Philippine Earthquake Death Toll Rises, Military Deploys Hundreds for Rescue Operation

The Philippine Office of Civil Defence (OCD) confirmed on Wednesday that 45 people have died following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani, and other areas in the southern Philippines on Monday. The OCD’s Deputy Administrator for Administration, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, stated the fatalities are spread across the Davao and Soccsksargen regions. In a radio interview, Alejandro detailed that 18 deaths were recorded in Sarangani, 15 in South Cotabato, 11 in Davao Occidental, and one in Davao del Sur. In addition to the deaths, authorities are verifying reports of 17 missing persons, with 13 reported missing in Davao Occidental and four others in General Santos City. The OCD also recorded at least 630 injured individuals, though this figure remains subject to validation as new field reports arrive.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the earthquake affected 33,596 families, or approximately 149,372 people, across the Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao. Of these, 8,813 families, or 32,464 people, are currently housed in 57 evacuation centres, while others are receiving aid outside displacement sites or staying with relatives. Infrastructure damage is significant, with the NDRRMC recording 2,499 partially damaged houses and 495 totally destroyed homes. To accelerate response efforts, the Philippine Army deployed an 18-member Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to General Santos City. Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala stated the 10th Infantry Division has committed around 200 personnel to the city, one of the areas hardest hit by infrastructure damage. These personnel include a platoon from the 10th Emergency Response Company, three platoons from Task Force Gensan, a platoon from the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and a company from the 28th Infantry Battalion. Elsewhere, the 6th Infantry Division deployed 53 personnel from 12 humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams to General Santos City, Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim in Sarangani, as well as Lebak in Sultan Kudarat province. The military has also mobilised vehicles including eight KM-250 trucks, five KM-450 trucks, two patrol vehicles, and three motorcycles. A further 530 personnel from 53 HADR teams of the 10th Infantry Division and 77 personnel from nine HADR teams of the 6th Infantry Division remain on standby, supported by 56 military trucks and a patrol vehicle. “The Philippine Army is working closely with national government agencies and local governments to ensure a swift and coordinated response to the devastating earthquakes in the area,” Dema-ala concluded.