To provide combined arms units in the conduct of amphibious operations and other operations in support to  the mission of the Philippine Navy.

 

The Vision

To be the Armed Forces of the Philippine's premier force in readiness and the nation's force of choice by 2020.

 

When all else fails, when missions seem impossible, send in the Marines! That, in a nutshell, captures the mystique of the Marines as an elite fighting force all over the world. That awesome reputation stems partly from the very concept of the Marines as a rapid-deployment, amphibious strike force-small but highly mobile, hard-hitting and superbly trained. It takes a rare breed of men, indeed, to embrace the task of assaulting a hostile shore, facing heavy enemy fire and securing the beachhead for the entry of bigger land forces. Being a Marine must therefore require an indomitable faith in oneself, in one's fighting prowess and in one's comrades at arms. Sustaining this high level of pride and confidence in each and every Marine is in itself no easy task. Part of the secret lies in propagating the Marine "myth", so to speak. A US Marine Lieutenant was once said to have asked a Gunnery Sergeant just how the Marine Corps got to be known one of the world's greatest fighting units. "Well, Lieutenant," the Sergeant replied good-humoredly, "they started right out telling everybody how great they were. Pretty soon they got to believing it themselves and they have since been busy proving they were right!" The mystique has certainly rubbed on the Philippine Marines who have sought to live up to their esteemed name since they were first organized in November 1950.

 

Their transparent, rough-edged self-concept can be gleaned from their marching hymn:

We are the Philippine Marines
A common sight in the fighting scene
Our salty boots are never dry
And people never ask us why
Until they hear our battle cry

We are the Philippine Marines
Pitted against the toughest fiends
For once we are provoked to fight
They better keep out of our sight
When we unleash our strength and might

Patrolling shores and seas
Within our country's bound
We are the fighting bees
We are the sleepless hounds

We chase the renegades
Up the hill down the rough and rugged roads
Exchanging blows and sharpened blades
Until they're lying dead and cold

 

Skimming through the pages of the history of the Philippine Marines, one would know that those tough words carry no empty boast. Over the years, thousand of Marines have taken great risks to turn back tide upon tide of insurgents and bandits. Many of them lost their lives. Many more lost their limbs. Medals or no medals, all of them emerged heroes in their own right. They upheld their rich tradition and lived up to their revered name.

 

(Preface from the coffee table book "The Cutting Edge", published through Infinit-1 Communications Services, © Philippine Marine Corps)

The Philippine Marine Rifle Battalions

The Philippine Marine Rifle Battalion is the maneuver element of the Philippine Marine Corps. The Battalion, when attached with supporting elements, is designated as a Marine Battalion Landing Team. It is the operational element that projects the force, carries out the mission, fires the weapons, sheds the blood, lands on enemy beaches and takes the high ground. (Gallant Warriors from the Sea; p.30)

Composed of three rifle Companies and a Headquarters and Service Company, the battalion is augmented with supporting units for its specific mission. These can be additional vehicles for transport, wheeled armored vehicles, amphibious assault vehicles, artillery, watercraft, etc.

An MBLT is a combined arms force of the Fleet-Marine Team that will project power from the sea, through amphibious operations inland from the coastline. The Combined Arms concept integrates infantry, armor, artillery, CSS and more recently special operations capability into the battalion making it able for independent action on ground operations.

The MBLT and its components  can be ready to move by Land, Air or Sea at the shortest time possible to the objective area and carry out operations depending on available shipping and aircraft.

There are 12 Marine Rifle Battalions in the Philippine Marine Corps. One Battalion is usually rotated to the Headquarters Philippine Marine Corps for refitting and retraining for about six months or more and then redeployed to the field.

Three Brigades are deployed in their areas of responsibility. They direct the operations of the Battalions under them while providing logistical and administrative support.

In 1997 the 6th Marine Battalion organized a Special Operations Platoon. It was composed of Scout Sniper Squad and Hostage Rescue Team for urban and counter terrorist operations that were expected to be encountered in their upcoming deployment in Jolo, Sulu, well known for hostage taking and urban conflict by rebels and lawless elements.

