Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Maguindanao del Norte —Three hundred members from the Philippine Marines, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and United States Marine Corps are participating in the Marine Exercises 2024 (MAREX 2024) in Barangay Penansaran, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, which aimed to strengthen the partnership and enhance interoperability between the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps.
Participants undergo joint exercises focusing on Amphibious Assault Operations, Reconnaissance, Island Defense Operations, Internal Territorial Defense, Law Enforcement Operations, Vessel Board and Seizure and Drown-Proofing Techniques.
The training commenced on April 8 and will end on April 19.
Chief Executives from the different towns in Maguindanao del Norte and officials from the Bangsamoro Government also witnessed the exercises.
Meantime, 1st Marine Brigade Commander Brigadier General Eric Macaambac shed light on why Datu Blah Sinsuat was chosen as the venue for Marine Exercises 2024 (MAREX 2024).
“Marami ang nagtatanong kung bakit dito isinagawa sa DBS ang marine exercises. Actually, this is a marine to marine exercise, approved ito ng mga nasa taas. Since nandito ang 1st Marine Brigade, dito kami nakadestino, dito kinonduct ang MAREX. On tactical level, una namin na tinitingan ang characteristic ng dagat ng DBS, favorable sa exercise namin. Pangalawa, security. Yung safety and security ng mga mag-e-exercise;” BGen. Eric Macaambac said.
During the MAREX 2024 event in his town, Datu Blah Sinsuat Mayor Marshal Sinsuat became emotional as he reflected on his journey since assuming office in 2010 and how he steered the progress of the locality even without receiving internal revenue allotment funds.
“Hindi ko po ma-express kung anong saya po namin. Zero crime ang DBS, walang terrorist at pro-government po kami. Naiiyak po ako, dahil diko akalain na darating tayo sa ganito. Kumpiyansa po ang US Marines, ang military ang PNP na dito idaos ang exercises dahil alam nila na peaceful po ang Datu Blah Sinsuat,” Mayor Marshal Sinsuat emphasized.
The mayor added that the area has experienced peace and significant development under his leadership, stressing the strides made despite the town's challenges.
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