate situation – in short, the mere mention of the Marines means there is trouble.

"It’s the new face of the Marines in our 58th birthday celebration," Sabban said, referring to the event yesterday. He added that the Marines would be performing in areas wherein marine battalion situated. The good Major General said that people from all walks of life can always come and watch their Marines perform a live concert featuring their own singers and watch the Marine silent drill and the drug and bugle exhibitions.

The 3rd Marine Brigade headed by Brigade Commander Col. Eugenio N. Clemen, PN (M) (GSC);  Commanding Officer of Joint Task Force Comet Major General Juancho M. Sabban, AFP; and MGen. Benjamin D. Dolorfino, AFP, Comdt., Phil. Marine Corps, is very thankful to honorable Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla who in one way or another paved her full support to their 58th birthday celebration.

Honorable Sahidulla’s presence in the said celebration merges a valuable one to the marine troops and military dignitaries wherein the ever supportive Vice Governor renders beautiful songs to the celebrants.  Also part of her invaluable support, her own L.A. Dancers, L.A. Bands were also among the performers in the said event.

 

Brief Military History of the Philippines

Although not as formally established as the Infantria de Marina of the Spanish Navy, Filipino naval infantrymen during the Spanish colonial period (1565-1898) fought just as well against internal and external threats to the Philippine Islands, notably Moro and Chinese pirates, and Dutch naval forces.

The infant Philippine Navy was established during the Philippine Revolution (1896-1898), when General Emilio Aguinaldo formed the Revolutionary Navy. It then consisted of the pinnace Magdalo and several steam launches captured from the Spanish. The Navy refitted these for war and moved troops, arms, and supplies to the provinces. The Navy played a major role during the raid against the Spanish garrison and magazine on Bacoor Bay, which was the first amphibious assault by elements of the Revolutionary Navy.

During the American colonial period (1899-1941) and the Second World War in the Pacific (1941-1945), Filipinos served with distinction in the U.S Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. The first Filipino to die in the First World War was Private Tomas Claudio who was serving with the U.S. Marine Corps as part of the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe. He died in the Battle of Chateau Thierry in France on June 29, 1918. The Thomas Claudio Memorial College in Eastern Rizal, Philippines, which was founded in 1950, was named in his honor.

Organization

The modern Philippine Marine Corps' was organized during the incumbency of President Elpidio Quirino. Armed Forces of the Philippines General Order No. 319 dated November 2, 1950 called for the organization of "A" Company, 1st Marine Battalion as a unit of the Philippine Naval Patrol. This marked the birth of the Philippine Marines. "A" Company was activated on November 7, 1950 at the Naval Operating Base in Cavite under the mandate of then Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay. 

Only volunteers were accepted into this unit. Forming the core of this organization were six officers and 206 enlisted personnel, mostly veterans of World War II. Its first commanding officer was LTSG Manuel Gomez, an alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy Class 41 and a graduate of Armor Tactics from Fort Knox in Kentucky.

The Corps was expanded to battalion strength on November 7, 1955, with two rifle companies and a Headquarters and Service Company under Lieutenant Commander Gregorio L. Lim, PN as its Battalion Commander. The 3rd Marine Company was activated on November 7, 1961. To provide the fire and anti-tank support for the Philippine Marine Battalion, as well as to provide ceremonial guard and security for VIP's, a weapons company was activated on April 10, 1966. The battalion was expanded to a force of nine rifle companies two years later.

 

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