With the success of the 6th Battalion's innovation, other Battalions began to organize their Special Operation Teams. The 6th Battalion conducted the second Scout Sniper Course in Bud Dato, Sulu that trained Marines from the different Battalions of the 3rd Marine Brigade on Jolo. This has led to standardizing the training and procedures for Marine Battalion Landing Teams that are Special Operations Capable MBLT(SOC) in 2001.

The addition of this limited Special Operations capability allows the Fleet-Marine Force Commander to respond to a threat in any part of the Philippines. The task of the MBLT(SOC) is quoted as "To Shoot, Move and Communicate", i.e. to take the objective and hold it; to find, fix and finish the enemy; to be a force in readiness equipped and trained to handle a wide spectrum of tactical operations in present and perceived internal and external threats.

THE FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION

The Field Artillery Battalion (FABN) is the fire support unit of the Combat and Service Support Brigade (CSSB) of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC). It is tasked to provide artillery fire support for the operating units of the PMC. The Battalion is capable of providing artillery fire support under different combat conditions, as well as to provide ground and reinforcing artillery fire support. It is likewise capable of conducting defensive operations during hostile ground attack.

This unit was activated on January 1, 2000 pursuant to HPMC GO Nr 23 dated 20 January 2000. It is composed of a Headquarters and Service Company (HSC), and several Howitzer Batteries each designated as a Marine Company, common to all Marine line and support companies. The unit started as a mere three (3) batteries activated in 1974 to complement the warfighting capability of the Philippine Marines at the height of the secessionist movement in Mindanao. These batteries used the 105mm Pack Howitzer Oto-Melara Model 56/14 from Italy. and the 105mm Howitzer M101A1 from the US.

The FABN Headquarters and Service Company provides command control, administration and command support function, as well as organic supply and organizational maintenance support to the battalion and its subordinate units. It is likewise tasked to provide saluting battery during ceremonial activities not only for the PMC but for the Philippine Navy and the AFP as well, and it is likewise well capable of providing selective air defense.

The other operating howitzer batteries perform fire support operations for the different Marine Battalion Landing Teams (MBLTs) in the operating areas and also complementing ground fire support operations for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFPs) task Forces. They not only participate in these ground operations but in defensive operations as well.

During the height of the recent 2000 conflict in Mindanao, its howitzer batteries were attached to the Marine Brigades operating intensively in the area and have significantly contributed much in the neutralization of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central Mindanao especially during the return to government control of the Narciso Ramos Highway. Furthermore, the unit was eventually attached to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Task Force TRIDENT during its mass offensive operations against the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu.

Throughout its numerous and rigorous operations, the unit has continuously carried out its mission despite of its limited resources and has contributed much to the combined arms concept of the Philippine Marine Corps. It has ensured the maintenance of its combat readiness to deliver timely and accurate massive fire support to the operating Marines during their calls for fire.

THE ASSAULT ARMOR BATTALION
The Assault Armor Battalion (AABN) is the light armor unit of the Philippine Marine Corps assigned under HQS Combat and Service Support Brigade (CSSB). It is tasked to close in and destroy the enemy using light armor protected firepower, shock effect, maneuver and mobile fire support. It is capable of conducting offensive or delaying operations in support of Marine combat troops during amphibious assault and subsequent operations and/or sustained operations ashore. Furthermore, it is capable of limited screen, reconnaissance, and surveillance during advance force operations and/or sustained operations and to conduct security operation either independently or with infantry troops and any task organized forces and provide limited support to logistical tasks for these units.

