The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry “Agila” Division has opened a nine-day inter-agency exercise in Mati City, Davao Oriental to strengthen territorial defense, civil defense coordination and crisis response readiness in the Joint Task Force Agila area.
The Inter-Agency Territorial Defense and Civil Defense Operations Exercise formally began on May 16, 2026, bringing together military units, local government officials, civil defense authorities and partner agencies for capability-building and simulation activities.
Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang led the opening ceremony as guest of honor and speaker.
Brig. Gen. Vince James Bantilan, commander of the 1001st Infantry “Pag-asa” Brigade, spearheaded the participation and operational coordination of the lead Joint Task Force Agila unit for the provincial-level exercise.
The activity is designed to improve interoperability among the military, local governments and civilian agencies in responding to security threats, emergencies and other contingency situations that may affect communities and public welfare.
Maj. Gen. Elmer Suderio, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, commended the initiative and emphasized the importance of unity among government stakeholders in protecting national security and public safety.
Maj. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the exercise reflects the AFP’s whole-of-nation approach to evolving security and disaster response challenges.
He said the activity will be institutionalized and gradually expanded to other infantry brigades and eventually across the Agila Division’s area of responsibility as Joint Task Force Agila strengthens its focus on external security operations.
“This is the first exercise of this scale conducted within Joint Task Force Agila, and we intend to institutionalize and expand this initiative across provinces and eventually throughout the region,” Luzon said.
“This is not purely military in nature because it integrates the participation of civilian agencies and local government units,” he added.
Also present during the opening were Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib, Davao de Oro Gov. Raul Mabanglo and Office of Civil Defense Central Office Director Eugenio Gepte Jr.