MAWAB, Davao de Oro — Helicopters from the Philippine Air Force and boots-on-the-ground Agila Troopers have been working in tandem since June 9, 2026, to bring urgent relief to earthquake-affected residents in isolated communities across the Davao region, with the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division at the center of the military's response effort.
Major General Alvin Luzon, the 10th Infantry Division's Commanding General, personally led an aerial Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) on that date, overflying affected communities in Jose Abad Santos and Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, to get a firsthand view of the destruction caused by the earthquake.
Aerial Survey Brings Together Multiple Government Agencies
The June 9 aerial RDANA was not a unilateral military exercise — it was a coordinated inter-agency operation that brought together some of the country's key disaster response bodies. Participating in the survey alongside the military were representatives from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Davao Occidental, and various local government units (LGUs).
The purpose of the aerial assessment was to obtain a rapid but comprehensive picture of the damage across areas that are difficult to reach by road — particularly Balut Island in Sarangani, where geographic isolation has significantly complicated relief delivery. According to the 10th Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office, the aerial survey was designed to complement ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations already being conducted by Agila Troopers in General Santos City and other parts of the affected region.
The joint survey reflects the kind of multi-agency coordination that Major General Luzon has described as essential in disaster environments as geographically challenging as island communities and mountainous terrain.
Black Hawk Helicopter Evacuates Four Isolated Residents from Balut Island
One of the most urgent operations carried out on June 9 involved the air casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) of four residents from Balut Island, using a Philippine Air Force Black Hawk helicopter. The four individuals were transported by air to medical facilities after ground routes to the island were rendered inaccessible by the earthquake.
The use of military aviation assets to reach the stranded residents underscores the severity of conditions on Balut Island. With conventional land access cut off, the helicopter evacuation was the only viable option for getting the injured and vulnerable residents the medical attention they needed in a timely manner.
According to the 10th Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office, the CASEVAC operation is part of a broader commitment by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure that residents in isolated and hard-to-reach areas are not left behind during disaster response operations.
Troops Engaged in Search and Rescue, Road Clearing Across Affected Barangays
On the ground, Agila Troopers have been deployed across severely affected barangays, carrying out a range of disaster response activities that include search and rescue missions, route clearing, damage assessment, and direct logistical support to civilian government agencies. The 10ID Public Affairs Office confirmed that additional troops were sent specifically to areas in Davao Occidental where roads remain impassable, ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches communities that have been cut off from normal supply lines.
Troops are working in close coordination with civilian counterparts, pooling both resources and manpower to speed up the delivery of relief goods and complete the assessment of damage across affected communities. The collaborative approach has allowed the military and civilian agencies to cover more ground in less time, a critical factor in the immediate aftermath of a major earthquake.
Luzon Calls Coordinated Action the Cornerstone of the Response
During the inter-agency aerial assessment, Major General Luzon stressed that unified action among all responding parties — military and civilian alike — is what will determine the effectiveness of the overall relief effort.
"Our priority is the safety and well-being of communities affected by this earthquake. Through close coordination with government agencies and local government units, we will continue to provide assistance, support ongoing response efforts, and help communities recover from its effects. We have also deployed additional Agila Troopers to severely affected barangays in Davao Occidental, particularly in areas where roads remain impassable, to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most," General Luzon said.
His remarks reflect the 10th Infantry Division's operational doctrine, which treats inter-agency collaboration not as an add-on but as a foundational requirement — especially when dealing with geographically complex terrain where no single agency can respond adequately on its own.
Division Maintains Sustained Operational Presence in Quake Zone
The 10th Infantry (Agila) Division is headquartered at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro, and bears operational responsibility for a large portion of Mindanao. Its HADR mandate is activated regularly during natural calamities in the region, and the current earthquake response is described by the division as one of the most extensive currently active in the country.
In a statement released by Major Ruben L. Gadut, Officer-in-Charge and Chief of the Division Public Affairs Office, the 10ID confirmed its full commitment to sustaining disaster response and recovery operations for as long as the emergency requires. The division's troopers are serving simultaneously as first responders, relief delivery personnel, and a stabilizing presence for communities dealing with the psychological and physical aftermath of the disaster.
The HADR operations are being conducted in parallel with the division's regular security and community engagement functions, a dual-track approach that reflects the wide scope of the 10ID's mandate in Mindanao.
Relief Operations to Continue Until Affected Communities Stabilize
As of June 9, 2026, active operations across multiple fronts — including search and rescue, casualty evacuation, road clearing, damage assessment, and logistical support — remain ongoing. The 10ID Public Affairs Office indicated that the pace and scale of these operations are expected to be maintained in the coming days as damage assessments are finalized and relief priorities are further defined.
The involvement of both Philippine Army ground forces and Philippine Air Force aviation assets points to a whole-of-military approach to the disaster, with every available capability being leveraged to reach affected populations. The OCD, the DSWD, and local PDRRMO units remain embedded within military operations to ensure that the response aligns with civilian welfare priorities at all times.
Further updates on the progress of operations in Jose Abad Santos, Balut Island, and other affected communities in Davao Occidental and surrounding areas are expected to be released by the 10ID Public Affairs Office as the situation on the ground continues to evolve.
Photo courtesy of the 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army / Public Affairs Office.
Originally reported by: breakingnewsnegor.com