The Assault Amphibian Battalion which was activated in 1974 was re-designated as Assault Armor Battalion on January 1, 2000 pursuant to HPMC GO Nr 23 dated 20 January 2000 in order to upgrade its capabilities and make way for the arrival of the LVT P7 family of amphibious vehicles. It is composed of a Headquarters and Service Company (HSC), and several armor vehicle companies, each designated as a Marine Company with numerical assignment starting with seven (7), common to all Marine line and support companies. These armor vehicle companies are categorized as an Armor Maintenance Company (Armor Mnt Co), an Assault Amphibian Vehicle Company (AAV Co), and Light Armor Vehicle Company (LAV Co).

The Armor Mnt. Co is asked to provide intermediate-level armor vehicle maintenance support of armor vehicles, turret/armament, and communications systems by means of periodic preventive maintenance check, component replacement or overhaul/repair. It is capable of providing technical assistance and overflow organizational maintenance for supported units, as well as providing technical inspection services in support of armor vehicle maintenance program of the PMC. The AAV Co on the other hand is tasked to land, transport and project assault troops during amphibious assault operations and sustained combat operations ashore. It is capable of providing surface ship-to-shore lift capabilities during amphibious assault; transport personnel supplies in conjunction with tactical operations; lift battalion-size combat elements in a single lift; and maintain motor vehicles and armor assets organic to the company. Additionally, the LAV Co is tasked to provide protected transport and mobile fire support for combat troops in the conduct of ground operations and in such other sustained operations ashore. It can provide light armored protected transport; fire support, and maneuver of Marine units in a mechanized mode as spearhead for ground tactical operations.

The first armored vehicles utilized by the Marines in the 1950's were the US M-3A1 Armored Scout Cars used by Marine Platoons in support of their operations. The first Armored Amphibious Vehicles were the LVT3C. These were later replaced by the Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel (LTVP P5) the Landing Vehicle Tracked Howitzer (LTVP H6 armed with the short barrelled 105mm howitzer) and the Engineering version (LVT E5). The LVTH6 were used as fire support vehicles (FSV's) during the early Mindanao campaigns in the 1970's. Later during the 1980's several V-150 Cadillac Gage Commando armored vehicles were provided to the Corps. These were complemented later in 1995 by 24 units V-300 Commando Series of Light Armor Vehicles (LAV's), 12 of which is fitted with the Cockerill 90mm Gun MKIII. It is a 6 x 6 vehicle that can carry 8 fully equipped Marines and a crew of 3 in the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) version.

The Marine light armor vehicles were extensively used during the height of the recent 2000 conflict in Mindanao. Its companies were attached to the different Marine Brigades operating intensively in the area and have significantly contributed much in the neutralization of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central Mindanao especially during the siege for government control of the Narciso Ramos Highway. Furthermore, the unit was eventually attached to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Task Force TRIDENT during its mass offensive operations against the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu, and was successfully utilized in support of the Marine Battalions operating under the different AFP Task Forces in the past.

Throughout its numerous and extensive operations, the unit has constantly carried out its mission despite of its limited resources and has contributed much to the combined arms concept of the Philippine Marine Corps. It has ensured the maintenance of its combat readiness to deliver timely and accurate massive mobile fire support and troop transport to the operating Marines in the field.

Philippine Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Team

Because of the mounting demands for the participation of the Philippine Marines on various significant national events, then COMMANDER GREGORIO LIM Commanding Officer of the Philippine Marines, who was inspired by the performance and visit of the US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, initiated the organization of the Philippine Marines' own Drum and Bugle Corps.

So forth, sometime in 1963, a few supporting weapons personnel who are musically experienced volunteered to establish the core of the first Philippine Marine Drum and Bugle Team. "Team" rather than "Corps" was adopted by the group since the band was composed only of 17 Enlisted Personnel and the Philippine Marines then was only a battalion.

The task of molding this group to be true musicians and performers was left to the able conductorship of its first Conductor / Arranger, the Late CPO AVELINO MEJICO PN. Since then the team began providing music on military ceremonies and other official functions. Their unique demonstration and style gave them the opportunity to perform in different parts of the archipelago as well as abroad as part of various Naval Goodwill Missions.

