Photo By 1st Lt. Shannon ONeill | U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific,...... read more read more
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MANILA, Philippines — The 11th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium marked a historic milestone this year, as the Philippine Marine Corps co-hosted the event for the first time alongside U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Held from July 8–10, 2025, in Manila, the symposium brought together senior amphibious and maritime leaders from across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen relationships and cooperation, and engage in open, strategic dialogue.
With the guiding theme “Stronger together,” PALS 25 provided a critical forum for face-to-face engagement among allies and partners navigating a region defined by evolving security dynamics. The event included keynote speeches, expert panels, key leader engagements, and social exchanges designed to foster interoperability, reinforce trust, and build unity of effort among maritime forces facing shared challenges.
The opening ceremony set the tone for the symposium’s focus on collective strength. Distinguished guests—including Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and the co-hosts, the 37th Commandant of the PMC, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, and Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, MARFORPAC—joined delegates from 23 nations in a formal welcome at Bonifacio Hall.
“We are gathered here today not just as national representatives, but as members of a broader community,” said Maj. Gen. Blanco during opening remarks. “United by a common obligation to preserve peace and stability, not only within our region, but globally.”
A culturally significant moment followed as the tambuli, a traditional Filipino carabao horn, was sounded while the PALS flag was ceremoniously unfurled on stage, symbolizing unity and collective purpose.
“The sounding of the tambuli,” explained Philippine Marine Corps Capt. Vanessa Factor, master of ceremony, “is a potent symbol—an audible call to assembly, embodying the spirit of communal unity, shared decision-making, and collective vigilance.” This cultural moment reinforced the symposium’s purpose: to rally regional leaders toward shared maritime goals.
“What it should underscore is really synergy,” said Teodoro. “People to people trust, people to people exchanges. Building functional linkages that you can scan, bring up, and cascade down to everybody under your command.”
Following the ceremonial opening, local Filipino reporters and foreign media outlets in the Indo-Pacific region were invited to attend a media roundtable with Lt. Gen. Glynn, Maj. Gen. Blanco, Teodoro, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff.
Attendees then transitioned into three days of strategic discussion focused on maritime operations, law enforcement, information, innovation, and crisis response. Presentations and panels, led by subject matter experts, were conducted with moderated questions from the audience to allow for enhanced participation.
Beyond structured panels, key leader engagements were also held as a way for participants to discuss shared challenges in smaller, more informal breakout sessions. From leadership development to regional planning, these engagements offered an invaluable opportunity for focused exchange.
In the evenings, delegates gathered for the icebreaker social and the PALS gala dinner, where camaraderie was strengthened over shared meals and cultural exchange. The dinner served as a reminder that real progress often happens not only behind podiums—but across the table.
Two additional aspects of this year’s PALS included the Senior Enlisted Leaders Program and the Spouse Program. Held for the first time ever as part of the symposium, these events offered a venue for shared collaboration among like-minded individuals in a small group setting.
The purpose of the SEL Program was to highlight the importance of the enlisted force within the Indo-Pacific as a way to build and maintain trust between SEL participants.
“We have been conducting PALS since 2015 but it was only last year that some of our senior leaders acknowledged the value in bringing our senior enlisted leaders into the fold—to give us the opportunity to share methods of enhancing the readiness of our respective enlisted forces,” said U.S. Marine Corps Joy Kitashima, command senior enlisted leader, MARFORPAC. “As I look out at all your faces and the lines that reflect years of experience, I can’t help but think what a missed opportunity it would be if we didn’t come together like this—to share our stories, our lessons, and everything we’ve learned along the way.”
The Spouse Program included off-site tours and activities for a more enhanced collective experience for the spouses of the senior leaders who participated in this year’s PALS.
The closing ceremony featured remarks from the co-hosts and keynote speaker, Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as well as symbolic gestures including the passing of the PALS flag to Lt. Gen. Glynn and the pinning of the PALS 25 clip among attendees.
“Our shared professionalism brings us together for PALS,” said Adm. Koehler. “Professionalism is the foundation of any elite organization, and PALS strives to build professional, elite, amphibious forces.”
Following the ceremony, a press conference was held where media heard from U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and the Philippine Marine Corps Brigade Commanders, Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado II, 1st Marine Brigade, Brig. Gen. Bayani Curaming, 2nd Marine Brigade, Brig. Gen. Antonio Mangoroban Jr., 3rd Marine Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Rob Apostol, 4th Marine Brigade.
The symposium concluded with a tour of Intramuros where senior leaders, spouses, guests, and staff visited four sites culturally significant to the Philippine region. Attendees heard from tour guides as they walked the grounds of Fort Santiago, Museo de Intramuros, Baluarte de San Diego, and Casa Manila Museum.
This year’s iteration succeeded not just in convening military leaders—but in reminding them of what can be accomplished through dialogue, shared values, and mutual respect.
“The relationships and knowledge shared here form the foundation for continued cooperation across our region,” said Lt. Gen. Glynn. “I am confident that what we’ve accomplished here will enable us to work together more effectively in the years to come.”
Established by MARFORPAC in 2015, PALS continues to gather a growing list of nations. Since the symposium’s development, several ally and partner militaries have co-hosted, including Japan, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Korea, and for the first time this year, Republic of the Philippines. The growing list of co-hosts demonstrates the depth of commitment among allies and partners to a more capable combined force across the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific is the largest operational command in the Marine Corps. Pacific Marines serve as an expeditionary force-in-readiness, and they operate as air-ground-logistics teams and are forward positioned and actively employed throughout the Indo-Pacific every day.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.12.2025 22:23 |
| Story ID: | 542512 |
| Location: | MANILA, PH |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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