The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that 19 individuals have died after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Southern Mindanao on June 8. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities currently tracking seven missing people and treating 134 others who sustained injuries.
According to OCD Spokesperson Junie Castillo, the Soccsksargen region bore the brunt of the disaster, accounting for 16 of the total fatalities. Significant infrastructure damage to both public and private facilities was also recorded in Sarangani Province.
“Sa mga structural damage, nabanggit na nga kanina ‘yung GenSan International Airport, mayro’n din pong tower sa GenSan, and then mayro’n din pong doon sa Sarangani na mga facilities. Ganoon din sa iba pa pong lugar,” Castillo explained.
Although the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially issued tsunami warnings in the wake of the tremor, the OCD noted that no major tsunami impacts have been confirmed. Nevertheless, emergency teams are validating reports of unusual sea-level rises along several coastlines.
In General Santos City, local police confirmed one casualty caused by a collapsed residential building. Initial assessments in the city also revealed a landslide and widespread structural damage affecting 14 businesses, two schools, two hospitals, and two homes.
To bolster disaster response, the Philippine National Police deployed 390 search-and-rescue personnel and 23 mobile units. Another 100 officers were stationed to secure critical infrastructure and maintain public order amid localized power and communication blackouts.
OCD Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros stated that the earthquake impacted four major regions: Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region XI (Davao Region), Region XII (Soccsksargen), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In response to the crisis, the OCD and the National Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell placed the affected regions under Red Alert status to fast-track rescue and relief operations.
Government agencies remain on high alert to assist displaced families and monitor ground conditions.