The only Drum and Bugle Team in the entire AFP, the MDBT regularly performs hand in hand with the Silent Drill Team of the Marine Security Escort Group. Their routine involves a series of martial musical display known all over the Philippines and in some parts of the world, and their unique styles and well orchestrated precision marching earned for them numerous awards and recognition. Categorically noted as first class performers, they were commonly hailed as "AFP's Ambassadors of Goodwill ".

MARINE DRUM AND BUBLE TEAM FILES 
by Msgt Justus L Soriano PM, The Baton Master, PMC Drums and Bugle Team

As I scan the pages of CITE MAR 6 2001 2rd Qtr Issue, I chanced upon the topics on "Corps' Notes" by CAPT ROMULO D QUEMADO II PN(M) with regard to the original Marine Song written by LTJG CESAR Y ALZONA PN. To add to the Corps' history, I found it fitting to include another original composition of LTJG ALZONA PN. I discovered this score entitled "FIRST TO FIGHT" sometime in 1992 from a compilation of some old musical scores.

FIRST TO FIGHT

BORN WITHIN THE WALLS OF CAVITE NAVAL BASE
ORGANIZED TO FIGHT TO BE ON THE CHASE
WE'RE THE STRONGEST FIGHTER AND ALWAYS ON OUR TOES
PHILIPPINE MARINES ARE THE TERROR OF THE FOES

FATHER ARMY WATCHES AS MOTHER NAVY SAILS
WE'RE ABOARD AND READY TO FIGHT WITHOUT DELAYS
LANDING ON THE BEACHES WTH PRAYERS IN OUR HEARTS
CREEPING THRU THICK JUNGLES NOT FOUND IN NAVY CHARTS

ALL THE SWAMPY ISLES OF SULU ARCHIPELAGO
ROCKY MOUNTS AND HILLS AND THE PIRATES OF JOLO
COULD NOT STOP OUR LANDINGS, WE'RE ALWAYS ON THE GO
PHILIPPINE MARINES ARE THE SYMBOL OF THE LAW

PHILIPPINE MARINES ARE THE FINEST OF THE LAND
SEND THE AIR FORCE HOME WHEN WE BEACH TO FIGHT IN LAND
WE SHALL GUARD THE NAVY ASHORE AND ON THE SEAS
WE SHALL GUARD OUR COUNTRY AND FIGHT HER ENEMIES

COPYRIGHT 1995 MANILA, PHILIPPINES WORDS AND MELODY BY: LT(JR) CESAR Y ALZONA PN *The music played by Philippine Marine Drum and Bugle Team was arranged by Msgt Justus L Soriano PM first played on 07 Nov 93 when they serenaded the guests of honor GEN LISANDRO ABADIA, CSAFP together with CHR Commissioner Haydee Yorac at ther Philippine Navy Officers Club during the Corps' 43rd Anniversary Celebration.

Force Recon Battalion

The 1st Reconnaissance Unit, the Recon Company was officially activated on 19 August 1972, several months after the activation of the 1st and 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Teams (MBLTs) of then the Philippine Marine Brigade. Its first Commander was ENSIGN EDGARDO V ESPINOSA PN(M) who later became the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.

The Recon unit saw intense combat actions alongside with the MBLTs during the Secessionist Movement of the MNLF in Southern Mindanao in the early 1070's. Thus the four (4) - man team earned its fame.

From 1975 to 1985 the unit experienced a series of combined combat and administrative operations ranging from recon missions to augmentation of the first activated Inshore Boat Company in the early 1980's.

On 15 Sept 1985, the 1st Recon Company was re-designated as the 61st Marine (Recon) Company. The 61st Recon Company had most of its field assignments in Mindanao, particularly in the Zamboanga peninsula where they were pitted against several dissident terrorists (DTs) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) lost command.

In 1986, the 61st Marine (Recon) Company was stationed at Marine Barracks Fort Bonifacio (MBFB). In June 1987, the unit together with a large contingent of Combat Service Support Brigade (CSSBde) units and other MBLTs, were sent to Jolo relieving the 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. From there, the unit was sent to various combat missions against several lawless elements in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan. In 1988, the company returned to MBFB.

