SURIGAO CITY / DINAGAT ISLANDS — Philippine military forces and civilian government agencies conducted a series of coordinated maritime security and defense operations in Surigao City and the waters of Melgar Bay, Dinagat Islands, on October 22–23, as part of Exercise Surigao Sentinel 2026, a joint capability demonstration aimed at strengthening the country’s readiness against emerging maritime threats.
Led by the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), the exercise brought together the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) of the Philippine Navy, through Joint Task Force Sinaya, and participating units from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Tactical Operations Group 10 (TOG 10), local government units, and other civilian agencies.
The two-day exercise focused on improving joint operational coordination, strengthening information-sharing, and testing the ability of military and civilian institutions to respond collectively to maritime security threats, emergencies, and other security contingencies.
Simulated foreign vessel entry tests coordinated response
The capability demonstration opened with a simulated security incident in Surigao City involving the entry of a foreign vessel into local waters, triggering a coordinated response among participating agencies.
The scenario subsequently moved to the waters of Melgar Bay, Dinagat Islands, where participating units carried out a series of maritime and defense operations designed to demonstrate their operational capabilities and interoperability.
Exercise components included maritime domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), surface operations, maritime interdiction, coastal defense, counter-landing live-fire exercises, maritime air strike operations, and indirect fire exercises.
The exercise also incorporated water search and rescue operations and noncombatant evacuation operations, highlighting the importance of maintaining the capacity to protect civilians and respond to humanitarian emergencies alongside conventional defense missions.
These scenarios tested the ability of participating forces to coordinate their movements, exchange operational information, and synchronize land, sea, and air assets under simulated security conditions.
Navy ships, aircraft and special warfare units deployed
Several Philippine Navy vessels and supporting military assets participated in the exercise, including BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS21), BRP Conrado Yap (PS30), BRP Dioscoro Papa (PC381), and BRP Alberto Navarrete (PC394).
Fixed-wing aircraft NV392 also supported the operations, alongside Naval Special Warfare Unit 7 (NSWU7), Philippine Army units, PCG and BFAR vessels, a PNP Maritime Group boat, and other supporting personnel and agencies.
One of the capability demonstrations involved NSWU7 personnel and a Blackhawk helicopter from the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 10, which showcased the Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System (FRIES) on October 23 in Dinagat Islands.
FRIES is a tactical insertion and extraction technique that allows military personnel, equipment, and supplies to be deployed from or retrieved by a hovering helicopter without requiring the aircraft to land.
The technique is particularly useful in areas where landing is difficult or impossible, allowing forces to reach confined, remote, or otherwise inaccessible locations while maintaining operational flexibility.
The demonstration highlighted the importance of integrating air mobility and specialized naval capabilities into joint operations, particularly in responding to maritime security situations and other rapidly developing contingencies.
Medical and dental outreach benefits 1,181 residents
Beyond its military and security objectives, Exercise Surigao Sentinel 2026 also incorporated a community outreach initiative, extending government services to residents of Dinagat Islands.
Conducted at the Municipal Gym in Barangay Don Ruben, San Jose, the activity provided medical and dental services to residents from seven barangays: Wilson, Sta. Cruz, Don Ruben Ecleo, San Juan, San Jose, Mahayahay, and Matingbe.
A total of 1,181 residents benefited from the initiative, which included medical consultations with free medicines, random blood sugar testing, tooth extraction, eye examinations with free eyeglasses, circumcision, and other civil relations activities.
The outreach component demonstrated how military-civilian cooperation can extend beyond operational security, providing opportunities for government institutions to address community needs and strengthen relationships with local residents.
It also reinforced the role of civil-military engagement in supporting communities, particularly in geographically dispersed island municipalities where access to essential services can be challenging.
Exercise links present-day defense readiness with Battle of Surigao Strait legacy
Exercise Surigao Sentinel 2026 also served as a prelude to the October 25 commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Surigao Strait, one of the major naval engagements of World War II.
The historical battle, fought in October 1944 during the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, remains a significant part of the country’s maritime history, commemorating the sacrifices of Filipino and Allied forces during the liberation campaign against Japanese occupation.
Holding the exercise ahead of the anniversary connected the historical significance of Surigao’s maritime waters with contemporary national defense requirements.
While the battle represented a defining chapter in the country’s wartime naval history, the exercise underscored the continuing importance of preparedness, coordinated maritime operations, and cooperation among military services and civilian institutions in protecting Philippine waters.
The participation of multiple military branches and civilian agencies also reflected the increasingly interconnected nature of maritime security, which requires not only naval capabilities but also effective surveillance, law enforcement, fisheries protection, search and rescue, and civilian emergency response.
Through Exercise Surigao Sentinel 2026, the participating forces demonstrated the importance of sustained readiness and integrated operations in addressing evolving maritime security challenges.
The Philippine Navy reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s maritime interests, strengthening interoperability with partner agencies, and supporting national defense through coordinated operations.
The exercise was conducted under the Philippine Navy’s 128th anniversary theme: “Modern and Ready, Strong and Steady — Credible in Mission, Always Mission-Ready.”