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Anniversary of the Liberation of Corregidor Commemorated

80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Corregidor Commemorated

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) joined the Provincial Government of Cavite, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, the Department of Tourism, the City Government of Cavite, and the Embassy of the United States of America in commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Corregidor Island through a wreath-laying program at the Pacific War Memorial.

Atty. Rodolfo D. Uy III, representing Cavite Governor Athena Bryana D. Tolentino, served as the Guest of Honor with the guard of honor rendered by the Philippine Navy - Philippine Marine Corps.

Corregidor Island served as the headquarters of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) Command under General Douglas MacArthur during the Philippine Campaign of 1941-1942. The island, officially called Fort Mills, was part of the Coastal Defenses of Manila Bay and alongside the defense of the Bataan Peninsula formed the core area of resistance during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. After the Fall of Bataan on 9 April 1942, the Filipino-American defenders of Corregidor fell under an intensified bombardment by Japanese forces. On 5 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on Corregidor and after stiff resistance, the island surrendered on 6 May 1942. Three years later, on 16 February 1945, fresh from the landings at Lingayen and the ongoing battles to liberate Manila and its surrounding areas, allied forces returned to "The Rock" led by the US Army 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team and elements of the US Army 24th Division after more than two week of bombardment by the US Army Air Force and the US Navy. Fighting on the island persisted until 26 February 1945 when it was declared secured.

This program is part of the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II in the Philippines.

Photos by Jovan C. Soriano, Alvin D. Lorena, & Josef Alec Geradila / NHCP Communications

Source: nhcpofficial (follow at Instagram)

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SS Corregidor

Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course

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The Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course is one of the ways of becoming an officer in the Philippine Army.

There are generally 3 ways of becoming a Philippine Army Officer.

1. PMA - Philippine Military Academy

2. ROTC - Reserve Officer Training Course

3. OCC - Officer Candidate Course

For those who are interested in becoming a Philippine Army Officer through the Officer Candidate Course, the following are the basic qualifications:

1. Must be a Filipino Citizen

2. Must have a degree in any 4 or 5-year course

3. Must be at least 5 feet in height

4. Must be 21 to 29 years old.

The Basic Requirements are the following:

1. NSO Birth Certificate

2. Transcript of Records and College Diploma

3. Valid ID

Once admitted as an officer candidate course student, you may expect a monthly salary of 33,725 pesos.

Once you graduate, you will be given the rank of 2nd lieutenant and you may expect a monthly salary of 38,145 pesos.

Oftentimes, Filipinos are not aware of the ongoing recruitment unless they have a relative in the military who knows of the ongoing recruitment.

The only reliable way to know if recruitment is ongoing is to call or visit the nearest military camp in your area.

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The Most Devastating Moro Attack in Mindoro

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The Most Devastating Moro Attack in Mindoro (October 23, 1753) and the Martyrdom of Fr. Andres de Jesus Maria (October 23, 1753)

The first recorded Moro attack in Mindoro was In May 1602. The raid was led by Rajah Mura and Datu Sirongan of Buhayen, Mindanao. Since then the frequency of moro raids escalated to almost yearly and grew in ferocity up to the end of the 18th century.

Calapan, being the capital of Mindoro had a small garrison and some twenty cannons and small arms. A fort was built in the center of the town adjacent to the Church and Casa Real (municipal building). This fort was able to withstand several moro raids until 1733.

On OCTOBER 23, 1753, the fort and the whole town of Calapan fell to THE MOST DEVASTATING MORO RAID ever recorded. The raiders took one-third of the inhabitants of Calapan as prisoners.

Overall, the Moros had 74 boats. They laid to waste all the coastal settlements in Mindoro (Minolo, Camurong, Ilog, Sto. Tomas, Mamburao, Sta. Cruz, Dongon, Pinamalayan, Balite, Sumague, Bongabong, Wasig, Manaol, and Bulalacao).

The raid in Calapan was recorded in detail in a manuscript written by Antoon Postma. It was noted that on October 23, 1753, a Moro fleet composed of 17 boats laid anchor at the mouth of the Mag-asawang Tubig River, a distance of about 17 km.