While at the MBFB, Recon Company was eventually deployed and utilized against the renegade soldiers in Metro Manila and successfully apprehended several of these during different raids in their hideouts.

In 1989, the unit practically covered the entire archipelago. A Recon platoon was deployed in Central Mindanao, specifically in Davao and Cotabato under operational control of the 3rd Mbde. Another platoon was deployed in Palawan under 2nd MBde, while another platoon operated in Bulacan under the 1st Mbde. The company's operating headquarters was under the GHQ Task Force Vulcan.

On 15 May 1989 the 62nd and 63rd Marine (Recon) Companies were both activated although their actual fill up came up later in 1994 when there were three (3) independent Recon Companies.

In 1992 the 61st Marine (Recon) Company together with a weapons section from the 8th Marine Company, MBLT-8, led the assault against the main Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA) Headquarters in Sagada, Mt Province. The success of the operation was a strategic victory for the AFP against the CPP/NPA not only in Luzon but all over the country.

In Sept 1992, the units maintained the same profile of deployment. It was intensely engaged against several kidnap-for-ransom (KFRC) gangs in Central Mindanao. One of the most celebrated accomplishments of the unit during this period was the rescue of Father BLANCO and Anthony BIEL from the Abu Sayyaf. The encounters by the unit which preceded this rescue, together with other Marine units operating in Basilan were the first ever series of encounters by the AFP against the ASG. The successful operation and rescue in Camp Almadina, Basilan earned for the unit not only national prestige but the second Medal of Valor for the Marine Corps in the person of 1LT CUSTODIO PARCON PN(M), who led the assault. This operation soon led to several intense but nonetheless successful combat operations against the ASG and the MNLF Lost Command in Basilan and Jolo, which unfortunately escalated to alarming heights with the arrival of the Philippine Army in the area.

From 1993 to 1994, the Company was designated under the Marine Rapid Deployment Force and was sent to Cotabato to face more combat operations.

On 18 April 1995, the Headquarters Service and Training Company were activated to form the Force Recon Battalion (FRBn) with the three (3) Recon Companies, with its two (2) Companies deployed in Cotabato and Zamboanga City, and one (1) company aboard MBFB.

In October 1998 the entire battalion, the Headquarters and the three (3) Companies were all deployed in Southern Mindanao under the defunct Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) - Mindanao. Here, the FRBn took on various special operations ranging from direct actions against the ASG and KFRG's, to ship assault and raids on built up areas against big time smugglers.

In March 1999 the battalion was confronted with the war in Central Mindanao against the MILF. Again, the headquarters went into action together with its three (3) Companies where three (3) of its men earning for the Battalion their three (3) Medals of Valor.

On August 2001, the FRBn was once again deployed in Basilan to rescue the Dos Palmas hostages and to neutralize the ASG, while one (1) Force Recon Company was committed for the Force Recon Course Class 07-01 which was operating under Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) AOR. In the same year, and in accordance to Marine Corps Table of Organization (TOE) 01-00 the 61st, 62nd, and 63rd Marine (Recon) Companies were re-designated as the 61st, 62nd, and 63rd Force Recon Companies, respectively.

 

THE SCOUT RAIDER: THE FORERUNNER
The forerunner of the Recon was the Scout Raider Platoon which was part of then the Weapons Company of the Philippine Marine Battalion in the 1950's.

It was in 1954 that due to the formation of the Scout Raider Platoon the Philippine Marine Battalion then first received formal instruction and training in combat parachuting. Thus, it officially became the first airborne unit of the Philippine Navy in general.

On training, its first personnel received formal training at the PA Special Forces while conducting cross training with the USMC Recon and other special operations units. Nonetheless, the Scout Raider Platoon was specialized in amphibious raids and not on ground reconnaissance.

