TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At least 31 people have died and 12 others are still missing after a powerful earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, June 8, 2026, as reported by GMA News Online citing provincial authorities, according to Anadolu.
The earthquake, which occurred at 7:37 am local time off the coast of Sarangani province, caused extensive damage in several parts of Mindanao, collapsing buildings, disrupting power and water services, and triggering landslides in some areas.
More than 130 people were injured, while thousands of residents evacuated after authorities assessed structural damage and implemented community evacuations.
Several schools and government offices suspended operations on what should have been the opening day of the new academic year.
General Santos City and nearby provinces were among the hardest hit, with emergency response teams continuing search and rescue operations in damaged buildings.
Following the earthquake, the US Geological Survey (USGS) Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that a tsunami wave exceeding 3 meters above normal tide levels could occur along some coastlines after the earthquake.
The tsunami warning was later cancelled by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, as the observed wave height was deemed too small to cause damage.
Authorities in the Philippines and Indonesia had previously urged residents in vulnerable coastal communities to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Previously, the Philippine Office of Civil Defense (OCD) had verified reports of 19 deaths.
OCD Deputy Spokesperson Diego Agustin Mariano, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency PNA as reported by Antara, explained that 16 of the reported fatalities came from Soccsksargen and three from the Davao region.
The fatalities in Soccsksargen include ten from General Santos City, three from Glan, Sarangani, two from Tupi, South Cotabato, and one from Malapatan, Sarangani. In addition, the fatalities in the Davai region are from Davao Occidental.
According to Mariano, the reported number of fatalities came from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in each area. "The following number of deaths are still for validation," he said.
The Philippine government recorded 129 people in Soccsksargen and five in the Davao region with injuries, while 12 people in General Santos City are still reported missing.
Regarding building damage, Mariano explained that the team does not have the data yet. "For damaged (infrastructure), buildings, we don't have the figures yet," he said.
Military Rescue Operation
The Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) has activated humanitarian aid and disaster response protocols following the earthquake.
"Even as coordination with the OCD, the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) and concerned local government units continues, AFP units in the affected areas have already been directed to undertake preparedness and response measures. Recent reports indicate that national agencies have begun full-scale mobilization following the earthquake," said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla.
According to Padilla, AFP ground units including the unified command, main force, and reserve elements in Mindanao are on high alert status and ready to support search, rescue, and victim evacuation operations.
The AFP is also prepared to conduct rapid damage assessment and analysis of aid, technical support, transportation, communication, medical response, and supply of logistical assistance as needed.
"We maintain close coordination with the OCD and local authorities to ensure that our capabilities are employed where they are most needed and can provide the greatest benefit to affected communities," she said.
The AFP's current priorities are saving lives, ensuring the safety of the affected population, and restoring normal conditions.
"We assure the public that the AFP stands ready to deploy additional personnel and assets whenever and wherever necessary. We also encourage everyone to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks and to heed the advisories," Padilla said.
Read: How Did the M7.7 Philippines Earthquake Affect Indonesia?
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