ABOUT US
The Eastern Mindanao Command also known as EastMinCom was founded on 28 August 2006. It is one of the unified commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The AFP forces in Mindanao were formerly under a single area command, the Southern Command. General Headquarters assessed that SOUTHCOM’s command and control is reduced due to the very large area of operations, wide span of control and complexity of threats. As such, the AFP divided SOUTHCOM into two area commands, the Western Mindanao Command and Eastern Mindanao Command. The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), Armed Forces of the Philippines was activated on August 28, 2006 pursuant to section II, General Orders Number 1035, General Headquarters, Armed forces of the Philippines dated August 23, 2006 with MGen. Rodolfo S. Obaniana AFP.
Eastern Mindanao Command was envisioned to be Mindanao’s partner in nation building; a dynamic, capable and responsive organization that is committed and ready to fulfill its mandate in meeting the challenges and breaking the barriers to peace, progress and development in the region.
During its activation, the Command was given the responsibility over South Eastern Mindanao, Central and Northern Mindanao with the mission of conducting joint operations against all national security threats in the area in order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conductive to development and assist government agencies in their socio-economic, ecological and developmental activities.
In the performance of its mandate, the Command has three (3) component units: the Army, Air Force, and Navy that are strategically deployed in Eastern Mindanao.
Originally, the command has three Army Infantry Divisions: the 4th Infantry Division stationed at Camp Evangelista, Brgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro City; 6th Infantry Division in Brgy. Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao; and 10th Infantry Division situated in Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province. Also under it is the 52nd Engineer Brigade which is based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, providing engineer support to the Command.
To secure the territorial waters, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, located in Panacan, Davao City, was also placed OPCOM to the command as its Naval component while three Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force was placed on OPCON to the Command to provide air capability in pursuit of the mission.
To focus against threats being posed by NPAs, the Command release control over 6th Infantry Division and its AOR on 2012 except the eastern part of Cotabato and the Municipality of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.
History Highlights
Maguindanao Martial Law Administrator
After the infamous Maguindanao Massacre on November 23, 2009, EMC was tasked by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to implement Martial Law in the Province of Maguindanao and restore normalcy in the area. Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, then con current Commander was designated as Administrator, the Command was able to destroy Private Armed Group of the Ampatuans and arrested suspected perpetrators and restored normalcy after three months of Martial Law.
Ensuring Peaceful 2010 Elections
With the implementation of the automated elections on May 10, 2010, Eastern Mindanao Command proved its mettle and non-partisanship when the conduct of election in its AOR was peaceful.
Arresting restlessness in Central Mindanao
After declaration of MOA-AD an unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on October 14, 2008, violence escalated in Central Mindanao which prompted the Command to realign and redeploy forces to normalize the situation.
Tambayayong
The Eastern Mindanao was in the forefront of HADR when Super typhoon Pablo hit the Eastern most part of the area of responsibility mobilizing different units – the Air; Naval, and Ground Components. Designated by President Aquino to be the lead agency in Search and Operation, the Eastern Mindanao took control of different volunteers from different organizations making it organized and systematic. During rehabilitation, EMC organized Task Force Tambayayong to assist different LGUs and NGAs in building the communities better. Typhoon Yolanda likewise brought EMC’s Tambayayong II to assists the government in rehabilitation effort in Eastern Visayas.
Panagdait Mindanao: EMC’s Bayanihan
With the implementation of the IPSP Bayanihan, Eastern Mindanao Command reformatted its campaign and shifted its paradigm in the pursuit of winning the peace in its AOR. The massive deployment of Peace and Development Teams or the Bayanihan Teams in its Area of Operation turned the situation into better resulting to the handover of counter-insurgency lead role to the different Provincial Governments.
MISSION
To conduct joint operations against all security threats in the area of responsibility in order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive for sustainable development, progress and prosperity.
Vision
To have a peaceful, secure and economically progressive Eastern Mindanao.
Goal
To win the peace in Eastern Mindanao.