A total of 354 candidate soldiers from Marine Basic Course (MBC) Classes 524 to 529 successfully completed the rigorous six-month Marine Basic Course and officially entered active military service during a graduation ceremony held on July 29, 2026, at the Bonifacio Naval Station Grandstand, Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ceremony was presided over by Major General Vicente MAP Blanco III PN(M), Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps, who warmly welcomed the Corps’ newest generation of Marines and challenged them to uphold its enduring values of “Karangalan, Katungkulan, at Kabayanihan.”

In his message, the Commandant congratulated the graduates and their families for their perseverance and unwavering support throughout the demanding six-month training. “The Marine Basic Course is not easy. It is deliberately designed to test not only your physical capabilities and mental strength, but also your discipline and ability to work and build relationships with others,” he said.

MGen Blanco also commended the Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the Marine Corps Force Development Center, particularly its Drill Instructors under the leadership of Colonel Rommel Bogñalbal PN(M) (MNSA), for their professionalism, dedication, and steadfast commitment to training and developing the Corps' newest Marines.

Silver Bayonet Awardees (Top Graduates):

🥇 𝗖𝗦 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼 – MBC Class 524

🥇 𝗖𝗦 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗟. 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗼 – MBC Class 525

🥇 𝗖𝗦 𝗭𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗗. 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝘀 – MBC Class 526

🥇 𝗖𝗦 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗕. 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘇𝗼 – MBC Class 527

🥇 𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗩𝗼𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗔. 𝗣𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗮 – MBC Class 528

🥇 𝗖𝗦 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗠. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮 – MBC Class 529

Having successfully completed one of the military's most demanding entry-level training programs, these newly minted Marines are now prepared for deployment to various Philippine Marine Corps units across the country, where they will serve with honor, courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the nation.