When alarm signals pierced the air across Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on September 10, 2026, hundreds of Philippine Army soldiers were immediately put to the test — not by an enemy, but by a simulated seismic catastrophe. The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division conducted the 3rd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) that day, measuring how well its personnel and systems can hold up when the ground shakes without warning.
Drill Kicks Off With Alarm and Immediate Protective Action
The moment the alarm sounded across Camp Evangelista, all 4ID personnel executed the internationally recognized "Duck, Cover, and Hold" protocol — the standard first response to an earthquake. According to the 4th Infantry Division in a statement released after the exercise, the drill incorporated a simulated casualty scenario to evaluate how different units manage personnel injuries arising from a seismic event.
The exercise also put to the test the reliability of communications equipment, essential emergency gear, and mobility assets needed for a swift and effective initial response. Ensuring these systems function correctly in the early moments of a disaster, the division noted, is fundamental to minimizing harm.
Personnel Converge at Parade Ground for Accountability Checks
After the initial protective response phase, soldiers and staff evacuated in an organized, controlled manner to the designated assembly area at the 4ID parade ground. There, safety checks and personnel accountability were conducted to confirm that all individuals were accounted for and that no one had been left behind during the evacuation.
Evaluators and inspectors were stationed at critical points throughout the camp to observe and assess participants as the drill unfolded in real time. The division said assessors paid close attention to response speed, coordination among units, compliance with evacuation procedures, and adherence to established safety protocols.
HADR Readiness Incorporated Into the Exercise Design
The September 10 drill was not limited to testing self-preservation and internal camp procedures. It was also structured to evaluate the 4ID's capability to shift into full Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations — the kind of sustained community support effort that follows a major earthquake causing mass casualties, widespread structural damage, and disruption to civilian services.
This HADR component reflects what the 4th Infantry Division described as the Philippine Army's dual mandate in disaster situations: keeping its own forces ready and fully capable while simultaneously mobilizing to assist affected civilian communities in need.
Two Colonels Led Coordination and Facilitation
The overall coordination and implementation of the drill fell under the supervision of the office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, designated as G3, led by Colonel Sandy R. Majarocon. His office ensured that all components of the exercise were carried out in accordance with planned procedures across the entire division.
Meanwhile, the 4th Installation Management Battalion, under the command of Colonel Michael O. Sumapig, was responsible for facilitating troop movement and ensuring the drill proceeded safely and in an orderly fashion from start to finish, according to the division's statement.
After-Action Review Surfaces Lessons for Improvement
Once all exercise phases were completed, participating units and evaluators gathered at the 4ID Grandstand for a consolidation session and After Activity Report (AAR). During this review, assessors and unit representatives presented their findings, highlighting both strong performances and areas that require further improvement before a real disaster strikes.
The AAR is a standard tool in military training culture, designed to institutionalize lessons learned from exercises so that any identified weaknesses are corrected well before an actual emergency places lives on the line. The 4ID said the session produced actionable observations and concrete recommendations for the division moving forward.
Commander: 'No Rehearsal' When Lives Are at Stake
4ID Commanding General Major General Marion T. Angcao underscored the gravity of disaster preparedness, making clear that knowing earthquake procedures in theory is not enough — the capacity to act effectively must be continuously maintained at every level of the organization.
"Earthquakes can strike anytime without warning; therefore, readiness must be sustained at all times. In an actual disaster, there is no rehearsal and no opportunity to repeat a decision as lives are at stake," Major General Angcao said, as quoted in the division's official statement. He added: "Every drill is an opportunity to identify gaps, improve our systems, and ensure that we can quickly support our communities when called upon."
The commander's remarks reinforce the purpose behind institutionalized drills like the NSED — not as routine checkbox exercises, but as genuine rehearsals for scenarios where mistakes cannot be undone.
By the Numbers
- September 10, 2026 — Date the 3rd Quarter NSED was held at Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City
- 3rd Quarter — The NSED cycle in which the 4th Infantry Division participated
- 2 senior officers — Colonel Sandy R. Majarocon (G3 office) and Colonel Michael O. Sumapig (4th Installation Management Battalion) oversaw coordination and facilitation
- 2 key venues — The 4ID parade ground served as the evacuation convergence point; the 4ID Grandstand hosted the After Activity Report and consolidation session
Why This Matters
The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most seismically active countries in the world, and large-scale earthquake drills like the NSED are a cornerstone of the national disaster risk reduction framework. The 4ID's participation demonstrates that the Philippine Army's responsibilities extend well beyond traditional defense operations, encompassing active roles in civilian disaster response through structured HADR capabilities. As Major General Angcao emphasized, exercises such as this one exist precisely to expose and correct systemic gaps before a real earthquake strikes — because when that moment comes, there are no second chances and every decision carries life-or-death consequences.
Source: 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army