Written and illustrated by Mr. Florante D. Villarica

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First Moro National Artist

BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902)

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BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902)

Philippine Navy formally commissions into service and subsequently deploys to its designated areas of operations two Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts, BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902).

The brand-new Acero-class Patrol Gunboats are the Shaldag Mark Five fast patrol crafts ordered from Israel Shipyards. They measure more than 32 meters long and have a maximum speed of above 40 knots.

All platforms will be armed with one Typhoon Machine Gun System mounted with a 30-millimeter cannon and two Mini-Typhoon Machine Gun Systems as secondary guns, while four of the nine platforms will be fitted with the Spike Non-Line-Of-Sight Missile System.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker of the event.

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BRP Antonio Luna

BRP Conrado Yap Latest News

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BRP Conrado Yap Latest News

In a farewell message on thru radio, both BRP Conrado Yap and JS Harusame reaffirmed their commitment to promote cooperation and to build a strong strategic partnership in pursuit of common interests and maintaining freedom of navigation in the region.

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BRP Rafael Pargas

Join the Philippine Army as Officer

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Join the Philippine Army! Serving the People. Securing the Land.

Qualifications:
1. Baccalaureate Degree holder
2. Natural-born Filipino citizen
3. Single with no parental obligation
4. At least 5 feet tall (both male and female)
5. Physically and mentally fit
6. At least 21 years old but not a day older than 27 years old upon oath-taking
7. No pending case in court

Contact Information:

Army Recruitment Office-Luzon
Facebook Page: @AROLuzonOfficialPage
Email: armyrecruitmentoffice.luzon@yahoo.com
Contact Number: 0961-033-9359

Army Recruitment Office-Visayas
Facebook Page: @AROVisayasR7OfficialPage
Contact Number: (032) 231-5157
Panay Island: 09691220310
Bohol: 09176800267
Negros Island: 09163464093
Cebu: 09917675203
Samar/Leyte Island: 09273733660

Army Recruitment Office-Mindanao
Facebook Page: @AROMindanaoOfficialPage
Email: arcmindanao_cdo@yahoo.com
Contact Number: 09915338807 or 09618335295

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Be a Philippine Army Intelligence Officer

BRP Antonio Luna ranks 3rd in Live-fire exercise

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The AFP congratulates the men and women of the Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna for ranking 3rd in the Naval Surface Fire Support System drill during the recently concluded Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in Hawaii.

The Philippine Navy’s missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) was adjudged as one of the best gunnery ships in the just-concluded RIM of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise after it notched third place in the Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) “Rodeo” of the at-sea phase August 4, 2022, in Hawaii.

RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise hosted by the United States Navy’s Indo-Pacific Command and participated by navies of more than 20 countries.

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Philippines new armored vehicle launched bridge (AVLB)

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Philippines’ new armored vehicle launched bridge (AVLB) units

Game Changer Army Combat Engineer Assets

Two armored vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) units that will provide game-changing capabilities for the Army’s engineer combat battalions were delivered to the Philipines from Israel on July 12, 2022.

The new armored vehicle launched bridge (AVLB) units were procured through a Philippine-Israel government-to-government deal which is part of the AFP Modernization Program.

These assets will boost the capabilities of Army engineer combat battalions in supporting maneuver units by providing mobility during operations.

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The Philippine Army Rolling Thunder Battalion

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The Philippine Army’s Rolling Thunder Battalion

The Philippine Army’s Artillery Regiment activated the 10th Field Artillery Rolling Thunder Battalion that will serve as the mother unit of the brand new 155mm self-propelled howitzers during the regiment’s 15th founding anniversary celebration in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on June 22, 2022.

The acquisition is part of the revised AFP Modernization Program that seeks to attain a credible defense posture to better address both internal and external security threats.

