3d MEB uses social media during Phiblex '11

Courtesy Photo | Locals from the Barangay of San Jose visit the Amphibious Landing Exercise social media web site at a local internet cafe here, Oct. 15. The photographs, videos, and articles published on the site are of service members from the U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines and local children and families throughout Luzon. (Photo by: Pfc. Nathaniel J. Henry)  

FORT BONIFACIO, PHILIPPINES

10.15.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

FORT BONIFACIO, Philippines – Throughout the internet cafe's, Wi-Fi hotspots, and even in homes, there is a Facebook buzz that is stirring throughout America and the Republic of the Philippines, according to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Philippe Chasse, deputy, information operations, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

The stir Chasse mentions stems from an aggressive push to upload information to the social media site, www.facebook.com/Phiblex11, to help spread the word about Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011.

Phiblex '11 is a bilateral training exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue to build professional relationships between the two countries.

The photographs, videos, and articles published on the site are of service members from the U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines and local children and families throughout Luzon.

Social media is the fastest and one of the best ways to communicate our bilateral messages to target audiences, according to 2nd Lt. Cherryl Tindog, public information officer for the Philippine Marine Corps.

“This is the era when more and more people are hungry for information and gratification that social media provides. It has a strong come on for people to be so hooked, and so we must engage them through it,” said Tindog.

According to Chasse, the page is designed for media personalities, students, policy makers and fellow military members. It also serves a medium to inform family members back home of what their son or daughter is doing while deployed.

“They need to know because knowledge increases understanding and support,” said Tindog.

According to Chasse, the site is multiplying its popularity amongst both Americans and Filipinos.

For Tindog, the page statistics are readlily apparent.

“I’m happy to see faces of children enjoying their times with the troops,” said 2nd Lt. Cherryl Tindog, public information officer for the Philippine Marine Corps.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2010
• Date Posted: 10.16.2010 03:45
• Story ID: 58229
• Location: FORT BONIFACIO, PH