MAWAB, Davao de Oro — The 10th Infantry (Agila) Division mobilized its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) units immediately following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on Monday, June 8, 2026, deploying multiple battalions and specialized response companies to assist affected communities across the region.
The division placed all its units on heightened alert upon receiving initial reports of the incident and began coordinating with civilian and government agencies to accelerate emergency response operations on the ground.
Multiple Battalions and Brigades Activated Across Mindanao
According to a statement released by Major Ruben L. Gadut (INF) PA, Officer-in-Charge and Chief of the Division Public Affairs Office of the 10th Infantry Division, the following units were deployed in response to the earthquake:
- 27th Infantry Battalion
- 28th Infantry Battalion
- Task Force GENSAN (TF GENSAN)
- 1002nd Infantry Brigade
- 10th Emergency Response Company
These units were dispatched to conduct disaster response and rescue operations, damage assessment, route-clearing, and other humanitarian assistance activities across areas impacted by the seismic event.
Troops Conducting Search, Rescue, and Route-Clearing Operations
As of Monday, June 8, 2026, troops from the activated units are actively engaged in field operations. Among the primary tasks being carried out are search and rescue operations in areas identified as most severely affected by the earthquake, alongside route-clearing missions aimed at restoring access to isolated communities.
Damage assessment teams have also been deployed to evaluate the structural and infrastructural impact of the quake on affected localities. These assessments are being coordinated with relevant local government units and partner agencies to determine where additional resources and relief efforts are most urgently needed.
The 10th Infantry Division is working in close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense, local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other partner agencies to ensure that emergency response efforts are organized and effective.
Major General Luzon Confirms Ground Presence of Key Units
Major General Alvin Luzon, Commander of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, confirmed in an official statement that the division's forces are already engaged in active disaster response operations.
"Our troops, particularly those under Task Force GENSAN and the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, are already on the ground conducting disaster response and rescue operations in support of affected communities. In close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense, local government units, and partner agencies, we remain committed to helping ensure the safety and welfare of our fellow Mindanaoans during this challenging time," Major General Luzon said.
Major General Luzon's statement underscores the division's immediate operational posture following the earthquake, with priority given to protecting civilian lives and restoring access to affected areas.
Multi-Agency Coordination Framework Activated
The military's response is being conducted as part of a broader whole-of-government framework. The 10th Infantry Division is serving as one of the key response pillars alongside civilian disaster management bodies, affirming the standing inter-agency protocols activated in the event of major natural disasters in the Philippines.
The Office of Civil Defense, which operates under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), is one of the central coordinating bodies in the response effort. Local government units in affected areas are also active participants in directing troops toward communities in the greatest need of humanitarian assistance.
The Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection have similarly deployed personnel to support rescue operations, maintain public order, and assist in the overall coordination of relief and recovery efforts.
10th Infantry Division's Role in Mindanao Disaster Response
The 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, headquartered in Mawab, Davao de Oro, is the primary Philippine Army formation responsible for military operations across a significant portion of Mindanao. Its HADR capabilities have been regularly activated during natural disasters, including previous earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding events that have affected communities throughout the island group.
The division's HADR units are trained and equipped specifically for rapid deployment in disaster scenarios, enabling them to integrate quickly with civilian disaster response networks. The activation of the 10th Emergency Response Company alongside two infantry battalions and a brigade-level task force signals the scale of the military's commitment to the June 8 earthquake response.
Mindanao lies within one of the most seismically active zones in the Philippines, situated along several major fault lines and within the broader Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquakes of significant magnitude have periodically struck the island group, underscoring the importance of pre-positioned military and civilian response capabilities in the region.
Division Continues to Monitor Developing Situation
In its official statement released on June 8, 2026, the 10th Infantry Division indicated that it continues to monitor the developing situation closely and remains prepared to provide additional assistance as conditions on the ground evolve.
Further updates on the scope of damage, the number of affected communities, and the progression of rescue and relief operations are expected to be released by the division's Public Affairs Office and relevant government agencies as the response effort continues.
Residents in affected areas are advised to heed the guidance of local government officials and disaster management authorities, and to follow official communication channels for updates on evacuation, relief distribution, and emergency services.
The 10th Infantry Division has urged the public to remain calm and to cooperate with response teams currently operating in the field, as military and civilian personnel work to restore normalcy and ensure the safety and welfare of all communities impacted by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, Philippine Army