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Naval ICT Center Special Enlistment

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The Naval ICT Center is looking for people with the following technical background:

Information and Communication Technology
Computer Programming
Computer Handling and Servicing
Computer System and Network Technology
Computer Technology
Electronics Communications Technology
Other ICT-related courses

Qualifications

At least 21 years old and not more than 32 years upon appointment as Candidate Soldier
Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen with good moral character
Unmarried and with no child to support
College Graduate with any related Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Course
At least 5 feet in height

Benefits and Privileges

Opportunity to serve the country as Cyber Warfare rated personnel
Earn as much as Php 25,637.00 while in training
Earn as much as Php 37,338.00 upon graduation
Earn an additional 10% of base pay every 5 years in the service
Avail of free housing facilities, medical and dental services
Skills Training

Initial Requirements

Resume
Scanned Copy of Diploma
Scanned Copy of Government Issued ID
Qualified applicants will undergo a Trade/Skill Test

Interested applicants may submit their initial requirements to: nictc.specialenlist2022@gmail.com

Naval ICT Center – Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Contact Number: 0917-844-8036

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Philippine World War II Basic Weapons

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Philippine World War II Basic Weapons (1935-1941 Commonwealth Period)

The newly proclaimed Commonwealth Republic of the Philippines, as its first act, created its own army on December 21, 1935. By 1937, 20,000 men were called up to enlist in the Army of the Philippines.

The newly-organized Philippine Army had to make do with old US equipment from the early 1900s and First World War (1914-1918).

Among the rifles used by the Philippine Army were the M1903 Springfield and the M1917 Enfield.

The M1903 Springfield was a five-round magazine fed, bolt action, repeating rifle. It was a product of lessons from the Spanish-American and Filipino-American Wars.

The M1917 Enfield Rifle, also called the American Enfield, was a six-round magazine-fed, bolt action, repeating rifle produced in 1917-1918 for use by US forces in World War I. It was an American version of the British Enfield Rifle. These rifles were later issued to the Philippine Constabulary and the Philippine Army.

Among the sidearms issued to the new army was the M1911 Pistol or Colt 1911, a semi-automatic pistol that fired 7 to 8 rounds of .45 caliber from a box magazine.

By 1941, units of the Philippine Army were placed under the command of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE).

They will enter World War II with these weapons.

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1899 Battle of Manila

1898-1901 American Rifles

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1898-1901 American Rifles

Following the American Civil War (1861-1865), the US expanded across North America at the expense of Mexico and many Native American nations. North American expansionism would soon extend overseas.

The Spanish-American War and US back revolution (and eventually annexation) in the Hawaiian Kingdom, paved the way for US expansion into the Pacific.

US forces entered the Spanish-American and Filipino-American Wars equipped with two rifles.

Most US volunteer units in 1898 were equipped with the old Trapdoor Springfield Model 1873. It was a single shot, breech-loading rifle. Experienced riflemen could fire 15 rounds per minute. It used a .45 caliber round which increased its takedown/kill capacity. However, it used black powder which gave away the position of the shooter.

The trapdoor was replaced by the Springfield 1892-1999 rifle, designed after the Norwegian Krag-Jorgensen Rifle. The Krag was a bolt-action rifle with a unique side-loading gate mechanism that could load five rounds. Out was outperformed by the Spanish Mauser, which was loaded by a stripper clip. The side-loading mechanism was also time-consuming,

The Krag will later be replaced by the M1903 Springfield, which for the most part was a copy of the Mauser.

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Philippine Military’s New Firearms Defective?

1870-1898 Spanish Period Rifles

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1870-1898 Spanish Period Rifles

Rifled barrels increased the accuracy of guns, which meant soldiers could accurately shoot up to 500-600 yards (more or less 500 meters). Massed infantry formations gave way to firing lines with less concentration of men.

In the Philippines, during the late Spanish period, Spanish forces were equipped mainly with these weapons.

The Spanish Remington Rolling Block Rifle was a single shot, breech-loading rifle, equipped with a socket bayonet. This was used by the Guardia Civil and most Spanish army units in the Philippines until 1896. Captured Remington rifles were used by Filipino revolutionaries to fight Spain.

The Spanish Mauser of Mauser Model 1893 was a bolt-action rifle, capable of firing five shots before reloading. The ammo, which uses smokeless powder, was loaded by a stripper clip which made reloading faster. This was used by Spanish reinforcements from 1897 to 1898 during the Philippine revolution.

Both rifles were later used by the Philippine Republic against the US during the Filipino-American War.

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Philippines 1700s Flintlock Muskets

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Philippines 1700s Flintlock Muskets

Firearms continued to develop during the 1700s, an age defined by the global clash between Spain, France, and Great Britain, as well as revolutions.

