Tungawan mayor Angelito Aniรฑon lauds the KALASAG-Sibugay defense exercise, highlighting inter-agency coordination to secure Zamboanga Sibugay coasts. (Image by 106 IB PA Facebook Page)
TUNGAWAN, Zamboanga Sibugay โ Mayor Angelito Aniรฑon praised security forces and government agencies that participated in the KALASAG-Sibugay Inter-Agency Territorial Defense Operations Exercise. He said the activity highlights the importance of preparedness in protecting coastal communities.
โMilitary exercises such as this are an important part of governance because we should be prepared for eventualities our area might be facing,โ Aniรฑon said in an exclusive interview.
Preparedness
The KALASAG-Sibugay exercise was held on March 6 in the coastal areas of Tungawan. It aims to strengthen joint and combined arms operations among participating forces and improve inter-agency coordination in responding to potential external threats.
Organizers said the drill focused on enhancing operational readiness in vulnerable coastal zones of Zamboanga Sibugay, while reinforcing coordination between military units and civilian government agencies.
Beyond its tactical objectives, the exercise underscored the shared commitment of security forces and partner institutions to protect territorial integrity and ensure the safety and stability of communities across the province.
As part of the exercise timeline, a full-dress rehearsal was conducted on March 4 ahead of the culminating multi-site operations on March 6.
The activities were carried out in several strategic locations, including Barangay Gapas-Gapas and Barangay Linguisan in Tungawan; Pandilusan Island in Payao; Barangay Moal Boal in Talusan; and Barangay Baluno in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
A live-fire demonstration was included in the final exercise. Authorities advised residents, particularly fishermen operating in nearby coastal waters, to avoid designated exercise areas while the drills were underway to ensure public safety.
KALASAG-Sibugay participating units, agencies
Participating units and agencies included the Tactical Operations Group 9 and TOWWESMIN of the Philippine Air Force, the Western Mindanao Naval Command of the Philippine Navy, the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Coast Guard Station, and the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office.
Also joining the exercise were the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Squadron, Engineer Support Company of the 54th Engineer Brigade, 102nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Armyโs 1st Infantry Division, Service Support Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Civil-Military Operations Battalion, and the 904th Community Defense Center.
Several civilian government offices and local agencies also took part in the exercise. These agencies include the Provincial Government of Zamboanga Sibugay, the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Local Government Unit of Tungawan, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Provincial Health Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Developmentโs Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa Sibugay Cluster, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Philippine Information Agency.
Aniรฑon said the multi-agency exercise demonstrates the provinceโs readiness to coordinate defense, disaster response, and humanitarian support in the face of potential security threats or emergencies.
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