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Sixers' Counter-Terrorist Group

Article by 1Lt Manuel B Bundang PN(M), "CITEMAR6", 46th Anniversary Issue.

In responding to the call to perform various tasks of the Marine Organization, the 6th Marine Battalion, under the dynamic leadership of Maj. Jonathan C Martir PN(M), marked another milestone in the history of the Philippine Marine Corps. Since the activation of the battalion on 17 September 1976, the proud members of the cutting edge of the Armed forces of the Philippines, has opened another historical endeavor in the field of training. Thus, on 06 August 1996, the unit embarked on the first ever training on counter terrorist training in the history of the Philippine Marine Corps. Graduates of this class will form the nucleus of a ready force to combat terrorist activities such as hostage taking in the area of responsibility and in other areas where they may be needed.

Under the watchful eyes of a very able and seasoned trainer, In the person of 1Lt Renato B Bobiles PN(M), one officer and 16 enlisted personnel who passed the qualification test underwent strenuous 19 hours a day for 20 consecutive days from the opening day of the course.

The counter-Terrorist Course (CTC) is a progressive physical training program with gradual increment of skill and confidence build up on combat runs, mountaineering, rappelling, live firing of different basic weapons and tactical planning to achieve the CTC standard. The students start the day at 0400H with physical conditioning and road run with the M-177 rifle and finish the day's virtual ordeal at around 2300H with CPEX on combat plans and orders.

Days one to three, students are given lectures on common anti-terrorist organizations, troop leading procedures, knot tying and marksmanship training (M-177, pistolized 12 ga. shotguns and the M1911A1 Cal 45 pistol). Days four and five are devoted to military mountaineering and rappelling with practical exercises on building assault. Days six and seven are devoted to tactical shooting with the M177 rifle and cal 45 pistol, emphasis is on treating malfunctions and immediate action drills. Days eight and nine are devoted to marksmanship qualification course on the M-177 and cal 45 pistols. Days ten to twelve, the whole class was trained on night practical exercises in close quarter battle (CQB) techniques, using the M177, cal 45 pistol and shotgun.

On the 13th and 14th days, the class tackled room entries utilizing mock-up kill house and a condemned four story building in Puerto Princessa City. Days 16 and 17, the class trained on bus assault and explosive entries utilizing two busses and a mock-up kill house. On day 18, the class took a 22-km combat run with individually issued rifles followed by practical exercises on car and ship assault utilizing the LST from the Navy. On day 19, the class demonstrated it rappelling and building assault capabilities during a surprise visit by the Commanding Officer of the First Marine Brigade, Col. Emmanuel Teodosio PN(M)(MNSA), utilizing a four story building. Thereafter, field training exercise (FTEX) was undertaken till the 20th, when a scenario was created in which a group of hostages were recovered from the hands of terrorist.

The class utilized the Palawan State University as the venue for their exercise, with the permission of the president of that institution. The class was able to rescue all hostages unharmed, applying newly acquired techniques on counter terrorism combined with skills learned from the marines.

On August 26 1996, after 20 days of rigorous and strenuous training, the pioneering members of Counter Terrorist Course Class 01-96 were declared graduates in a ceremony, with the CO, First Marine Brigade as Guest of Honor and speaker during the historic occasion. The Course was sanctioned by the Philippine Marine Corps Training Center as an official and its first specialized training on counter terrorism.

With this specially trained CTC group, the 6th Marine Battalion is proud to inform higher headquarters that the First Marine Brigade and the 6th Bn in particular are now capable of handling a hostage situation and any related incident within its area of responsibility as well as other threats when the need arise

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1Lt Manuel Bundang PN(M) is the OIC of the 6th Bn Counter Terrorist Unit

More information on 6Bn CTU in "Gallant Warriors From the Sea; The Philippine Marines Today," p.30 

Some images of unit in action.