Army's 10th Infantry Division opens new 39IB facilities in Matanao, Davao del Sur

The Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division (10ID) has opened a newly built administration building and covered court for the 39th Infantry Battalion (39IB) in Barangay Asbang, Matanao, Davao del Sur, according to Mindanao Times.

MGEN Alvin Luzon, the 10ID commander, led the ribbon-cutting on October 24 together with Davao del Sur Lone District Rep. John Tracy Cagas.

The administration building will serve as the battalion's hub for command and control, operational planning and mission preparation. The covered court is meant for unit training and physical fitness, as well as community activities and as a staging area for disaster response in the province.

Luzon told the battalion to take care of the new facilities, describing them as important to unit discipline and performance. "A strong camp must produce a stronger unit," he said, stressing accountability among soldiers and thanking the partner agencies involved in the project.

Speaking in Bisaya, Cagas called the 39IB soldiers "our friends and brothers" and recalled that many of the battalion's officers and troops had died defending Barangay Asbang and Matanao. He said the military's continued presence remains important for stability and local development.

The 10ID said the facilities will also support the division's shift toward territorial defense operations by improving readiness, integrating the Reserve Force and making personnel mobilization more efficient.

The program included a "Talk to Troops" session, a tree-planting activity and a mustering of the 1101st Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion. BGEN Apollo Jun Lamaton, commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and LTCOL Hector Estolas, commanding officer of the 39IB, also attended.