SEN. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay is pushing for the establishment of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) as an autonomous and distinct branch of service complementary to the Army, Air Force and Navy under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Binay’s proposal is contained in Senate Bill (SB) 989 or “an Act establishing the PMC, defining its powers and functions, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.”
The PMC was organized on Nov. 7, 1950 under the orders of President Elpidio Quirino and Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay through the AFP General Orders 319 series 1950.
The senator said the PMC was first organized to respond to the security threat of the emerging Hukbalahap insurgency in Central Luzon up to Marawi, Mindanao.
“Despite experiencing institutional challenges, including but not limited to fiscal and organizational restrictions, due the absence of its own charter, the PMC has lived up to its mandate in providing amphibious and rapid deployment units and seamless transition of military power between sea and land domains,” she added.
“Over the years, the men and women of the PMC have gallantly served and responded to the call of duty. In the 1960s, the PMC spearheaded the strategic maneuvers against the Hukbalahap,” the lady senator said.
Binay enumerated the numerous engagements of the PMC in protecting and fighting for the country with honor and pride since the 1950s.
In the 1980s, the PMC upheld stability during the EDSA People Power. In the 2000s, the PMC was one of the main forces in the fall of Camp Abu Bakr, as well as combating terrorists in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
In the 2000s, the valiant men and women of the PMC also provided assistance to many Filipinos affected by natural disasters.
Binay stressed that it was adjuratory that a charter should be crafted to institutionalize the PMC to alleviate them of institutional challenges.
She pointed out that the archipelagic geography of the Philippines called for the need for an expanded, rapidly deployable amphibious maneuver force mandated to conduct seaborne, sustained on-shore, multinational cooperation and engagement for the protection of the country and its people, along with response to the country’s need in times of natural disaster.
SB 989 seeks to establish the PMC as an autonomous and distinct branch of service that is complementary to the Army, Air Force and Navy under the AFP.
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