Philippine Marine Corps Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas Infantería Marina de las Filipinas |
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Seal of the PMC
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Active | November 2, 1950 |
Country | Philippines |
Branch | Philippine Navy |
Type | Marine corps |
Size | 8,300 |
Part of | Philippine Armed Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines |
Nickname(s) | PMC, Philippine Marines "The Few, The Proud, The Marines" "The Best in Soldiery" |
Motto(s) |
Karangalan' Katungkulan, Kabayanihan ("Honor, Duty, Valor") or ("Honor, Deber, Valor") |
Colors | Scarlet, Gold and Blue |
Anniversaries | November 7 |
Engagements |
Communist Insurgencies Islamic Insurgencies, Counter Insurgencies-Terrorism, Civilian Military Operations, International Peace Support and Humanitarian Relief Operations, UN Peacekeeping Operations |
Commanders | |
Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps | Major General Andre M. Costales Jr., AFP |
Insignia | |
Flag | |
Battledress identification patch | |
Emblem |
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC; Filipino: Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas; Spanish: Infantería Marina de las Filipinas), is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. It is in charge of manning garrisons in shoals like Ayungin Shoal where a marine detachment is stationed on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre. It conducts amphibious and expeditionary warfare, as well as special operation missions.
"The task of training these young men into Marines is vested upon us. Today, as we start training them, we will be striking the first hammer blow in forging the "cutting edge" of the Armed Forces."
On orders from President Elpidio Quirino and Ramon Magsaysay, then Secretary of National Defense, the Corps was organized on November 7, 1950, as A Company of the Philippine Fleet's 1st Marine Battalion and then headquartered in Cavite City, in Naval Base Cavite. Personnel from the United States Army and United States Marine Corps helped train the very first Philippine Marines in combat and amphibious duties in Fort Bonifacio in Makati City and in various other locations. Lieutenant (senior grade) Manuel Gomez was its first commandant, with then Lieutenant (junior grade) Gregorio Lim assisting him, with six other officers (4 seconded from the Navy and two from the Philippine Army) joining them, several of these officers being veterans of the Second World War.