Officially, while the platoon was peculiar in itself but its activation was controversial, since it was the Weapons Company of then the Philippine Marine Battalion which was activated and the Scout Raider was only one of its platoons. In addition, the former Scout Raider had entirely different mission from that of the first Recon unit and its bigger successors, particularly, the Force Recon Battalion.

Nonetheless, it was crucial though that when the first Recon Company was activated the Scout Raider personnel were the first to fill up the unit. Thus, there was indeed a feeling of consanguinity and relationship between two different units.

Likewise, the same feeling and confusion experienced among those recon personnel who filled-up the first Inshore Boat Company, and various unsupported claims arose that the Recon at one time was deactivated which officially did not occur, however, accidentally unfilled. Thus, the activation of the first Recon Company in 1972 was entirely unique and unrelated to other claims of ascendancy or roots.

So far, since its inception the Recon unit garnered three (3) Medals of Valor and in two (2) counts it won for itself the AFP Outstanding Personnel of the Year in 1985 and 2001 respectively.

Not only in combat that the Force Recon proved its prowess, equally the unit has answered the call in countless disaster rescue and relief operations. Noteworthy, the Reconnaissance personnel and units wherever they go undoubtedly leaves a mark of respect among its civilian masters, and fear on their adversaries - a trademark common only to units of the Philippine Marine Corps.

The Marine Security & Escort Group

The Marine Security and Escort Group (MSEG) is tasked to provide security to naval operating bases, vital government institutions and installations, security to authorized personages and provide ceremonial honors and escort services. It is an integral part of the Philippine Marine Corps and is inherently a combatant force - a Marine can never be assigned to this unit without gaining the required combat assignments in the operational area. As such, its officers and men are combat veterans and basically riflemen. This means that the group can be deployed and re-deployed to any place at any time. In fact, during the height of the East Timor conflict, a great bulk of the Marine contingent came from the MSEG.

Of all the tasks attributed to the Group, none is more spectacular and breathtaking than the Philippine Marine Corps Silent Drill Team Exhibition. This is a 20-minute precision drill exhibition without verbal command where the members execute a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand polished M-1 Garand Rifles with nickel plated bayonets. The team performs for visiting Marine Corps guests at Marine Barracks Fort Bonifacio, as well as in other official functions for both the Philippine Navy and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines. It set the benchmark for other AFP units to duplicate. However, none comes close to the Team as their performance is indeed an amazing display of skill and coordination quite common in the Marine Corps. (performance of the team can be dowloaded in .wmv format at the contact us/download page of this site)

But perhaps the most honorable and prestigious of all the tasks assigned on the MSEG is the detail posted at the Rizal Monument in Luneta. The Marine Corps prides itself as being the only unit in the entire AFP tasked to guard the monument of the country's national hero day and night. A simple and rather unwitting description of Marine discipline and spirit came from Mr. Teodoro Valencia, a renowned columnist of the 60's and the 70's, when he wrote in his column after the devastating typhoon "Yoling" ravaged manila in 1969: he wrote "all the trees in Rizal park were down, the flowers were all blown away and the shrubs in shambles. The only structures left standing were the monument of Rizal and the two Marine Guards . . ."

Throughout its multifarious tasks, the MSEG shall always represent the Philippine Marine Corps in an outstanding manner. Defenders, combatants, stealth fighters, security men, skilful drillers, or such other jobs that would be demanded from them, the officers and men of the Marine Security and Escort Group would surely be out to comply with.

MARINE SECURITY & ESCORT GROUP: (MSEG) ALL IN ONE
It may look so surprising to one's ears and mind to hear from an organic personnel from this unit to lay claim that the Marine Security and Escort Group is really the some it ALL-IN-ONE. And one may further asks what could be the basis to coin this phrase and to some call it could be a joke and a question mark. I further be that they will say, "Ano yan, parang kape (three-in-one) o Cup noodles (na pwedeng kainin kahit hindi niluluto)? But while savoring the aroma of your coffee and cup noddle and further consume these to a bit, this writer intends to present to everyone and anyone who comes across this article that such claim is true.

