09/06/2026
RDRRMC XII MAINTAINS RED ALERT STATUS AS RESPONSE OPERATIONS CONTINUE FOLLOWING MAGNITUDE 7.8 EARTHQUAKE
General Santos City β The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) XII continues to intensify response operations and inter-agency coordination efforts following the Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Maasim, Sarangani Province at 7:37 AM on June 8, 2026.
As of 8:00 PM, a total of 562 aftershocks have been recorded, while local government units continue conducting Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in affected communities. The RDRRMC XII Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
remains under Red Alert Status to ensure sustained monitoring, response, and coordination activities.
Initial reports indicate that a total of **15,865 families or 73,172 individuals from 26 barangays** have been affected by the earthquake across parts of SOCCSKSARGEN Region.
Displacement data shows that **2,509 families or 7,532 individuals** have been affected by displacement, with **2,501 families or 7,492 individuals currently staying inside 18 evacuation centers**, while **eight families or 40 individuals are staying outside evacuation centers**.
In terms of casualties, validated reports indicate **32 fatalities, 144 injured individuals, and four persons reported missing**. Validation and verification of casualty data remain ongoing in coordination with local government units and concerned agencies.
Damage to critical infrastructure and lifelines has also been reported. Initial assessments show damage to **12 roads and five bridges**, with some sections experiencing limited access and passability concerns. Reports of power interruptions, water service disruptions, and intermittent communication lines were also recorded in affected areas.
Operations at General Santos International Airport were temporarily suspended, with reports indicating cancellation of flights, while one seaport was also affected by the earthquakeβs impacts.
Housing damage assessments indicate **16 damaged houses**, including **eight partially damaged and eight totally damaged structures**. Initial estimates also place infrastructure damage at approximately **β±979.5 million**, while agricultural losses continue to undergo validation.
Response operations remain ongoing with the deployment of 99 Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) personnel and 1 RDANA team (6 personnel) to support field operations and rapid assessment activities in affected communities. To strengthen
emergency communications support, one Electronic Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) team headed by DICT XII has already been deployed, while an additional team is scheduled for deployment on June 9, 2026 to Glan, Sarangani Province.
Humanitarian assistance and response assets continue to be mobilized to ensure timely support for affected populations.Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant due to continuing aftershocks and to follow advisories from local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
The RDRRMC XII assures the public that all member agencies remain fully mobilized to ensure timely response, continuous monitoring, and coordinated assistance to affected communities.
