SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES ) _
Second Regular Session ) 8 MRIS A103

se.no 1748 J

SENAT|

Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

With more than 7,107 islands composing its archipelagic geography, the
Philippines requires an extensive yet rapidly deployable amphibious force. The
amphibious force must be able to conduct both seaborne and on-land operations,
especially those that require unified transition between land and sea.

Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Orders No. 319,
s.1950, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) was initially established to combat
insurgents in far-flung locations and has transformed into a military force sent for
overseas deployment. As a highly specialized yet interdisciplinary force, they are
tasked to protect the country’s territories, communities, and populace, which they
have ably accomplished as seen in their efforts in securing the Spratly Islands in 1971
and in combating separatist forces in Mindanao from the 1990s to the 2000s.

In the last few years, the PMC has seen a rise in war activity, the most recent
of which being the Marawi Siege, an attack that was mounted by the Maute pro-
Islamic State group in 2017. From the conflict, thirteen Marines’ were killed in the
battle for Marawi who are part of the 168 military death toll.? Amidst lacking a
legislated charter, the PMC continues their service to the nation through their
readiness to help and ongoing efforts to develop their skills and knowledge of
amphibious warfare. Given their active duty to protect the country, it is only
appropriate that the PMC is given not only recognition but also support for its efforts
not only to maintain peace and order in the country but also to protect the territorial
integrity of the Philippines.

Currently, the Constitution only mandates that there be an Army, Air Force,
and a Navy in the AFP. However, given the country’s archipelagic nature, the PMC has
become an integral part of the AFP in bridging the forces between sea and land even
with its status as a sub-unit of the Philippine Navy.

As such, the bill seeks to establish a Charter that will institutionalize the
Philippine Marine Corps as a branch of the AFP. Under the Charter, the PMC will

* Reyes, J, Marine killed in Marawi was set to marry childhood sweetheart (http://news.abs-
cbn.com/news/06/12/17 /marine-killed-in-marawi-was-set-to-marry-childhood-sweetheart)

2 The Manila Times, 3 more soldiers added to list of dead from Marawi siege (http://www.manilatimes.net/3
soldiers-added-list-dead-marawi-siege-military/373429/)



operate distinctly, autonomously, and yet complementarily with the other branches of
the AFP. Moving forward, the bill aims to generate an initiative to guarantee peace
and security in the entire Philippines.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

IGUEL F. ZUBIRI



Caruana w

out
12
13

14
15
16

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

are g-

wag 1S All 04

Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Marine
Corps Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — In accordance with Section 3, Article Il of the
Constitution that mandates the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, and
Section 4, Article XVI of the same that provides “the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) shall be composed of a citizen armed force that shall undergo military training
and serve, as may be provided by law’, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
maintain, organize, and enhance the AFP for the continuing development of national
defense to maintain peace and order

SEC. 3. Establishment. - The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) is hereby
established as an armed uniformed service, amphibious in character; distinct,
autonomous, but complementary to the Army, the Air Force and the Navy, as an
independent branch of service of the AFP.

The PMC shall include ground combat, combat support, combat service support,
aviation component, and such other units as may be necessary for the pursuit of its
mandate.

The organizational and operational structures of the AFP shall be adjusted
accordingly



OYAneRwWNH He

uN
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. - The PMC shall have the following powers

and functions:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(g)

(h)

0)

@

To conduct combined arms operations in the littoral battle space and
beyond under the AFP;

To coordinate with the other branches of service in developing various
phases of amphibious operations, which pertain to the tactics,
techniques, and procedures with the necessary equipment employed
by landing forces and that of a joint maneuver force:

To organize, train, equip, maintain, develop, deploy, and supervise the
PMC Reserve Force (PMCRF) for the purpose of assisting the PMC in
carrying out its functions;

To formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies,
procedures, strategies, tactics, and techniques for operations peculiar
to the Marines;

To develop its capabilities for seaborne maneuvers; sustain maneuver
ashore; and multinational cooperation and engagement that is
amphibious in character, multi-role in nature, a seaborne arms force
with on-shore defense capability possessing combined arms with
supporting air components ensuring its capability and effectiveness as
a major combatant in the protection of the islands of the Philippine
Archipelago;

To deploy such forces necessary for strategic defense under the Joint
Defense Force and for employment of operational commands;

To deploy forces for disaster response, relief, and rehabilitation efforts
of the AFP;

To deploy forces in support to the law enforcement agencies in the
performance of their duties and responsibilities in implementing the
laws of the land;

To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the
attainment of the objectives of this Act; and

To determine its requirements which shall be addressed by a fiscal
allocation and modernization efforts of the Department of National
Defense (DND).

SEC. 5. Philippine Marine Corps Bases and Facilities. - To carry out the
Powers and functions of the PMC and the enhancement of its capabilities, three (3)

PMC Headquarters shall be established—one (1) in Luzon, one (1) in Visayas, and one

(1) in Mindanao. The PMC Headquarters in Mindanao shall serve as the National



ae wne

Cara

10
oe
12
13

14
15
16
17
18
19

20
21
22
23

24
25
26
27

28
29

Headquarters of the PMC. All of the PMC Headquarters shall be in strategic locations
where it can sustain its deployed forces given both spectrums of war condition. A
Marine Division may be established to effectively respond to the needs of the
operational commands based on its distinct characteristics and operating concept, as
may be deemed necessary

SEC. 6. PMC Commandant. - The Commandant shall head the PMC, and shall
carry the rank of Lieutenant General. The Commandant shall be directly appointed by
the President from among its Marine Corps Generals, upon the recommendation of the
AFP Chief-of-Staff and the Secretary of the DND.

SEC. 7. Creation of the Marine Reserve Component. — The PMC shall
maintain, supervise, develop and train the PMC Reservists as a reserve force under the
direct control and supervision of the PMC Commandant and shall assist the PMC in the
conduct of efforts on force development as a whole.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Commandant of the PMC
shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act, as well as the
provision of acts, decrees, and orders, related to the implementation of the PMC
functions, for approval by the President and the Commander-in-Chief, upon the
recommendation of the Chief-of-Staff of the AFP and conformity of the Secretary of the
DND

SEC. 9. Appropriations. ~ The PMC Commandant shall immediately prepare
the necessary guidelines to cover the establishment of the PMC as a service branch of
the AFP, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's
appropriations of the PMC and, thereafter, in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 10. Transitory Provisions. ~The incumbent two-star officer Major General
shall be the Acting PMC Commandant, pending the appointment by the President.
Likewise, the existing organizational structure of the PMC shall be followed until new
ules and regulations have been promulgated, and approved by the President

Further, this Act shall not diminish, reduce, or remove the existing benefits and
privileges of PMC personnel under existing laws, rules, and regulations.



SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If for any reason any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuance's or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

Publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,