THE MILITARY has placed its tri-service forces on heightened readiness across Southern Mindanao as Joint Task Force (JTF) Agila scrambles to deliver aid, airlift supplies to isolated villages, and conduct critical search and rescue operations following a destructive earthquake in the region.
As of Friday, the Army, Air Force, and Navy components of JTF Agila have sustained continuous humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations to stabilize heavily hit communities in Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and General Santos City.
Search and rescue in GenSan
On Thursday, June 11, specialized Army search, rescue, and retrieval teams braved hazardous conditions at the severely damaged CEPAVI Warehouse in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City.
Concurrently, military personnel deployed water assets to provide free potable water to hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently taking shelter at a crowded evacuation site in Barangay Bawing.
Isolated villages air-dropped aid
The logistical challenge peaked in the island and mountainous terrains of Davao Occidental, where some areas are cut off. JTF Agila units partnered with local government units (LGUs) to facilitate emergency airlifts.
Military aircraft dropped essential relief supplies to completely isolated communities and executed critical medical evacuations for severely injured residents from the remote Sarangani Municipality.
Further boosting the regional response, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental deployed a massive logistical convoy consisting of food packs, potable water, fuel, and medical supplies to augment JTF Agila’s forward operating sites.
‘Fully committed’
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of JTF Agila, emphasized that the military will not pull back until the communities are stabilized.
“Our personnel will continue working alongside partner agencies and local government units to ensure that help reaches those who need it most,” Maj. Gen. Luzon said in a statement. “We remain ready and dependable in responding to disasters and assisting our communities during this challenging time.”
With aftershocks still threatening the region, JTF Agila’s leadership confirmed that all search, rescue, and relief assets remain on high alert as recovery operations transition into the weekend.
