Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Lorenzana frowns on proposal to make Marines a separate branch

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 20): Lorenzana frowns on proposal to make Marines a separate branch


Marines patrol the highway in Barangay Bubong Madaya, Marawi City, which saw fierce firefights between government troops and the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorist group. DIVINA M. SUSON
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana opposes the proposal to form the Marines into a new branch of service in the military.

“We oppose that,” he told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Tuesday.

The Philippine Marine Corps Act (House Bill No. 7304) proposes to establish the PMC, currently under the Navy’s command, as an independent branch of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The PMC would be “amphibious in character” and would be composed of ground combat, combat support, combat service support, aviation component and other necessary units.

 The PMC’s current strength is estimated at around 9,300.

“That would make Marines basically a ground force. So dalawa na ang ground force natin,” he said.

The Philippine Army is currently the main ground force of the AFP at 85,000-strong.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/976698/news-delfin-lorenzana-marines-philippine-marine-corps-act-hb-7304-afp

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