One such innovation was the use of flint to create the spark to ignite the powder in the pan, removing the match. Thus emerged the flintlock weapons, including pistols, rifled muskets, and smoothbore muskets.

Smoothbore muskets were used by most army units. Smoothbore muskets were only accurate within 25 yards, but massed infantry formations and tactics increased the chances of hitting enemy formations.

They fired metal ball shots that were usually contained in a pre-packed paper cartridge with measured black powder, which made reloading faster. Muskets were muzzled loading, which meant you have to stand when reloading. Black powder generates big clouds of white smoke, obscuring the battlefield, in addition to fouling the barrel.

The musket was eventually equipped with a blade, known as a bayonet. This gave the musket men melee fighting capabilities, making pikemen obsolete.

The British forces of 1762 during the British invasion and occupation of Manila, were equipped with flintlock muskets.

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1870-1898 Spanish Period Rifles

Philippines 1600s Pike and Shot Weapons

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Philippines 1600s Pike and Shot Weapons

Pike and Shot tactics defined the battlefield tactics of the late 1500s and early half of the 1600s. This tactic combined pikemen with units carrying firearms. Since smoothbore firearms were inaccurate at long distances, massed infantry with guns firing at the same time increased the chance of hitting targets. The shooters were then protected by pikemen from cavalry attacks and infantry assaults since the shooters were vulnerable once enemies closed the distance.

The Spanish Tercios ruled European battlefields during this period, making the height of Spanish military power.

The guns used were mainly matchlock weapons. These were smoothbore guns that were loaded at the muzzle with ball and powder. In order to fire them, a match of slow-burning rope was used to ignite the powder in the pan. Shooters would also carry stands for the guns since they were heavy.

On the flanks were located the pikemen, who were armed with pikes. Pikes generally had long wooded poles sometimes 10 to 15 feet, with a pointed metal pike head of 9 to 11 inches. These were especially useful against cavalry.

Most soldiers on patrol in Manila at the time carried pikes and swords.

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Philippines Late 1500s Bladed Weapons

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Philippines Late 1500s Bladed Weapons

Warfare during the late 1500s saw the continued development and use of early firearms. However, armies still relied on bladed weapons such as swords and polearms. This was because early firearms were hard to reload, and melee weapons were more reliable during clashes.

Swords were prevalent in Manila during the late 1500s. But by the 1700s swords became more ceremonial in use. Mounted units, such as cavalry, would use swords well into the 1800s.

Aside from European swords, there were also Japanese swords such as the katana. They were used by Japanese mercenaries in Manila who were hired by the Spanish. The corroded remains of a katana and a European sword were recovered from the San Diego Wreck which sank while fighting the Dutch in 1600.

Polearms were also used, such as the halberd, A halberd combined the blade of an ax, with the head of a hammer (or a hook), and the spike of a pike. These were gradually phased out by the 1600s, in favor of simpler pikes. The Governor-General’s personal guards, the Alabarderos or halberdiers, would continue to use the halberds until 1898.

Some samples were displayed until 2020 at the National Museum. Halberds are also depicted in the stone relief at Fort Santiago’s main gate.

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Philippines Precolonial Native Canons

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Philippines Precolonial Native Canons

Manila was witness to the evolution of warfare and the weapons of war in its more than 500 years of existence.

Here are some examples of weapons from each important time period in Manila’s history prior to the Second World War.

Special thanks to Sir Alexandre Avila of the Republica Filipina Reenactment Group for additional information regarding arms of the 19th century and the Filipino-American War.

Weapons of war were already present in Maynila before the arrival of the Spaniards. Fights, raids, and wars were already being fought between warring barangays and communities in those pre-colonial times.
What Maynila boasted, aside from its warships, was its native canons. Know popularly as lantakas, these small-caliber bronze canons were ornate but effective weapons of war. They fired cannonballs depending on the caliber of the canon and were mounted on ships, as well as forts such as the fort of Rajah Sulayman in Maynila.
Spanish accounts mention that Maynila’s fort was defended with pieces of artillery. It was actually through the openings for the canons that Spanish soldiers were able to storm and destroy the fort.
The Spaniards will encounter these canons as their empire-building brought them in contact with other Muslim sultanates and communities in Mindanao.

