AFP, PLGU Dinagat Islands strengthen PH’s eastern seaboard territorial defense
By Renelle L. Escuadro
SAN JOSE, Province of Dinagat Islands (PIA) — The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in partnership with the provincial government of Dinagat Islands, strengthened the territorial defense of the country’s eastern seaboard through a large-scale military exercise held in Barangay Santa Cruz, San Jose on October 22.
Dubbed “Exercise Surigao Sentinel 01-2026” with the theme, “Beyond the Strait: Converging Historical Legacy and Multi-Domain Security,” it showcased the territorial defense operations in the eastern seaboard through combined efforts and synchronized inter-agency exercises of the intelligence community, military and reserve force, law enforcement, maritime security, strategic communicators, local government units, and the academe to build regional resilience against foreign interference.
Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. said during the opening ceremony that the simulation activity brought together more than 600 personnel from the Philippine Army (PA), including reservists, the Navy and Air Force, alongside other security agencies, civilian government institutions, local government units and the communities.
“This activity is intended to test our readiness to respond to external security threats and strengthen coordination across the different domains of national defense,” said Gov. Demerey, also the commanding officer of the 1505th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion, PA.
He highlighted the role of Dinagat Islands in liberating the country during the darkest days of World War II. “On October 17, 1944, before the famous landing in Leyte, American liberation forces landed in Loreto town. The 6th Ranger Battalion came ashore at Campintac, beginning an operation that formed part of the advance efforts toward the liberation of our country from Japanese occupation.”
Demerey shared that during the Battle of Surigao Strait, the waters of Dinagat Islands became the final battleship-to-battleship engagement in naval history where the Japanese battleship IJN Yamashiro, flagship of Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura, eventually sank in the vicinity of Hibusong Island in Loreto.
“History tells us that we, Filipinos, never measure courage by the number of our enemies or by the weapons arrayed against us. Our courage has always been measured by what we are willing to stand for, sacrifice for, and when necessary, fight for,” Demerey added.
EastMinCom thanked the provincial government and its local government units for their commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness, disaster response, community resilience, and capabilities of the reservists.
“We appreciate the initiatives of the provincial government to support and develop the reserve force, recognizing that reservists are an important part of our national defense and emergency response capabilities. These efforts demonstrate that security and public safety are shared responsibilities,” said Colonel Rosa Maria Cristina Rosete-Manuel, spokesperson of the EastMinCom during the press briefing.
“The military cannot do this alone. We need responsive local governments, prepared communities, capable reservists, and strong coordination among government agencies to address security challenges and emergencies,” Rosete-Manuel added.
“Territorial defense is not measured by military capability alone, but by our ability to anticipate challenges, make sound decisions, and act together when it matters most. This requires a capable and adaptable force, responsive government institutions, ready reservists, and informed and resilient communities,” she told the media.
Meanwhile, the country’s eastern seaboard faces the Pacific Ocean, specifically the Philippine Sea. Under the Department of National Defense’s strategy on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, the eastern seaboard acts as a primary gateway for regional defense monitoring, including radar tracking, maritime interdiction, and littoral surveillance.
As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the administration has shifted the AFP’s focus from internal security to full-scale external defense to address emerging external security challenges, while sustaining the gains of internal security operations. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
