Marine Exercise 2025 kicks off in Maguindanao del Norte

Marines from the Philippines and the United States commenced this year’s bilateral Marine Exercise 2025 (MAREX 25) on Monday with an opening ceremony at Camp Iranun in Maguindanao del Norte.

“This historic bilateral exercise, scheduled from March 31 to April 11, 2025, marks a significant milestone as the second iteration of MAREX conducted in Central Mindanao,” the Philippine Marine Corps stated.

Part of the PH-US Mutual Defense Board–Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) 2025, MAREX 25 aims to enhance interoperability between the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps in key military operations.

This year’s exercise will include training in the following areas:

• Maritime security operations in the littorals
• Amphibious assault operations
• Mechanized infantry operations
• Littoral live-fire exercises
• Special operations, including surface force insertion within the Naval Task Group Central and Joint Task Force-Central Joint Area of Operations (JTFC JAO)

Captain Carter J. Collins, company commander of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 25.3, emphasized the importance of joint training in enhancing combat readiness and strengthening ties between the Philippine and US Marines.

Collins reiterated the USMC’s commitment to regional security and cooperative efforts.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Romulo Quemado II, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, expressed confidence that the training would improve operational effectiveness and solidify the partnership in addressing security challenges.

The drills will also cover essential military topics such as:

• Tactical Combat Casualty Care
• Urban and Jungle Operations
• Logistics
• Marksmanship
• Planning and Orders Development

Beyond military exercises, MAREX 25 will also include community relations and humanitarian assistance initiatives to strengthen engagement with local communities, the PMC added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News