Marines set up recruitment center at Mall of Asia

By Jaime Laude

The Philippine Star, Friday, 5 November 2010

Recruitment of idealistic and disciplined young men and women to its ranks highlighted the celebration of the Marine Corps’ 60th anniversary yesterday.

The recruitment was held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Also part of the celebration was a photo exhibit of the Marine Corps’ achievements and fighting capability.

Marine recruitment officer 2Lt. Gizzell Sernat said successful applicants would have a stable job and an opportunity to serve the country.

“The Marines would rather die than lose their honor. Trainees will be idealistic. They will be given a stable job and good salary,” Sernat told The STAR.

“The trainees would learn the value of discipline. They will also experience the camaraderie shared by the Marines,” she added.

Sernat said another recruitment activity would be held in Isabela province next week. She said the Marines target 2,000 recruits this year.

Applicants should be 18 to 21 years old and should have completed at least 72 units of any college course. Those who graduated from courses offered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority are also qualified to apply.

Applicants must submit accomplished application forms and take tests designed to assess their intelligence quotient, abstract, verbal, and mathematical skills and knowledge of current events.

After passing such tests, applicants will be subjected to physical tests to determine if they are fit to join the training.

Sernat said the Marines have also conducted recruitment activities in Iloilo, Tugegarao and in Pangasinan.

Other activities marking the corps’ anniversary were film showing, demonstration of fighting and rescue capabilities, and silent drills.

There are about 9,000 Marine troops and trainees in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Meanwhile, the AFP launched its yearly military sports festival yesterday. AFP chief of staff Gen. Ricardo David graced the event held at Camp Aguinaldo.

Also present were Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena and Navy chief Vice Admiral Danilo Cortez.

The three declined to comment when asked about the alleged terror threat that prompted the US and four other countries to issue travel advisories to their citizens in the country.

“The AFP chief had spoken,” Ortiz said.

Earlier, David downplayed the terror plot, saying that the military had not detected any credible terror threat in Metro Manila or in other parts of the country.

An armored assault vehicle is positioned near the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City yesterday as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Marines.

Photo by Manny Marcelo
Philippine Star, Friday, November 5, 2010

Relief Goods for Typhoon Victims

By Candice Reyes

Manila Bulletin, Monday, 25 October 2010

Navy Personnel load relief goods donated by various organizations into the Navy ship LC 551 at the Navy headquarters on Roxas Blvd., Manila yesterday, Oct. 24, 2010. The relief goods will be delivered to typhoon-affected communities in Isabela.

Navy steps up relief operations

By iris Gonzales

The Philippine Star, Monday, 25 October 2010

Meanwhile, the military has created a task force that will conduct relief and rehabilitation efforts in Isabela.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said the task force, to be led by Commodore Edgar Abogado, consists of engineering and rescue teams backed by various military assets.

He said the creation of the task force was in response to the appeal of local officials whose areas were practically flattened due to the typhoon.

“This is our effort to help our needy fellow Filipinos in that devastated area. The Philippine Navy will serve as link between our people and those who want to help them,” Arevalo said in a statement.

The task force will proceed to Isabela via logistics support vessel BRP Dagupan City, which left the Navy headquarters in Manila yesterday noon.

Included in the contingent are four naval combat engineering teams from the Naval Construction Brigade.

Arevalo said a 60-man rescue team under the Naval Forces Northern Luzon has been transformed to recovery, relief and rehabilitation teams.

Other Navy assets to be used for the relief operations are the BRP Alfredo Peckson, an aircraft, and three M35 trucks.

“A communications van that will serve as hub will also be included to link the different military units in the area since the communications was down,” Arevalo said.

He said the task force is also coordinating with other state agencies and private institutions to assist the typhoon victims.

“We are calling all benevolent institutions to help us in this humanitarian operation. Interested parties may send their relief goods through the Philippine Navy for our brothers in Isabela,” Arevalo said.