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Palawan dads support Marines bid as new AFP branch of service

By Celeste Anna Formoso

April 25, 2018, 3:44 pm

<p><strong>SEPARATE ARMED SERVICE. </strong> Lt. Col. Darwin de Luna, commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 4, helps in the distribution of food packs to community residents in southern Palawan. He is assisted by 3rd Marine Brigade commander, Brig. General Nathaniel Casem (extreme right) in this file photo. </p>

SEPARATE ARMED SERVICE.  Lt. Col. Darwin de Luna, commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 4, helps in the distribution of food packs to community residents in southern Palawan. He is assisted by 3rd Marine Brigade commander, Brig. General Nathaniel Casem (extreme right) in this file photo. 

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- A provincial board member here has expressed support to a pending bill that seeks to separate the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) from its Philippine Navy (PN) mother unit into a separate armed service.

Board Member Sharon Abiog-Onda said Tuesday in interviews with the media that they are supporting the separation of the PMC under proposed House Bill No. 7304 to enhance the country’ security position, as well as Palawan’s.

“If they are under the Navy, orders will come from there. Unlike if they are already a separate armed service, then orders will come from their own hierarchy, which means their disposal would be fast,” she said.

Onda, the main proponent of a resolution supporting the bill at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, added that their support is also in recognition of the sacrifices of the Marines who help maintain Palawan’s security, and peace and order, and who are partners in development, especially in the countryside.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the resolution supporting House Bill No. 7304 during Tuesday’s session on its first and final reading.

Onda said the Marines have not only been helpful in providing security to the Palaweños but are also there whenever calamities strike the province, ready to provide help to community residents in rural areas.

“In Palawan, most of the Marines assigned here want this too, and this is based on their request,” she said, saying it would have stronger representation in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

She added the Sangguniang Panlalawigan appreciates too, the fact that Marine troops are sacrificing their lives to take care of the West Philippines Sea in the municipality of Kalayaan.

Their selfless sacrifice has gained the support of the people of the province, she said.

“Each time we deploy the Marines in harm’s way, we hear no complaints and no qualms whether they have limited capabilities or otherwise. We hope this resolution we have passed will help the Marines in achieving its goal,” she said. (PNA)

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