The Philippine Army’s (PA) 10th Infantry “Agila” Division has initiated extensive disaster relief operations in response to the severe earthquake in the Davao Region and the surrounding areas of Eastern Mindanao over the weekend.
In a statement on Saturday, the PA said that the 10ID immediately activated its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) protocols immediately following the quake.
An Emergency Response Company (ERC) was dispatched from headquarters to the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital to augment existing rescue and medical teams.
Disaster Response Units (DRUs) from multiple brigades and battalions have been deployed to the worst-affected municipalities to execute search and rescue missions and provide essential relief, the PA added.
Ranking Army officers also conducted an aerial Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDANA) of Region XI using a Blackhawk S-70i helicopter to efficiently evaluate the scope of the disaster.
Preliminary reports confirm three fatalities in Davao Oriental and one in Davao de Oro, and numerous minor injuries across adjacent municipalities.
Damage assessments are currently underway, revealing confirmed landslides, widespread power outages, and structural damage in areas such as Monkayo, Montevista, and Pantukan.
“The 10ID is maintaining close coordination with Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) to enhance the effectiveness of ongoing response and relief efforts,” the Army said.
