EastMinCom wraps up four-day defense drill in Surigao City and Dinagat Islands

The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) has concluded a four-day joint inter-agency defense exercise covering Surigao City, the Dinagat Islands and nearby waters, according to Mindanao Times.

Around 600 military personnel, reserve forces and civilian officials took part in Exercise Surigao Sentinel 01-2026, held from October 22 to 25. The drill assessed joint operational readiness across land, sea, air, cyber and information domains. It forms part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) continuing shift toward external territorial defense under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

Active-duty units from the Philippine Army, Navy and Air Force joined local government units and national civilian agencies. Activities included joint command simulations, integration of reservist forces, search and rescue operations, disaster response scenarios and community medical-dental missions.

The exercise coincided with the 82nd anniversary of the World War II Battle of Surigao Strait. Local officials said the drills centred on deterrence and operational readiness along the country's eastern seaboard.

Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo P. Demerey Jr. said the exercise was meant to ensure that soldiers, government and communities know how to respond if a threat reaches the islands. "The purpose of this exercise is not to glorify war. It is to prepare for the day we hope will never come," he said.

Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves L. Dumlao II said modern territorial defense requires cooperation across sectors. He noted that security now also covers airspace, digital systems and critical infrastructure, not just land and sea.

Lt. Gen. Edmundo G. Peralta, AFP deputy chief of staff, represented AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete. Peralta said the exercise validated EastMinCom's unilateral defense plan. "We see this exercise as a way to validate the unilateral defense plan of Eastern Mindanao Command and strengthen coordination between the AFP, our reserve forces, law enforcement agencies, and local government units," he said.

EastMinCom said data and operational gaps found during the exercise will be used to refine future joint defense planning and reserve mobilization along the eastern frontier.