THE 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade (1102Bde) and the Office of the Civil Defense-9 (OCD-9) have strengthened their partnership to ensuring safety and resilience communities in Sulu, the military said Thursday, August 6, 2026.
On Wednesday, August 5, Lawyer Ruel Halanes, OCD-9 director, paid a courtesy visit to Camp AKA that houses the 1102Bde headquarters in Bual village, Luuk, Sulu, and met with officials of the Brigade to strengthen coordination in disaster preparedness.
The 1102Bde said the visit underscored the shared commitment of both agencies to enhance inter-agency collaboration in advancing disaster risk reduction and management, improving emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and building resilient communities in support of the peace and development agenda of Sulu.
Colonel Alex Gagula, deputy brigade commander, welcomed Halanes on behalf of Brigadier General Alaric Avelino Delos Santos. Gagula was joined by other key officers of the 1102Bde during the activity.
“The activity commences with the signing of the guestbook and a fellowship, followed by discussions on strengthening coordination in disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and other civil defense initiatives,” the 1102Bde said in a statement.
Both parties also explored opportunities to further institutionalize collaborative efforts that complement ongoing peace and security initiatives in the province of Sulu.
Delos Santos emphasized that effective partnerships among government agencies are essential in ensuring the safety and resilience of communities.
“The enduring peace that Sulu now enjoys must be matched with strong disaster resilience,” Delos Santos said in a statement.
“Through our strengthened partnership with the Office of Civil Defense-9, we reaffirm our shared commitment to protecting lives, supporting communities during emergencies, and promoting sustainable development across the province,” Delos Santos added.
The courtesy visit concluded with the exchange of tokens of appreciation and a photo opportunity, reaffirming the commitment of the 1102Bde, OCD-9, and the Provincial Government of Sulu to sustain close collaboration in promoting a safer, more resilient, and disaster-ready Sulu
During the courtesy visit, Halanes was accompanied by Julkipli Ahijon Jr., the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Sulu. (SunStar Zamboanga)