Palawan board backs separation of Marine Corps
The Palawan Provincial Board has thrown its support to a pending bill in Congress transforming the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) into a separate major service of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Board Member Sharon Abiog- Onda said they supported the measure to enhance the security posture of the Armed Forces. PMC is a complementary branch of service of Philippine Navy. “Kasi kung under sila ng Navy, orders will be coming there. Unlike kung may sarili na silang unit ‘yong hierarchy galing na mismo sa marine officers,” she said. She added they supported the proposal in recognition of the sacrifices they offered to the people of Palawan. She said, military personnel deployed within the province also want to approved the bill into law. “Dito sa atin, karamihan sa kanila ay gusto naman mahiwalay sila. Based naman ito sa kahilingan ng ating mga marines na nandito,” she said. Major General Alvin Parreño, PMC Commandant, recently announced that they are in favor with the move to establish a new service branch. Onda said they understand the critical need to protect the territory and called for the enhancement of the combat force. “Under sila [Navy] but we need to strengthen ‘yong trabaho na ginagawa nila. So, from three branches of AFP magiging four na if ever maapproved, but sana maconsider,” Onda added. There is a pending proposed bill in the lower House and the Senate entitled “An act establishing the Philippine Marine Corps, defining its power and functions, appropriating funds therefore, and other purposes”. The AFP has three major services which are the Philippines Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force.