The 10th Infantry (Agila) Division of the Philippine Army held its first-ever ceremony awarding separation gratuity pay to outgoing Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) personnel and integrating them into the Reserve Force on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Agila Hall, Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr., Barangay Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro.
A total of 78 CAA personnel attended the milestone event, which the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) described as a formal recognition of the auxiliaries' decades of frontline service in counter-insurgency and territorial defense operations across Mindanao.
Five Honorees Mark 38 Years of Continuous Service
Among those recognized were five CAA personnel who each completed 38 years of active auxiliary service — the longest tenures celebrated at the ceremony, according to the 10ID. Major General Alvin Luzon, Commander of the 10th Infantry Division, presided over the proceedings and personally addressed the honorees.
"Bilang inyong Commander, ako ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa maraming taon ninyong serbisyo bilang mga CAA ng 10th Infantry Division," Major General Luzon said in his address. "Sa pagtatapos ng inyong aktibong paglilingkod, ang separation gratuity pay na inyong natanggap ay sumasalamin sa pasasalamat at pagkilala ng Agila Division sa inyong dedikasyon at kontribusyon sa ating misyon. Ito ay nagsisilbing pagpupugay sa serbisyong inilaan ninyo sa ating Hukbong Sandatahan at sa sa bayan."
CAA Role in the Integrated Territorial Defense System
According to the 10th Infantry Division, CAA personnel serve as force multipliers within the Integrated Territorial Defense System, supporting operations against insurgency and sustaining insurgency-free areas as Left Behind Forces in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
Their mandate extends beyond internal security. The 10ID noted that CAA members have also contributed to external security by supporting community awareness and vigilance in coastal communities, directly tied to the defense of Philippine territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights — including those related to the West Philippine Sea.
Transition to Philippine Army Reserve Force
Separation from active CAA duty does not mark the end of service for the honorees. The 10ID said all personnel who received their gratuity pay were simultaneously integrated into the Philippine Army Reserve Force, making them available for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) missions, peacebuilding activities, and support to the Division's External Security Operations and Territorial Defense Operations as required.
The 10ID said the dual nature of the ceremony — combining financial recognition with formal Reserve Force enrollment — reflects the Division's intention to retain experienced auxiliaries as a strategic resource beyond their active service years.
A First for the Agila Division
The 10ID described the event as the first of its kind within the Division, underscoring an institutional shift toward formally acknowledging the welfare and contributions of its auxiliary force. The ceremony signals an effort to institutionalize recognition for CAA personnel, who have historically operated in support roles without the same visibility afforded to regular Army units.
In his message, Major General Luzon emphasized that the gratuity pay is not merely a financial benefit but a formal tribute — "pagpupugay," in his words — to service rendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Filipino nation.
The 10ID said it remains committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of its personnel and auxiliaries, sustaining peace gains, and strengthening the Integrated Territorial Defense System through continued recognition and support for both active and reserve personnel.
By the Numbers
- 78 — Total CAA personnel honored at the ceremony
- 5 — Personnel who each rendered 38 years of CAA service
- 38 years — Longest tenure recognized at the event
- October 12, 2026 — Date of the ceremony at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr., Mawab, Davao de Oro
Why This Matters
The ceremony marks the first time the 10th Infantry Division has formally combined financial separation benefits with Reserve Force integration for its CAA personnel, setting a precedent for how the Philippine Army recognizes auxiliary service. With 78 personnel transitioning to the Reserve Force, the Division retains experienced community-level defenders available for both security and disaster response roles. The event also highlights the sustained importance of CAFGU auxiliaries in securing GIDAs and coastal communities tied to broader national defense priorities, including the West Philippine Sea.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army