The 10th Infantry (Agila) Division of the Philippine Army formally opened an Inter-Agency Territorial Defense and Civil Defense Operations Exercise in Mati City, Davao Oriental on Saturday, May 16, 2026, bringing together military units, local government officials, civil defense authorities, and partner agencies in a coordinated effort to strengthen operational readiness and crisis response within the Joint Task Force Agila area of responsibility.
The nine-day exercise is the first of its scale conducted within the Joint Task Force Agila command structure and is designed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and operational synchronization among government stakeholders in responding to security threats, emergencies, and other contingency situations affecting communities and public welfare.
Governor Dayanghirang Leads Opening Ceremony in Mati City
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the formal opening ceremony, underscoring the support of local government in the conduct of the landmark exercise. The event drew attendance from senior military commanders, provincial governors, civil defense officials, and representatives from various partner agencies operating within the region.
Brigadier General 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 assigned to conduct the provincial-level exercise, according to information released by the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office on May 16, 2026.
Among those present at the opening were Lieutenant General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command; Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte; Governor Raul Mabanglo of Davao de Oro; and Director Eugenio Gepte Jr. of the Office of Civil Defense Central Office.
Nine-Day Schedule of Capability Development and Simulation Activities
The exercise spans nine days and consists of a series of capability development activities and simulation drills specifically structured to build and test the readiness of participating agencies. These activities are aimed at developing a coordinated response posture across military and civilian institutions operating within the Joint Task Force Agila area.
The simulations and exercises are intended to address a broad spectrum of threats and scenarios, including security contingencies, natural disasters, and other emergencies that may affect civilian communities. The design of the exercise reflects a whole-of-nation approach, integrating civilian agencies and local government units alongside military elements rather than treating the activity as a purely military undertaking.
According to the 10th Infantry Division, the scope of activities is intended to test and improve real-time coordination between agencies, identify gaps in interoperability, and establish standardized response protocols that can be applied across the broader Eastern Mindanao Command area.
Maj. Gen. Luzon: Exercise to Be Institutionalized Across the Agila Division
Major General Alvin Luzon, Commander of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, emphasized the long-term significance of the exercise during an interview held at the opening ceremony. He described the activity as a foundation for a broader initiative that will be expanded progressively across the division's full area of 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. This is not purely military in nature because it integrates the participation of civilian agencies and local government units," Maj. Gen. Luzon said.
Luzon added that the exercise underscores the Armed Forces of the Philippines' commitment to advancing a whole-of-nation approach in addressing evolving security challenges and disaster response requirements. He confirmed that the activity will be institutionalized and gradually expanded to the other two infantry brigades under the 10th Infantry Division before being rolled out across the entire Agila Division area.
This expansion plan is being pursued as Joint Task Force Agila sharpens its focus on External Security Operations, a strategic shift that requires deeper integration with civilian government partners at the provincial and community levels.
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Cites Unity Among Government Stakeholders
Major General Elmer Suderio, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, attended the opening ceremony and lauded the initiative as a meaningful step toward strengthening national security architecture at the regional level.
Suderio underscored the importance of unity and collaboration among government stakeholders in safeguarding national security and protecting the welfare of Filipino communities. His presence at the event signaled the AFP's high-level support for the exercise and the broader institutional direction it represents.
The involvement of the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at a provincial-level exercise reflects the strategic weight that the Armed Forces places on inter-agency integration as a component of national defense and disaster preparedness planning.
Joint Task Force Agila's Role in Eastern Mindanao Security
Joint Task Force Agila operates under the 10th Infantry Division, which is headquartered at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro. The task force is responsible for territorial security operations across a significant portion of Eastern Mindanao, an area that encompasses multiple provinces and faces both internal security challenges and increasing requirements for disaster response coordination.
The conduct of the inter-agency exercise in Davao Oriental is consistent with the task force's mandate to maintain operational readiness while building stronger partnerships with local government units and civilian agencies. Davao Oriental, with its coastal and mountainous terrain, presents a diverse range of potential security and disaster scenarios that make interoperability training especially critical.
The inclusion of governors from Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro alongside Davao Oriental's own governor reflects the multi-provincial scope of the exercise and the recognition that effective crisis response requires coordination that crosses administrative boundaries.
Whole-of-Nation Approach as Strategic Framework
The exercise reflects the AFP's broader strategic framework of pursuing a whole-of-nation approach to national security, which treats military operations as one component of a larger interagency and multi-sectoral response architecture. Under this framework, local government units, civil defense offices, and other partner agencies are considered essential participants rather than peripheral stakeholders.
Director Eugenio Gepte Jr. of the Office of Civil Defense Central Office attended the opening, signaling the national civil defense apparatus's active participation in and endorsement of the exercise design. The Office of Civil Defense plays a central role in disaster risk reduction and management at all levels of government, and its engagement in the exercise reinforces the dual-purpose nature of the activity — addressing both security and humanitarian contingency scenarios.
As Joint Task Force Agila moves forward with its External Security Operations focus, the institutionalization of inter-agency exercises of this type is expected to become a regular feature of the task force's operational calendar, building cumulative capacity and deepening the relationships among agencies that must work together in times of crisis.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army / Public Affairs Office