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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider New Marines commandant assumes post

New Marines commandant assumes post

Published Jul 6, 2025 10:52 am
Maj. Gen.Vicente MAP Blanco III receives his new rank insignia from Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta during his assumption as the 37th commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) during the donning of ranks and assumption of command ceremony at the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Naval Station Jose Francisco in Taguig City on July 4, 2025. (Photo: PMC)
Maj. Gen.Vicente MAP Blanco III receives his new rank insignia from Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta during his assumption as the 37th commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) during the donning of ranks and assumption of command ceremony at the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Naval Station Jose Francisco in Taguig City on July 4, 2025. (Photo: PMC)
The Philippine Navy (PN) disclosed Sunday, July 6, the appointment of Major General Vicente MAP Blanco III as the 37th commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).
Blanco took the helm during a donning of ranks and assumption of command ceremony at the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Naval Station Jose Francisco in Taguig City on July 4.
Blanco is a distinguished member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sambisig” Class of 1991, graduating 12th out of 218 cadets.
He has led the PMC in some of the most challenging operational environments, from his early deployments in Sulu, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, and Quezon Province, to his command of the 4th Marine Brigade, and most recently, his service as deputy commandant of the Marines.
He was described as a “brilliant and combat-hardened marine officer.”
Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta expressed full confidence in Blanco’s leadership, citing his ability to lead with humility and integrity.
He underscored his trust in the newly installed commandant to empower the marines, officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resources under his command.
“From this moment forward, you are in charge of leading the Philippine Marine Corps in a dynamic global security environment,” Ezpeleta told Blanco.
“As you take the helm, sustain its transformation under the Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy and sharpen the Corps into a force that is not only the most ready, but also the most relevant—whether on land, at sea, or in the littorals,” he added.
Meanwhile, Blanco vowed to continue the transformation of the PMC into a more agile, capable, and mission-ready force.
“I do not seek to lead from above, but with you, among you, and for you. I ask only this: bring your best every day, in every task, in service of something greater than ourselves. Good enough is not good enough if it can be better; and better is not good enough if it can be best,” he told the Marines.

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