The Activation
Pursuant to Paragraph 3, General Orders No.23 Headquarters Philippine Marine Corps dated 20 January 2000, subject to confirmation to Higher Headquarters, the Marine Security and Escort Group is provisionally activated as a unit of the Philippine Marine Corps effective as of 01 January 2000.

Mission
The Marine Security and Escort Group is task to provide security to Naval Operating Bases, vital government institution and installations, security to authorized personages and to provide ceremonial and escort services.

Consolidation of Troops and Equipment
The deactivation of the Marine Guard Battalion (MGBN) which was tasked mainly to provide security of Naval Bases and government installations paved way although subject to confirmation by Higher Headquarters for the activation of the Marine Security and Escort Group.

The group, however and because it lacks the initial personnel and equipment, absorbed the majority of its personnel and equipment from the former MGBN. Relative to its mission, the Marine Security and Escort Company (a separate unit) HQSBN, detachments at Naval Operating Bases in Cagayan & Quezon which are tasked to provide ceremonial/escort duties and physical securities at NOB's respectively, have also been absorbed by the newly activated group.

In essence, the former Marine Guard Battalion, the Marine Security and Escort Company and the personnel from HQSBN initially composed the core of the group. At present, which because of its concurrent operational commitment & personnel requirements, a peculiar task so unique compared to other Marine units, the group continues to expand in term of this aspect. Likewise, the transfer of the Group Headquarters from the Batasan Complex to Marine Barracks Fort Bonifacio gave a better command, supervision and coordination to higher and subordinate units. Before I further discuss the group activities, which is meat of this article to convince you, the reader, what my view is all about, let me inform you that part of our consolidation, the logistical and mobility assets has greatly improved. These, to include the vehicles, the improvement of barracks and quarters, office equipment, entertainment facilities and among others.

Present Deployment and Operational Commitments
At present, the group is satisfying its given mission, all at the same time, the detachments in the Naval Bases in Cagayan and Quezon continue to operate, which serve as perimeter security against attack from the lawless elements and act as a deterrent to illegal activities.

Vital government institutions and installations such as, the House of Senate and Congress, House of Representatives and Senate Electoral Tribunals, the Commission on Elections have been effectively manned. The rendering of protection and security services to authorized personages has also been on a continuous basis. Providing ceremonial honors and escort services, whether civilian or military dignitaries, whether local and national official, have been continuously rendered.

The Silent Drill Platoon, a one of a kind in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, although its not part of the ceremony nor one of the Group's mission, provides entertainment to the civilian populace and it serves as the "show-window" of what really the Marine Corps is.

Recently, the Light Rail Transit bombing in the morning of December 31, 2000 called for the immediate deployment of the Marine to man every station along the LRT/MRT route. Despite of the already heavy-load being carried out by the Group, still, the MSEG represented the Philippine Marine Corps. In twenty-four (24) times, MSEG personnel are now busy checking the passengers of LRT and MRT.

With the coming of campaign and election period, the Marine will be once again figured prominently in terms of securing election paraphernalia and beefing of security forces at COMELEC National Offices. Soon, the MSEG will again represent the Corps. I Therefore, as early as now, recommend to higher headquarters to assign some additional personnel, because as I can deduce from this, the Group is being fed more to what it could chew. " Hindi lang ALL-IN-One na, kundi ALL plus ONE in ONE pa."

Group Commanders since activation:

COL. CESAR C DELA PENA PN(M)(GSC)	01 JAN 00 - 01 JUL 00
COL. AMANDO L MELO JR PN(M)(GSC)	01 JUL 00 - 08 JAN 01
MAJ. BENJAMIN B ASSIDAO PN(M)	08 JAN 01 - 15 FEB 01
COL. EDUARDO DUCUSIN PN(M)(GSC)	15 FEB 01 - 12 OCT 01
COL. JULNA CARRILLO PN(M)(GSC)	12 OCT 01 - TO DATE