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British Siege of Manila 1762

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British Siege of Manila 1762

On September 24, 1762, British forces began their attack on Manila. This was part of the Seven Year’s War that was being fought around the world between Great Britain and the allied nations of France and Spain.

10,000 British troops landed in Malate advancing north to besiege the Walled City.

British naval guns and artillery pounded the southern walls of Manila. Attempts by the Spanish and Kapampangan troops to dislodge the attackers around Manila were thwarted.

On October 6, British troops stormed through the ruined Baluarte de San Andres and Baluarte de San Diego.

Manila and Cavite Puerto would soon be surrendered, leading to almost 2 years of British occupation.

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The Siege of Manila 1898

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The Siege of Manila 1898

In 1898, Manila was under attack from Filipino Revolutionaries and American troops. The Philippine Revolution was in its second year and the Spanish-American War opened with the destruction of the Spanish Pacific Fleet at Manila Bay near Cavite Puerto.

40,000 revolutionaries under Emilio Aguinaldo besieged Manila on land, while the US Asiatic Fleet blocked Manila Bay. Thousands of Spaniards flocked to the safety of Intramuros, fearing reprisals from the Filipinos after 300 years of occupation. Manila was now for the Filipinos to take.

As the situation deteriorated inside Manila, the Spanish commanders decided to talk to the Americans, who by now had almost 12,000 troops outside the city.

On August 13, Spanish and American troops conducted a mock battle to end the siege. The city fell to the US with minimal fighting.

The pre-planned battle kept the Filipino armies out of the walled city, ensuring the American capture of Manila while saving the Spanish pride.

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Battle of Ubujan

On Military

For today’s Museum From Home series in celebration of Philippine Veterans Week, let’s memorialize the gallantry of Boholano guerillas who bravely engaged with Japanese troops against overwhelming odds in the historic Battle of Ubujan.

The incident took place on October 22, 1942, shortly after the local guerillas’ clash at Moalong. The triumph in the Battle of Moalong fueled the fame and confidence in the leadership of Capt. Vicente T. Cubero, popularly known to this day by his alias Capt. Francisco Salazar.

So much so that barely a month later the Capt. Salazar staged another daring operation against the invading forces, along with his lieutenants, namely Vicente K. Nunag, Jr., Bienvenido S. Gementiza, and Valentin Polan. Absent during the encounter was another prominent guerilla leader and close aide of Salazar, Lt. Juan Relampagos (or Lt. Rogers) who was carrying out orders to secure classified documents.

Initially, an area near the Abatan River was chosen as a perfect site for an ambush. The lack of movement in enemy troops however may have pushed Salazar to move his men to Ubujan Daku, along a bend on the road, about three kilometers from the Japanese garrison in Tagbilaran.

The Resistance Fighters engaged three truckloads of Japanese soldiers in a battle that lasted for hours. Eighty-nine Japanese soldiers perished while fifteen Filipinos lost their lives. Capt. Salazar was among those who made their ultimate sacrifice that day.

A snippet of this intense moment in history was captured in an undated, oil-on-wood painting. Capt. Salazar can be seen standing on the left, armed with a Pinuti and a pistol. The bus in the painting bears the mark B.L.T. Co. which stands for Bohol Land Transportation Company, known to locals as the “Boholan Bus.”

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Battle of Bangkusay

Categories

Anniversary of the Liberation of Corregidor Commemorated

Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course

The Most Devastating Moro Attack in Mindoro

BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902)

BRP Conrado Yap Latest News

Join the Philippine Army as Officer

BRP Antonio Luna ranks 3rd in Live-fire exercise

Philippines new armored vehicle launched bridge (AVLB)

The Philippine Army Rolling Thunder Battalion

Naval ICT Center Special Enlistment

Philippine World War II Basic Weapons

1898-1901 American Rifles

1870-1898 Spanish Period Rifles

Philippines 1700s Flintlock Muskets

Philippines 1600s Pike and Shot Weapons

Philippines Late 1500s Bladed Weapons

Philippines Precolonial Native Canons

British Siege of Manila 1762

The Siege of Manila 1898

Battle of Ubujan

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